CINCINNATI – A taste of Nashville is coming to the Banks this spring.
Joella's Hot Chicken plans to open its second Nashville hot chicken restaurant in Greater Cincinnati on May 7, according to Evan Sharf, regional director of operations for the Schultz Restaurant Group.
In 2016, the Louisville-based company that owns Joella's opened a store at 2440 High St. in Crescent Springs.
"We will also be participating in the Opening Day Block Party for the Reds on March 29," Sharf said.
The new store will open in the 3,520-square-foot space formerly occupied by Santo Graal at 180 E. Freedom Way.
"Joella’s Hot Chicken offers an affordable, chicken-based menu in a casual, fun setting. We are confident customers will enjoy having this new option available when they visit the Banks," said JR Anderson of Jeffrey R. Anderson Real Estate, the Banks leasing and management firm, in a news release.
Joella's will be open 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 10:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Sharf said hours likely will be extended based on the flow of business, especially during baseball season.
The fast-casual restaurant opened its first location in Louisville in 2015. Joella's menu offers six spice levels for its chicken: traditional Southern, Spiked Honey, Ella’s Fav, Tweener, hot and “Fire- in da-Hole.” The restaurant serves side dishes such as creamy mac and cheese, sweet vinegar slaw, garlic fries and kale crunch salad. Joella's also offers craft beer and soda.
“We are looking forward to joining the energetic, fun environment offered at the Banks," said Ray Schulte, owner of the Schulte Restaurant Group.
