Judge loosens limits on Turkey Leg Hut
A Harris County civil court judge on Tuesday allowed the Turkey Leg Hut to continue its normal meat-smoking hours through the Thanksgiving holiday, modifying conditions of a temporary restraining order filed as part of a lawsuit against the popular Third Ward restaurant.
Judge Beau Miller of the 190th Civil Court ruled that the Turkey Leg Hut can cook as needed through the end of this week. Starting Monday through Wednesday, cooking is only allowed between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. The original restraining order, granted Nov. 20, limited smoking within those hours for two weeks.
“Today’s ruling was a successful step in the right direction for the Turkey
Leg Hut, whose good name and business has been unjustly damaged this week by the plaintiffs and their counsel,” according to a statement from John Zavitsanos, the restaurant’s Dallas-based lead attorney.
The lawsuit was filed last week on behalf of six Third Ward residents who say the smoke emanating from the restaurant creates a public health hazard. The residents live near the business, and some have asthma or young children, the lawsuit says. The legal action is intended to stop all outdoor cooking at the restaurant, according to the plaintiffs’ attorney Cris Feldman.
Turkey Leg Hut has been operating since 2017 at its current location at 4830 Almeda. During Tuesday’s hearing, the restaurant’s attorneys questioned the timing of the lawsuit just before the busy Thanksgiving holiday. Feldman said his clients since September had been trying to resolve the issue with the restaurant.
“There was never going to be a good time to file,” he said.
Turkey Leg Hut attorneys said the restraining order hurt business and caused them to run out of turkey legs on three separate occasions. Feldman said the smokeless nights were a relief for his clients.
“Nothing’s changed except that the Turkey Leg Hut continues to pose a public health and safety hazard,” he said after the hearing. “We look forward to stopping this illegal conduct.”
An injunction hearing has been set for Dec. 9 in the 152nd District Court.