The beloved downtown restaurant bids farewell to Foster Street and embraces a new home in the Garland Building
By Kate Loeffel
Dame’s Chicken and Waffles quickly became more than a restaurant after opening its doors on Main Street in the heart of downtown in 2010. It became a gathering spot where Southern comfort met creative twists, where locals and visitors alike lined up for crispy fried chicken, golden waffles and sides made with soul. After nearly a decade at its original 317 W. Main St. location, the restaurant moved to 530 Foster St. in March 2019, continuing to grow its devoted following. Co-owners and longtime friends Damion “Dame” Moore and Randy Wadsworth have built a loyal fan base – and expanded to multiple area locations – over the past 15 years.
The beloved eatery is on the move again, this time to the Garland Building on Driver Street in the heart of East Durham.
This isn’t the first time Dame and Randy have taken a leap into uncharted territory. They planted their roots downtown long before it transformed into today’s booming hub. With their lease soon coming to an end, they set out last year to find a new home that offered what the Foster Street location could not – amenities like accessible parking and proximity to their workforce – to better serve their employees and customers.
They found a perfect fit, after extensive research and exploration, when a mutual affiliate connected the owners to Alliance Architecture, the firm helping reshape East Durham into a creative, entrepreneurial destination while honoring its historic character. Alliance’s work includes projects like the American Tobacco Campus, and now, the Garland Building.
“What’s happening in East Durham right now is really amazing,” Dame says. “The development that’s going on there [and] the publicization that’s happening was appealing to us. We’ve always been pioneering, wanting to expand into new markets. This location affords us that ability as well.”
Alliance founder John Warasila says the admiration goes both ways. “They’ve been really good at being the early adopters and creating a sense of place and a destination that the neighborhood starts to grow around,” he says. “That’s what attracted us to them, too.”
The Garland Building brings more than just increased convenient parking. The structure maintains much of its original foundation, and its historic bones offer character and spaciousness. “The buildings were built to be workhorses of whatever industry was in them,” John says. “They’re really good, solid boxes that lend themselves to be turned into new ventures.” The new Dame’s will offer about 20% to 30% more room for customers than the downtown shop, thanks in part to the inviting courtyard seating for warm-weather dining.
Still, leaving Foster Street is bittersweet. “Downtown helped build who we are today,” Randy says. “That’s where we got started. That’s where we received our first bit of love from Durham. We’ve always got a soft spot in our hearts for downtown.”
While the address may change, Dame’s regulars can still expect the same flavor-packed favorites – with a few new surprises. Dame and Randy plan to roll out new appetizers and desserts, extend their hours and continue to serve the dishes that made Dame’s a household name. Just as importantly, they intend to keep giving back.
“We hope to add some more jobs for us, and to continue to be a resource for not only the local community, but also the larger community in Durham,” Dame says. “I live in Durham; it’s home for me, so I want what’s best for my city.”
With this move, Dame’s Chicken and Waffles isn’t just opening a new location – it’s writing the next chapter of a Durham original.
