Reggie Pulliam and Adam Williams, who run SuSu’s New Orleans Kitchen
Reggie Pulliam and Adam Williams, who run SuSu’s New Orleans Kitchen (Image: Reggie Pulliam and Adam Williams, who run SuSu’s New Orleans Kitchen )
Two friends decided to open a new Liverpool restaurant after meeting a Scouse taxi driver. Reggie Pulliam and Adam Williams are bringing a taste of the Deep South to the city with SuSu’s New Orleans Kitchen, based at Molly Malone’s on Victoria Street in the city centre.
The venue opens today (Monday June 9) and and the American owners want to serve Scousers some unique and flavoursome Deep South dishes.
These include shrimp bread, gumbo, jambalaya, poboys, baked oysters and more. The friends' affection with Liverpool began when Reggie became a big Everton fan due to American players such as Joe-Max Moore, Tim Howard and Landon Donovan playing for the club.
As CEO of an insurance firm, he’d often visit London and every time he was there he’d also visit Goodison to watch a match. Reggie soon fell in love with the city and its charm.
When he sold the insurance firm, he and his wife Cassie would visit frequently, staying at The Titanic Hotel and going to Everton matches.
Reggie said: “I’ve been crazy about Everton ever since Joe-Max Moore played for them back in the 90s.
“I attended his football camp in my native Alabama and from that point on I was hooked. When I sold the insurance company, my wife and I would visit Liverpool regularly to go to the matches. Then lots of things started happening that made us absolutely fall in love with the city and decide to open SuSu’s.
Reggie Pulliam and Adam Williams outside SuSu’s New Orleans Kitchen
Reggie Pulliam and Adam Williams outside SuSu’s New Orleans Kitchen
“Firstly, Davey, the concierge at The Titanic, arranged for us to meet all the Everton players. Then an official Everton photographer snapped a photo of me that went viral.
“We had discussed the idea of opening a restaurant here and shortly after we met a couple who said they could help us and also a bartender who knew everything about Deep South cuisine. When my wife met a taxi driver from Liverpool in Florida, the universe had told us enough.”
Reggie named the concept after his mother and brought Adam on board, who has extensive hospitality experience. Adam, however, has decided to become a Liverpool fan “just to p*** Reggie off”.
Baked oysters at SuSu's
Baked oysters at SuSu's(Image: Supplied)
Reggie and Adam are aiming to make waves in Liverpool’s culinary scene, much like the way Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have achieved successive promotions at Wrexham FC.
Adam said: “At first I thought Reggie and Cassie were crazy wanting to open a New Orleans kitchen in Liverpool, but after visiting the city a few times I totally understood why they fell in love with the place.
“Scousers are amazing and people are so friendly here. Prior to opening we’ve been giving locals free samples of our dishes and the feedback has been amazing so we’re really excited to be open!
“We have big plans for SuSu’s New Orleans Kitchen but it’s not just about bringing incredible, unique dishes to Liverpool.
Reggie watching Everton with his wife Cassie
Reggie watching Everton with his wife Cassie(Image: Supplied)
“We’re using local suppliers for our ingredients and we’re also a Living Wage restaurant, so we’ll be offering our team a profit share scheme. I believe we may be the first hospitality business in Liverpool to do this. We’re all about ethics and supporting the local people and economy.”
SuSu’s New Orleans Kitchen has opened at Molly Malone’s on Victoria Street from Monday June 9. It will be open seven days a week for dine in or takeaway orders.