Photo:Denise Truscello/Getty
Denise Truscello/Getty
TheJonas Brotherscan’t get enough of their family’s cooking.
In addition to enjoyingtheir parents Kevin Sr. and Denise’s recipes, Kevin, Joe, Nick and theiryounger brother Franklinhave their go-to favorites when they visit their family’s restaurant,Nellie’s Southern Kitchenin Belmont, North Carolina.
“[My grandmother’s] recipes for me represented home, and I’m really fortunate that I have a wife that did that for our children,” Kevin Sr. tells PEOPLE exclusively. “My grandmother put her love into each and every meal and recipe. So it was important for me that [the restaurant] honored the way she did it. We’ve often heard people say, ‘I feel like my grandmother just gave me a big hug’ after eating her chicken and dumplings, which is what it means to me.”
Denise Jonas and Kevin Jonas Sr. (left) and Executive Chef Mario Nichols (right) at Las Vegas opening of Nellie’s Southern Kitchen.Denise Truscello/Getty
Executive chef Mario Nichols, a North Carolina native who joined Nellie’s in 2021 and has been manning theLas Vegas locationsince its opening last year, adds that the restaurant strives to provide Southern staples that are “elevated” at the same time.
“It’s just like going to your mother’s or your grandmother’s,” Nichols adds of the restaurant. “It’s plenty of food. There’s a lot of love, laughter, and just good times. And that’s what I remember growing up. That’s why it was a match for us [working together] because that’s what I want to portray in my food.”
Kevin Sr. hopes to bring those beloved dishes to new locations in the near future.
“We are specifically looking at locations right now in Texas,” says Kevin Sr. “We’re looking at locations where the boys have had touring success. So we know there’s a good fan base there.”
PEOPLE ate at the Jonas family restaurant withVisit NC, where we spoke with Kevin Sr. and Denise as well as Nichols about Kevin, Joe, Nick and Franklin’s favorite plates.
Read ahead, as they break down their go-to orders at Nellie’s.
Kevin’s Order at Nellie’s Southern KitchenKevin Jonas (left) and Chicken & Waffles at Nellie’s Southern Kitchen (right).Momodu Mansaray/Getty, Nellie’s Southern KitchenWhen it comes to the eldest Jonas brother, he “loves the sweet" plates, says his mother Denise. One of his favorite items is the Crunchy Chicken Tenders, which Nichols says features “sweet and savory chicken breaded with Captain Crunch.“Denise adds that another one of Kevin’s favorites is the Chicken & Waffles, which his younger brother Nick also enjoys. The dish features the restaurant’s Southern-style fried chicken, a savory and sweet crispy waffle, cinnamon honey butter and maple syrup, which is garnished with strawberries.Joe’s Order at Nellie’s Southern KitchenJoe Jonas (left) and the seasonal salad at Nellie’s Southern Kitchen (right).Jon Kopaloff/Getty, Nellie’s Southern KitchenFor Joe, he’s the complete opposite of his older brother Kevin, as Denise says that he “really eats healthy.” With that in mind, Nichols says he tends to go for the seasonal salad. He also orders the Molasses Glazed Salmon, which combines a wild-caught salmon with the restaurant’s South Carolina molasses glaze, roasted potatoes and green beans.Joe does indulge in a sweet treat now and then, including the Sweet Potato Caroline, which is his mother’s specialty. He even requested the recipe for the family’s Thanksgiving dinner this year!Nichols describes the item as “the ultimate holiday side dish” as it includes a sweet potato casserole with pecan streusel topping that’s both crunchy and buttery.Nick’s Order at Nellie’s Southern KitchenNick Jonas (left) and the Hawg Hill Sandwich at Nellie’s Southern Kitchen (right).Amy Sussman/WireImage, Nellie’s Southern KitchenIn addition to liking the Chicken & Waffles, Denise adds that Nick enjoys the Hawg Hill Sandwich. It includes a 12-hour smoked pulled pork with barbecue sauce served on a brioche bun with coleslaw.Denise adds thatNick’s wife Priyanka Choprareally loves her Texas sheet cake. “We don’t have it on Nellie’s menu, but we probably should incorporate it at some point,” says Denise. Adds Kevin Sr: “It’s very popular.”Franklin’s Order at Nellie’s Southern KitchenFranklin Jonas (left) and the Southern Rolls at Nellie’s Southern Kitchen (right).Michael Kovac/Getty, Nellie’s Southern KitchenAs for the youngest Jonas, Denise, Kevin Sr. and Nichols unanimously agree that Franklin’s go-to order is the Chicken N' Gravy. In fact, he orders it so much, he wants the plate named after him. “He wants to call it the Frankie or the Franklin,” Kevin Sr. jokes. The plate is a buttermilk battered chicken breast served over mashed potatoes with gravy and “drunken” collard greens.Denise says that Franklin and his older brother “all love Mario’s Southern Rolls,” which the chef describes as his “favorite Sunday meal.” The dish is made of barbecue chicken, mac and cheese and more collards rolled in a crispy fried egg roll.Nichols adds that Nellie’s is planning a holiday-themed roll at the Las Vegas location that will include roasted turkey, dressing, candied yams and collard greens. “[We] toy with a bunch of different ideas when it comes to the holidays,” he adds. “I like to keep it fun.”
Kevin’s Order at Nellie’s Southern KitchenKevin Jonas (left) and Chicken & Waffles at Nellie’s Southern Kitchen (right).Momodu Mansaray/Getty, Nellie’s Southern KitchenWhen it comes to the eldest Jonas brother, he “loves the sweet” plates, says his mother Denise. One of his favorite items is the Crunchy Chicken Tenders, which Nichols says features “sweet and savory chicken breaded with Captain Crunch.“Denise adds that another one of Kevin’s favorites is the Chicken & Waffles, which his younger brother Nick also enjoys. The dish features the restaurant’s Southern-style fried chicken, a savory and sweet crispy waffle, cinnamon honey butter and maple syrup, which is garnished with strawberries.
Kevin’s Order at Nellie’s Southern Kitchen
Kevin Jonas (left) and Chicken & Waffles at Nellie’s Southern Kitchen (right).Momodu Mansaray/Getty, Nellie’s Southern Kitchen
Momodu Mansaray/Getty, Nellie’s Southern Kitchen
When it comes to the eldest Jonas brother, he “loves the sweet” plates, says his mother Denise. One of his favorite items is the Crunchy Chicken Tenders, which Nichols says features “sweet and savory chicken breaded with Captain Crunch.”
Denise adds that another one of Kevin’s favorites is the Chicken & Waffles, which his younger brother Nick also enjoys. The dish features the restaurant’s Southern-style fried chicken, a savory and sweet crispy waffle, cinnamon honey butter and maple syrup, which is garnished with strawberries.
Joe’s Order at Nellie’s Southern KitchenJoe Jonas (left) and the seasonal salad at Nellie’s Southern Kitchen (right).Jon Kopaloff/Getty, Nellie’s Southern KitchenFor Joe, he’s the complete opposite of his older brother Kevin, as Denise says that he “really eats healthy.” With that in mind, Nichols says he tends to go for the seasonal salad. He also orders the Molasses Glazed Salmon, which combines a wild-caught salmon with the restaurant’s South Carolina molasses glaze, roasted potatoes and green beans.Joe does indulge in a sweet treat now and then, including the Sweet Potato Caroline, which is his mother’s specialty. He even requested the recipe for the family’s Thanksgiving dinner this year!Nichols describes the item as “the ultimate holiday side dish” as it includes a sweet potato casserole with pecan streusel topping that’s both crunchy and buttery.
Joe’s Order at Nellie’s Southern Kitchen
Joe Jonas (left) and the seasonal salad at Nellie’s Southern Kitchen (right).Jon Kopaloff/Getty, Nellie’s Southern Kitchen
Jon Kopaloff/Getty, Nellie’s Southern Kitchen
For Joe, he’s the complete opposite of his older brother Kevin, as Denise says that he “really eats healthy.” With that in mind, Nichols says he tends to go for the seasonal salad. He also orders the Molasses Glazed Salmon, which combines a wild-caught salmon with the restaurant’s South Carolina molasses glaze, roasted potatoes and green beans.
Joe does indulge in a sweet treat now and then, including the Sweet Potato Caroline, which is his mother’s specialty. He even requested the recipe for the family’s Thanksgiving dinner this year!
Nichols describes the item as “the ultimate holiday side dish” as it includes a sweet potato casserole with pecan streusel topping that’s both crunchy and buttery.
Nick’s Order at Nellie’s Southern KitchenNick Jonas (left) and the Hawg Hill Sandwich at Nellie’s Southern Kitchen (right).Amy Sussman/WireImage, Nellie’s Southern KitchenIn addition to liking the Chicken & Waffles, Denise adds that Nick enjoys the Hawg Hill Sandwich. It includes a 12-hour smoked pulled pork with barbecue sauce served on a brioche bun with coleslaw.Denise adds thatNick’s wife Priyanka Choprareally loves her Texas sheet cake. “We don’t have it on Nellie’s menu, but we probably should incorporate it at some point,” says Denise. Adds Kevin Sr: “It’s very popular.”
Nick’s Order at Nellie’s Southern Kitchen
Nick Jonas (left) and the Hawg Hill Sandwich at Nellie’s Southern Kitchen (right).Amy Sussman/WireImage, Nellie’s Southern Kitchen
Amy Sussman/WireImage, Nellie’s Southern Kitchen
In addition to liking the Chicken & Waffles, Denise adds that Nick enjoys the Hawg Hill Sandwich. It includes a 12-hour smoked pulled pork with barbecue sauce served on a brioche bun with coleslaw.
Denise adds thatNick’s wife Priyanka Choprareally loves her Texas sheet cake. “We don’t have it on Nellie’s menu, but we probably should incorporate it at some point,” says Denise. Adds Kevin Sr: “It’s very popular.”
Franklin’s Order at Nellie’s Southern KitchenFranklin Jonas (left) and the Southern Rolls at Nellie’s Southern Kitchen (right).Michael Kovac/Getty, Nellie’s Southern KitchenAs for the youngest Jonas, Denise, Kevin Sr. and Nichols unanimously agree that Franklin’s go-to order is the Chicken N' Gravy. In fact, he orders it so much, he wants the plate named after him. “He wants to call it the Frankie or the Franklin,” Kevin Sr. jokes. The plate is a buttermilk battered chicken breast served over mashed potatoes with gravy and “drunken” collard greens.Denise says that Franklin and his older brother “all love Mario’s Southern Rolls,” which the chef describes as his “favorite Sunday meal.” The dish is made of barbecue chicken, mac and cheese and more collards rolled in a crispy fried egg roll.Nichols adds that Nellie’s is planning a holiday-themed roll at the Las Vegas location that will include roasted turkey, dressing, candied yams and collard greens. “[We] toy with a bunch of different ideas when it comes to the holidays,” he adds. “I like to keep it fun.”
Franklin’s Order at Nellie’s Southern Kitchen
Franklin Jonas (left) and the Southern Rolls at Nellie’s Southern Kitchen (right).Michael Kovac/Getty, Nellie’s Southern Kitchen
Michael Kovac/Getty, Nellie’s Southern Kitchen
As for the youngest Jonas, Denise, Kevin Sr. and Nichols unanimously agree that Franklin’s go-to order is the Chicken N' Gravy. In fact, he orders it so much, he wants the plate named after him. “He wants to call it the Frankie or the Franklin,” Kevin Sr. jokes. The plate is a buttermilk battered chicken breast served over mashed potatoes with gravy and “drunken” collard greens.
Denise says that Franklin and his older brother “all love Mario’s Southern Rolls,” which the chef describes as his “favorite Sunday meal.” The dish is made of barbecue chicken, mac and cheese and more collards rolled in a crispy fried egg roll.
Nichols adds that Nellie’s is planning a holiday-themed roll at the Las Vegas location that will include roasted turkey, dressing, candied yams and collard greens. “[We] toy with a bunch of different ideas when it comes to the holidays,” he adds. “I like to keep it fun.”
source: people.com
