Out Front Magazine Out Front Magazine - Feb 2018 | Page 6

FEATURE
. . . “Dwarf Chicken Stand” continued from page 5
arrive, my chicken is hot and ready. They do not fry the
chicken early and let it just sit up; they make sure all of the
chicken is fresh for their customers.”
This yellow shack was the original home of The Dwarf. Some
frequent customers remember it as a “chicken stand.” It was
demolished in 2004 by Hurricane Ivan.
(Photo from The Dwarf Chicken archives)
chicken orders, then they would stand on the corner and wait
for their orders to be filled, thus the more common—though
not official—name of “Dwarf Chicken Stand” among regulars.
Following the destruction of Hurricane Ivan to the local area in
2004, The Dwarf closed its doors. It later relocated in 2007 to
Massachusetts Avenue in the Montclair area, but something
was missing: Neighbors in Montclair really did not know about
The Dwarf ’s huge legacy of nearly 45 years. Furthermore,
customers truly missed The Dwarf as one of the most cher-
ished businesses in the Belmont-DeVilliers area, a centerpiece
for Black culture and life in Pensacola.
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It wasn’t until 2013 that the restaurant found its way back to
“The Blocks” where a revitalization project was also taking
place, Jones-Lutley said. The restaurant has not closed a single
day since returning to the “new” Belmont-DeVilliers area.
“When I want to go to The Dwarf, I pick up the phone and call
Miss NeeSee, and I place my order,” Davis said. “By the time I
THE DWARF CHICKEN
Located in the historic Belmont-DeVilliers
neighborhood
407 N. DeVilliers St.
Pensacola, Florida
Located on DeVilliers Street, caddy-corner from the original
location, The Dwarf is no longer a “chicken stand.” Customers
can wait inside for orders to-go, or they can dine-in and enjoy
the company of others, including the friendly staff. Directly
across the street from the restaurant is a 1942 Chevy, a classic,
which serves as advertisement for The Dwarf. And yes, it still
cranks. Local residents have previously spotted it in the city’s
annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., parade.
Still today, as night owls leave bars and clubs around Pensacola
on the weekend, they swing by The Dwarf for fried chicken
sandwiches and sides—sometimes as late as 5 a.m. on Sunday.
It is common to hear a customer say, “You can give me a wing
sandwich and a fry,” as he or she walks into The Dwarf today.
The response from the cook: “Do you want hot sauce on it?”
The norm is to get a chicken sandwich—whether white, dark,
or tenders—fixed “all the way” with lettuce, tomato, and
mayonnaise. At a customer’s preference, the chicken will
include a touch of hot sauce.
“Never judge a book by its cover,” as the old adage goes. While
The Dwarf once occupied a very small space in a shack, it has
maintained a menu packed
with special recipes—flavorful
spices and an oh-so-good
lasting impression.
Monday through Thursday
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 a.m.
Friday
11:30 a.m. – 5:00 a.m.
Saturday
12:00 p.m. – 5:00 a.m.
Sunday
Contact The Dwarf Chicken at 850-470-0652 to
place a to-go order or a large order for catering.
It’s time to warm up to natural gas.
Natural gas heat feels warmer than heat produced by an electric heat
pump. It’s comfortable, reliable and efficient. Out with the cold, in with
the new. To learn more, visit PensacolaEnergy.com or call 850-436-5050.
Jones-Lutley said that Sunday dinner is inclusive of baked
chicken, in addition to fried chicken, and an assortment of side
dishes ranging from collard greens and peas to potato salad
and yams. “Sometimes, I even decide to make some dressing
on Sundays,” Jones-Lutley said. The restaurant not only serves
its main entrée—chicken—but it also boasts a selection of
homem