Soul Food Spot Oooh Wee It Is Reopens in Chatham

The reopening of Oooh Wee It Is in Chatham is the latest chapter for owners Mark and Shae Walker, who have rapidly expanded their "soul food with a twist" concept across Chicago. The couple began with a carry-out location in south suburban Burnham in the fall of 2020 and opened their first dine-in restaurant in Chatham in February 2021. Their entrepreneurial journey started even earlier, with Mark Walker selling his signature Oooh Wee Sweet Tea at a Harold's Chicken in 2014. The original Chatham restaurant, formerly located at 33 E. 83rd Street in a 5,000-square-foot space, quickly became a community gem, known for attracting large crowds. The Walkers have also launched locations in Wicker Park and Beverly, with plans for Hyde Park and even out-of-state expansion to Texas and Georgia. The Beverly location serves as a hub for their take-out, catering, and food truck operations. The restaurant's menu goes beyond traditional soul food, aiming to appeal to a wide range of diners, from "seasoned citizens" to millennials. Signature dishes include pot roast cupcakes, Hennessy and Patron wings, fried lobster, and oxtails and grits. The former Chatham location even featured a cereal bar with over 75 varieties, showcasing the owners' creative approach. Community engagement is a core part of the Walkers' business philosophy. For their initial Chatham opening, they took over a space that had been a beloved senior hangout for nearly two decades, pledging to continue offering specials for elderly residents. They have also used their restaurant to feature and sell products from other local Black-owned businesses and have organized meal giveaways for the community.