Chef Chris Harrigan has found his niche with new Mt Laurel venture

For over a decade, Chris Harrigan built a name for himself as chef at fine-dining restaurants Standard Bistro and Stone’s Throw in the community of Mt Laurel just off U.S. 280.

Now the chef has has found a new niche in casual dining restaurant that is drawing in a wider range of customers, Mr. Harry’s Chickin De-Lux.

Since opening March 17 at 3 Mt. Laurel Ave in the former Stone’s Throw location, Harrigan has seen families with young children who shied away from a fine-dining restaurant come in and sample Mr. Harry’s. The restaurant offers lunch and dinner entrees featuring his take on chicken fingers, chicken wings, chicken salad, rotisserie chicken, chicken ‘n dumplins and others.

“You’re limited in offering just fine-dining in an oasis like this,” Harrigan said during a recent lunch break at the restaurant. “To me, it made more sense to offer a family-friendly, full-service casual chicken restaurant. We offer a $9 lunch and $15 dinner entrees so it’s affordable to everyone.”

The restaurant has been well-received despite opening with no advertising, thanks to strong word-of-mouth and promotion on Facebook, Harrigan said. It is a perfect fit for Mt Laurel and thousands of families who live in area neighborhoods such as Greystone and Highland Lakes, he said.

“We’ve seen grandparents with young children, families, large groups, business professionals,” Harrigan said. “I didn’t know what to expect, but it’s going very well.”

Harrigan's business partners include a Birmingham restaurateur familiar with building a popular brand, Jim ‘N Nick’s Barbecue owner Nick Pihakis and his son, Nicholas Pihakis.

Mr. Harry’s Chickin De-Lux includes recipes Harrison developed over 25 years working in restaurants, mostly upscale, across the country. The restaurant seats 140 people inside and another 80 outside.

“It offers an opportunity for people to come together, enjoy a good meal, relax and have a good time,” Harrigan said.

Mr. Harry’s has been a great addition to the The Town of Mt Laurel, said Julianna Vance, marketing and community relations manager.

“We’re excited to have an additional dining experience in our community,” Vance said. “It’s a great place for families.”  

Harrigan said he and his partners are already making plans for a second Mr. Harry’s Chickin De-Lux. “It will be in Avondale,” he said, adding they hope to open it within six months.