Lyndell “Lynn” Price now sits in federal custody, accused of orchestrating a fiery plot to destroy a rival’s bar. The former co-owner of Turkey Leg Hut, a Third Ward gem, faces shocking charges: conspiracy to commit arson, arson of a business, and even allegations of running a drug operation from his restaurant. Price’s fall from grace is a tale of ambition, betrayal, and a grudge that exploded—literally—into a million-dollar disaster.
In 2015, Price and his then-wife, Nakia Holmes, launched Turkey Leg Hut in Houston’s vibrant Third Ward. Their oversized, flavor-packed turkey legs drew crowds, including stars like 50 Cent and Megan Thee Stallion. Social media buzz turned the spot into a cultural landmark, with long lines and a lively vibe. The restaurant’s success made Price a local hero, embodying the hustle of a Black-owned business thriving in a historic neighborhood. But behind the scenes, trouble brewed.
On June 12, 2020, a massive explosion rocked Bar 5015, a cocktail lounge across from Turkey Leg Hut owned by Price’s former partner, Steven Rogers. The blast, caused by a deliberate fire, scattered debris, shattered windows, and left nearly $1 million in damage. No one was hurt, but the neighborhood reeled. The FBI says Price paid $1,400 to two men—John Lee Price (no relation) and Armani Williams—to torch the bar. Surveillance footage captured four figures dousing the deck with gasoline and lighting it up.
Geofenced cellphone data placed John Lee Price at the scene, and call logs showed him contacting Lyndell Price before and after the fire. The motive? A bitter feud. Rogers had backed out of a deal to open Bar 5015 with Price and Holmes, and Price felt betrayed when Rogers used the same supplier for crawfish. Threatening texts from Price, including one vowing to “blow the place up,” fueled the FBI’s case.
The drama deepened during Price’s May 2025 bond hearing. FBI Agent Deborah Cline testified that Turkey Leg Hut was allegedly a front for a massive marijuana operation, with hundreds of pounds stored and shipped in branded bags. John Lee Price, now cooperating with the FBI, claimed he transported drugs for Lyndell Price, who kept his hands clean while directing the scheme. No drug charges have been filed yet, but prosecutors used these claims to argue Price is a community threat. The allegations stunned fans, tainting the restaurant’s legacy.
Price’s world unraveled on April 24, 2025, when he was arrested leaving his girlfriend’s home, visibly emotional. He faces three federal charges: conspiracy to commit arson, arson of Bar 5015, and conspiracy to burn a stolen 1975 Chevy Nova in April 2020. In court, Agent Cline detailed the arson plot, while Price’s attorney, Chuck Egbunou, challenged John Lee Price’s credibility, noting his fentanyl trafficking charges. The judge denied bond, citing Price’s history of violence, fraud, and threatening texts, including one to a former manager:
“I will come to your house and kill that dog.”
A post-arrest raid on Price’s home uncovered unregistered guns, including a flamethrower, bolstering the prosecution’s case.
Turkey Leg Hut’s empire crumbled alongside Price’s reputation. In 2024, the restaurant filed for bankruptcy, drowning in $4.7 million in debt, including unpaid taxes and a $1.3 million lawsuit from US Foods. A judge ordered Price to pay Rogers $931,111 for defaulting on a buyout deal. Holmes, Price’s ex-wife, divorced him in 2023, citing abuse and mismanagement, and fired him from the business. The restaurant shuttered in November 2024 after health code violations, leaving a void in Third Ward.
“We all helped each other,”
he said, reeling from the loss.
Shock rippled through Houston. On X, fans expressed disbelief, with some mourning Turkey Leg Hut’s cultural loss. Reddit threads buzzed with dark humor about the alleged drug ring’s scale. Rogers, heartbroken, told the FBI the betrayal stung deeply in their tight-knit business community.
