RAINIER BEACH, Wash. - He's been in the NBA for ten years and is a three-time Slam Dunk champion.
But when Nate Robinson isn't playing for the Denver Nuggets, he's focused on wings.
Specifically, wings and waffles – the specialty of his new restaurant in Rainier Beach.
"My mom had a salon next door while we were growing up, so this was destiny," said Robinson's younger brother Anthony Stewart.
While his brother plays basketball, Stewart helps run Nate's Wings and Waffles with their mother, grandmother, siblings and cousins.
"My nickname is actually 'Chicken,' my mom's called me 'Chicken' since I was a little kid," Stewart laughed. "We need somebody else in the family named Waffles and it will be all right.
Nate's may be the first restaurant in Washington to specialize in the chicken and waffle combination. Their dishes are made with organic poultry breaded in special seasoning, and garnished with house-made syrup.
"It's just that whole sweet and savory thing, the salty chicken goes perfectly with the crunchy waffle and maple syrup," said co-owner Darren McGill.
The owner of food truck "Happy Grillmore," McGill purchased the business space on Rainier Ave. S and 57th Ave. S a year ago, but it sat empty for months. After meeting Robinson through a mutual friend, they realized they shared a dream of opening a restaurant.
Within two months, Nate's Waffles and Wings was open.
After just a few days of serving customers, they can barely keep up with demand. McGill suggests coming early, and being prepared to come often.
"(After you try the food) you're going to have to come back, like, every day," he said.
Nate's Wings and Waffles is open every day but Monday. Hours and directions are on their website.
