Healthcare Professionals Opened Southern Chicks Cafe

Two local medical experts launched a new soul food restaurant along Florida Boulevard in Baton Rouge.

Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Dining Out

Gouache-painted illustration of a plate of fried chicken and greens, representing a new soul food restaurant opening in Baton Rouge.
Physical therapist Dr. Jeremy Scott and pharmacist Dr. Brandon Bakare have opened Southern Chicks Cafe and Daiquiris on Florida Boulevard in Baton Rouge. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Physical therapist Dr. Jeremy Scott and pharmacist Dr. Brandon Bakare have opened Southern Chicks Cafe and Daiquiris. The new dining spot brings soul food options to the Florida Boulevard area of Baton Rouge.

Why it matters

The restaurant represents a unique crossover between healthcare careers and the hospitality industry. The owners leveraged their long-standing personal bond to transition from medicine into the local food scene.

The establishment is owned by 2 healthcare professionals who maintain their medical careers while running the eatery. The partners bring nearly 20 years of friendship to the daily operation of the restaurant.

The players

Dr. Jeremy Scott

He is a physical therapist who co-owns the newly opened Southern Chicks Cafe and Daiquiris.

Dr. Brandon Bakare

He is a pharmacist who manages the restaurant alongside his longtime friend and business partner.

The details

Dr. Jeremy Scott and Dr. Brandon Bakare, who met while attending the University of Louisiana at Monroe, use their respective backgrounds as a physical therapist and pharmacist to manage business tasks. Their mutual passion for cooking served as the primary motivation for opening this new dining venue.

Timeline

  1. The two owners met and established their friendship nearly 20 years ago.

Culture Shift

This opening mirrors the trend of high-skilled professionals diversifying their career portfolios through the rise of side-hustle entrepreneurship among high-skilled professionals. It marks a shift away from traditional linear career paths toward dual-track professional lives.

Residents in the Florida Boulevard area gain a new soul food dining option operated by two members of the medical community. The restaurant serves as a new community venue for those looking to support local business owners.

The takeaway

Balancing a demanding medical career with a restaurant business requires strong organizational skills and a reliable partner. Entrepreneurs looking to expand into hospitality can benefit from leveraging existing long-term friendships to manage daily operational stressors.

Further reading

For more on the local food scene, check out our Dining Out coverage.

Source note: This article includes information reported by WBRZ.

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