Heartfelt Farewell to DiChickO’s Peri-Peri Cafe in Augusta
Augusta residents, it’s time to grab your tissues! Last week, the beloved DiChickO’s Peri-Peri Cafe shared some bittersweet news on social media that has left many in the community feeling nostalgic. After 17 years of serving up mouthwatering peri-peri chicken and a cheeky sprinkle of love to their loyal customers, the cafe will be closing its doors for good. The final day of business at their location on 2825 Washington Rd. will be this Sunday.
A Journey of Love and Flavor
Heather Harlow, along with her husband Scott, took to social media to express their gratitude to the community. Earthy and genuine, she wrote, “Thank you for helping a long-shot experiment become the success that it has been for so long. We are sincerely grateful to have had the opportunity to serve you and get to know so many of you as family.”
Heather’s journey to opening DiChickO’s is an inspiring tale. After graduating from the University of Georgia, she traveled across the globe, and it was in South Africa that she first fell in love with peri-peri chicken. On her restaurant’s now-offline website, she fondly reminisced, “While there, I fell in love with peri peri chicken. There seemed to be a peri peri chicken restaurant on every corner. The flavor was addictive and delicious, and I absolutely fell in love.”
The Magic of Peri-Peri
Now, what exactly is peri-peri? It’s a spicy cultivar of wild pepper that was introduced to southern Africa by Portuguese explorers. Over time, it has become a staple in South African cuisine, especially in the form of peri-peri sauce. Heather explains that “Peri peri sauce is made differently – beginning with sautéing the onions and garlic, and then developing flavor over a long period of time.” This careful crafting results in a sauce that boasts a layered depth of flavor unmatched by any other hot sauce worldwide.
DiChickO’s not only offered delicious food but also a unique product line of peri-peri sauces and marinades. Former food columnist Karin Calloway highlighted the family history behind the recipes in a 2011 piece, revealing how Heather’s former mother-in-law, Doreen DiCicco, skillfully blended traditional Italian sauces with a fresh African twist. This collaborative effort has led to a delightful ensemble of flavors and heat levels that have become the hallmark of the cafe.
From Flaps to Fusion Meals
DiChickO’s menu was a delightful blend of creativity and tradition, featuring sandwiches, paninis, salads, burgers, and their signature “flaps,” which are essentially grilled burritos. One standout item on the menu was the Wild Salmon Flap, a tasty combination of Alaskan salmon paired with avocado, cranberries, walnuts, red onion, and a fresh spring greens mix. But if you’re looking for that classic peri-peri zest, you would have been wise to order the Southwest Flap, which guarantees that legendary kick.
A Community Center
For many in Augusta, DiChickO’s wasn’t just a place to grab a bite to eat; it was a welcoming hub where friendships blossomed over shared meals. The warmth that exuded from the Harlow family made visiting the cafe feel more like visiting old friends than heading out to a restaurant. The restaurant’s name, a phonetic spelling (dee-CHEEK-o) of the Italian surname, added an extra layer of charm, reflecting its rich culinary heritage.
As we prepare to say goodbye to DiChickO’s, it’s hard not to feel a sense of loss. But more importantly, it serves as a reminder of the incredible connections we share through food and the impact a small family business can have on a community. So let’s raise a fizzy drink to Heather, Scott, and the entire DiChickO’s team for 17 unforgettable years of peri-peri love!
