Renowned Chef Angie Brown Named Culinary Director of Rex at The Royal

With the return of fall comes major dining news from South Street that’s as unexpected as it is exciting.

Hospitality group Sojourn Philly has officially named revered Chef Angie Brown as Rex at The Royal’s new culinary director — a move that aims to transform the restaurant’s Southern-inspired menu and overall vibe.

“My goal for Rex as the new culinary director is to bring Southern dishes to life in a profound way,” says Brown. “I have so much passion for this food and it is in my soul. I haven’t even scratched the surface of what is in store for our guests.”

After participating in a guest star chef takeover at the restaurant back in April, Brown — whose decades-long career had her previously running four Zagat-rated restaurants in Philly (including her most notable namesake spot Angie Brown’s) — she says she “immediately fell in love with this beautiful restaurant.”

“I wanted this job because I knew I could match the food with the beauty of this restaurant,” says Brown about Rex at The Royal. “My specialty is Southern coastal cuisine, and I am excited to create a menu that everyone can enjoy, dream about, and talk about.”

Rex at The Royal

Starting Wednesday, October 30th, diners will finally get to try Brown’s new full-time menu classics at Rex at The Royal — such as Chef Angie’s gumbo (made from locally-sourced seafood) and her signature fried chicken (which she plans to run as a weekend dinner 4-piece special with a side of collard greens, potato salad, and a slice of cornbread).

Rex at The Royal

Brown will also introduce several other new dishes, such as her sea scallops over fried tomatoes that’s garnished with jicama, andouille, and red peppers, as well as what she describes as a “moist and fluffy” sweet potato soufflé side dish. Popular Rex at The Royal menu items (such as the Rex Burger) — alongside upgraded takes on favorites (such as Chef Angie’s Jambalaya, and catfish and waffles) — will also remain on the revamped menu as well.

Rex at The Royal

Rex at The Royal

In nuanced ways, Brown’s role at Rex at The Royal is sort of a homecoming.

Her late grandmother, Elenora, was not only an inspiration for her cooking at a young age, but also someone who brought Brown’s mother and uncle to The Royal to watch amateur hour performances every Sunday decades ago. Back then, famed jazz soul musicians such as Bessie Smith, Cab Calloway, and Fats Waller played in this historic Philadelphia theatre that’s now the space of the very restaurant Brown’s currently at the helm of cuisine for.

At 70 years old, Brown is looking to keep the same grand experience her family members once had at this beloved South Street landmark that’s still playing live jazz on Sundays.

“I’m not into trends, but I am seeing chefs trying to bring dining experiences and collaborations to their restaurants, which is already a primary focus here,” Brown says on the restaurant preserving cultural elements of the past. “Rex at The Royal is a hospitality and brand experience-driven restaurant where every diner feels at home, comfortable, and ready to be well cared for.”

“The one thing I want our diners to walk away with is that they can’t wait to come back,” she adds. “It’s not just the food — it’s the feeling, the atmosphere, the music, the love, and the passion that we put into our dining experiences. That is what we are selling. Rex at The Royal is the place to be seen at and the place to dine at.”

Rex at The Royal is open Tuesday through Sunday beginning at 5 pm. They are open until 10 pm on Tuesdays through Thursdays, until 11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and until 9 pm on Sundays. Brunch is offered on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 am to 2:30 pm. Happy hour is available weekdays at the bar from 4 pm to 6 pm and weekends from 3 pm to 5 pm. Reservations are available on Resy.