Molly Martin
Audio By Carbonatix
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As the name implies, Genna Rae’s Wings & More has always been more than just a wing joint. Over the last decade, the small takeout spot in the Whittier neighborhood has served as a community hub, dishing up soul food with a Caribbean spin.
But today, the doors are locked, and there’s a storage container out front; owner Genn Dickerson is packing up the business. A simple handwritten sign on the wall breaks the news: “Sat 11th is the last day Genna Rae’s will be open in Colorado! You will be missed!”
Molly Martin
Genna Rae’s will surely be missed. For years, it’s been a staple on our list of the best wings in the metro area, a standout for large, juicy drums and flats available in Island-inspired flavors like mango habanero, jerk sauce and Island Zing.
Dickerson arrived in Denver from the Virgin Islands in 1979, attending auto mechanics school and working on cars before leaning into his passion for cooking — a love he shares with other family members. His siblings are behind Five Points favorite Welton Street Cafe, which is standing strong in the snazzy new space it moved into in 2024.
Genna Rae’s was named for Dickerson’s daughter, and the “more” in its name included everything from burgers to catfish sandwiches, jerk chicken, ribs, hotlinks and sweet treats such as banana pudding and peach cobbler.
Molly Martin
Denver’s soul food spots are few and far between — we still miss Tom’s Home Cookin’ and Corafaye’s, which was never able to make a comeback after a 2024 fire — so this is yet another loss that stings.
We have not been able to reach Dickerson for comment on the closure or his future plans, but we will update this story if we get additional information.
In the meantime, we’ll be making a trip to Welton Street Cafe soon for a fix of its excellent fried chicken, matched only by the Dickerson family’s top-tier hospitality.
And for those living in the neighborhood who are looking for another nearby joint to support, we highly recommend stopping by Shiish Shawarma, which finally opened in November after a year-long delay. It’s located just two blocks from the now-closed Genna Rae’s, and though it serves a different cuisine, it’s got the same friendly, low-key, community vibe.
