Family Works: Chicken Salad Chick

Chicken Salad Chick

More than Chicken Salad: A Family’s Recipe for Community

by Katelynn Mouton 

After years of moving from one community to another, Tiffanie and Gary Goff decided it was time to put down roots in Lake Charles and build something lasting. As co-owners of Chicken Salad Chick, they have created a business centered around the values that have guided their family for years—hospitality, service and community. 

For the Goffs, the opportunity is about more than owning a restaurant. It is about creating something their children can be part of and a place their family can continue to invest in for years to come. Their son, Tyler, is completing his degree at McNeese State University, and their daughter, Audrey, is continuing her education on a volleyball scholarship at Doane University in Nebraska. After years of following the path created by Gary’s coaching career, the Goffs hope this family business provides a lasting connection and a foundation their children can build on in the future.  

“The alignment of our values with those of Chicken Salad Chick, ‘Spreading Joy, Enriching Lives, Serving Others,’ is obvious based on the professions to which we have dedicated our lives,” Tiffanie said. “As a football coach and an educator, we have enjoyed continuous opportunities over the years to change lives and make a positive impact in communities through our mentorship and service.” 

Those same values guide the way the Goffs approach their restaurant today. Gary’s years as a football coach have taught him the importance of building strong teams and meaningful relationships, while Tiffanie’s career in education has reinforced the importance of connection and service. 

For the Goff family, food has always been a way to bring people together. After losing Gary’s mother to breast cancer more than a decade ago, the family continued one of her favorite holiday traditions of making her sausage balls and Russian tea cake cookies while sharing memories of the woman who helped hold their family together. 

“She had a special way of bringing family together, so it is only appropriate that her recipes are now doing that,” Tiffanie said. 

Today, the Goffs hope Chicken Salad Chick can become that same kind of gathering place for others, a place where families, friends and neighbors feel welcomed and connected. 

“We hope people who visit our restaurant find a welcoming atmosphere that reflects how much we care about providing an enjoyable, satisfying experience based on both excellent customer service and superior food quality,” Tiffanie said. “Our ultimate goal is to build a vibrant family business that generates a long-lasting impact on the community it serves while providing our children and future grandchildren with a legacy that reflects our values.” 

Visit Chicken Salad Chick at 

3723 Nelson Road, or learn more by calling 337-333-2442.