Midtown Chicken and Waffles Restaurant Shut Down

ATLANTA, GA -- The Georgia Department of Revenue effectively has shut down Gladys Knight’s Chicken and Waffles restaurant, Patch has learned.

Agents raided the popular Midtown eatery, a tourist favorite, on Thursday behind allegations that Gladys Knight's son, Shanga Hankerson, has not paid the state all the sales tax it owes.

When something like that happens, the Department of Revenue can revoke a restaurant's ability to collect sales tax -- and that's what happened, effectively shutting the soul food spot's doors.

Hankerson, confronted by WSB-TV cameras Thursday, said, "I can't answer any questions right now."

The drama is the latest for Hankerson who was sued by his famous mother last year and ordered to remove her name from all of the eatery's signage. He also was reportedly arrested on charges related to racketeering.

"He's had more than enough chances," the Georgia Department of Revenue's Josh Waites told WSB.

Although the restaurant is now legally renamed World Famous Chicken and Waffles, most tourists and Atlanta residents still refer to it as Gladys'.

Image via Craig Johnson / Patch