For generations, the Nunnenkamp family name has been synonymous with chicken wings in South Jersey. Through the legendary Golden Nugget Tavern in Berlin, the family built a reputation that has made their wings a regional institution. Now, two members of the next generation are stepping out on their own while honoring the traditions that made the family famous.
Sisters Jackie Nunnenkamp and Kayla Nunnenkamp have officially launched The Nugget Chicks, a new food truck venture that combines family recipes, entrepreneurial spirit, and a fresh chapter in the Nunnenkamp story.
While their roots are firmly planted in the Golden Nugget legacy, The Nugget Chicks represent something uniquely their own. After spending years immersed in the restaurant business and experiencing the demanding hours it entails, the sisters decided it was time to take a different path.
“We wanted a healthier lifestyle,” they explained. “We were overworking every holiday and working until 5 a.m.”
The food truck model offered an opportunity to maintain their passion for great food while gaining greater control over their schedules and spending more time with their families. It also gave them the chance to build something independently and show their children what entrepreneurship looks like firsthand.
“We are our own bosses now,” they said. “Our kids watched us build something ourselves.”
The truck’s name, The Nugget Chicks, came during a brainstorming session with their mother, who ultimately suggested the winning concept. Although the sisters joke that some customers mistakenly think they specialize in chicken nuggets, the name has quickly become memorable throughout the community.
Ironically, they do offer nuggets on the menu, though they’re called “bites.” The family atmosphere extends beyond the name as well. Jackie’s son, Drake, has joined the operation as his first job, learning the business while helping the family venture grow. Other family members frequently pitch in when needed.
Of course, the question every South Jersey wing fan wants answered is simple: How do The Nugget Chicks’ wings compare to the famous Golden Nugget wings?
The answer lies in family tradition.
The sisters still follow their grandmother Dolly’s handwritten recipe, a treasured formula originally passed down through family founders Tony and Jim Nunnenkamp. Kayla remembers watching her grandmother spend countless hours making sauce from scratch, learning the process long before she ever imagined running her own business.
Their wings feature the same commitment to quality that made the Golden Nugget a household name: fresh ingredients, crispy texture, juicy meat, and carefully prepared sauces. While some menu differences exist—including the absence of Golden Nugget’s signature jerk sauce—the sisters occasionally create specialty flavors for festivals and events. One recent example was a strawberry-inspired wing sauce developed for Stella Farms’ Strawberry Festival.
“We describe our wings as fresh, crispy, juicy, and top quality,” they said. “Try them both. You be the judge.”
The Nugget Chicks have already begun building a following through pop-up appearances at Tractor Supply in Berlin and have secured future event partnerships with Stella Farms, longtime neighbors of the family. The sisters are actively booking private parties, festivals, and community events while searching for additional locations to host weekly pop-ups.
Their division of responsibilities has become a key to the business’s early success.
“My sister has a passion for cooking, and I have a passion for people,” Jackie explained. “It works.”
Beyond the food, family remains at the heart of everything The Nugget Chicks represents. The sisters frequently acknowledge the influence of their grandfather Jim Nunnenkamp and their father, Jimmie “Porky” Nunnenkamp, whose work helped establish the Golden Nugget as one of South Jersey’s most beloved restaurants.
Launching their own business has given them a new appreciation for the sacrifices and dedication that built the family legacy.
“Our roots are super important to us,” they said. “Now that we’re building a business ourselves, we see firsthand how special the business is that we came from.”
That appreciation is especially meaningful today. Their father is currently facing serious health challenges while awaiting a heart transplant, a situation that has only strengthened the family’s determination to succeed while honoring the legacy he helped create.
For Jackie and Kayla, The Nugget Chicks is about more than serving wings. It’s about carrying forward family traditions while creating opportunities for the next generation. It’s about balancing business ownership with motherhood. And it’s about proving that even when a family legacy is already well established, there’s always room to build something new.
As The Nugget Chicks continues to expand its festival schedule, private event bookings, and weekly pop-up appearances throughout South Jersey, customers can expect a familiar taste rooted in Berlin tradition.
If you see them out on the food truck circuit, give them a try and let us know what you think on the Facebook group!
SJFS is dedicated to food, dining, restaurants, and drinking in South Jersey. Got a news tip? Email southjerseyfoodscene@gmail.com.