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By Chris Miller, for the SNAP

Latashia Davis is no stranger to soul food, having grown up around the cuisine with her family.

Wanting to honor and pay tribute to her mother, who passed away two years ago, the Stanfield resident decided to open her own restaurant.

“The restaurant thing was always a vision of my mom’s,” Davis said. “It was always something she wanted to do.”

After months of planning and getting ready, 3 Queenz Q’uisine, at 512 W. Main St. in Locust, had its soft opening July 8. A ribbon cutting with the Stanly County Chamber of Commerce occurred Saturday at noon.

The name is derived from Davis along with her two granddaughters, Kylee Everette and Blessing Williams. The restaurant’s logo is of Davis and her granddaughters with crowns on their heads surrounded by plates of food.

The business began as a food truck, before Davis found the space along Main Street next to Locust Town Center.

“Every business that comes to Locust is welcome,” Mayor Steve Huber said. “They’re all important to us. But I have to say, this one is a little more important to me because I’m a little bit of a Southern cuisine guy.”

“We’re all pretty excited about this food,” added Stanly County Chamber of Commerce President Sandy Selvy-Mullis.

The restaurant offers all sorts of Southern comfort staples, such as fried chicken, fried pork chops and meat loaf, along with sides including green beans, collard greens, rice and gravy and mac and cheese.

It will also feature specialty meats each week. This week the restaurant offered baked/fried tilapia, fried hamburger steak onions, stew beef and beef ribs.

3 Queenz also offers casserole dishes, including Shepherd’s pie, broccoli and spinach casserole and broccoli casserole and desserts such as strawberry shortcake, red velvet cake and banana pudding.

“I’m looking forward to opening the restaurant up to the community,” Davis said.

The business is open Thursday through Sunday from noon until 8 p.m.