It's been a week and a half since Davionna Holland opened Davi's Good Ol' Fashion Soul Food in Davenport, and she already has regulars.
The business owner held a soft opening to make sure she could work out any kinks before setting hours, and despite undergoing some trial and error, she said people were stopping by daily and wanting to know when she'd be ready to fully open.
"It's been a blessing," Holland said. "Now I know we'll need more staff because of everything so far."
Davi's Good Ol' Fashion Soul Food, 114 E. Myrtle St., held its grand opening May 24. The restaurant is open 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays.
Holland has provided the Quad-Cities with her food through catering for almost a decade and decided to open a brick-and-mortar space after receiving encouragement from customers who want her food as often as they can get it.
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The carry-out restaurant offers smoked and smothered meats, hot sides like spaghetti greens and sweet potatoes, cold sides like potato salad and deviled eggs and more. Customers can pick one entree, two hot sides, one cold salad and a bread for $20 plus tax, and appetizers and loaded baked potatoes are also offered separately.
Holland said she'd offer oxtails on the weekends only, as they're expensive to purchase but popular with customers.
"It's more of a comfort, southern style," Holland said. "Most of the stuff that I know I like to eat, that tastes good. I know I'll find it at family reunions and a lot of other family gatherings."
Growing up learning to cook with her chef father, she said one of the reasons she got into the food business was to bring people together and put smiles on their faces.
Holland has the help of her two daughters, ages 16 and 20, who share her love of cooking. It's been wonderful to teach them what she knows and help their passion grow, she said.
"I think that it's a blessing to show my kids that we can do this; we can beat the odds," Holland said. "We're gonna do something to make people happy."
Photos: Take a look around Credit Island after flooding damaged parts of the historic island
A cyclists bikes along Credit Island as damage from flooding is seen along the road way, Tuesday, May 23, 2023, in Davenport.
A large tree trunk rests against the shoreline of Credit Island, Tuesday, May 23, 2023, in Davenport.
A pedestrian bridge is partially submerged by water in Credit Island, Tuesday, May 23, 2023, in Davenport.
A bald eagle flies above Credit Island, Tuesday, May 23, 2023, in Davenport.
Debris rests against a swing set in Credit Island, Tuesday, May 23, 2023, in Davenport.
Tables sit stacked in Credit Island, Tuesday, May 23, 2023, in Davenport.
Water pools along Credit Island, Tuesday, May 23, 2023, in Davenport.
The sunset is reflected in Davenport Harbor seen from Credit Island, Tuesday, May 23, 2023, in Davenport.
Water flows from Credit Island into the Mississippi River, Tuesday, May 23, 2023, in Davenport.
A look at Credit Island, Tuesday, May 23, 2023, in Davenport.
A cyclists bikes along Credit Island as damage from flooding is seen along the road way, Tuesday, May 23, 2023, in Davenport.
A tree trunk rests against a shelter in Credit Island after severe flooding earlier this month, Tuesday, May 23, 2023, in Davenport.
Damage is seen to Credit Island Road after flooding earlier this month, Tuesday, May 23, 2023, in Davenport.
Algae blooms in a pond at Credit Island, Tuesday, May 23, 2023, in Davenport.
Damage to Credit Island Road from flooding earlier this month is seen on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, in Davenport.
A look at Credit Island Lodge in Credit Island, Tuesday, May 23, 2023, in Davenport.
Concrete barriers and a "Road Closed" sign block access to Credit Island, Tuesday, May 23, 2023, in Davenport.
Debris settles against the shoreline of Credit Island, Tuesday, May 23, 2023, in Davenport.
