Nana Morrison's Soul Food

The Oak Lake Boulevard restaurant is the family's flagship, managed by eldest sibling Shawn Morrison Jr. after his graduation from Nyack College. His brothers and sister also work across the company: Gabriella Morrison now oversees operations, having taken responsibility for payroll at thirteen. That continuing family involvement gives the original Charlotte address a story beyond the serving line.

Choosing a plate starts with its size. The small meal includes one meat and two sides; the large doubles the meat choices, and both come with cornbread or a roll. Curry chicken, fried fish and barbecue ribs are among the options, with black-eyed peas, collards, yams and macaroni and cheese available alongside them. A three-side plate lets the accompaniments take the lead.

The daily-special schedule supplies a reason to return on a different weekday: Wednesday brings meatloaf, Thursday turkey wings and Friday jerk chicken wings. Desserts reach past banana pudding to coconut-pineapple cake, peach cobbler and sweet potato pie. This location posts eleven-to-eight service every day, so the same address works for lunch or an early dinner.