Paula Deen headed to Branson Landing Mall in Missouri recently to visit the construction site of her newest restaurant, Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen, which is set to open in the spring!

“We are so excited about coming here,” Deen said outside the venue. “To complete a puzzle, you have to have every piece, right? Well, this was a piece we needed, and we’re just working on finishing our puzzle. This is just the perfect spot.”

The legendary chef went on to explain that her restaurant will feature “family-style“ meals that will give diners the chance to eat some of her best southern specialties. Some menu items include fried chicken, smothered pork chops, ribs and more, as well as a “lengthy list of sides,” like mac and cheese, greens, butter beans and more. 

“Most people, if you ask them what one of their favorite memories are, there’s a good chance it’ll be in the kitchen, or around the breakfast or dinner table,” Deen said. “I hope it takes them back to the memories they had when their feet were under their grandma’s table.”

Deen then expressed her excitement at visiting the restaurant after it opens.

“I can look around and see these are people just like me, my kind of people,” she said. “They’re families, and family-oriented people, and that’s what we’re all about is family, and nothing brings families together like eating (laughs).”

Deen concluded by surprising those who gathered by discussing some of her cooking secrets.

“Well, my brother is back home with me, he’s under the weather, health-wise, and every morning he wants two over easy eggs and grits, and he actually likes a slice of American cheese on his grits,” she said. “Some people like cheddar, my husband Michael likes the jack cheese with a little heat in it, but it’s really a matter of preference, just as long as it has cheese in it. I don’t put the cheese in my grits, unless I’m using a recipe that calls for it. I just put it in a bowl and let you decide how much cheese is the right amount. 

“I like to sprinkle it on top and not disturb it, that way I know that I’m going to get a bite of cheese in every bite,” Deen concluded. “I like to be in control of my cheese (laughs).”  

Keep a lookout for Deen’s latest restaurant opening this spring!