Special Submission By Joe Cooney, JoeCooneyBiz.com
Nancy Miller, a Philly native who moved to Pennsauken 11 years ago, recently opened Ms. Nancy’s Place Soulfood Restaurant at 177 South Centre St. in Merchantville.
The spot, right on the circle off Chapel Ave., used to house a fried chicken joint, then a cheesesteak and Philly pretzel franchise, then a deli and hoagie shop.
“I’m bringing something different than the others did,” Ms. Nancy says. “There are plenty of pizza and hoagie shops around. I’ve been in the catering business for 17 years, and people were always asking me when I was going to open a restaurant.
“I finally took a leap of faith and put it in God’s hands.”
Ms. Nancy’s menu is continually evolving, says the 41-year-old mother of two who has “been cooking since the second grade.”
“We add new things every day,” she notes. “People are asking for different things, but our pineapple jerk chicken is definitely a favorite. I’m working to get a patent on the recipe.”
Other offerings include fried or baked chicken, fried whiting or tilapia, and brown stew oxtail. All the fixin’s also are available, from mac and cheese and collard greens, to black eyed peas, potato salad and red beans and rice.
Desserts, like sweet potato pie, peach cobbler and banana pudding are homemade daily.
“I specialize in sugar-free dishes, and I don’t use any butter,” Ms. Nancy says. “I use oils like coconut or grapeseed to make our dishes a little more healthier.”
Ms. Nancy’s Place is open Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. For more information, call (856) 333-6471 or visit “Ms. Nancy’s Place” on Facebook.
