Cooking Up Downtown Soul
BOBBY ARDOIN
St. Landry Now.com Editor
Chad Ned is stepping away from his barber shop and into the commercial kitchen with Sabrina Ned as the couple introduces downtown Opelousas to a sample of their culinary expertise.
March 2 is the projected launch date for Mae Ann’s Taste Of Soul at the corner of West Landry and Market streets, Sabrina Ned told the Opelousas Downtown Development District on Friday.
Since they purchased the former Palace Cafe restaurant late in 2025, the couple has been renovating the building which had been vacant for several years.
The ODD saluted the start of that endeavor as executive director Lena Charles presented the couple with a Business of The Month plaque before the start of the monthly meeting.
Chad Ned said the redesign and cleanup of the restaurant has been lengthy.
“Just about everything needed to be done. You could call it a complete process on the interior, the kitchen, serving area and just about everywhere, ” added Chad Ned, a pastor of an Opelousas church whose experience with his Eunice barbershop has covered 31 years.
Initially the Taste of Soul dining experience will cover a full day, according to Sabrina Ned.
The restaurant intends to serve a buffet breakfast each day beginning at 6 am, with a lunch buffet starting five hours later.
Plans for nighttime dining will start at 5 pm and last for several hours before the restaurant closes.
Chad Ned said some of the restaurant specialities will include red beans and sauce piquante recipes that he has perfected over his years of cooking.
Ned said he hopes opening the restaurant will help revitalize the downtown area.
“We want to continue doing a lot in this community and our restaurant is something we think will help with that goal,” Ned added.
Dining and Cooking