Johnson County supervisor planning new soul food restaurant

Feb. 14, 2023 5:30 am, Updated: Feb. 15, 2023 10:02 am

Johnson County Supervisor Royceann Porter (right) and other volunteers prepare food during a Juneteenth Celebration in Iowa City on Saturday, June 20, 2020. Porter announced plans to open a new soul food restaurant in Iowa City’s upcoming South District Market. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

IOWA CITY — Johnson County Supervisor Royceann Porter is planning a new soul food restaurant opening soon in Iowa City.

Porter announced the new restaurant in a social media post Feb. 8.

Royceann’s Soul Food Cottage, with signature fried chicken, fried cabbage, macaroni and cheese, and candied yams, will offer a full menu including pork chops, mashed potatoes and cornbread. Desserts include pound cake, banana pudding and sweet potato pie.

The Iowa City Press-Citizen reported that the restaurant will open with the new indoor South District Market being planned at 947 U.S. Highway 6 in Iowa City’s South District, in a space that previously was a Slumberland.

Property owner Chris Villhauer told the Press-Citizen that the restaurant would open with the new market in March.

Many already are familiar with Porter’s cooking, which has been sampled at community events over the years, including last year’s Juneteenth celebration in Iowa City. For those wanting a preview of her soul food style, Porter will be hosting a free Soul Food Dinner at the Coralville Public Library, 1401 Fifth St., from 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 17.

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