Martin’s Soul Food opened in mid-May at Hayes Store Shopping Center, near Gloucester Boys & Girls Club. The restaurant is opens even days a week and features dine-in and take-out service.

Tim Martin of Norfolk and Cynthia Terry of Virginia Beach own Martin’s Soul Food. They own one store each in Virginia Beach, Norfolk and Gloucester and a franchisee has one store each in Norfolk and Chesapeake. A franchisee operated a Martin’s Soul Food restaurant in the same Hayes location for a brief time several years ago.

Terry said they serve a wide assortment of food, many selections not often seen on other local menus. For example, they sell ox tail, a Jamaican meat dish they have modified from the heavily spiced native version, and turkey chops, a boneless cutlet that’s served fried or grilled.

Another change from many menus, Terry said, is how many vegetables Martin’s serves. The selection includes collards, potato salad, fried okra and yams. A popular sta...