Jo’s Place Restaurant has opened at 1101 E. Washington St. and marked the event on Saturday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand-opening celebration.

The casual restaurant will specialize in classic Southern and soul cuisine, serving barbecued ribs, chicken, fried fish, burgers and sides and a macaroni-and-cheese specialty.

Owner Wanda Knight previously ran a successful catering business called “Joyous Occasions.” The name “Jo’s” is a nod to the restaurant’s earlier incarnation.

“It is great to see the entrepreneurial spirit alive and thriving in Suffolk with establishments like Jo’s Place,” Mayor Linda T. Johnson stated in a press release from the city. “We welcome Jo’s Place to Suffolk and thank them for choosing to grow with our community.”

The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.