I have a story this week on Fredrick's, a new soul food restaurant that recently opened up on Smithfield Street, Downtown.

I've had lunch there a couple times since it opened and I went to meet the owner one morning last week. He let me in the store and immediately introduced himself as Larry Ross. Which led me to the next obvious question, "Who's Fredrick?"

Ross tells me that Fredrick is a nickname that his mother used to call him when he was a kid.

"She grew up with this kid named Fredrick and he used to driver her crazy," Ross said with a chuckle. "So whenever I'd act a fool or get on her nerves she'd call me 'Fredrick Goosby' and tell me to knock it off."

The nickname stuck and since Fredrick's is a family business — mom actually works with Larry, helping him cook up soul food delicacies like wings, waffles and catfish nuggets — there's a chance you might get to hear a frustrated "Fredrick!" coming from the kitchen on your next visit.

Fredrick's Soul Food; 633 Smithfield St., Downtown; 412-232-1900