ALBANY >> Allie B’s Cozy Kitchen is celebrating its first completed year of serving up comfort in the Capital City.

Located at 353 Clinton Ave., the Albany restaurant and catering business opened last spring, just outside of Arbor Hill.

Collard greens, candied yams, and sweet potato pie are some of the specialties that Allie B’s Cozy Kitchen offers on a daily basis.

Chef owner Kizzy Williams radiates joy when she’s cooking for others, and guests can taste it in her food.

A year into entrepreneurship as a first-generation business owner, “My dreams are becoming true,” Williams said Monday. “I’m impressed myself.”

The business has expanded by joining online ordering sites like GrubHub and Mealeo. People from all over the Capital Region, including the Mayor Joanne Yepsen of Saratoga Springs, now order food from Allie B’s Cozy Kitchen, Williams said. “GrubHub has really moved us up the bracket.”

Customers from all cultures and backgrounds enjoy the Southern style soul food, inspired by William’s mother Allie B Bethea, a native of South Carolina.

Last April Williams explained how in the South, everyone cooks collard greens, but in upstate New York, it’s not so common outside of the African American community. Now with Allie B’s in business, caucasians, Latinos, Asians and African Americans alike - “Everybody’s eating collard greens,” Williams said.  

More than just exposing locals to new flavors, Williams’ goal is to make the diverse array of people who enjoy her food family. “The restaurant is my legacy,” Williams said. “If you can feed someone, it can change their lives,” she believes.

The menu is simple: ribs, chicken, fish. Entrees are just $10 and come with three different sides. Choices are collard greens, candied yams, potato or macaroni salad, rice and beans or macaroni and cheese.

Guests call it soul food or comfort food interchangeably. “It’s both,” Williams said, because it comes from her heart, and it’s meant to make people feel cozy.

A year later, “My business is doing great. Everything is going fantastic,” Williams said. “I just can’t ask for anything more.”

Allie B’s Cozy Kitchen is open from 12 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 12:30 to 10 p.m. on Fridays, 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays and  12:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays.

Guests can dine in the restaurant, take out, or have food delivered to their home.

Allie B’s Cozy Kitchen can also cater for events with hundreds of guests.

For more information, visit www.AllieBs.com, like Allie B's Cozy Kitchen on Facebook or call 729-3472.