Queenie’s, a New Daiquiri and Pie Shop, Sweetens St. Claude Avenue

New daiquiri and pie shop Queenie’s on St. Claude is spreading joy with its opening on St. Claude Avenue with “daiquiris, mini-pies and stick-to-you-ribs food,” reports Todd Price. Amanda Bybee and Tara Pfeiffer, who is also the baker behind the mini-pies, opened the new spot.

Besides the addictive pies and daiquiris that come in traditional and real fruit flavors, a major draw of this place is its kitchen’s association with the second line tradition. It literally grew out of it, with the guys behind Fambizz kitchen in the back of Queenie’s, getting their start selling plates of food at second lines. Johnny Williams, Keon Brimmer, Ronneil James, and Asmar Clark run the kitchen. Also cool — Clark is “spy boy for the Young Generation Warriors Mardi Gras Indians. His elaborate, three dimensional suit from this year is on display at Queenies. It took him six months to sew it. By pure chance, the colors of his suit match the paint colors at Queenies,” reports Price.

The kitchen menu features some regular items, as well as specials. Seafood gets ladles over baked potatoes and nachos. Brunch includes grits and grillades, shrimp and grits, and shrimp and waffles. Nightly specials include a Tuesday charbroiled oyster night starting at 6 pm (charbroiled, Rockefeller, or seafood-stuffed) and a Wednesday steak night (Hawaiian, blackened, or “seasoned”).

Queenies on St. Claude will have a very grand opening party Thursday, May 25 from 5 pm - 10 pm with music from The Jackson Square Allstars Brass band, a raffle and prizes, $1 pies, and daiquiris specials.

Queenie’s is open Monday through Thursday from 11 am to 10 pm; Friday from 11 am - 11 pm; Saturday from 10 pm to 11 pm; and on Sunday from 10 am to 9 pm. Brunch is served on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 2 pm. [NOLA.COM]