Where the Locals Go (And You Should Too)

In Prince William County, great businesses often start with a simple idea and a lot of heart. For Kay Vickers and Vick Cook, owners of Where the Locals Go at 18017 Dumfries Shopping Plaza, that idea began in their own kitchen, surrounded by family, music, and the comfort of home-cooked meals.

Before opening their brick-and-mortar location in Dumfries in late 2025, the couple spent years building a loyal following through Kay's Citrine Soul Food food truck, which first hit the road in 2019. What started as a passion project, quickly grew into something way bigger. 

A Love for Comfort Food and Community

Before launching their business, Kay and Vick found themselves driving between Fredericksburg and Washington, D.C., searching for the kind of soul food they grew up with. Eventually, they realized something important: Prince William County needed it. So they decided to create it themselves.

Cooking had always been a part of Kay's and Vick's life — learning from generations of family members who cooked and baked for gatherings filled with neighbors, friends, and family. 

"Comfort food brings families together," they explain. "In our culture, families come together when there's music and cooking involved. That's what we were raised on, and we love sharing that with everyone."

Kay spent more than 20 years working as a nurse, while Vick worked in retail. In April 2019, they launched their food truck. Within just a few months, the demand made it clear they were onto something special.

"We were selling out in just a couple hours every week," Kay says. "We would open at 4:00 p.m. and be closed by 6:00 p.m. because the food was gone."

The Road to Brick-and-Mortar Mac 'N Cheese

Eventually, both Kay and Vick left their full-time jobs to focus on the business. The food truck's popularity continued to grow, but the limited space made it difficult to keep up with demand. That challenge led them to their next step.

After opening Where The Locals Go in late 2025 the larger kitchen has  allowed them to expand their menu and production while keeping the same homemade quality their customers loved.

Their new menu reflects the dishes customers love the most, including fried chicken, catfish, mac and cheese, collard greens, yams, and weekend specials like beef ribs and red beans and rice. And if you ask what you should try, their answer is easy: Everything.

One promise Kay made to herself after opening the restaurant was simple: never run out of the signature mac 'n cheese. On the food truck, it would sell out within the hour. Now, even near closing time, she's willing to make a fresh batch to ensure customer satisfaction.

Fueled By Passion

Their growing impact in the community has not gone unnoticed. Kay and Vick were honored to be nominated for a Make Your Mark Award and then attend the Make Your Mark Awards Ceremony and Business Celebration back in November 2025.

For the couple, the experience was a meaningful reminder of how far their journey has brought them, from cooking for neighbors and friends to building a business that brings people together in Dumfries.

The journey for Kay and Vick is still unfolding. With their brick-and-mortar restaurant now established, they are already planning their next step: opening a sit-down restaurant.

It's the next chapter in a story that started with family recipes, community gatherings, and a food truck fueled by passion. And in Prince William County, it's exactly the kind of small business story worth celebrating.