BLACK mobile logo

district of columbia

community

Queen Mother’s Kitchen Sandwiches are Royalty to Fans

June 18, 2025

Chef Rahman "Rock" Harper's Queen Mother's Kitchen, a restaurant specializing in high-quality chicken sandwiches, has been nominated for the "Hottest Sandwich Spot of the Year" category in the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington's annual RAMMY awards. Located in Arlington's National Landing Water Park, the restaurant has gained popularity for its signature sandwiches, particularly the Queen Mother's Classic Chicken Sandwich made with brined chicken breast cooked in duck fat and served with Mother Sauce and dill pickles on a toasted brioche bun. Harper, a nationally recognized chef who won Gordon Ramsay's "Hell's Kitchen" competition during its third season, named the restaurant as a tribute to his mother, grandmother, and Black women in general.

Who is affected

  • Regular customers like Shantavia Craigg and Ramon Singh who frequent the restaurant
  • Local Arlington and D.C. area residents who enjoy the restaurant's food
  • Chef Rahman "Rock" Harper, the owner whose business is receiving recognition
  • Competitors in the "Hottest Sandwich Spot of the Year" RAMMY award category
  • Staff at Queen Mother's Kitchen

What action is being taken

  • Queen Mother's Kitchen is competing as a nominee for the "Hottest Sandwich Spot of the Year" in the RAMMY awards
  • The restaurant is currently serving chicken sandwiches with premium ingredients including antibiotic-free chicken and freshly baked buns daily
  • Customers are regularly visiting and purchasing food at the National Landing Water Park location
  • Chef Harper is maintaining his commitment to quality ingredients and preparation methods

Why it matters

  • The RAMMY nomination provides recognition for a Black-owned business with cultural significance
  • The restaurant pays homage to Black women and food culture through its name and concept
  • Queen Mother's Kitchen represents high-quality food options in the Arlington/D.C. area with its commitment to serving chicken free of antibiotics, hormones, and artificial ingredients
  • The business has successfully established itself after relocating multiple times since its 2020 launch
  • The restaurant contributes to the local food scene at National Landing Water Park

What's next

  • The winner of the "Hottest Sandwich Spot of the Year" category and other RAMMY awards will be announced at The RAMMYS Awards & Gala on August 3 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Northwest D.C.

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer