CLINTON Area residents have officially set their taste buds to a new flavor.

Equipped with his trademark clock, Public Enemy group member and reality TV star Flavor Flav joined citizens, city officials and media for Flavs Fried Chickens grand opening ceremony Monday.

Once the event completed, the restaurant opened at 4 p.m. and people lined up outside the building for hours to taste Flavs fried-chicken recipe. Flav, who has been in Clinton since Thursday, said this experience is overwhelming.

I just want to bring something good to your neighborhood, Flav said to the crowd during the ribbon cutting. I feel that this could be a good entity to the neighborhood.

Plus, Im trying to start a franchise, so this is the beginning of it. And I just want to say that you guys are a part of it.

After meeting with several Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors and other city leaders, Flav joined co-owner Nick Cimino and his family to cut the ribbon, starting the inaugural FFC.

Clinton Mayor Rodger Holm said the restaurants opening is good news for the city.

My first thought was to reality TV, Holm said when he first heard that FFC would land in Clinton. But I didnt realize he had a chicken place. Anything positive that happens to the city is for the better, and this gives Clinton a positive image.

Chamber President Julie Allesee shared in Holms excitement, and as a first-time restaurant owner, Flav might have a few more resources than other people who start up businesses, Allesee said.

(Flav) comes in with a better cash flow than others, Allesee said. However, putting a business plan together for the first time is a lot of work. You have to be there and provide good service.

The idea for FFC started with the Cimino family, and Flav made sure to thank the entire crew, especially Nick and his mother, Dominica Cimino, better known as Mama Cimino.

FFC took shape at Mama Ciminos in Last Vegas, after Flav started selling 99-cent wings at the restaurant. Once Nick saw what Flav was doing, he bought a building, 916 N. Second St., which is next door to Clintons Mama Ciminos, and completed most of the renovations.

All of this wouldnt have happened if it wasnt for (Dominica), Flav said . If she didnt bring (Nick) into the world, none of this would have happened. So Mama, your womb was blessed with the best.

Dominica said Flav has become part of the Cimino family.

Hes one of my boys, Dominica said. Hes really friendly with everybody. Hes down to earth and treats people nice. Thats what I like about him.

Flav completed the ceremony by entering the kitchen and showcasing his culinary skills. Flav owns a culinary degree and has past cooking experience.

Once finished with the cooking, Flav grabbed a pair of tongs and handed out his restaurants staple, fried chicken, to the customers, while also throwing out a few jabs to Kentucky Fried Chicken, which is housed next door.

Im not scared to go against the colonel taste wise, Flav said about KFCs notable figurine. Business wise, hes got me, because hes been here longer. But Im about to catch up to the colonel.