News Summary
Olean’s Cafe, a cherished cafeteria-style restaurant in Tallahassee, has reopened following a brief closure due to the owner’s bereavement. Olean McCaskill lost her father, prompting the temporary shutdown. The cafe, known for its generous portions of soul food, has been a community staple for nearly 30 years. The reopening brings a promise to honor her father’s legacy and continue serving delicious meals that foster a sense of family and togetherness.
Olean, a beloved cafeteria-style restaurant located on South Adams Street, has officially reopened and resumed normal operations after a temporary closure due to the death of a family member. The restaurant owner, Olean McCaskill, lost her father, Johnny Lee McCaskill Sr., prompting the brief shutdown.
Johnny McCaskill Jr. announced the reopening via Facebook, expressing gratitude towards patrons for their support, hugs, prayers, and acts of kindness received during this difficult time. The reopening comes with a heartfelt promise that Johnny Lee McCaskill Sr. will be “in the building helping us in every way possible.”
Having served the community for nearly 30 years, Olean’s Cafe is known for its dedication to hospitality and good food, founded on morning prayers and a strong family legacy. The restaurant specializes in traditional soul food for breakfast and lunch, with a commitment to keeping authentic recipes unchanged. Breakfast offerings include grits, eggs, pancakes, bacon, sausage, and toast. For lunch, customers can savor Olean’s specialty fried chicken, black-eyed peas, mac and cheese, and greens, all served with a fluffy corn muffin.
Guests visiting Olean’s Cafe are treated like family, with staff members ensuring they receive ample portions and making recommendations for additional food. The cafe is a place where guests often reunite with old friends and family while waiting for their meals, fostering a strong sense of community.
Olean’s Cafe gained national attention in 2016 when then-Vice President Joe Biden visited and ordered a meal that became known as “Biden’s Choice,” featuring fried chicken, mac and cheese, black-eyed peas, and cornbread muffin. This visit highlighted the café’s reputation as a cherished dining destination.
The restaurant operates from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday to Friday and from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday. The cozy atmosphere of Olean’s Cafe is showcased through decorations featuring Florida A&M artifacts and religious sayings, creating a warm and inviting space for diners. Olean McCaskill, who opened the cafe in 1997 at the age of 14, has dedicated her life to providing comfort to the community through food and hospitality, particularly serving students from nearby Florida A&M University. The cafe serves as a safe space for students to gather and receive care from Olean.
Throughout the years, Olean’s Cafe has emphasized the importance of love and community. Olean McCaskill has become a nurturing figure for many patrons, exemplifying the cafe’s reputation for generous portions characteristic of Southern cuisine. The restaurant’s menu is designed to accommodate various tastes, reflecting the extensive range of delicious options available to guests.
The reopening of Olean’s Cafe not only marks the continuation of its nearly three-decade-long tradition but also offers the community a chance to find comfort in familiar food and a welcoming environment during times of loss. As operations resume, Olean McCaskill remains committed to honoring her father’s legacy through her work at the cafe.
For those looking to submit announcements regarding restaurant openings, special deals, or events for future coverage, they can contact Kyla A. Sanford at [email protected].
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Tallahassee.com: Olean’s Cafe Reopens
- Tallahassee.com: Olean’s Cafe Closure Announcement
- Saveur: Olean’s Cafe Feature
- Seacoast Online: Tallahassee Restaurants
- The Famuan: Olean’s Cafe Review
- Wikipedia: Soul Food
- Google Search: Olean’s Cafe Tallahassee
- Google Scholar: Oleans Cafe Tallahassee
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Soul Food
- Google News: Olean’s Cafe
Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER
The TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETallahassee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tallahassee, Leon County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Springtime Tallahassee, Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, and LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Big Bend, plus leading businesses in education, healthcare, and insurance that power the local economy such as Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Capital Health Plan. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
