My dining companion and I recently visited Olean's Café. This restaurant location has been here for what seems like forever. Adams Street is a quiet street on this particular Saturday morning around 9:15 am. But inside the restaurant, there is a flurry of activity behind the counter, the aroma of breakfast makes us smile when we enter and there is a line that stretches to the door. Folks are waiting. Few dine in and most are carrying out several to go boxes per person. The prices are reasonable and for the portion size, I would say budget-minded. Get the Olean's omelette. It's generously sized and enough for 3 meals. It looks nothing like a traditional omelette. It reads more like a breakfast casserole. Eggs, potatoes, sausage, veggies and cheese. It's comfort food on a plate. I am so sorry I didn't take a photo to share. I highly recommend this meal option! My dining companion ordered scrambled eggs, bacon and plain grits. My dining companion stated they were the best restaurant grits they'd ever eaten. The bacon was piled high on his plate! He took 1/2 this meal home. Mrs. Olean is behind the counter and just as personable as can be. She sets the tone for hospitality and it shows with her courteous staff. There was ample parking. The dining room is small, probably 10 tables in all. Most seem to be taking bags with their to go containers. Few people leave with one container. We will certainly return for some of their lunch options next. read more

This is where me and my coworker go to treat each other because of how great it is. Can't go wrong with anything they serve. Personally I love the oxtails and turkey. The girls at the front are so sweet and fun and let us know what to get every time. I'm still trying to come for their Tuesday hot chicken. read more

If you want great homemade food and healthy portions cooked like your mama in her Kitchen then Olean's is the place. Homestyle grits, sausage. Pancakes and toast are the best! The fried chicken is a must eat cuisine. It's not a fancy place at all but the food is the best! And the staff is all family so Mrs. Olean keeps them right and on point. This place is my favorite breakfast and soul food spot in Tallahassee read more

This is restaurant is a local staple. Oleans has been serving the local community for decades and should be dedicated as a local landmark. Ms. Oleans and her staff are always friendly and helpful. I came in for breakfast today so I tried the fried catfish and grits. I also had eggs and toast with it. I usually get the "Jesus Passion Juice" but I decide to go with apple juice. It was really good. The fish was a little over fried but other than that I was good. I really like the consistency of the cheese grits. Just enough grits to balance out the cheese. Lol This restaurant is an integral part of this community and I would recommend it to anyone. read more

Food was great. Service was slow. I had fish, eggs, greens and others had blackeyed peas, rice, & mac n cheese. We enjoyed all of it.

Wanted to try this place for a long time and was finally able to make it there on a Saturday for breakfast; not a large eat-in area, but this was fine in that folks were getting their food to go (I think dine-in is still not an option due to COVID). In any case, the line was out the door, but not an extremely long wait. The servers were very nice. I ordered turkey sausage, cheese grits, eggs, and toast. There happened to be a piece of key lime cake in plain view, so I added that to my breakfast items for later, lol! Of note, I wasn't too impressed with the cheese grits (think cheese sauce may have been added to the grits instead of shredded cheese as I expected). In any case, it was also neat to see all the photos on the wall. This place seems to be a staple. I will plan to visit again and try the catfish; think I will get plain grits next time. :o) read more

See all

I first came to Olean's when I was a student at FAMU.....long before I became a Yelper. Ms. Olean's is a staple in Tallahassee. She has been serving quality southern food to the Tallahassee community for a very long time. Her restaurant is a small cafe style place that has a comforting family feel that many restaurants have lost over the years. The gospel music playing on the overhead is refreshing and the staff are really nice. On to the food.....first and foremost, the pricing is unbeatable and the portion sizes are huge! I can't handle a lot of soul food and it is hard for me to eat it because I don't eat pork so there isn't a lot that I have tried on the menu but based on the amount of people the frequent this place, all of the food has got to be superb! Today, I had some grits, eggs and I was pleased to see they offer turkey sausage. It was amazing and I was stuffed when I was finished....The foods fresh and seasoned to perfection. My girlfriend had the pork chop breakfast which came with grits and eggs. She told me the pork chop was seasoned to perfection. We arrived about 10am and they were transitioning into lunch but offered to fry her a fresh piece. She said it was worth every bit of the wait. If you have never tried Ms. Olean's, you are missing out on some good eating! I'll be back. She's got our vote! read more

See all

Fresh and hot food with great customer service!! Very affordable as well. If you haven't tried yet whats stopping you! read more

I don't see how I could give this place any less than the full five stars. When I got done with my food, I was fully comatose and felt like I had just finished dinner at my grandmas house. We were disappointed that we couldn't try the wings since they were out. But we had the fried chicken/baked chicken and fried pork chop. For sides we had rice and gravy, Mac and cheese, collards, and green beans. We also tried the passion juice thanks to the recommendation of a regular. The chicken and pork chops were crispy and breaded to perfection. Baked chicken was juicy also. The Mac and cheese had the cheese pull and cheddar flavor that you would expect from any good southern Mac and cheese. The collards were the BEST. We couldn't stop eating them and the juice was the perfect compliment to the meal. This place clearly has a strong local following and I wish we would have been in town long enough to eat breakfast. Anything this lady makes, I would eat. read more

See all

I have been here before for the chicken (which is great!). However, for breakfast it was disappointing :( Olean's omelette: small portion and meh. It is hearty but lacks flavor. 3 stars. Pork sausage: meh. 2 stars. Price: severely overpriced for a piece of sausage, chunk of omelette, soda, slice of cake. I was charge $13. 1 star. I will stick with the chicken at lunch.. read more

Olean's Cafe - Olean's omelette with sausage. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Tallahassee, Florida

You haven't truly enjoyed Tallahassee until you stop at Oleans! While attending FAMU, when the cafe was too packed or not serving up Fried Chicken Wednesday, Oleans was the spot that you could always find your perfect meal. Just steps from Foote-Hilyer, Oleans is a Tallahassee and FAMU legend, and so is the owner, Ms. Olean McCaskill! A small spot packed with LOADS of flavor, you'll never leave disappointed or with a bill too big for your pockets. The food is openly displayed to all in a serving line-esq arrangement, and all can pick and choose from the delicious options. Enjoying a meal here at Oleans will only set you back $4-$7 for the works!!! I love that as popular as Oleans is, (I mean, the Obama breakfast wasn't named that for any old reason, it was his fave!) that the prices have always stayed affordable! My last visit to Oleans was a quick breakfast date with my college friend while I visited town. I got the full Obama breakfast (Grits, Eggs, Bacon, Toast and Pancakes) and my friend got a simple grits, eggs & toast = $17 with juice and a bracelet for charity! Cooked with love, soul and a lot of Rattler Pride, Oleans is a place that feels like home for all who visit. read more

See all

Olean's is everything!! It's a staple in the community and a must go when you come to Tallahassee!! Best breakfast and best soul food!

Happened upon this place during my first visit to Tallahassee (for a wedding). I don't think I could have had a better experience! My boyfriend and I had fried catfish, mullet, cheese gritz, and collard greens and corn muffins. Everything was solidly delicious. Catfish was by far the best I've had! So flavorful and tender. We did have a bit of a wait (several customers walked in at once, all of us within the last 20 min of closing). The folks running this place are so freaking good natured and the hilarious...the banter between them and their regulars (and including us) made me feel completely at home in a new city and made the wait fly by. Left me with a smile on my face and a full belly. If you haven't gone yet, you need to. read more

Olean's Cafe - Mullet, collard greens, catfish - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Tallahassee, Florida

Soul food and wholesome food at the ready. If you're in a hurry and need something that'll hold you over and put a smile on your face, go to Ms Olean's. There's a reason you won't hear anything bad. read more

Not very gud to me, my husband & I had the basic breakfast & one slice of cake. It was $33, not worth it, not seasoned, cake was dry

It was awesome the food is good and the people are really nice The Obama special was real yum read more

Ms. Olean soothes your soul with her food, I haven't found anything I didn't love at Olean's, its that good! I come here all the time, and so should you. The breakfast is beyond affordable and scrumptious. Grits bacon sausage pancakes, French toast, I am getting hungry just thinking about it. The fried chicken, greens and mac & cheese. I don't know how she does that chicken so perfectly. Get a slice of her cake you won't regret it and hope your favorite flavor slices haven't run out. Key lime, Red velvet, pound cake and yellow with chocolate icing. You can even ask about ordering and entire cake. I always wash it all down with her Jesus Passion Juice, and don't call it Passion Juice because she will tell you the correct name is the Jesus Passion Juice. I am still super anti her operating hours but she knows her food is so good she can set her hours and people will make it a point to get there. Closing times are 3pm weekdays and 12pm Saturday. Food is 5+ stars for a home cooked meal. BEST IN CLASS : Mac & Cheese & all the cakes are a win in my book read more

Great-tasting and wholesome southern soul food served with love. It doesn't matter what they're dishing up. You will not be disappointed. I cannot imagine Tallahassee without Olean's. read more

If you want a breakfast that is like no other- Olean's! Fantastic! The fried chicken looked great but couldn't make it back for lunch but will next time in Tallahassee. Don't miss this spot! read more

The biscuits and gravy is amazing. The cheese grits are devine. The bacon is perfectly cooked. The ambiance is just what you would expect, homey and comforting just like Grandma's house. The service is nice, fast moving. read more

Olean's fried chicken is no joke! Gotta eat some real soul food before leaving the South! So that's exactly what I did. Came on a Wednesday around lunch time. This hole in the wall joint doesn't offer much for ambiance. But the food is another story! I was trying to decide between the smothered pork chop and the fried chicken, my friendly server said: you gotta try the fried chicken! So I got myself a dark meat (no shame) fried chicken plate with collard greens and mac 'n cheese and sat down to eat. The fried chicken is so crispy and flavorful. It's seasoned and fried to perfection. It is possibly the BEST fried chicken I've ever had. Extraordinary! The mac 'n cheese is average IMO but the collard greens is remarkable! So juicy and mouthwatering. Food was plenty, I could barely finish. Ppl are so sweet and friendly here! Come get yourself some real soul food, it's good for your soul! Make sure to order the no bullshit fried chicken and slap yo mama collard greens. YOU ARE WELCOME! read more

Olean's Cafe - No bullshit fired chicken, slap yo mama collard greens, and mac 'n cheese. Soul food is good for your soul! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Tallahassee, Florida

No pics..country breakfast! Good food and good folks. Keep it simple! Keep it delicious!

EVERYTHING here is good! I just can't get over the pancake breakfasts. The sausages, eggs, cheese and plain grits are my absolute favorite. If you do lunch be sure to get a slice of cake to go. You'll want to thank me later. read more

Best southern breakfast in town hands down! It's a quick in and out place and you can easily take it to go. Very affordable, good food. Their cheese grits are awesome. The eggs aren't my favorite (a bit dry), but are no reason to skip out on one of their awesome breakfast specials. They also do lunch! My brother had fried chicken, Mac n cheese and greens. The Mac was some of the best in town (soo cheesy) and the fried chicken was also excellent. Would recommend for a quick breakfast or lunch if you're in the area (which can be a little sketchy at night but seems fine during the day). read more

Olean's Cafe - Breakfast special - cheesy grits, eggs and bacon. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Tallahassee, Florida

See all

"The Obama Special," there are no words for how much food is in one box (grits, bacon, eggs, toast). I started coming to Olean's when I first came to college in 2010, a long-time customer. My favorites are breakfast,--"The Obama Special," but you can never go wrong with anything you try there. Heavy on the oil/grease/shortening, but is comfort soul food at its best. If I go during lunch my go-to's are her cakes (made by her son), fried chicken, oxtails, rice, and always a side of greens, a piece of red velvet and a "hello" to Mrs. O. The con. The cleanliness. Do not look past the griddle. You've been warned. read more

Take out only: catfish and grits (butter, not cheese): The gentleman preparing our plates FILLED the long part of a 3 divider take out box with grits. Then, like a pro, he placed a line of sheet paper slightly over the grits to put 2 large pieces of cat inside. Well now (looks like he knows how to get keep those golden crispies for the ride home.) Grits were southern thick and creamy (not watery or with a thick grain.) Fish was slightly curled up, which was fine as I do believe that a flatter fish would have been more difficult to place in the box. And now the ending....We added a Starbucks run to this adventure and the food was still nice & warm when we got to our destination. Now that is called "hot & fresh" and why folks keep coming back. read more

Now this was a great find thanks to Yelp. The only disappointment was that I went on a Saturday and they only have breakfast on the weekends. I was hoping to seat for breakfast which is what I did and order lunch takeout. I think my stomach cried when I did not get to enjoy the fried chicken and sides. But my breakfast of cheese grits, bacon and eggs was on point. Mixed fruit jelly for the toast and a large Jesus Passion Punch. Just goodness all over. Hospitality and calm environment all made for a great start to my weekend. I will definitely be back before leaving. I am destined to see what that key lime cake and Southside drink is about. read more

See all

I don't live in Tallahassee anymore, and I crave Olean's food constantly. My favorite restaurant in the world and the best soul food anywhere in my opinion. Tallahassee is so blessed to still have Olean's, I think they've been around over 20 years? I've never had the breakfast, but lunch is what you NEED. My order is mac and cheese, greens or green beans, black eyed peas, yams, and a piece of catfish. If they still have chicken and rice on Wednesday, get that. A place that many people in Tallahassee have never been to, such a hidden gem!!! read more

Best fried catfish of my life, and that's my thing. Very generous portions and sweet vibe in this classic lunch spot.

Hands down the best soul food in Tallahassee and the region. And Wednesdays it's ox tails--it doesn't get any better within a day's drive of Tallahassee. This is a gem! read more

Love coming here after work for breakfast! Hot, fresh food and friendly service at 8 in the morning

I come to Tallahassee a few times a year for work and last here , I missed Olean's due to traffic by about 5 minutes, they had closed for the day. Fast forward to this trip , I was not going to let that happen again. I came here today with Catfish in mind and got collard greens and the green beans as sides , AMAZING!!! I met Mom , the matriarch , I presume. She helped me out , included a couple of fried chicken pieces and the cornbread too , probably the sweetest, most moist I've ever had ! Without a doubt, I'll be back , if not just to enjoy Mom's smile ! Oh , and the food all delicious, don't miss this place ! read more

Delicious catfish and grits! My spot for breakfast while in Tallahassee! Large portions of bacon with every meal.

I must be a creature of habit because I ordered almost the same thing that I wrote my last review about. This time, the country fried smothered steak was like a frozen patty. It was thin and unlike other times, didn't look like a real piece of chopped steak. The veggies are what keep this place at a 4 stars. Black eyed peas were seasoned just right. The green beans were canned that had been transformed into something good. Yellow rice and gravy - spot on. I will continue to come here but I was a little disappointed this time. read more

Visiting friends in Tallahassee. They had lived in the Sunshine State for only a few months, but they knew the places to go! The Art Walk on the first Friday evening of each month, St Mark's National Wildlife Refuge, Wakulla Springs and...Oleans. Olean's is small and, yes, could use a bit of organizing. Boxes in the corner. Styrofoam stacked here and there. I liked that there were niches that held photos of High School graduates, football players, along w posters and flyers of community events. Seats 20, 30 at the most. It's on the corner of a busy 4 lane street across from the FAMU campus. Step up to the serving line and check out those bi-color grits. Yellow-Orange cheese grits and...regular. Of course I chose a blend! Along with perfectly cooked bacon and scrambled eggs. The offerings including salmon croquettes, sausage. Tragically, I overlooked the biscuits. I was dubious about the coffee, held in one of those hand pumped insulated "pitchers". No milk, just capsules of a non-dairy product. Oh my. Asking for milk, in my experience can be disruptive. I settled for chemicals and had a pretty good cup of hot coffee. It was on my second trip to the coffee bar when Ms Olean stepped out to the serving area. She is a tiny, pleasant woman who caught my eye as I was getting my refill. I lifted the cup, and said "good coffee". She nodded w an air of certainty. I look forward to my next visit. read more

Had this one bookmarked for too long. Easy to find and the staff there was so nice. I had a hard time choosing from all the yummy breakfast options, so as usual, I ordered WAAAAAAAY more than I could eat. Everything was so good! It's nice to hit a spot where they take the time to make food right and season it properly as well. Love breakfast joints, but hate having to add salt after an item is cooked! Can't wait to bring the family to eat here. A great gem in our community! read more

The city's best soul food hides in plain sight at Olean's, located across from FAMU's campus on S. Adams Street. The old school menu behind the employee fixing plates listed a slew of Southern favorites including smothered pork chops, ribs, chitterlings, and of course, fried chicken. Breakfast is also available all day. On my most recent visit I selected the Black History Month aka MLK Special (available all month). It included two pieces of dark meat chicken, two sides and a 16 oz drink for $5.99. A leg, thigh, and a serving of greens and mac 'n cheese filled my box. Cabbage, corn, green beans, and yellow rice were also available. Olean's completed the meal with a corn bread roll. Olean's fried chicken was delicious. It is what all fried chicken wants to be, perfectly seasoned, crisp on the outside, and moist on the inside. The mac 'n cheese was also amazing. Elbow macaroni is covered in cheddar cheese and baked until it became a mass of gooey deliciousness. The greens were a close second, and made eating vegetables delicious. On top of the great food, the service is friendly and Miss Olean, who usually works the cash register, is a delight. read more

See all

Bottom Line: This is one of my absolute favorite spots. I hope you'll find it equally intriguing and good. Oleans is a TLH landmark, as far as I'm concerned. Looking for THAT breakfast, lifted right out of a Deep South diner 80 years ago? Look no further. Oleans is the real deal. I love Earley's, but Earley's doesn't capture the essence that is exuded here. It's just a whole bunch of goodness. The goodness is supported by a constant Gospel & Spirituals soundtrack piped in from above. While there is no Al Fresco option, the windows are large and provide a streetside experience. Sit at a table where W. Palmer T-bones S. Adams and enjoy not only the automotive and pedestrian traffic outside; enjoy the complete inside going-ons as well. Inside, there's a mix of folks ordering "to-go" (a mystery to me - the food is proven to taste 142% better while on premises here) as well as dine-in. The decor is unmistakably FAM'. Refreshing, in a town dominated by garnet & gold. (Go 'Noles AND Rattlers!) I've tried everything here. Everything. Yes... That means I've had the chitterlings... I really wanted to like them too. The texture is fine - it's simply the repugnant yet mesmerizing flavor that doesn't permit me past three or four bites. Thinking about it makes me shudder. Ok - I'm still here @ Oleans. Let me get a refill on the coffee, and let you go! read more

See all

I heard about this place from some friends, they know that I am a foodie. My husband and I went last Saturday but they closed at 12 noon and we just missed it. My mom came to visit me and I told her this is our lunch spot today. If you love home cooked vegetables and fried chicken cooked to perfection, this is your spot! We had a hard time picking just two sides, so we each got something different and we shared. Everything was seasoned perfect. Now we have to plan a breakfast. I can't stress enough, your little hole in the way restaurants are the places to try. Happy eating read more

See all

I've been dying to go for breakfast but I never seem to be in the area when they are open. So I ate a late lunch here. And that was a bad idea. I order the chicken, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes and gravy, and the corn muffin. (Your mouth should be watering at this point...check the pictures). I inhaled the food! To bad I had to go back to work, because I spent the rest of the day fighting sleep. This just feels like food that should be enjoyed after a long church service. Can't wait to check out the breakfast. read more

See all