Signage of Midtown & 3rd. (Jovanna McLaren-Wade/FAMUAN)
In a college town filled with so many chain restaurants, students may sometimes crave a meal that feels like home.
The Tallahassee metro area has about 549 Black-owned businesses total, representing around 7% of all businesses. Of these businesses about 20 to 25 are restaurants, including full-service restaurants, quick-service restaurants, food trucks, bakeries and dessert shops, and catering businesses, according to VisitTallahasee.com.
After eating fast food so often, locals and students look for local restaurants that offer comforting, home-style meals. Kenidee Webster, a FAMU alumni and Tallahassee native, says these restaurants bring a sense of peace beyond their meals.
“As a Tallahassee native and FAMU alum, I would definitely recommend Midtown & 3rd to students,” Webster said. “It’s close to campus, it’s a comfort area, and it provides the comfort dishes that they would probably be looking for.”
The restaurant is also known as a place for people to celebrate.
“I entered FAMU Fall 2015, and we celebrated our 10-year anniversary at Midtown & 3rd,” Webster said.
A close up of Midtown & 3rd’s menu. (Jovanna McLaren-Wade/FAMUAN)
Midtown & 3rd is a spin off restaurant of the food truck Leola’s Crab Shack. Owner Eric McKinnon wanted more of a sit-down type of restaurant that offers a wide range of menu items that college students enjoy.
Midtown & 3rd has received an immense amount of support from the community over the past year of being open and continues to celebrate the FAMU culture in several ways.
“We have drinks that are named after things that are on campus, some of the campus cliches that they use,” McKinnon said. “We have drinks named after them.”
While the restaurant is a –Black-owned business, they do not limit themselves to just that. They invite people from everywhere to come and enjoy their food, as well as the ambience.
“We open our doors to all … we can offer the same professionalism and quality that any other restaurant can,” McKinnon said.
On the other side of town right near campus, students enjoy breakfast daily from local seasoned restaurants.
Brianna Cook, a senior health informatics major, says she regularly supports Olean’s Cafe because of its food and its proximity to campus.
“I go there because the food is good, it’s close to campus, I can make a quick stop for breakfast, eat in there, and do what I need to do before I go to class,” Cook said. “I feel like it contributes to Tallahassee because it’s a black owned restaurant. … I feel like Olean’s gives that sense of home.”