JoEllen’s

JoEllen’s is a hidden gem in Tallahassee that serves up comfort food with serious Southern soul. I ordered the Love on a Two-Way Street. The fried chicken with buttermilk and red velvet waffles, and it hit every note—crispy, flavorful, and indulgent in the best way. The chicken was perfectly seasoned, and the waffles were rich and tender, with just the right hint of sweetness. The atmosphere is cozy and laid back, making it an ideal spot for a casual brunch or a relaxed dinner. Despite the steady flow of customers, the service was fast and friendly, which made the whole experience even better. If you're in the area or and craving comfort food, JoEllen’s should be on your list.

The Buffet is GONE.. but, everything was still EXCELLENT.. this was my first experience here, introduced by a friend and we came for the buffet.. but, unfortunately the restaurant has removed the buffet and has daily specials instead.. so, I didn’t get to experience the buffet and still got to experience the restaurant as a whole though.. great customer service, impeccable food and awesome views.. I came for a business meeting, slash lunch and you never know who you’ll bump into here.. overall memorable experience and I already can’t wait to get back to Tallahassee so I can make JoEllen’s my 1st stop!! 😋

JoEllen’s truly stands out as a Southern comfort food destination with heart, history, and real flavor, and after taking in the many recent experiences, it’s easy to understand why so many locals and visitors keep coming back. From brunch to dinner, JoEllen’s delivers bold, soulful dishes that feel homemade and intentional. Menu favorites mentioned again and again include the catfish, collard greens, shrimp & grits, salmon croquettes, seafood platters, fried pork chops, and creative brunch items like sweet potato pancakes and loaded omelets. The seasoning is consistently praised as being “on point,” the food arrives hot most of the time, and portions are generally generous especially for brunch and lunch. Many guests describe dishes that look magazine-worthy while still tasting like food

It was nice, until I attempted to complain about the overcooked pork chop that banged against the table. Instead of compassion, the manager placed her elbow on the table, tilted her head, into hand; while damn near rolling her eyes as to say (here we go with the b.s.)! She asked why I didn’t say anything beforehand?? Well, I had to try eating it to know it was super hard & why does that matter?? It was not an eatable piece of meat! But I didn’t want to cause a scene (her reaction made me feel very uncomfortable & unsure) I wanted to get out of there, I just paid; tried being pleasant & left! Also you only get 1 side with your meat & no drink or breads. It’s all priced separately during lunch hours which becomes extremely pricey!

I didn’t think Tallahassee had good food…boy was I wrong! After parking it was difficult to find this place (I parked underground) but it was worth the hassle. I ordered the “I Stand Accused” which is a seafood platter that consists of 2 catfish filets, 6 jumbo shrimp, and 2 crab cakes. You can have it blackened or fried (I opted for fried, I know, I’m bad!) and it comes with two sides. When I tell you it was all BUSSIN’ as it was so flavorful, perfectly cooked and well seasoned! I’ll be visiting Tally for work rather frequently in the future and I will return here each and every time! Kudos to the chef(s)!