This is truly a Florida treasure. Today it stands as a roadside cafe. Yet it's history is as unique as Joan is herself.
The cafe was originally a cattle barn in the early 1930's. Part of the early origination of Ochopee. Where Edgar Gaunt purchased 240...
Read MoreThis is truly a Florida treasure. Today it stands as a roadside cafe. Yet it's history is as unique as Joan is herself.
The cafe was originally a cattle barn in the early 1930's. Part of the early origination of Ochopee. Where Edgar Gaunt purchased 240 acres to start a tomato farm.
Later in the cafés life, it became a storage area for oil and gas, called a bulk plant. Again part of Mr. Gaunt's expansion of his tomato empire where he had purchased an additional 3000 acres and needed storage.
A concrete structure was built next to the bulk plant which became a gas station with an adjacent garage.
In 1976 Joan and her husband purchased the three buildings. Her husband Carl ran the then, Chevron station and garage. And Joan ran the bulk plant which she turned into a kwik stop country store. The store was filled with necessities for travelers. She made sandwiches and shakes for them as well. As time grew on, she started a garden out front for vegetables so as not to have to rely on the freshness of her suppliers. In doing so, Joan fell in love with cooking. Adding local fare to her menu such as crab cakes and gater bites.
Her business grew and in 1987, the kwik shop turned into Joanie's Blue Crab Cafe.
The building was painted red, she says, because a barn is supposed to be red. Yet rumor has it, it was to match her beautiful red hair.
Joan is a character in so many way and it shows in how her restaurant is ran.
Every stranger that steps into her place, is greeted like family. With sweetheart this and darling that.
We felt like that as well. Gathering our own drink from the cooler, grabbing a menu from holder. Told to seat ourselves at a table of our liking. And ordering our lunch. We won't forget how well we were treated and the feeling we had when we left. We didn't meet Joanie herself yet we felt like we had a big hug from her. A stop here will not disappoint. Crab cakes, gater bites and the battered fries are my favorites. Don't pass this place by.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Gator Bites
Outdoor seating 
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