A longstanding Cooper-Young favorite is temporarily closing for a major revamp.
Cafe Ole will end service at 959 Cooper St after dinner on Friday, March 7, 2025 to begin a complete rebranding. Though the name will remain, the restaurant will undergo extensive renovations, introducing a fresh concept and a brand-new menu.
Owner Kendall Robertson—who also operates Alfred’s on Beale, Dyer’s Burgers, and Automatic Slim’s,—announced the news on the Cafe Ole Facebook page. “BIG NEWS EVERYBODY…Cafe Ole is rebranding!!!” he wrote. “Same name with a new look, new concept, and a new menu!!”
Founded in 1991, Cafe Ole has long been a go-to spot for casual Tex-Mex fare like fish tacos and bacon-wrapped shrimp, with a spacious patio often considered one of the best in Memphis.
Robertson, who purchased the eatery in 2013, told The Daily Memphian that the city’s Mexican dining scene has become saturated over the years, prompting him to rethink the concept entirely. While details of the revamp remain under wraps for now, fans of the beloved bacon-wrapped shrimp can breathe a sigh of relief—the appetizer will be part of the new menu.
