Clicky

The Grand Café opens in Oakdale, offering low cholesterol and gluten-free options

|

The Grand Café isn’t your average deli or bagel shop. That’s for sure.

Not with its huge amount of seating, table service and crazy amount of healthy eating options.

“It’s not a regular bagel place,” said the owner Mike Fiorillo, who opened The Grand Café in Oakdale — his third location — last month. “I’m doing a lot of things that some of these other places don’t do.”

Fiorillo’s newest eatery is located at 1272 Montauk Highway in Oakdale, across the street from the Oakdale Train Station.

All of the food is made fresh to order, he said. The healthy-eating options include low cholesterol and gluten-free pancakes and bread.

“I’m the type of person with open ears. I will try everything and see if it works,” Fiorillo of Babylon said of how he works with his customers. “The food is fresh, and the food that I cook is low cholesterol, which is good for us, but you don’t know unless I say something.”

Fiorillo said he hopes customers appreciate the food and that they get a good vibe when they spend time in his café.

“I’m trying to bring some love over here,” he said. 

Fiorillo, who has worked in the restaurant industry for over 29 years, has two other locations under the same name — one in St. James and the other in Gainesville, Florida. He credits his dad for “showing me the ropes” when Fiorillo was a kid.

The Grand Café offers take-out and dine-in breakfast and lunch.

Opening the Oakdale location wasn’t easy, said Fiorillo, who had hoped to open in October. “With COVID-19, everything takes more time. Everything is a waiting game. It makes it more difficult,” he said.

So far, the customer favorites at the café have been the Reuben and the (Florida) Gator sandwich, Fiorillo said. He noted that folks are also enjoying the pancakes and the waffles. 

When a customer named Jack Bernardini from Oakdale rolled in for his morning grub last week, Fiorillo jumped up with enthusiasm to help him, explaining his menu with passion and detail.

Bernardini said he “always goes with the classic bacon, egg and cheese.”

“My mom’s favorite is the light and health sandwich,” he added.  

The Grand Café is open for breakfast and lunch every day. It’s open Monday through Friday, 6 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday 7 a.m.-4 p.m.; and Sunday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

Check out some photos of Fiorillo and The Grand Café below.

Our Local Supporters