Good Food, Good Vibes Abound at the Ohana Cafe

Upon entering the , there’s a good chance you’ll be greeted with a hearty “Aloha!” from Teresa Kerr. 

It doesn’t take long to realize that the affable owner’s infectious personality has seeped into every facet of her Ozona eatery, from the décor to the menu to the greeting you get when you walk in the door. 

Kerr’s café, featuring “healthy fare with an island flair", has built a steady following since opening a year and a half ago; in fact, the Tampa Bay Times recently named it one of the Top 50 Restaurants in Tampa Bay.

But as delicious as Ohana’s Hawaiian-infused food is, it’s the relaxed, family atmosphere that keeps many customers coming back for more. 

“We’re a nice, happy ‘ohana’ here. That means ‘family’ in Hawaiian,” Kerr explains. 

The Hawaiian-born former lounge singer had no previous restaurant experience when she opened Ohana, which is located across from Molly Goodheads in Ozona’s underrated downtown district. 

But after much prodding from family members, she decided to jump into the business when the space formerly occupied by the Orange Café became available in 2010. 

“I got tired of singing, so I quit about six years ago and started looking for something else to inspire me,” the 45-year-old says. “My family had always encouraged me to open a restaurant because they loved my cooking, so I decided to take a chance.” 

Using a combination of fresh, organic and gluten free ingredients, Ohana offers a bevy of unique items, including the popular dakine bowl, made with organic black beans, brown rice, avocado and salsa, and the Hawaii 5-0, a buffalo patty topped with cheese, pineapple and spinach served on a ciabatta roll. 

And while the customers may come to try the food, they keep coming back because of the atmosphere. 

“This is my favorite place,” says Jo Cooke, a Trinity resident who makes the trip to Ohana at least once a week. “The healthy food, the ambience, the friendliness of everyone who works here…I love it.” 

“I just wished they were closer to where I lived, then I could come more often.” 

If Ohana’s success continues, Cooke could get her wish; Kerr would love to branch her business out to other locales, spreading her brand of healthy island food served with a smile throughout the Tampa Bay area. 

“I would love to keep on growing, keep feeding more people and expand to more locations,” she admits.

“My parents always said you should enjoy life and do something you love to do, and I’m doing that.” 

Ohana Café

Address: 306 Orange St. N. 

Phone: 727-784-1234 

Hours: Tue – Thu, 9am – 4pm; Fri, Sat, 9am – 10pm; Sun, 9am – 5pm; Mon, closed