Jackson Free Press

Alex Sivira has been in the restaurant business for 30 years, serving all kinds of ethnic cuisines from Mexican to Italian. Now the Venezuela native is working to bring an affordable, fresh take on the food of his homeland and other Latin American cultures to Fondren with Cafe Ole.

The restaurant will be located at 2800 N. State St. in the former home of Capitol Medical Supply. Sivira said Cafe Ole will bring a unique dining option to the city From the atmosphere to the food.

"We not going to do anything Mexican, except the food part of it," Sivira told the Jackson Free Press. "Our team theme will be more of a Caribbean, Latin theme. It's no Mexican restaurant. It's Latin cuisine, which includes Mexican."

Cafe Ole will serve Latin-inspired foods like tacos, tamales, empanadas, and Cuban sandwiches and soups. Sivira said all entrees will range from just under $5 to no more than $10 and will be served with chips and choice of salsa, guacamole or cheese dip.

Sivira told the Jackson Free Press that most of the business will be carry-out orders, but that the restaurant will have also limited seating for dining in. Cafe Ole also will serve beer for patrons looking for some hops and barley to go with their tacos.

Vegetarians need not worry when visiting Cafe Ole, either. Because all the food will be made to order, vegetarian alternatives will be available on all menu items.

Sivira's goal is to have Cafe Ole open in January or February. A crew is remodeling the interior of the building now. Sivira will have to get clearance on the building from the city before he can open 
the restaurant.

Sivira, 59, has worked at T.G.I. Friday's, Cerami's, Panino's in Jackson and Hattiesburg, and Alexander's in Madison.