Our History... serving tallahassee for over three decades

In 1973, with the help of friends and family, Andrew and Maxin Reiss opened up THE DELI, in what was originally a jeweler’s store and stock brokerage. It was Tallahassee’s first real New York Style Delicatessen and it did a landslide lunch business from the beginning.

In 1975, the Reiss’ added a second operation in the basement of the building that the Deli occupied. This was the birth of ANDREW’S 2ND ACT’S legendary success. In the last 25 years, it has received over 22 consecutive Golden Spoon Awards and twice received a 5-hat rating from Ashby Stiff, Food Critic for the Tallahassee Democrat. The deli concept was kept during the daytime hours, but the nighttime concept was changed to include an All-American, large variety menu with live entertainment seasonally, THE BRASS RAIL.

In 1977, they opened MAXIN’S, a jazz bar, located in the same building on the floor above the Brass Rail. In 1979, the Reiss' bought the building next door in order to expand the storage, kitchen, and office area downstairs. The expansion led to the conception of their fourth endeavor, TUTTO BENE, Tallahassee’s first Northern Italian Cuisine Restaurant.

In 1983, they successfully bid on the catering services offered at the Tallahassee Leon County Civic Center. What was a rather small catering business quickly grew to a business that caters to more than 3,000 guests at sit-down dinners. Andrew’s Catering has been involved in some of the most memorable catering events in Tallahassee, including the Governor’s 1986 Inaugural Ball and the annual Welcome Back Reception in which over 5,000 people were served at each event.

In 1986, Maxin’s & Tutto Benne were combined and renamed ANDREW'S UPSTAIRS, a casual, American Bar & Grill and Jazz Nightclub. At the same time, The Brass Rail was renamed THE ADAMS STREET CAFÉ to identify all three restaurants located in the same building.

In June of 1996, in conjunction with the closing of the downtown operations for remodeling, the Reiss’ opened ANDREW’S NORTH. This new restaurant combined many of the recipes and styles of the old downtown restaurants and an old sister restaurant, “TRIO”.

In April of 1997, the Reiss’ opened ANDREW’S CAPITAL GRILL & BAR, a new concept uniting sports and politics in a casual, high-energy, atmosphere. The street level restaurant, located in the heart of Tallahassee’s’ political arena, takes advantage of a unique outdoor setting that captures downtown’s social atmosphere. Photos and memorabilia of Tallahassee and Florida’s sports and politics line the walls, giving the restaurant a local feel. The combination of political and sporting entertainment makes Andrew’s Capital Grill & Bar a Tallahassee hot spot.

In January 2003, the Andrew’s tradition continued with the opening of ANDREW’S 228 (formerly Andrew's 2nd Act). The big city-type bistro with its creative American-Italian cuisine brings a little bit of Italy to the heart of downtown. In it's short history, Andrew's 228 has been awarded a Golden Spoon Award (Florida's top 20 restaurants) and a top-notch 5-hat review by local Tallahassee food critic, Ashby Stiff.

Currently, Andrew’s Catering caters for special events such as private parties, wedding receptions, and banquets at Andrew’s 228 and at off-premise facilities throughout the Tallahassee area.