ORLANDO SENTINEL
John Rivers Opens The COOP, Rides Comfort-Food Wave
The COOP is the latest example of Central Florida chefs going back to their roots and bringing family favorites to the table…with a twist of course! From fried chicken to buttermilk biscuits and creamed-corn pudding, The COOP’s menu is full of Southern comfort food! But it’s not just about the menu at The COOP, there’s a whole down-home feel throughout the restaurant, even the location itself. “My wife and children and I spent a lot of time here when this was O’Boys barbecue,” said Rivers. “Those are great memories. We saved every paver from the O’Boys days and used them to create this space.” On the back patio is a mural with the words, “It’s never too late to mend,” a homage to the The Blues Brothers movie. “My son and I saw the movie together,” said Rivers. “I love the sentiment. And we’re playing blues music at The COOP, so it was perfect.”