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Mean Deans Local Kitchen was opened in November of 2020 by Dean Donnelly and Michele Angell. 

Dean was born in Montana, but moved to Daytona Beach when he was 5 years old. He has been in the restaurant business for his entire career having started as dishwasher under a German chef at a 5 star restaurant in Daytona Beach at the age of 13 (labor laws were different back then). As he progressed, he worked his way through every position, both in the kitchen and dining room. He has worked in numerous corporate, as well as independent restaurants ranging from quick service to fine dining. In the years just prior to opening Mean Deans Local Kitchen, Dean worked as the Wine Director for Flemings Prime Steakhouse as well as co-owned Cedar Reef Fish Camp in Bradenton and Venice. He has also worked at Anna Maria Oyster Bar, Johnny Leverock’s, Rainforest Café, Applebees, and the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company.  

Michele grew up in upstate New York and received her bachelors degree from Syracuse University. She moved to Florida in 2003 where she met Dean at Johnny Leverock’s. Michele has worked all front of house positions at places like Johnny Leverock’s, Sammy Frog’s, and Rainforest Café. She has also worked in auto sales and finance. Beginning in 2015, while co-owning Cedar Reef Fish Camp with Dean, she got her pilot certificate, then went on to get her flight instructor certificate, and finally, her airline transport pilot certificate. 

The upheaval the pandemic brought made us take a step back to reflect and focus on what was really important in life. After much introspection, we decided that spending as much time as possible with our family, friends and each other was what life was really about. At that point, we decided to leave our respective jobs and open Mean Deans Local Kitchen. With the help of our stepfather(in-law), Floyd Edler, (a.k.a "Bubba") we began transforming a long vacated space into a cozy nook of a restaurant. Little did we know just how much of a neighborhood center the restaurant would become and how many more life-long friends we would meet along the way. We hope you enjoy your dining experience while creating memories with your loved ones. We look forward to meeting you!  --Dean and Michele