Linda Jean’s, a popular Oak Bluffs diner, has closed and is coming under new ownership. 

Island restaurateur Michael Santoro will take over the comfort food spot on Circuit avenue, with plans for a new name and style of food. 

Dubbed Michael’s, the new restaurant is expected to open in April, serving health-focused dishes for breakfast and lunch, and a mix of classic New England seafood and Asian-inspired dishes for dinner.

Mr. Santoro will be leasing the space for five years from Marc Hanover. Mr. Hanover has owned the building at 25 Circuit avenue for 50 years. He established Linda Jean’s and three years ago handed over the operation to new owners.

Linda Jean's drew crowds when it reopened in 2023.

Ray Ewing

Linda Jean's drew crowds when it reopened in 2023.

Ray Ewing

“I’m tired. I was doing it for 47 seven years and it was thoroughly successful,” Mr. Hanover said. “I tried leasing it out to someone else and it did not work out. Michael came along and he is an excellent operator and he will do very well there.”

Mr. Santoro signed the deal with Mr. Hanover in February. He said that he had the option to keep the Linda Jean’s name, but decided not to.

“Everybody asked me if I was going to keep the name,” Mr. Santoro said. “For over 40 years, Linda Jean’s has been iconic. It’s a mainstay on Circuit ave. and I didn’t think it was right that I should keep the name.”

Mr. Santoro added that the name change would also signal to customers that the menu will be different. 

Michael’s will open at 7 a.m. to serve breakfast. The menu will have brunch and lunch items, with ingredients like quinoa and whole grain breads. The restaurant will open again in the evening to serve seafood.

Michael’s will be the fifth active restaurant in Mr. Santoro’s portfolio, including Fishbones Bar & Grille, Lookout Tavern, The Net Result and Rockfish. Mr. Santoro said he is hoping to promote assistant chefs from his other restaurants to new positions at Michael’s. He also plans to bring in new staff and some front of house employees from Linda Jean’s.

Mr. Santoro said he is excited to return to Circuit avenue, where he was a general manager for Seasons Eatery and Pub for 20 years.

“Never thought I’d be back on Circuit ave. again, but I know the street well and I know the businesses around me well,” he said. “I look forward to working with them to keep the vibe going on Circuit ave.”

Mr. Santoro was scheduled to go before the select board earlier this week, but his application was put off until March. Winston Christie, who reopened Linda Jean’s in 2023, did not respond to a request for comment.