Bison Bistro opens at SUSCC, offers fresh dining options

BY ELESE MCKINLEY FOR THE OBSERVER

OPELIKA — On July 8, Bison Bistro by FRANKY JUNES opened its doors at Southern Union State Community College, offering a new dining option on campus. The restaurant is operated by Rick Lanier, a seasoned cook with years of experience, and his wife, Karen Lanier, a retired Navy veteran who cooked during her service.

Bison Bistro evolved from Lanier's successful food truck, FRANKY JUNES, into a full-service establishment.

On Aug. 19, Bison Bistro celebrated its grand opening as students returned to campus for the new semester.

Lanier, who previously studied at Southern Union, reflected on his time at the college.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my two years studying at Southern Union," Lanier said. "While it was different since I was 50 at the time, I enjoyed my experiences and time here. Being able to be on campus again, but this time managing and operating Bison Bistro, has been enjoyable.”

Bison Bistro offers a wide variety of menu options, including chicken fingers, salads, sandwiches, vegetarian dishes, desserts, and more.

Lanier emphasizes a customer-first approach, saying, “One of our non-negotiables here at Bison Bistro is if someone wants something that they don’t see on the menu, we try to make it happen for them.”

Committed to serving both the campus and the broader community, Bison Bistro is open to the public from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. While serving students is