Interview with Epik Burger

[ben says]

I'd give Epik a 2/10.
M Shack is a 7/10

Honestly, the best burger I've ever had in Jax wasn't at a burger place. Got it from the French Pantry on Powers Ave..

M Shack is that good? Hmm, guess I will give it a run. Is French Pantry still open?

Does the T-U still do a "Jax Best Burger" feature?

A lot of new joints are opening, including BurgerFi at SJTC. Perhaps it time for a new compare.

M Shack is in the ~7 range, to me at least. I'd say it's one of the top 3-5 burgers in Jax.

Nothing beats French Pantry's burger - no joke - second best I've ever had....anywhere. (First best is at The Burger Joint at Le Parker Meridien NYC - a not-so-secret-secret on the ground floor of the Parker hotel.)

I'm going to dig up a picture of FP's burger and post....

And yes, FP is still open. Best lunch in Jax, imho.

[Bativac]

my fav burger is the loop (which is really a pizza place). They make an awesome burger.

Mine too! I always have a great experience at the Loop and have been going to the San Marco location since I was a kid.

[thelakelander]

French Pantry's burger is pretty good. Pinegrove in Avondale makes a decent burger as well. Anyone try Blind Rabbit in Jax Beach? How do they compare?

[tufsu1]

also note that M-Shack has just opened the San Marco location...it is pretty much a food truck parked outside their commissary (across from Matthews) and is open during the day.

[fieldafm]

Blind Rabbit, Harpoon Louie's, Moxie (the open face Sloppy Joe there is really good as well), Black Sheep, Colonel Mustards, Pinegrove and Funkadelic Food Truck are all my favrorites for burgers.

[TheCat]

my fav burger is the loop (which is really a pizza place). They make an awesome burger.

Mine too! I always have a great experience at the Loop and have been going to the San Marco location since I was a kid.

I think that's the main ingredient that keeps the loop alive, nostalgia. I was an Al's fan for awhile as an "adult" until one day it dawned on me that I was ordering and eating amazing pizza memories not good pizza.

[02roadking]

Baby Badass Food Truck has been a hit with me.

[coredumped]

I think that's the main ingredient that keeps the loop alive, nostalgia. I was an Al's fan for awhile as an "adult" until one day it dawned on me that I was ordering and eating amazing pizza memories not good pizza.

Awwww, Als isn't considered good? I love their pies!

[ben says]

my fav burger is the loop (which is really a pizza place). They make an awesome burger.

Mine too! I always have a great experience at the Loop and have been going to the San Marco location since I was a kid.

I think that's the main ingredient that keeps the loop alive, nostalgia. I was an Al's fan for awhile as an "adult" until one day it dawned on me that I was ordering and eating amazing pizza memories not good pizza.

Totally agree w/ this sentiment

[funwithteeth]

Both Al's and the Loop offer perfectly adequate food, but there are just so many other amazing dining options in the city I can't imagine going to either of those places unless it was a matter of convenience.

[Josh]

Both Al's and the Loop offer perfectly adequate food, but there are just so many other amazing dining options in the city I can't imagine going to either of those places unless it was a matter of convenience.

The coupons in Mint/Money certainly don't hurt either.

[MusicMan]

Great burger experience at Uptown Market (aka 3rd and Main) during the Springfield Main Street Cruise.

Last time I went over there I had the burger and fries and it was awesome. Not sure if they do a milkshake

but if you want a delicious nostalgic event head over to Main Street for the next Cruise and stop by Uptown

Market for the burger.

Also had an excellent burger at Burger 21 in Orlando, right outside the front door to Ikea in a nearby strip mall.

[Buforddawg]

After reading these posts, I want to give Epik Burger and M Shack a try.  I do have to say the worst burger I've every had was at Black Sheep. 

[TheCat]

After reading these posts, I want to give Epik Burger and M Shack a try.  I do have to say the worst burger I've every had was at Black Sheep.

How so?

[EatDrinkJax]

Honestly, the best burger I've ever had in Jax wasn't at a burger place. Got it from the French Pantry on Powers Ave..

French Pantry is so awesome on so many levels. We tried to interview them but they're so busy already that they politely told us they "want to keep things low key." Who the heck says that? The restaurant business is a very hard one and yet French Pantry has a lineup every day in the baking sun! I asked owner Tim Felver why nobody else has been able to copy what he's doing. He thought about it but didn't have a real answer. He acknowledged that Jacksonville has a lot of great chefs but couldn't put his finger on why nobody has been able to replicate what he's doing. He's had offers to build out a French Pantry in Ponte Vedra but he's refused - he's worked hard for decades and doesn't need the aggravation / money. We tip our hats to Tim and this great restaurant he's built.