Anyone tried Hawkers yet?

[thelakelander]

For Hawkers, I'd park on Park Street, between I-95 and Post. For some reason, I always tend to find a space between the church and Riverside Park.

[Dog Walker]

If you are going at night you can also park behind Hawkers in one of the empty lots on Oak Street and simply walk around the corner.  Also a good place to park at night if you are going to Blacksheep.

When Corner Taco gets rolling those places might fill up at night.

[ProjectMaximus]

You guys pretty much have summed up my expectations. I haven't been yet but have eaten at the original location in Orlando with the same result: not bad but slightly overpriced and certainly not authentic. I was very excited to try and somewhat let down by the experience.

I won't have those same expectations when I try the Five Points location.

[ben says]

You guys pretty much have summed up my expectations. I haven't been yet but have eaten at the original location in Orlando with the same result: not bad but slightly overpriced and certainly not authentic. I was very excited to try and somewhat let down by the experience.

I won't have those same expectations when I try the Five Points location.

Good point. I think it all goes to expectations...with everything!! Best to have no expectations and I think you'll be quite pleased.

I will say that this Hawkers has a  "big city" vibrancy to it that most other establishments are lacking.

[JaxByDefault]

Lots of comments on the shrimp. Far as I know, shrimp in restaurants is frozen 98% of the time you get it. You go to Medures or a fine dining seafood joint and you'll get fresh shrimp, but even in those type places I doubt you'll find fresh shrimp in a stir fry type dish or any dish where the shrimp is buried like that as an ingredient. Wouldn't make sense to put fresh shrimp in that, cost prohibitive and you are mostly covering the flavor of the shrimp itself anyway.

There is no excuse not to source and use fresh, local shrimp. It's often not that much more expensive at all. It's a local culture thing. On the creole coast (New Orleans to Florida border), you won't find frozen shrimp south of I-10 unless it's a chain tourist place. Even every local po-boy/pho/etc dive uses fresh shrimp. You literally couldn't keep a place serving frozen stuff open there -- locals wouldn't touch it.  I've found that JAX does not value its local bounty and is largely uneducated about seafood, which is a shame. 

[Tacachale]

^Don't know if I can agree with that. I've had a hard time finding local shrimp in the Panhandle and southern AL. New Orleans is of course a different story. In NE Florida, for whatever reason it tends to be higher end or specialty places that use fresh shrimp, and they usually make a big deal about it. If a manager won't tell you, it's a safe bet it's frozen. There definitely should be more shrimp pride around here.

[JaxByDefault]

If you had trouble finding fresh shrimp in southern AL, then it must have been Gulf Shores tourist spots (and even many of those use fresh) Honestly, I've seen places fold in Fairhope that tried to use frozen in shrimp salad. I'd kill to see someone open up something like The Gulf here. <http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/223/1713398/restaurant/Mobile-Bay/The-Gulf-Orange-Beach> or the Windmill Market/Sweet Olive <http://www.windmillmarket.org> here. Yes, NOLA is a beauty entirely of its own, but the point is is that those communities are better tied to their local fishing industries and know what's in their waters.

So, yeah, I won't give Hawkers a pass for limpid frozen shrimp because I don't really give any place a pass for it (or flown-in, farmed, or unsustainably harvested fish for the most part, either). Hawkers' prices are high enough to cover 3 fresh shrimp in a bowl of noodles. I still think the restaurant's main problem is over-saucing, but it has a great bar area, is well designed, and is destined to be well liked. Great. I'll go back with people, but it won't be on my usual rotation.

[aintlion]

The wait times can be pretty long.

Tip:  They do offer call ahead seating if you're able to plan 2 hours ahead of time.   Just call and wait on hold for a bit to get through to somebody and they'll put you on the list for 2 hours later.   Then take your sweet time getting there and you'll be seated promptly when you arrive.

In my opinion the roast pork is so good I wouldn't bother with the shrimp.    We love the duck as well.

[David]

For the nights when there's a long wait we'll head over to rain dogs or birdies and enjoy a pre-dinner beverage until they text us.

I've only had the pad thai from there, first time was delicious, had a very fiery/smoky taste to the noodles. 2nd time it was just sauce and noodles. Flavor wasn't the same. The duck appetizer was pretty delicious.  Well seasoned, not too greasy.

[duvaldude08]

I went about two weeks ago during lunch. Wasnt much of a wait because it was raining outside so I was happy about that. Food was really good. Im going back

[Stephen]

I love Hawkers and it has certainly energized the neighborhood..We ate there and then walked to Brothers for drinks...

[BoldBoyOfTheSouth]

The food is good, the atmosphere kind of loud.

All and all a great place.

[BoldBoyOfTheSouth]

Though, I find it most interesting that the three times that I've been there, it was crowded, waiting a long while for a seat to open up, yet, I've never seen an actual Asian in the place, neither working nor eating there.

[tlemans]

Yeah I went there for lunch earlier this week. I had the Singapore Mei Fun. It was okay. I lived in Japan for 2 years and I know good oriental food when I taste it. I will go back and try the wings. Nice atmosphere. I wish that area had more nice dining options like Hawkers.

[InnerCityPressure]

Naturally, your time in Japan made you an expert on a noodle dish from Singapore.