Jacksonville's oldest local barbecue restaurants

[sandyshoes]

If we're going down memory lane a little ways, does anyone remember Mr. D's BBQ off Blanding Boulevard, right before you got to Orange Park proper?  There were two white cinderblock buildings on the right, if you were heading there from Jax.  One building (don't know what it ever was) faced the street, and Mr. D's doorway faced the side of that building.  Each building had a red door and red trim.  Sand parking lot.  As a child, to me that bbq was so dry.  One night my parents took us there for dinner, and there were linen tablecloths and napkins, candles, dimly lit room, soft music in background and quite nice.  I felt very grown up being there.  And the bbq was a lot better. 

[JPalmer]

Just like Mad Men Marketing, if you can't even come up with a name how can I expect you to be good at your chosen path of business.

[howfam]

Anyone here ever try Singleton's or Papa Gat's in the Eastside? Papa Gat was a hole-in-the-wall known for its chicken and pork sandwiches, slabs of pork ribs and sweet potato pies from the 1940s until 1978.

I've only heard of Singleton's, but too young to actually remember it. My mom used to stop by a BBQ joint near Franklin St. on the way home from work in the mid-1970's. Good BBQ at a reasonable price, maybe the Papa Gat's you speak of. Do you know the exact location?

[thelakelander]

That was likely Papa Gat's. It was located on E 4th Street roughly one block west of Franklin. The little building, brick chimney and all is still there.

[howfam]

That was likely Papa Gat's. It was located on E 4th Street roughly one block west of Franklin. The little building, brick chimney and all is still there.

Thanks a lot. I'll have to drive by to see if it looks familiar. Sure wish they were still cookin' that good ol' cue.

[Florida Power And Light]

This reminds me of the " BBQ Barn" at my native North Miami neighborhood.7th Avenue/ 129st five or take just west if I 95.
Half a century ago.