Goodbye, Beach Road Chicken Dinners

[jaxlongtimer]

Sad to see another remnant of my childhood and growing-up-in-Jax years turned to dust.  In its day, Beach Road had a line out the door and waits up to one hour or more were not unusual. 

Used to have "all you could eat" homemade servings of the best fried chicken, creamed peas, slaw salad, biscuits with honey, mashed potatoes with gravy, french fries, beverages, etc.  As a teen, I could go through probably 3 helpings, each, of all of these so it was paradise  .  Friendly, hardworking  waitresses and kitchen cooks too.  Dress was outdoor casual (we sometimes stopped there on the way back from the beach in bathing suits and tee-shirts). So packed you often had to move your chair so others could get to your table or one next to you.  Hardwood floors, wooden chairs and tables - down home and nothing fancy but great food.  I don't think it was even air conditioned way back, just fans and open windows.

Biggest mistake was "changing with the times."  Limits on the food servings, less home cooking, higher prices, etc.  Today, probably couldn't staff a restaurant like that with the labor and skill shortages.

Ever wonder why it was called "Beach Road."  In 1939, there was only one road to the beach, Atlantic Blvd.  It was often called the "beach road" until Beach Blvd. got built.  My grandmother never stopped calling Atlantic the "old beach road" and Beach the "new beach road."

I looked back in the Jaxson threads to see if one was started for Beach Road.  Too many threads to search but I noted how few restaurants from the past are still around.  Given the high mortality rate in this business, it is, indeed, a rare establishment that survives more than 20 years or even close to that.  Beach Road made it at least 80 years.  With Chopstick Charlies closing, I wonder what is now the oldest public (i.e. non-club) restaurant at its original location in Jacksonville or the greater metro area.  Pete's Bar...LOL?

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2023/oct/13/beach-road-sign-for-sale-as-restaurant-is-demolished/

[thelakelander]

Sad to see them and Piccadilly go recently. Locally, Holley's BBQ has been going since 1937 in Moncrief. Located between Kings and W 8th Street, the Chicken Shack/Wing (its a window on the street) has been there, at least since the 1940s.