Keep hearing rumors that the owners of Cozy Tea in Five Points plan to expand to offer their Indian dinners on a regular basis. Hope that is true!
Won't believe it until I see it--heard rumors like this for going on 5 years...(I think there's an open thread or threads on this topic already)
All the Indian restaurants in town seem to be around Baymeadows. I'm sure Indian food would also do well at the Beaches, San Marco, Riverside, Springfield etc. What do you think?
Regulars have tried for years to get them to the 5-Points/Avondale area...they just shake their heads. ::)
Quote from: Ernest Street on January 25, 2012, 07:36:22 PM
Regulars have tried for years to get them to the 5-Points/Avondale area...they just shake their heads. ::)
The amount of times I've asked India's Restaurant ownership to move to our area is... embarrassing.
I've heard the rumors as well. I even heard as much as them moving into the old Raglands/deco bistro spot. I looked in there the other day and it seems like they're doing some work. Fingers crossed! I hear they make some awesome Indian food.
Quote from: Cirv22 on January 25, 2012, 08:40:29 PM
I've heard the rumors as well. I even heard as much as them moving into the old Raglands/deco bistro spot. I looked in there the other day and it seems like they're doing some work. Fingers crossed! I hear they make some awesome Indian food.
I went last year to one of their special, once a month dinners...not including the saag paneer, it was the best, most 'home-cooked' Indian food I've ever had. For good saag paneer, India's Restaurant is the one and only. Worth going there for that dish alone.
Posted this a while back: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,13606.msg251715.html#msg251715 (http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,13606.msg251715.html#msg251715)
Not sure what the delay is. Hopefully it will come to fruition.
Quote from: ben says on January 25, 2012, 09:04:37 PM
Quote from: Cirv22 on January 25, 2012, 08:40:29 PM
I've heard the rumors as well. I even heard as much as them moving into the old Raglands/deco bistro spot. I looked in there the other day and it seems like they're doing some work. Fingers crossed! I hear they make some awesome Indian food.
I went last year to one of their special, once a month dinners...not including the saag paneer, it was the best, most 'home-cooked' Indian food I've ever had. For good saag paneer, India's Restaurant is the one and only. Worth going there for that dish alone.
Yeah, a friend of mine worked there and said it was one of the best Indian meals she had had. Agreed- the saag paneer is awesome there. I love the family who runs India's as well.
Quote from: Kiva on January 25, 2012, 06:56:02 PM
All the Indian restaurants in town seem to be around Baymeadows. I'm sure Indian food would also do well at the Beaches, San Marco, Riverside, Springfield etc. What do you think?
A good portion of Jacksonville's Indian population lives near Southside/Baymeadows. I work with quite a few and they all live in apartment complexes in that area.
Quote from: Cirv22 on January 27, 2012, 01:27:52 PM
Quote from: ben says on January 25, 2012, 09:04:37 PM
Quote from: Cirv22 on January 25, 2012, 08:40:29 PM
I've heard the rumors as well. I even heard as much as them moving into the old Raglands/deco bistro spot. I looked in there the other day and it seems like they're doing some work. Fingers crossed! I hear they make some awesome Indian food.
I went last year to one of their special, once a month dinners...not including the saag paneer, it was the best, most 'home-cooked' Indian food I've ever had. For good saag paneer, India's Restaurant is the one and only. Worth going there for that dish alone.
Yeah, a friend of mine worked there and said it was one of the best Indian meals she had had. Agreed- the saag paneer is awesome there. I love the family who runs India's as well.
The family must love you. To me, they've always reminded me of the Soup Nazi ;)
So good.
Quote from: goldy21 on January 27, 2012, 12:27:36 PM
Posted this a while back: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,13606.msg251715.html#msg251715 (http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,13606.msg251715.html#msg251715)
Not sure what the delay is. Hopefully it will come to fruition.
Me too - will ask at the Cozy Tea and see if they have any more news.
Quote from: ben says on January 28, 2012, 08:37:38 AM
The family must love you. To me, they've always reminded me of the Soup Nazi ;)
YES! Good lord, I like the food but I really don't go anymore because the man and woman that run it just always seem pissed that people are there. They aren't really outwardly rude but they seem frostier than a polar bear's butt. There's another slightly younger guy there that's really nice and makes you feel welcome but I don't know what's up with the other two. Would it kill you to smile?
Quote from: thekillingwax on January 28, 2012, 07:43:39 PM
Quote from: ben says on January 28, 2012, 08:37:38 AM
The family must love you. To me, they've always reminded me of the Soup Nazi ;)
YES! Good lord, I like the food but I really don't go anymore because the man and woman that run it just always seem pissed that people are there. They aren't really outwardly rude but they seem frostier than a polar bear's butt. There's another slightly younger guy there that's really nice and makes you feel welcome but I don't know what's up with the other two. Would it kill you to smile?
Yeah..exactly. Been there maybe 100 times, you'd think they'd warm up to you. Nope. Treat you like you're inconveniencing them. Heard them complain that I "take too much food" a few times....uhm, it's a buffet, so don't get mad when I use it.
taking too much food at the buffet, huh..? a scene from Nutty Professor II: The Klumps is coming to mind...
5th Element on Baymeadows is great and good service...... THe Curry Pot on Phillips was the best but alas they are gone.
Quote from: danno on January 30, 2012, 10:12:43 AM
5th Element on Baymeadows is great and good service...... THe Curry Pot on Phillips was the best but alas they are gone.
Only been to 5th once, but didn't have a good experience at all. Maybe went on an off-day.
India House, which opened a few months ago in the old McAlister's Deli on Baymeadows is pretty good. And there's a cheap takeout place, Spice 2 Go, at the corner of Philips and JTB.
Quote from: ben says on January 25, 2012, 08:34:38 PM
Quote from: Ernest Street on January 25, 2012, 07:36:22 PM
Regulars have tried for years to get them to the 5-Points/Avondale area...they just shake their heads. ::)
The amount of times I've asked India's Restaurant ownership to move to our area is... embarrassing.
I guess the suburban mentallity is hard to beat, even for the international community. We have a tough fight on our hands if we really want to make JAX a real city again.
Quote from: urbaknight on January 30, 2012, 11:52:39 AM
Quote from: ben says on January 25, 2012, 08:34:38 PM
Quote from: Ernest Street on January 25, 2012, 07:36:22 PM
Regulars have tried for years to get them to the 5-Points/Avondale area...they just shake their heads. ::)
The amount of times I've asked India's Restaurant ownership to move to our area is... embarrassing.
I guess the suburban mentallity is hard to beat, even for the international community. We have a tough fight on our hands if we really want to make JAX a real city again.
I think I've said this before, but their reason for not coming to Riverside has been "no demand" and "not enough residents"....
I live in the Baymeadows area, and it seems like every time I'm in an Indian restaurant - whether it's 5th Element, Flavors, India House - the majority of diners are Indian. Sometimes everyone but us. And all the Indians seem to live in Baymeadows, Southside. That's why there's a good Indian grocery at Old Kings and Baymeadows and another on Philips.
But I still think one would make it in Riverside.
Quote from: ben says on January 30, 2012, 12:21:59 PM
Quote from: urbaknight on January 30, 2012, 11:52:39 AM
Quote from: ben says on January 25, 2012, 08:34:38 PM
Quote from: Ernest Street on January 25, 2012, 07:36:22 PM
Regulars have tried for years to get them to the 5-Points/Avondale area...they just shake their heads. ::)
The amount of times I've asked India's Restaurant ownership to move to our area is... embarrassing.
I guess the suburban mentallity is hard to beat, even for the international community. We have a tough fight on our hands if we really want to make JAX a real city again.
I think I've said this before, but their reason for not coming to Riverside has been "no demand" and "not enough residents"....
Not enough demand for Indian food, but there is enough demand for umpteen sushi places? I would think that the urban core would have enough demand between Riverside, Springfield, downtown and San Marco to support an Indian restaurant...
Completely agree with you. Clearly, most of these owners don't see it that way. In a sense, and rightfully so in this economy, they're playing to their crowd: the Indian population off Baymeadows. I don't think 'bolstering options in the Core' is #1 on their business to-do list. They want a sure deal...Riverside doesn't offer that (to them).
That being said, I believe an Indian place would do fantastic in Riverside.
Quote from: river4340 on January 30, 2012, 11:52:06 AM
India House, which opened a few months ago in the old McAlister's Deli on Baymeadows is pretty good. And there's a cheap takeout place, Spice 2 Go, at the corner of Philips and JTB.
Spice to go has been horrible the 2 times we have been.
Quote from: ben says on January 30, 2012, 07:56:09 PM
Completely agree with you. Clearly, most of these owners don't see it that way. In a sense, and rightfully so in this economy, they're playing to their crowd: the Indian population off Baymeadows. I don't think 'bolstering options in the Core' is #1 on their business to-do list. They want a sure deal...Riverside doesn't offer that (to them).
That being said, I believe an Indian place would do fantastic in Riverside.
I understand that these business owners are going for a sure thing by catering to Indian people on a certain side of town. This begs the question of whether non-Indians in Jacksonville would also appreciate Indian food. After all, we have numerous Chinese and Mexican restaurants that draw people from all ethnic groups. That said, would it be so difficult to establish a food truck for Indian food lovers in the urban core? Just wondering.
Quote from: Jaxson on January 31, 2012, 12:48:25 PM
Quote from: ben says on January 30, 2012, 07:56:09 PM
Completely agree with you. Clearly, most of these owners don't see it that way. In a sense, and rightfully so in this economy, they're playing to their crowd: the Indian population off Baymeadows. I don't think 'bolstering options in the Core' is #1 on their business to-do list. They want a sure deal...Riverside doesn't offer that (to them).
That being said, I believe an Indian place would do fantastic in Riverside.
I understand that these business owners are going for a sure thing by catering to Indian people on a certain side of town. This begs the question of whether non-Indians in Jacksonville would also appreciate Indian food. After all, we have numerous Chinese and Mexican restaurants that draw people from all ethnic groups. That said, would it be so difficult to establish a food truck for Indian food lovers in the urban core? Just wondering.
I'm not restauranteur...but...I can't imagine it's any harder than opening up a Chinese, Japanese, Thai, or Mexican place anywhere. Cheap ingredients, low overhead, with over 1/2 the staff is family working for little to nothing.
I think the restaurateurs are underestimating the demand for Indian food in Riverside and the core in general. There may not be a large Indian community like there is in Bombaymeadows, but the tastes of the rest of the population are highly supportive of tasty and diverse cuisine. The setup would probably have to be different than a no-frills spot in a neighborhood strip mall, like a lot of them are, but serve a good product and give people a nice place to eat and hang out, and you'd have every other person in Riverside banging down your door.
Any reports on Cozy Tea's rumored expansion?