Metro Jacksonville

Living in Jacksonville => Dining => Topic started by: TheCat on June 25, 2013, 12:17:50 PM

Title: Best "hole in the wall"/obscure restaurants in Jax?
Post by: TheCat on June 25, 2013, 12:17:50 PM
Chomp Chomp downtown and Pepe's Hacienda on St. Augustine.
Title: Re: Best "hole in the wall"/obscure restaurants in Jax?
Post by: acme54321 on June 25, 2013, 12:43:07 PM
Chowder Ted's
Title: Re: Best "hole in the wall"/obscure restaurants in Jax?
Post by: DDC on June 25, 2013, 01:03:20 PM
never been to pepes. never really thought of Ted's a hole in the wall although it was probably a bait shop at one time so I'm sure that qualifies . and the definition of hole in the wall has a picture of Chomp chomp. they could easily compete as best restaurant in many categories as far as I'm concerned .
Title: Re: Best "hole in the wall"/obscure restaurants in Jax?
Post by: coredumped on June 25, 2013, 01:26:01 PM
Stans Sandwich (Southside NOT San Marco, not at all the same):
http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/44/481622/restaurant/Southside/Stans-Sandwich-Jacksonville
Title: Re: Best "hole in the wall"/obscure restaurants in Jax?
Post by: blfair on June 25, 2013, 01:27:35 PM
Picasso's (http://jaxpicassos.com/) - Less hole in the wall than they used to be but still tucked away.
Hon Korean (http://www.yelp.com/biz/hon-korean-restaurant-jacksonville) - Tiny!

Another vote for Pepe's Hacienda. I'm sure I can think of some more...
Title: Re: Best "hole in the wall"/obscure restaurants in Jax?
Post by: PeeJayEss on June 25, 2013, 02:20:01 PM
Quote from: acme54321 on June 25, 2013, 12:43:07 PM
Chowder Ted's

I want to go to there.

Does 13Gyp count? It IS small.
Pepe's, yes! But if that is a hole-in-the-wall, then surely Mr. Taco is too!
Rodeo Taco is a hole in the wall, though its not good.
The Einstein Bros behind the Hyatt for sure.
Chomp Chomp is so good it hurts my brain.

Now, I must stop
Title: Re: Best "hole in the wall"/obscure restaurants in Jax?
Post by: ben says on June 25, 2013, 02:33:19 PM
Hon Korean
Noura's Cafe
Title: Re: Best "hole in the wall"/obscure restaurants in Jax?
Post by: ProjectMaximus on June 25, 2013, 02:39:19 PM
Not sure about Hon Korean...some Koreans I know aren't too hot on it and I've never been.

But I will vote for the little old lady in the Asian Market next to Hon Korean...she serves lunch from 11-2 I think.
Title: Re: Best "hole in the wall"/obscure restaurants in Jax?
Post by: fsquid on June 25, 2013, 04:50:15 PM
any hole in the walls for cajun food?
Title: Re: Best "hole in the wall"/obscure restaurants in Jax?
Post by: NotNow on June 25, 2013, 04:58:44 PM
Ya Ya Gumbo
Title: Re: Best "hole in the wall"/obscure restaurants in Jax?
Post by: peestandingup on June 25, 2013, 05:10:14 PM
Tommy's in Springfield, and Queen Of Sheba because its always closing, changing locations, etc. The ultimate stealthy hole in the wall. 8)
Title: Re: Best "hole in the wall"/obscure restaurants in Jax?
Post by: DDC on June 25, 2013, 05:33:54 PM
Quote from: peestandingup on June 25, 2013, 05:10:14 PM
Tommy's in Springfield, and Queen Of Sheba because its always closing, changing locations, etc. The ultimate stealthy hole in the wall. 8)


OMG, forgot about Tommy's. Best breakfast in a cup around.
Title: Re: Best "hole in the wall"/obscure restaurants in Jax?
Post by: ben says on June 25, 2013, 07:11:30 PM
Quote from: peestandingup on June 25, 2013, 05:10:14 PM
Tommy's in Springfield, and Queen Of Sheba because its always closing, changing locations, etc. The ultimate stealthy hole in the wall. 8)

Where are they?!?! Can't find!
Title: Re: Best "hole in the wall"/obscure restaurants in Jax?
Post by: Garden guy on June 25, 2013, 07:50:29 PM
Cleos on eastport on the northside..quick breakfast in a cup and a decent taco salad..tiny place
Title: Re: Best "hole in the wall"/obscure restaurants in Jax?
Post by: GlennO on June 25, 2013, 09:24:43 PM
Where are Chomp Champ and Noura?

U might want to consider Luigi's on University......Italian since forever.
Title: Re: Best "hole in the wall"/obscure restaurants in Jax?
Post by: DDC on June 25, 2013, 09:27:22 PM
Quote from: ben says on June 25, 2013, 07:11:30 PM
Quote from: peestandingup on June 25, 2013, 05:10:14 PM
Tommy's in Springfield, and Queen Of Sheba because its always closing, changing locations, etc. The ultimate stealthy hole in the wall. 8)

Where are they?!?! Can't find!

Tommy's is a "well kept secret" so to speak for a reason. Mark likes it that way. This is a great article done a couple years ago explaing why.

http://springfield.firstcoastnews.com/news/arts-culture/one-springfields-best-kept-secrets-intends-stay-way/51282

If you know where Three Layers is you can find it. But don't look for a sign. Last time I was there, there wasn't one.  Just look for the people in and out the door starting about 6am, until 11.
Title: Re: Best "hole in the wall"/obscure restaurants in Jax?
Post by: DDC on June 25, 2013, 09:44:12 PM
Quote from: GlennO on June 25, 2013, 09:24:43 PM
Where are Chomp Champ and Noura?

U might want to consider Luigi's on University......Italian since forever.

Not sure about Noura. The definition of Hole In The Wall has a picture of Chomp Chomp beside it. It is on Adams Street downtown next to Burro Bar. Burro is at Ocean and Adams and if you walk East on Adams from the corner the first door past Burro is Chomp Chomp. The address is 106 E Adams Street. Open for lunch Tues-Sat, Dinner Thurs, Fri, Sat. and for a late night snack on Fri and Sat, they serve until after 1AM
Title: Re: Best "hole in the wall"/obscure restaurants in Jax?
Post by: RiversideLoki on June 25, 2013, 10:15:34 PM
Mr. Taco on Bowden. If loving you is wrong, I don't ever want to be right.
Title: Re: Best "hole in the wall"/obscure restaurants in Jax?
Post by: thunnus on June 25, 2013, 11:27:11 PM
Mamitas Pupuseria on 103rd creates great little dishes.
Title: Re: Best "hole in the wall"/obscure restaurants in Jax?
Post by: cindy394 on June 26, 2013, 01:37:16 AM
Wafaa's and Mikes in Springfield on Main Street. its definately a "hole in the wall" and their food is very good.  The best falafel wrap i have ever had in Jax.
Title: Re: Best "hole in the wall"/obscure restaurants in Jax?
Post by: Kickbackssteve on June 26, 2013, 01:51:00 AM
Puerta Plata near blanding and San Juan. Awesome. Try their arroz con pollo.
Title: Re: Best "hole in the wall"/obscure restaurants in Jax?
Post by: PeeJayEss on June 26, 2013, 08:59:48 AM
Quote from: GlennO on June 25, 2013, 09:24:43 PM
Where are Chomp Champ and Noura?

U might want to consider Luigi's on University......Italian since forever.

Noura is on University and San Jose, next to Tijuana Flat (across from Starbucks/Healthy Bagel).
Title: Re: Best "hole in the wall"/obscure restaurants in Jax?
Post by: PeeJayEss on June 26, 2013, 09:17:23 AM
Quote from: DDC on June 25, 2013, 09:27:22 PM
Quote from: ben says on June 25, 2013, 07:11:30 PM
Quote from: peestandingup on June 25, 2013, 05:10:14 PM
Tommy's in Springfield, and Queen Of Sheba because its always closing, changing locations, etc. The ultimate stealthy hole in the wall. 8)

Where are they?!?! Can't find!

Tommy's is a "well kept secret" so to speak for a reason. Mark likes it that way. This is a great article done a couple years ago explaing why.

http://springfield.firstcoastnews.com/news/arts-culture/one-springfields-best-kept-secrets-intends-stay-way/51282

If you know where Three Layers is you can find it. But don't look for a sign. Last time I was there, there wasn't one.  Just look for the people in and out the door starting about 6am, until 11.

ben says, you were asking about Sheba right? Because, you have apparently already been to Tommy's (I wasn't stalking, I was just going to post this to point out its not reeeeaallly a secret(:
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,7364.15.html (http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,7364.15.html)

Sheba is/was on
Atlantic in Arlington. Last I checked it wasn't open, but they said it would be open in like a week. That was months ago. I also heard their last space turned into something else, but haven't investigated further. I hope it is open somewhere.
peestandingup, do you know?
Title: Re: Best "hole in the wall"/obscure restaurants in Jax?
Post by: Ming The Merciless on June 26, 2013, 11:44:52 AM
Agree on Puerto Plata and Mr. Taco -- both are tremendous.
Title: Re: Best "hole in the wall"/obscure restaurants in Jax?
Post by: ben says on June 26, 2013, 02:25:42 PM
Quote from: PeeJayEss on June 26, 2013, 09:17:23 AM
Quote from: DDC on June 25, 2013, 09:27:22 PM
Quote from: ben says on June 25, 2013, 07:11:30 PM
Quote from: peestandingup on June 25, 2013, 05:10:14 PM
Tommy's in Springfield, and Queen Of Sheba because its always closing, changing locations, etc. The ultimate stealthy hole in the wall. 8)

Where are they?!?! Can't find!

Tommy's is a "well kept secret" so to speak for a reason. Mark likes it that way. This is a great article done a couple years ago explaing why.

http://springfield.firstcoastnews.com/news/arts-culture/one-springfields-best-kept-secrets-intends-stay-way/51282

If you know where Three Layers is you can find it. But don't look for a sign. Last time I was there, there wasn't one.  Just look for the people in and out the door starting about 6am, until 11.

ben says, you were asking about Sheba right? Because, you have apparently already been to Tommy's (I wasn't stalking, I was just going to post this to point out its not reeeeaallly a secret(:
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,7364.15.html (http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,7364.15.html)

Sheba is/was on
Atlantic in Arlington. Last I checked it wasn't open, but they said it would be open in like a week. That was months ago. I also heard their last space turned into something else, but haven't investigated further. I hope it is open somewhere.
peestandingup, do you know?

I'm asking about Shebas. I know about Tommy's. Great spot.

I've been to Shebas before on Atlantic last year. Went back w/ a friend recently, it was closed. I know they move around a lot...just wondering if they're reopened yet. Atlantic is kinda a trek for me, so I wanna be sure. They rarely if ever answer the phone.
Title: Re: Best "hole in the wall"/obscure restaurants in Jax?
Post by: peestandingup on June 26, 2013, 04:40:34 PM
^Sheba's is a tough one to track down. Since they never answer their phone, their website is always old info, and they're always moving, I'm pretty sure the only way to really know is by some kind of word of mouth.

Yeah, that place & to get Indian food really are the only times I ever make the trek to the Southside. And Sheba, as far as I know, is the only place in the entire metro area to get real Ethiopian food. If there's another one I'd love to know, because I seriously got hooked on this stuff back in DC (there were 3 places within a couple blocks of where I lived). Now, nada. Anywhere. :(

I got so desperate once that I asked the neighbor kid (Ethiopian) who mowed my lawn a few times if I could come over & eat sometime at his house, lol.
Title: Re: Best "hole in the wall"/obscure restaurants in Jax?
Post by: Kiva on June 26, 2013, 09:05:42 PM
Tommy's is great. I lived in the South for 10 years before I could even eat grits. Their grits are good - much better than at Metro Diner!