I met up with some friends for a birthday tonight, we headed over to Moon Dog Pie house in Fruit Cove off S.R. 13 & Racetrack Rd.
We walked in and I said "Huh, looks like some kind of Carmine's spin-off". Then I see the owner of Carmine's shuffling people around like the soup nazi. "Ah, it IS Carmine's!"
I know I know, not urban core but it's pretty nice having a non-chain business open up shop in this part of town.
So, if any of you in-town dwellers are forced to drive out to NW St. Johns county to celebrate a birthday with one of your suburbanite friends, you now have an oasis to latch onto that isn't Chili's.
Quote from: David on August 02, 2014, 12:23:05 AM
I met up with some friends for a birthday tonight, we headed over to Moon Dog Pie house in Fruit Cove off S.R. 13 & Racetrack Rd.
We walked in and I said "Huh, looks like some kind of Carmine's spin-off". Then I see the owner of Carmine's shuffling people around like the soup nazi. "Ah, it IS Carmine's!"
I know I know, not urban core but it's pretty nice having a non-chain business open up shop in this part of town.
So, if any of you in-town dwellers are forced to drive out to NW St. Johns county to celebrate a birthday with one of your suburbanite friends, you now have an oasis to latch onto that isn't Chili's.
Former owner of Carmine's, Bobby... Carmine's and Lola were sold to new folks last year.
Ah, I did not know that. Has Carmines changed since the new ownership took over?
The former owner of Carmines is kind of a pro at starting, establishing and selling restaurants.
I haven't been to carmines in awhile so I don't know if it's changed. I do know they no longer make their meatballs.
My family of five hit Carmine's last Sunday, prices seemed to have gone up, but it was the same great food.
Still, 4.5 beers for two adults, garlic bread, salad, pizza, and tip left us with a $69.00 tab. That's a little crazy and makes you think before going there, not that Moon River, MM, or Ale's Pie House would be different.
Carmine's to date, though, still has the best wings in 5 points/Riverside/Avondale.
Went to Carmine's after a year's absence recently. The Trainwreck pie just didn't seem the same. The beer however, was as good as always.
mediocre pizza and service goes from Riverside to SJC, what a shame.
Quote from: bill on August 04, 2014, 12:28:27 AM
mediocre pizza and service goes from Riverside to SJC, what a shame.
actually as a transplanted new yorker, Carmine's is spot on for a traditional NYC style utility pizza. The same crew is in the kitchen, the same mexican pizza makers. No change in staff.
Just get a plain cheese pizza, or maybe one topping, not monstrosities. They are not pizza.
ask them to make it crispy for added points. $13 bucks.
Lola's has new management? Is the food not awful now?
Quote from: Sentient on August 04, 2014, 11:43:34 AM
Quote from: bill on August 04, 2014, 12:28:27 AM
mediocre pizza and service goes from Riverside to SJC, what a shame.
actually as a transplanted new yorker, Carmine's is spot on for a traditional NYC style utility pizza. The same crew is in the kitchen, the same mexican pizza makers. No change in staff.
Just get a plain cheese pizza, or maybe one topping, not monstrosities. They are not pizza.
ask them to make it crispy for added points. $13 bucks.
Exactly, Sentient. This is not a Moon River gourmet pizza (which is very tasty in its own right). Get a plain cheese pie for classic NY/NJ flavor. Closest thing you can get down here anyway.
I actually went to Moon Dog last week and the calzone was better than have had recently at Carmine's.
Quote from: funwithteeth on August 04, 2014, 12:03:32 PM
Lola's has new management? Is the food not awful now?
They make a great empanada.... Very flaky crust.
Quote from: Sentient on August 04, 2014, 04:02:08 PM
Quote from: funwithteeth on August 04, 2014, 12:03:32 PM
Lola's has new management? Is the food not awful now?
They make a great empanada.... Very flaky crust.
Is it great and flaky everywhere... or just great and flaky in Jacksonville?
Why do some people think that because they are from a certain area or city that all things must be judged by what they think is the best? If we are talking pizza, the people of a certain area have every right to judge anything by what the area serves.
Quote from: BridgeTroll on August 05, 2014, 06:33:12 AM
Is it great and flaky everywhere... or just great and flaky in Jacksonville?
HEY! I understood that reference! I think I've been spending too much time on MJ...
When are we going to have a restaurant owner who is actually into growing aneighborhood long lived place to eat...all theses boys want to to is get it..make as much cheap food as they can and then sell out...our neighborhood deserve better...I wasnt impressed with ither carmines or the burrito place..ive has several conversations with bobby and thats his deal...get in..cheap as you can and get out...im done with that...you guys must understand we want good food...better than we can make at home..carmines and lolas are great example of cheap food with some decor...we want better
"When are we going to have a restaurant owner who is actually into growing aneighborhood long lived place to eat"
Rob, I would like to throw myself into this category and I know several others. Bobby was admittedly and definitely not. I'd like to take it a step further and not just grow the place to eat but to grow the neighborhood itself that we are embedded in.
Quote from: Kickbackssteve on August 05, 2014, 09:35:57 AM
"When are we going to have a restaurant owner who is actually into growing aneighborhood long lived place to eat"
Rob, I would like to throw myself into this category and I know several others. Bobby was admittedly and definitely not. I'd like to take it a step further and not just grow the place to eat but to grow the neighborhood itself that we are embedded in.
I wouldnt have put you in that category steve..thanks for all of your work...
Quote from: Rob68 on August 05, 2014, 09:19:19 AM
When are we going to have a restaurant owner who is actually into growing aneighborhood long lived place to eat...all theses boys want to to is get it..make as much cheap food as they can and then sell out...our neighborhood deserve better...I wasnt impressed with ither carmines or the burrito place..ive has several conversations with bobby and thats his deal...get in..cheap as you can and get out...im done with that...you guys must understand we want good food...better than we can make at home..carmines and lolas are great example of cheap food with some decor...we want better
People may say they want better, but the cheap stuff wins the day here in Jax. There is just not enough $$$ for people to pay for better, and here "better" is really just "Pretty Good Not Great But Costs As Much As Great Elsewhere" (see Biscotti's, Orsay, BS, 13G etc.). Look at the places that are busy - like a Brick, Rain Dogs, Garage, Loft etc. Low $$ places.
The only one that seems to have better quality and better environment that is doing really well is Hawker's, which I put down to the $8 and under price point of the menu. So it can get a lot of action but each person does not have to $$ a lot.
Jax is a $4 beer town at heart.
Quote from: Rob68 on August 05, 2014, 09:19:19 AM
When are we going to have a restaurant owner who is actually into growing aneighborhood long lived place to eat...all theses boys want to to is get it..make as much cheap food as they can and then sell out...our neighborhood deserve better...I wasnt impressed with ither carmines or the burrito place..ive has several conversations with bobby and thats his deal...get in..cheap as you can and get out...im done with that...you guys must understand we want good food...better than we can make at home..carmines and lolas are great example of cheap food with some decor...we want better
And the other side of this coin is when will Jax have a neighborhood and politicos who want this... now it is all anti growth, anti new places, more restrictions, litigation, hassle... too many problems for too little $$$.
Quote from: Snaketoz on August 05, 2014, 07:55:27 AM
Why do some people think that because they are from a certain area or city that all things must be judged by what they think is the best? If we are talking pizza, the people of a certain area have every right to judge anything by what the area serves.
You can't be serious with this... Really get out more, travel, taste things in the environments from which they came. Understand the baseline, then play around with it.
If the area serves crap people will judge crap and call it great. This is what lack of a food culture and tolerance of mediocrity get you.
wait for it.... queue "well if you don't like Jax you can leave" psost.... there it is, right on schedule.
You are missing it ..I have plenty of money...im not complaining about money..its the quality of preparation...I have had some wonderful $$ meals..
Quote from: Rob68 on August 05, 2014, 09:19:19 AM
When are we going to have a restaurant owner who is actually into growing aneighborhood long lived place to eat...all theses boys want to to is get it..make as much cheap food as they can and then sell out...our neighborhood deserve better...I wasnt impressed with ither carmines or the burrito place..ive has several conversations with bobby and thats his deal...get in..cheap as you can and get out...im done with that...you guys must understand we want good food...better than we can make at home..carmines and lolas are great example of cheap food with some decor...we want better
that's business
Quote from: Sentient on August 05, 2014, 09:46:15 AM
Jax is a $4 beer town at heart.
4 dollar beers? Outrageous. Go to Players Grille on happy hour. 20oz Yuengling for 2 bucks.
All us sad, poor jacksonville people need to just hang it up and never leave the house again because we're all too simple and poor to possibly understand what good food is. Just be thankful almighty Hawkers has blessed us with overpriced mediocre food in an overcrowded and noisy setting because otherwise we'd all be talking about how delicious them there cup o noodles is.
Quote from: David on August 05, 2014, 11:25:52 AM
Quote from: Sentient on August 05, 2014, 09:46:15 AM
Jax is a $4 beer town at heart.
4 dollar beers? Outrageous. Go to Players Grille on happy hour. 20oz Yuengling for 2 bucks.
depends on the brew.
I don't go to places, or buy things because they are expensive. I go because I happen to like what I purchase. To say someone should like what I like because I'm from a certain place, is as ridiculous as judging everything you eat by how it compares to wherever you came from. I suppose I should travel to other places and complain because the collard greens in Butte, Montana aren't like those in Jacksonville. If most of the people in Jacksonville like food that costs less or $4 beers is because the prices have found their own level. I understand that there are people who pay $3500 per month for a 400 sq. ft. studio apt. in Chicago. If that were someone in Jax, I'd call them a moron. Just like spending $8.50 for an 8 oz. draft Old Milwaukee in Jacksonville would be rather silly. If people want to do nothing more than bash Jacksonville constantly, just remember, Delta is ready when you are.
^^ the bashing of Jax for some on here I believe has become their full time job. Makes you wonder why they remain living here.
Quote from: edjax on August 05, 2014, 08:30:48 PM
^^ the bashing of Jax for some on here I believe has become their full time job. Makes you wonder why they remain living here.
Yaaaaawn.... as predicted...
"wait for it.... queue "well if you don't like Jax you can leave" psost.... there it is, right on schedule."
It would be nice if some of the hero's read the posts before commenting.
Quote from: Sentient on August 05, 2014, 09:19:22 PM
Quote from: edjax on August 05, 2014, 08:30:48 PM
^^ the bashing of Jax for some on here I believe has become their full time job. Makes you wonder why they remain living here.
Yaaaaawn.... as predicted...
"wait for it.... queue "well if you don't like Jax you can leave" psost.... there it is, right on schedule."
It would be nice if some of the hero's read the posts before commenting.
On the other hand....."wait for it....queue, "there is no places in Jax to get a good hoagie like they make in NY, there are no good places to eat, the people here are too friendly, there is too much room, the grass is too green here compared to NY, and the sky is too blue and visible." You evidently don't understand how absolutely sickening this old refrain is. I have heard it for almost 70 years. When I feel like I am starting to hear it less, someone who is so naïve as to think he is impressing us, or saying something new, comes along and makes a complete buffoon of himself. We have all heard it before.
Quote from: Sentient on August 05, 2014, 09:19:22 PM
Quote from: edjax on August 05, 2014, 08:30:48 PM
^^ the bashing of Jax for some on here I believe has become their full time job. Makes you wonder why they remain living here.
Yaaaaawn.... as predicted...
"wait for it.... queue "well if you don't like Jax you can leave" psost.... there it is, right on schedule."
It would be nice if some of the hero's read the posts before commenting.
Meh. Maybe you should read some posts on the many threads here newbie. And I did note some and not speaking in generalizations. In addition I didn't suggest anyone get on the Delta flight out of town. I just posed the question that some seem so unhappy about pretty much anything Jax and wondered why they may continue to live here. Personally I would not continue to live some place if it truly made me so unhappy.
Quote from: Sentient on August 05, 2014, 09:46:15 AM
Quote from: Rob68 on August 05, 2014, 09:19:19 AM
When are we going to have a restaurant owner who is actually into growing aneighborhood long lived place to eat...all theses boys want to to is get it..make as much cheap food as they can and then sell out...our neighborhood deserve better...I wasnt impressed with ither carmines or the burrito place..ive has several conversations with bobby and thats his deal...get in..cheap as you can and get out...im done with that...you guys must understand we want good food...better than we can make at home..carmines and lolas are great example of cheap food with some decor...we want better
People may say they want better, but the cheap stuff wins the day here in Jax. There is just not enough $$$ for people to pay for better, and here "better" is really just "Pretty Good Not Great But Costs As Much As Great Elsewhere" (see Biscotti's, Orsay, BS, 13G etc.). Look at the places that are busy - like a Brick, Rain Dogs, Garage, Loft etc. Low $$ places.
The only one that seems to have better quality and better environment that is doing really well is Hawker's, which I put down to the $8 and under price point of the menu. So it can get a lot of action but each person does not have to $$ a lot.
Jax is a $4 beer town at heart.
Your opinion of Hawkers shows your epicurean elitism is very weak.
QuoteLook at the places that are busy - like a Brick, Rain Dogs, Garage, Loft etc. Low $$ places.
Let's look at those places, shall we? Brick is a nice place, been open now for almost 11 years. Do they have 200 beers on tap (Sorry Steve Flores, had to go there, but you know I love Kickbacks), nope only 2, and have only had 2. Do they have a lot of change or turnover of the menu, nope, pretty much have a lot of the same stuff for the last 11 years. Can you order off the menu, yep, sure can, but this is a diner for the most part with nicely dressed staff and a nice quality of food product with staff who live in the neighborhood. The Brick has been a solid part of Avondale for the last 11 years and shows no signs of change.
Rain Dogs, the place fits 5 points, its dirty, smoky, and kinda trashy on the inside. They, to me, are trying to figure out what they want to be, Birdie's? Could be, but the RD is too small to compete. RD will never be a Brew, but then maybe it just wants to be an quirky Edge City that sells beer.
Garage/loft/Rogue - Has anyone seen Scott lately? He does not appear as the same guy who built these shops. Maybe now he has insurance on the properties, whereas he did not used to. So don't slip and fall and think that Eddie and Chuck Farah will get you "what you deserve". Nice places, clean for the most part, but these places get crammed with kids from the colleges for the cheap booze and low hassle. Dahlia's across the street is about the same, nice clean space, lots of games, but really a cheap pour house for kids in college.
Yet few college kids make it to the Alibi, Tradewinds or Murray's tavern. If they did, they could buy draft buds for less than a buck, they used to be 50 cents, but Bud sold out to Inbev, so someone had to pay. Maybe Murray Hill can be a new hangout for them, we shall see. Someone will have to take daddy's credit card if they plan to really want to grow.
Quote from: bill on August 05, 2014, 11:40:27 PM
Quote from: Sentient on August 05, 2014, 09:46:15 AM
Quote from: Rob68 on August 05, 2014, 09:19:19 AM
When are we going to have a restaurant owner who is actually into growing aneighborhood long lived place to eat...all theses boys want to to is get it..make as much cheap food as they can and then sell out...our neighborhood deserve better...I wasnt impressed with ither carmines or the burrito place..ive has several conversations with bobby and thats his deal...get in..cheap as you can and get out...im done with that...you guys must understand we want good food...better than we can make at home..carmines and lolas are great example of cheap food with some decor...we want better
People may say they want better, but the cheap stuff wins the day here in Jax. There is just not enough $$$ for people to pay for better, and here "better" is really just "Pretty Good Not Great But Costs As Much As Great Elsewhere" (see Biscotti's, Orsay, BS, 13G etc.). Look at the places that are busy - like a Brick, Rain Dogs, Garage, Loft etc. Low $$ places.
The only one that seems to have better quality and better environment that is doing really well is Hawker's, which I put down to the $8 and under price point of the menu. So it can get a lot of action but each person does not have to $$ a lot.
Jax is a $4 beer town at heart.
Your opinion of Hawkers shows your epicurean elitism is very weak.
and what is my opinion of Hawker's Billy?