Everyone knows the downtown clubs and we all love Uptown Market, Three Layers, and Fusion. But I never knew about the barbeque place in Springfield till I read the story in the paper. And I recently discovered Soul Food Express in Talleyrand. What else am I missing? Anyone have any good experiences with some of the lesser known eateries or other small businesses in our area? I'd love to support local business!
Does Jerome Brown's still do the buffet thing at lunch?
I also like Fred Cotton's and The Pig for bbq(a great place for bbq in Riverside is the fellow that sells out of his smoker at the Jiffy Mart on the corner of Stockton and Oak on Saturdays).
If you're in Talleyrand Russ Does is a great place for lunch. His son actually is now a quaterback for the Tennessee Titans(local boy done good :) ).
If you get tired of Joseph's, Casa Dora downtown is really good.
If you like Uptown(who doesnt), another nice place to grab a bite and sit at Hemming Plaza or the courtyard in the library is the cafe at Chamblins Bookmine.
Is A-Z Grocery still on 5th? They have decent sandwiches.
Do you want specifically Springfield eateries, or are you looking for a particular place/food/etc? There are some REAL gems all over town.
Great suggestions. I'm looking for strictly intown things. Preferably near or in Springfield. The stuff only locals know about and could benefit from a wider audience.
Fred Cotton is alright. My neighbor cracked me up when he said "it's for white folks who think they're slummin'". Maybe it's gotten better but a few years ago I went and got a plate and it was almost $20. For intown, I'd stick to Jenkins. I do think this area is pretty much the go-to part of town for caribbean food. Sunrise Bakery over by Jackson is awesome- try the curry goat or one of their jerks and I'd probably kill somebody if you paid me in their beef patties.
Don't forget Waafa and Mike's on Main! Awesome shwarma - huge portions at a fair price and they are such nice people.
A to Z closed, unfortunately.
I think A-Z was closed up last time I walked by.
Wafaa n Mike's on 6th and Main is fantastic - middle Eastern food plus some everyday favorites.
Happy Garden is great for Chinese. Luigi's has great "hearty red" Italian. Their lasagne, well, yummy is all I can say. The meatballs are dense and the size of baseballs.
Both are on University Blvd., W. just off I-95...just a few miles. Take the 2nd University Exit, cloverleaf around. Happy Garden is a few blocks down on the left, just before Barnes Road. Luigi's is a few block later, on the right, across from Winn Dixie.
You have to try Skyline downtown, in the BOA tower, on the 42nd floor.
Amazing value and a view that will blow you away. Open 11-2pm for lunch
Monday through Friday, and for a drink and munchies Wednesday and Friday evening, 5-7:30 pm.
i love ¡hola!, but i think everyöne's familiar with them by now...on the other hand, cinco de mayo's in the landing doesn't seem to get the props they deserve--basic semi-americanised mexican fare, no surprises--but very good.
Didnt know A to Z closed. That's unfortunate.
Havent been to Cottons for a few years honestly. The last few times I went they had way too much vinegar in their sauce. I personally like The Pig. Jenkins is good too.
I second Skyline. A view that rivals University Club and River Club, and you can have lunch for under $10. You can get basic salads/sandwiches and their hot menu changes daily.
The happy hour is really cool too. I tried hitting that up last Wednesday but I guess everyone was at Art Walk and they closed up shop early.
Does Jerome Brown's still have the buffet/hot bar thing for lunch??
Chicken Koop is pretty good.
Downtown Zodiac Grill is good. They have a Mediterranean buffet for lunch which is a real good value. Cinco De Mayo is good if you need a break from Holas. Chicago Pizza is also great if you're down at the Landing. All locally owned/operated.
Yum. Thanks for the great ideas. Now I'm starved and have too many choices!
Clarks Fish Camp
Has anyone tried Shorty's Seafood? Any good?
Does Shorty's do any prepared food?
How about some vegetarian options in Springfield? I can only eat Uptown's veggie burger so many times!
Quote from: jason_contentdg on May 18, 2010, 04:43:57 PM
Does Shorty's do any prepared food?
Chowder or soup. They also have crab cakes but not sure if they are pre-cooked.
Quote from: konstantconsumer on May 18, 2010, 11:32:20 PM
How about some vegetarian options in Springfield? I can only eat Uptown's veggie burger so many times!
Hmm, Wafaa n' Mike's hummus and tabouli?
QuoteChowder or soup. They also have crab cakes but not sure if they are pre-cooked.
Oh, is that it? For some reason I thought they were like Beachside Seafood... a market and a restaurant.
QuoteHow about some vegetarian options in Springfield? I can only eat Uptown's veggie burger so many times!
The veggie burritos at Uptown are pretty good too!
Three Layers also has hummus.
Cinco De Mayo at the Landing has decent bean-based entrees.
Zodiac Grill has some great non-meat items in their lunch-time buffet
Since some are veering from the Springfield area recommendations-
Karam's on University near Memorial Hospital has been a favorite of ours for years. Family owned and operated, IMO they have the best middle eastern food at great prices, thou I have not tried the restaurant in Springfield that is recommended. Karam's now has a second location at Hodges and Beach. (not sure if the second location is opened yet- when we were there last, they said it would be opening this week, I think.)
Down at University and San Jose is a great bbq place called MoJo's I'm there at least once a month (I live on the opposite end of town from there unfortunately)
Quote from: fieldafm on May 19, 2010, 11:27:23 AM
Oh, is that it? For some reason I thought they were like Beachside Seafood... a market and a restaurant.
Nope, more of a seafood market. Very fresh, happy to take requests.
Quote from: nvrenuf on May 19, 2010, 11:13:30 AM
Quote from: konstantconsumer on May 18, 2010, 11:32:20 PM
How about some vegetarian options in Springfield? I can only eat Uptown's veggie burger so many times!
Hmm, Wafaa n' Mike's hummus and tabouli?
Again, veering from Springfield, the To-Go options at Grassroots deserve major props. They have a terrific vegan source out at the beach (Shakti, I think?) send in some really great raw food options--albeit major pricey, though. The Mediterranean spot two doors down also has some veg options--very good hummus, baba ganoush, cucumber salad . . .
Oops, Grassroots is Five Points.
unfortunately, vegetarian cuisine doesn't seem to be a priority in jacksonville. i'd love to have the resources to rectify the problem myself...but i'm afraid the reason there aren't any specifically vegetarian restaurants around is lack ov interest, so i'd likely only dig myself a hole.
Springfields blessed. Jenkins is the best bbq in the area. imho!
Quote from: fieldafm on May 13, 2010, 02:53:02 PM
Didnt know A to Z closed. That's unfortunate.
Havent been to Cottons for a few years honestly. The last few times I went they had way too much vinegar in their sauce. I personally like The Pig. Jenkins is good too.
I second Skyline. A view that rivals University Club and River Club, and you can have lunch for under $10. You can get basic salads/sandwiches and their hot menu changes daily.
The happy hour is really cool too. I tried hitting that up last Wednesday but I guess everyone was at Art Walk and they closed up shop early.
Does Jerome Brown's still have the buffet/hot bar thing for lunch??
Chicken Koop is pretty good.
Downtown Zodiac Grill is good. They have a Mediterranean buffet for lunch which is a real good value. Cinco De Mayo is good if you need a break from Holas. Chicago Pizza is also great if you're down at the Landing. All locally owned/operated.
The chicken koop has went down. The prices are entirely too high, and the wings have gotten so small. You 10 bones with sauce on the fries and koop roll and pay almost 10.00, not including a drink!! I used to eat at the on Dunn ave just about everybody until things started changing. Most chicken are empty now with one car in the drive thru. (expect for the original one on edgewood.)
If you have not been to Jax city cafe (Up main after the evergreen cemetery) I would recommend them. Great breakfast, awesome prices, interesting regulars.
There is a place on Pearl, once you cross under 20th on the left, that has some great Home-style southern food. (The proprietor's Fried chicken is off the chain!)
Also, at the corner of 8th and main there is a Sunday Lunch buffet that will knock your socks off.
(If he's still in business, I know the diner portion of his business has been closed lately, which is a crying shame.)
And in Riverside, I recently came across Micheal's Cafe (Corner of Barrs and Oak behind Judson's) that has what I can only describe as breakfast perfection, home fries to end all home fries.
Gastronomic Joy to All!
Quote from: GoldenEst82 on June 15, 2010, 10:37:36 AM
There is a place on Pearl, once you cross under 20th on the left, that has some great Home-style southern food. (The proprietor's Fried chicken is off the chain!)
Hughes.
Love it -- but it is definitely a rare treat, the only meal that day, and requires penance in the gym later. :)
Chowder Ted's off Heckscher....
5215 Heckscher Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32226-3051
(904) 714-6900
Quote from: JaxByDefault on June 15, 2010, 10:47:31 AM
Quote from: GoldenEst82 on June 15, 2010, 10:37:36 AM
There is a place on Pearl, once you cross under 20th on the left, that has some great Home-style southern food. (The proprietor's Fried chicken is off the chain!)
Hughes.
Love it -- but it is definitely a rare treat, the only meal that day, and requires penance in the gym later. :)
Is that the same place that was mentioned in the article about Glorious Johnson, posted on here not long ago, where Ocklawaha was mentioned toward the start of the article?
I agree Russ Does on Talleyrand is a great lunch stop