Moving into nadeau furniture spot? Can it be? have my prayers been answered?
True news according to my source...
BBQ?
that's awesome!
I agree. They rock.
Mojo's has my vote for the best BBQ in town. Great music as well.
Mojos's has Cheerwine & Sun Drop! (& Shiner Bock)
Quote from: blizz01 on August 23, 2010, 10:04:43 AM
Mojos's has Cheerwine & Sun Drop! (& Shiner Bock)
Cheerwine plus the best "real" (Lexington/western NC-style) BBQ here make this one of my favorite places in town!
When?
Quote from: downtownjag on August 23, 2010, 11:34:17 AM
When?
Not soon enough I'm sure. Mojo's will put a nice mix into that area.
i would love for them to leave enough room four some live blues bands on there.
Quote from: JeffreyS on August 23, 2010, 02:08:16 PM
i would love for them to leave enough room four some live blues bands on there.
That would be pretty cool. I like when businesses include some sort of opening within their building for the arts, whether performing arts or visual. In fact my good friend's band Bastogne would fit in their pretty well. They are a local blues-rock band.
There are crews doing tear-outs on the Nadeau store today. Good sign!
Mojo is bringing barbecue, blues to AvondaleQuoteThe rumors are true: Mojo is coming to Avondale.
"We've signed a lease and we've started demolition," said owner Todd Lineberry about his planned restaurant at the former Nadeau furniture store at The Shoppes of Avondale. (Nadeau moved to Julington Creek earlier this year.)
Based on his calculations, Feb. 1 looks to be a realistic opening date, Lineberry said. ("That's when we start paying rent.")
He's been working with Riverside Avondale Preservation to finalize plans â€" including those for knocking out part of the building's front to add a covered patio â€" for the still-unnamed barbecue restaurant.
But like his three other Mojo restaurants â€" Mojo Bar-B-Que in Lakewood (2003), Mojo Kitchen at the Beaches (2006) and Mojo Smokehouse at Fleming Island (2008) â€" this one, too, will carry the Mojo name. He's just not sure what it will be yet. (Suggestions? Leave them in the comments section below.)
And like the other Mojos, the Avondale restaurant will offer its take on America's four distinct barbecue styles: North Carolina (where Lineberry grew up), Memphis, Texas and Kansas City. And don't forget the blues, too.
Though you'll find most of your Mojo favorites, look for about 10 new items on the menu for this location, he said. And look for full bar service, too, in the 150-seat restaurant.
Like Mojo Kitchen, the Avondale restaurant will have live music on the weekend, Lineberry said. But on a smaller scale, with mostly local acts.
A couple of ideas he's still kicking around:
• Moving the smoker out into the restaurant as a centerpiece
• Offering delivery service in a limited area
Parking â€" rather the shortage of it â€" is another topic he's tackling. (No answers yet.) It's a concern he shares with neighbors Biscottis, The Brick, Blue Fish, 'town, The Fox, The Casbah and other retailers in the strip shopping district.
(Perhaps another reason to consider using the newly expanded Riverside Trolley service?)
http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/423471/gary-mills/2010-09-14/mojo-bringing-barbecue-blues-avondale
**** (NO) PARKING ****
Seems many Avondale merchants and a few nearby residents have concerns about the increased parking pressures another retaurant could bring.One high profile merchant hoping to address parking expressed dissatisfaction with Michael Corrigan.
I was walking by the place the other day and saw an orange notice saying work has stopped as there have been violations? Apparently they did some roof work without an o.k. from the city? Maybe i misread the sign...wondering what's going on though.
Regarding the parking issue, it sounds like these merchants and residents need to jump on the push for better mass transit. Parking should be the last thing to stand in the way of economic development and quality of life.
And, of course, there's plenty of side-street parking in the vicinity of the Shoppes.
Then again, I guess that's what the residents in the area are trying to avoid.
Quote from: thelakelander on October 08, 2010, 11:00:47 AM
Regarding the parking issue, it sounds like these merchants and residents need to jump on the push for better mass transit. Parking should be the last thing to stand in the way of economic development and quality of life.
By all means agreed Lake.
The amandoned gas station could absorb some parking demand however the price tag for the property is two million asking.....
In the mean time-certain venues such as restaurant do generate significant parking need.
Biscottis,Fox,Partners and to an extent former Sterlings (now Bluefish) got their start as neighborhood establishments.With their deserved popularity there is now a broad regional clientele.Frank (Bluefish) told me last week he has customers from Ponte Vedra that are tiring of the parking scene.
We see with the Ortega Boatyard Condo and expanded slip rezone the assumption inadequate on site parking would simply be answered by spill over to adjacent neighborhood.
QuoteFrank (Bluefish) told me last week he has customers from Ponte Vedra that are tiring of the parking scene.
Frank is a tired old gasbag. He still owns the parking lot next to bluefish, and the buildings, but he lets Richard run the restaurant (which is awesome by the way). Frank will tell ANYONE and I mean ANYONE who will listen why his people coming in from Ponte Vedra won't come to Sterlings, er Bluefish, because they can't find a place to park.
Frank, the shops of Avondale were built in the 20s, we have had parking issues since then, lord knows almost 100 years. Its a neighborhood of shops and residents. Get over it. Apparently Frank speaks for all, even though he and the Biscotti's owners were never known to be "close", that all merchants are unhappy because the Corrigan overlay allows anyone to open a restaurant in any shop, without needing to have parking, under the old formula. Sounds like a turf war to me.
Keep the people in Ponte Vedra in Ponte Vedra. I live in Avondale to support my local restaurants and I am going to fight Harden and his sockless loafers through this, because its laughable in an urban setting. I live 4 blocks away from Bluefish, and I love being able to walk there.
Quote from: mtraininjax on November 30, 2010, 01:01:00 AM
QuoteFrank (Bluefish) told me last week he has customers from Ponte Vedra that are tiring of the parking scene.
Frank is a tired old gasbag. He still owns the parking lot next to bluefish, and the buildings, but he lets Richard run the restaurant (which is awesome by the way). Frank will tell ANYONE and I mean ANYONE who will listen why his people coming in from Ponte Vedra won't come to Sterlings, er Bluefish, because they can't find a place to park.
Frank, the shops of Avondale were built in the 20s, we have had parking issues since then, lord knows almost 100 years. Its a neighborhood of shops and residents. Get over it. Apparently Frank speaks for all, even though he and the Biscotti's owners were never known to be "close", that all merchants are unhappy because the Corrigan overlay allows anyone to open a restaurant in any shop, without needing to have parking, under the old formula. Sounds like a turf war to me.
Keep the people in Ponte Vedra in Ponte Vedra. I live in Avondale to support my local restaurants and I am going to fight Harden and his sockless loafers through this, because its laughable in an urban setting. I live 4 blocks away from Bluefish, and I love being able to walk there.
I also live 5 blocks away and walk. Parking is a non-issue for me.
I do think it was kind of asinine that the new streetscape tore down a bunch of indiginous trees and then eliminated a bunch of parking spots to plant more trees. Seems like that could have been better handled, but overall even when I'm lazy and drive I still don't think parking's really a problem over there. I've never not found a spot.
Agreed, parking isnt a huge problem right now... but it could be as more restaurants come into the mix.
I think its a VERY good problem to have, BTW. And its why I adamently believe JTA has an incredible opportunity on their hands.
If people care about the neighborhood, they would email Kent Stover over at JTA and ask for:
-Expanded nightime service of the Riverside Trolley
-Opening a 2nd route on Park Street(bus line consolidation can occur here with the R5 line, much like what happened with the expansion of the current service)
-Linking the current service with Roosevelt Square
-Better payment options for Riverside Trolley(rumor is JTA is working on a monthly pass specifically for RT)
-Creating a merchant/transit partnership program (aka you spend x number on a meal or retail ticket, you get a token to ride on the PCT system... also, a trolley/merchant map can be done and heavily promoted through a partnership with RAP, like the Beaches Trolley did with the Kurtis Group when that service first rolled out). JTA missed an opportunity when the beach service rolled out, lets not drop the ball this time!
Kstover@jtafla.com
"Frank is a tired old gasbag." Hmmm...how nice. Really? Who are you mtrain?
Lets see here, when you register on this site you have to agree to the following:
You agree, through your use of this forum, that you will not post any material which is false, defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, invasive of a person's privacy, adult material, or otherwise in violation of any International or United States Federal law. You also agree not to post any copyrighted material unless you own the copyright or you have written consent from the owner of the copyrighted material. Spam, flooding, advertisements, chain letters, pyramid schemes, and solicitations are also forbidden on this forum.
Now review all of this blogger's posts and you will find violations on so many different levels.
How embarrassing for you Mtrain to spew out opinions when you really know NOTHING and have BAD information. Sounds like you have a personal agenda, just sayin', after reviewing all your past posts.
Well, FWIW, I always have thought Frank Gallo is a pretty nice guy. Everyone has their opinion about everything, and I guess that's to be expected, it's a small town and most of us have been around awhile, so experiences naturally differ. But in my personal experience, he's never been anything but been fun and a geniuinely nice person. I certainly wouldn't call him a gasbag, that seems harsh, and I had missed that part of the original post when I was responding to the parking comments. Speaking personally, I like Frank.
Quote from: ChriswUfGator on November 30, 2010, 12:22:55 PM
I do think it was kind of asinine that the new streetscape tore down a bunch of indiginous trees and then eliminated a bunch of parking spots to plant more trees. Seems like that could have been better handled, but overall even when I'm lazy and drive I still don't think parking's really a problem over there. I've never not found a spot.
I agreed at first until someone reminded me that the trees originally planted were water oaks with lifespans of about 60 years. Their time was fast coming due. The city is apparently going to plant more live oaks (they live hundreds of years) and quit planting water oaks. Funds for new live oaks have been raised by local groups through local fundraisers like the Root Ball (which my mother organizes).
Also, not to sound overly negative, but every time I have seen the trolley, it has been either empty or mostly empty. I know it fills up for special events and apparently during lunch hour between downtown and Riverside, but I thought I would just observe.
I also want to point out that I have been coming to eat and shop, etc in Avondale my whole life and have never really had a problem parking. Maybe I'm lucky, but I usually get a decent spot, and if I don't, there are three different side streets and the back alley that I park at.
QuoteI certainly wouldn't call him a gasbag, that seems harsh, and I had missed that part of the original post when I was responding to the parking comments.
Tony from Chicago, I had 2 realtors with me entertaining a client who purchased the Chelsea lofts and plans to purchase an 11 million dollar complex in Jacksonville with me while Frank went off on Corrigan and the overlay. I had a member of RAP there with me as well as the wife of a local developer, Frank was obnoxious and WRONG. He wants to change the system and throw Avondale back to where it was when he ran the unused Sterling restaurant. A fine representative of Jacksonville Frank sets, especially to people willing to invest in Jacksonville!!!
Forget him. He can go back to wherever he came from, instead, he wants to hire Paul Harden who just makes life worse for the majority since the minority end up paying his bills.
If you or Chris think I'm lying, go in and see Frank over the weekend and ask him about Parking in Avondale and get ready for him to unload. I've heard his story about PVB residents not able to find parking now twice. Get a cocktail before listening, you will be there a long time.
Mtrain, it is obvious that you have personal issues with Frank.
Wow, it's astounding how misinformed you are. Again, let's quote you:
"Frank was obnoxious and WRONG. He wants to change the system and throw Avondale back to where it was when he ran the unused Sterling restaurant. A fine representative of Jacksonville Frank sets, especially to people willing to invest in Jacksonville!!!
Forget him. He can go back to wherever he came from, instead, he wants to hire Paul Harden who just makes life worse for the majority since the minority end up paying his bills. "
So can I suggest you contact Paul Harden and ask him yourself if Frank has hired or has even spoken with him? And then would you report back here with your findings? I suspect you will not and know for a fact that you are wrong.
Last time I checked, it was Barbara Sutton pictured on the Folio article on this matter.
Tony,
My "personal" issue with Frank is that he wants to have a well known attorney remove an overlay that many of us who live in the neighborhood, want to remain. Frank left Jacksonville, turned over the operation of the restaurant to Richard, comes back and on the night I was there at the Bluefish, embarrassed himself in front of 5 residents of Jacksonville and our guest who was from Miami.
I only bring up Harden, because Frank mentioned it when we were there. Nothing is made up here, I have the witnesses to backup what happened. I don't care if Frank enlists the tooth fairy for his dispute. He's wrong for wanting to take Jacksonville backward, and I, along with RAP and residents in Avondale plan to challenge his actions to have the overlay repealed.
As to whether or not Frank has enlisted Karen at Biscotti's or Steve with the Brick to join his crusade, who knows. Maybe you know and can shed light on this for us all. Perhaps a quote or two from Frank as well?
Finally ate there last night. It was awful. I'd ordered the shrimp and cheesy grits, with the waitress's Yum of Approval, only to be served an unbelievably salty dish swimming in grease. "Cheesy" was the last thing I'd call the grits. Management was extremely nice and immediately offered to replace my entree with something else. (Can't they just make the shrimp and grits not salty and actually cheesy, minus the abundance of grease?) My partner ordered brisket, which he said was very salty, too, and my replacement entree was the BLFGT (bacon, lettuce, fried green tomato) sandwich, which was also overly salty but edible. Seriously, I hate to complain, but I hope my comments here will have some effect on their practice of over-"seasoning."
I haven't been to Mojo in a long time- their prices have gotten kinda out of hand- the "whole hog" combo plate is $30, that's beyond nuts- it's not much more food than combo platters at other places, it just comes with more sides. It's a different style of barbeque but at the Pig you can get a whole chicken, a whole slab of ribs, two large sides and pulled beef and pork for $35.
I'm happy they're successful and can provide jobs and all that but it's just not my scene. They have some cool ideas on the menu but when I'm in the mood for bbq, I just want the meat, not music and a bar or whatever else and I guess that's why I'm not willing to pay for it either.
Mojo may have created septic problem affecting neighboring merchants.Biscottis working valiantly on this,including COJ.
We finally went there yesterday at lunchtime. Overall it was a good experience - the prices were a couple of bucks more per item than the University location (I don't know if they've gone up as well) but the food quality was as good as usual and the service was excellent. No issues with overly salty food.
I find their fries to be salty so I ususaly ask for no salt then salt them myself
I've eaten there 4 times (3 minute walk from my house), but I enjoyed the food more at the beach location.
Finally went there yesterday with my father and father-in-law. I wasn't disappointed. 5 of us ate plenty o'food with several of their spiked teas and lots of to-go for lunch the next day for less than $80. Damn good pulled pork + sweet tea and the sandwiches are quite generous. I'm not even a huge bbq fan either. Will def be back for the atmosphere, service and good food for a reasonable price.
Went the Avondale location for the first time on Friday for a late lunch. Got there around three and the place was empty. SHould have known better that to go to alomst any resturant at that time of day. It seems that the staff could have cared less that we were there. We asked the hostess who sat us for a high chair for our little girl. We stood at the tale for 5 minutes, tried looking to see where the high chairs were and say her in the corner on the phone. The overall feeling from anybody who we interacted with was that it was a bother that we were there.
Thought I would try a side I havent seen at Mojos, dirty rice. It was bland and tasted a bit lilke rice-a-roni, without the roni. Half way through our meal the music got real loud, Led Zeplin, I tried to complain to the waitress over the nosie, she said she would find out what was going on, a manager came over and said they were testing the sound system. That continued for the rest of our meal. It took forever to find our waitress to get our check. I had to break up the conversation that 6 employees were having at the end of the bar so someone could find our waitress to get our check.
I will stick to the original location as I have always received outstanding service no matter what time of day. Also the new location seemed to be missing some atmosphere, then again it may have been because nobody was there. I love their BBQ but it almost seemed they were going for style over substance with this new location.
Too bad no one walked up to the Plate,so to speak,to defend Avondale Strip Center from.........Strip Center influence!
Anyone else think the front of the new Mojo's is nondescript and...ugly? I can't even tell what the place is from ten feet away. Is that the best they could have done with the existing building?
Quote from: ben says on July 04, 2011, 05:42:13 PM
Anyone else think the front of the new Mojo's is nondescript and...ugly? I can't even tell what the place is from ten feet away. Is that the best they could have done with the existing building?
Mojo's could be viewed as a collective middle finger thrust towards The Shoppes of Avondale.
It is pretty ugly from the outside... Looks like a bunker.
We've been to Mojos several times now, since it's an easy 10 minute walk from my house. Had some very negative experiences with this place the last 2 times we went. The place started off O.K., but the original (and obviously pre-trained) staff is now all mostly gone and has been replaced by a bunch of giggly/bitchy high-school and college-aged girls, who get visibly annoyed at you if they have to take any time away from socializing with each other to actually 'serve' those annoying 'customers.'
Twice, I've had to argue to get a table other than the one right next to the bathroom or the one right next to the front door, despite the restaurant being mostly empty, because most of the tables were sitting dirty and un-bussed obviously for long before we got there. The whole time we were there, most of the staff was standing around socializing with each other, taking cigarette breaks, talking on their phones, etc., they weren't even bothering to bus the dirty tables until someone asked for that table, then they acted irritated that they had to clean a table because you didn't want to eat next to the door or the bathroom. I also second the other poster who said that you have to get up from your table and go over and interrupt social hour to get the check or condiments, as I had that same experience.
The food's OK, but until they get the service squared away I don't think I'll be back. There are too many good barbeque places around Jacksonville to deal with rude and/or non-existent service, and the barbeque itself is not much to write home about, it's pretty average. Better than Sonny's, about on par with Bono's, and not quite as good as Sticky Fingers was. But more expensive than all of them. And doesn't hold a candle to Fred Cotton or any of the independent barbeque places in town.
I went for the first time about a week and a half ago when I had family in town. I enjoyed my pulled chicken sandwich, but my sisters did not like their BLFGT sandwiches. The collard greens left a lot to be desired and they should change the name of their cheese grits to garlic grits because all i could taste was garlic with no hint of cheese.
Called in a to-go order a few days later and was put on hold for 15 min before I hung up. I thought they were probably really busy. I called back and got my order in right away. She must have forgotten I was on hold. When I showed up 15 min later to pick up my food, the place was mostly empty.
Yep we've been a few times but have since gone back to the Lakewood location. Better food and service. The bitchy hipster college girl types at Avondale get annoying.
Luckily I haven't had any of the bad experiences some have shared here. I have taken my little one every time, she loves their veggies. The staff has been friendly and helpful. I did notice a better overall experience when they opened, but this happens at most restaurants as they work out the kinks.
I really have gotten to like the Burnt Ends (although they don't hold a candle to Kansas City's). That is really the only unique thing there to me, otherwise food is on par with most BBQ in town, just a bit more pricey.
It's a nice change to have BBQ in the area, but definitely nothing special to make it my goto or sole BBQ choice.
Quote from: north miami on July 03, 2011, 09:45:25 PM
Too bad no one walked up to the Plate,so to speak,to defend Avondale Strip Center from.........Strip Center influence!
You obviously have issues with Mojo's coming to the Shoppes? Can you elaborate more than a cryptic twitter response.
Quote from: Gators312 on July 05, 2011, 03:41:16 PM
Quote from: north miami on July 03, 2011, 09:45:25 PM
Too bad no one walked up to the Plate,so to speak,to defend Avondale Strip Center from.........Strip Center influence!
You obviously have issues with Mojo's coming to the Shoppes? Can you elaborate more than a cryptic twitter response.
In this day and age no more effort really matters.
I am not alone in having 'issues' with Mojo.Officially 'fighting' the application was out of the question for most due to lack of legal funds.See earlier posts;parking an issue.Was mitigated slightly but still overall greater impact.A chain placed in a place singular in it's difference.One could wax poetic and substantive about such things but in the scheme of things,perhaps,who really cares?
Biscottis has experienced big troubles with septic system coincident with Mojo.City has been asked to review.Is the system overly taxed??
Mojos isn't really what I would call a chain.
QuoteMojos isn't really what I would call a chain.
I agree. They're locally owned and they've got 4 stores. Peterbrooke has a lot more locations than Mojo.
Well, just for the record here, and let me point out that I have no dog in this fight, I liked Mojo's but just wish they'd get real staffers, Websters appears to disagree with you guys...
Quote
noun /CHān/
chains, plural
8.A group of establishments, such as hotels, stores, or restaurants, owned by the same company
Maybe you couldn't call them a "large" chain, but a chain nonetheless...
Quote from: north miami on July 05, 2011, 04:22:03 PM
Quote from: Gators312 on July 05, 2011, 03:41:16 PM
Quote from: north miami on July 03, 2011, 09:45:25 PM
Too bad no one walked up to the Plate,so to speak,to defend Avondale Strip Center from.........Strip Center influence!
You obviously have issues with Mojo's coming to the Shoppes? Can you elaborate more than a cryptic twitter response.
In this day and age no more effort really matters.
I am not alone in having 'issues' with Mojo.Officially 'fighting' the application was out of the question for most due to lack of legal funds.See earlier posts;parking an issue.Was mitigated slightly but still overall greater impact.A chain placed in a place singular in it's difference.One could wax poetic and substantive about such things but in the scheme of things,perhaps,who really cares?
Biscottis has experienced big troubles with septic system coincident with Mojo.City has been asked to review.Is the system overly taxed??
The effort does matter imo. If there are legitimate issues they should be brought to forth, and thoroughly explained that those who care can be informed.
If they are responsible business owners they should rectify such situations, and if they don't or act irresponsibly, I as a patron of their establishment can: 1. Stop patronizing their business. 2. Inform the owners that I am upset and that I will encourage others to no longer patronize until they get their act together.
Quote from: ChriswUfGator on July 05, 2011, 07:46:19 PM
Well, just for the record here, and let me point out that I have no dog in this fight, I liked Mojo's but just wish they'd get real staffers, Websters appears to disagree with you guys...
Quote
noun /CHān/
chains, plural
8.A group of establishments, such as hotels, stores, or restaurants, owned by the same company
Yeah technically by that definition it is, but then so is chew/orsay, bb's/biscottis, etc.
Maybe you couldn't call them a "large" chain, but a chain nonetheless...
Hey, I've always wanted to be one of the owners of a restaurant chain. Good for me :-)
Simply 'informing' those who 'care' is proven dead end.
As to definition of chain,Biscottis done did born BB's.This thread is quickly going to smolder.
I bet the most attention ever paid to a member of the public to walk through the doors of Avondale Mojo was during the soft pre opening.
My wife and I,headed toward SOMEWHERE ELSE,stepped inside Mojo,past the outside seating,out of curiosity.
The bubbly,attentive host was initially taken aback by my heart felt comment that the place looked like a Mandarin chain operation,but she was obviously well versed,and answered each objection as if Jacksonville Planning & Zone meeting,right down to the farewell comment,"we did this for Jacksonville!".
Mojos Avondale is out of place by all definitions.No matter.Skip it.Nothing absolutely bad.
An argument in favor of Mojos is that the establishment brings a particular demographic/customer group to The Shoppes of Avondale.In the tradition of that special something,diversity.
the best meals are at home
BOHICA!
Quote from: stephendare on April 30, 2012, 04:28:51 PM
Quote from: north miami on June 19, 2011, 11:46:29 AM
Mojo may have created septic problem affecting neighboring merchants.Biscottis working valiantly on this,including COJ.
wow. what a defamatory statement.
but not entirely untrue. Biscottis has always had plumbing issues, from sewage to their grease trap, and it overflowed regularly after heavy rains. I'm sure Mojos coming on line didn't help the situation, but they weren't the cause.