Nicky's G's Pizza Photo Update

[RiversideGator]

I agree.  Good food, cleanliness, long hours and consistency can all them to be successful there IMO.

[Coolyfett]

Smells like progress for the Riverfront District.....when do they actually open? Who all is going?

[02roadking]

From the Jaxdailyrecord.com:


Pizza and subs are back on


Northstar Substation owner Kris Kiger has a handle on pizza as well as sandwiches.

by Max Marbut

Staff Writer

It has been a while since it was available, but the aroma of garlic, oregano and olive oil can again be detected on East Bay Street between Ocean and Newnan Streets. The former Nicky G’s location has been reopened as Northstar Substation by Michigan native Kris Kiger.

“I just wanted to bring a product Downtown that people will enjoy and I also want to be part of the East Bay Street entertainment area,” said Kiger.

Kiger, who you might recognize if you’ve been to Bourbon Street Station on the Southside, has been working toward making sure he’s ready for Georgia-Florida weekend.

“It took a month to go from finding the location to being ready to open the door and fire up the brick pizza oven,” said Kiger. “I know this weekend will be interesting and it will show us what kind of business we could do every day after people discover us.”

Kiger also has a plan for after the football fans are gone, based on his walking around the neighborhood and asking people what they liked â€" and didn’t like â€" about Nicky G’s.

“Downtown restaurant business depends on lunch,” said Kiger. “I know people are looking for quality food that can be served quickly. Northstar’s not about fast food, we’re about good food fast. We know most people who work Downtown have an hour for lunch, so we can serve pizza or a sandwich in less than 10 minutes.”

There’s a marketing plan for weekend business that will begin with Saturday afternoon karaoke for kids.

“And we’re going to let the kids make their own pizzas,” said Kiger.

Northstar will also be co-promoting with the Ivy Ultra Bar next door, since the club doesn’t sell food and Kiger doesn’t sell liquor.

Northstar is open Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. and closes at 1 a.m. except Friday and Saturday when last call for pizza and hoagies won’t happen until 3 a.m.

“We’ll also be open on Sundays two hours before kickoff on Jaguars’ game days,” said Kiger.

Kiger also said since he grew up in Michigan and has worked in pizza restaurants, “off and on” his entire life, he learned how to make a pie that’s not quite Chicago-style and not quite New York-style because Michigan is halfway between the two pizza-prominant locations.


mmarbut@baileypub.com

356-2466

[jacksonvilleconfidential]

I drove by the Ivy and former-Nicky G's last night at the Nicky G's location was open with the sign still up. Whats the deal?

[hooplady]

Well they're already ahead of the former owners.  I remember last year I was there on FL-GA weekend and the crew working that night apparently didn't even know the event was happening!  I don't know how many people they turned away because they were so disorganized.  The FL-GA fans kept walking away shaking their heads, muttering about our little burg being such a hick town.

[Coolyfett]

Sounds awesome!! You guys support that! The Cross-promoting is a really good idea. I don't know if they are ready for GA-FL but its a good way to break yourself in.

Is TSI back open yet?

Sounds like progress...someone should check them out Monday and give a review. Im interested in the service and food.

[TPC]

TSI has been open for a few weeks.

So this place will be open for Florida Georgia? If so, I'll swing by for a slice.

[copperfiend]

Anybody go this weekend?

[alta]

I wanted to go last night around 7:30.  Drove down there.  They were closed.  Does anyone know the hours?

[thelakelander]

Northstar is open Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. and closes at 1 a.m. except Friday and Saturday when last call for pizza and hoagies won’t happen until 3 a.m.

“We’ll also be open on Sundays two hours before kickoff on Jaguars’ game days,” said Kiger.

[77danj7]

Has anyone gone yet?  I'd love to hear a review sinch I'm out of town and can't try it yet! 

[tufsu1]

I went the other night...the decor is the same....the prices seemed a bit too high....and the pizza was just ok.

[77danj7]

That is disappointing!

[alta]

I went to Northstar Substation on Friday evening.  First of all this is an upgrade from my experience at Nicky G's which was the worst restaurant experience I have had in years. 

The staff was pleasant and helpful.  We ordered some pizza and wings.  I agree with tufsu that the prices are too high.  The wings were good and reasonably priced but a large pizza with two toppings is $20.  The toppings are either canned or processed.  They actually stated on the menu that the mushrooms are canned.  The lighting was dimmer than Nicky G's which I prefer but the exposed tube lighting reminds me more of a discount store than a hip downtown dining establishment. 

Apparently the Northstar Substation name comes from the owners DJ background.  They were setting up a turntable with some speakers when we left around 9.  This place has potential.  They need to work some more on the atmosphere and lower the prices.  I talked to the owner personally and he said that he would be open until 3 a.m. on the weekends.  Hopefully they will be able to draw a decent crowd from the Bay Street bars.

[The Compound]

I went to Northstar Substation on Friday evening.  First of all this is an upgrade from my experience at Nicky G's which was the worst restaurant experience I have had in years. 

The staff was pleasant and helpful.  We ordered some pizza and wings.  I agree with tufsu that the prices are too high.  The wings were good and reasonably priced but a large pizza with two toppings is $20.  The toppings are either canned or processed.  They actually stated on the menu that the mushrooms are canned.  The lighting was dimmer than Nicky G's which I prefer but the exposed tube lighting reminds me more of a discount store than a hip downtown dining establishment. 

Apparently the Northstar Substation name comes from the owners DJ background.  They were setting up a turntable with some speakers when we left around 9.  This place has potential.  They need to work some more on the atmosphere and lower the prices.  I talked to the owner personally and he said that he would be open until 3 a.m. on the weekends.  Hopefully they will be able to draw a decent crowd from the Bay Street bars.

Wow processed or canned toppings, sounds delicious.