Jacksonville
Jacksonville boomed as a rail terminus and port city in the late 1880′s. Florida’s largest city in area, Jax has glitzy skyline glass and steel, a beautiful river lazing through it, a big city list of impressive museums and art galleries, a venerable jazz night life tradition, and shopping shopping shopping. The median age of its citizens? 36, making it Florida’s “youngest” city. It’s also a beautiful downtown city, with fireworks lighting up the night sky, and river walks, cafes and a boulevard feel, all of it buzzing with energy. Cruises leave here for the Bahamas and the Keys. It also has the largest urban park system, the Timucuan, in the country. Visitors are mostly interested in the area along St. John’s River’s narrowest part, with much to see and do. We like to include the Sally Corporation in this list, because it’s a look inside how theme park rides are made: the design, special effects, etc, of “animatronics” and how Universal Studios’ ET Adventure is programmed. Free tour with a call.
Both fresh water and ocean fishing is big here with many opportunities to go out for a day and test your luck. Go to Jacksonville Fishing for the details. There’s also “yak” (kayak) fishing, a fast growing sport, for a thrill. This is slow, relaxing, in a tidal marsh, and you just may catch a mullet.
At the zoo, jaguars prowl simulated Mayan ruins, and you can even feed a giraffe up close and personal on a platform!
All this, and heavenly beaches just across the bridge. Wonderful city.
Breakfast:
Fox Restaurant: Good little hole in the wall neighborhood diner. Great omeletes. Good lunches.
3580 Saint John’s Ave, (904) 387-2669
Grinder’s Cafe: In a strip mall, BUT it’s a good breakfast joint, so what the hell.
10230 Atlantic Blvd, Ste 8, (904) 725-2712
Village Bread Cafe: Great little breakfast and lunch cafe with great bread pudding and a Ciabatta Breakfast sandwich with egg & sausage.
5215 Phillips Hwy. Ste 3, (904) 732-2261
Seafood:
Mitchell’s Fish Market: $$$ Nice raw bar, patio, and dining areas with live music at times and good seafood dishes.
St John’s Town Ctr, 5205 Big Island Dr, (904) 645-3474
Osaka Grill Sushi Buffet: Amazing buffet with mussels, shrimp, octopus, good sushi, and a raft of other great stuff.
11701 San Jose Blvd, (904) 886-7778
River City Brewing Co: Good city lights location on the St. John’ s with good beers and large portions of a diverse menu.
835 Museum Cir, (904) 398-2299
Mexican:
Tijuana Flats Dona Maria’s Mexican Restaurant Cantina & Grill: $ On Jacksonville Landing, great sunset view and a great ceviche.
2 Independent Dr, (904) 598-2696
Pepe’s Hacienda & Restaurant: $ Groceries, bakery, and great authentic Mexican restaurant with pinatas all over the ceiling.
3615 Dupont Ave, Ste 900, (904) 636-8131
Cha-Cha’s Mexican Restaurant: $ Good little place that’s been here for years. No ambiance, but good lunches.
9551 Baymeadows Rd, Ste 21, (904) 737-9903
Tijuana Flats: $$ Nice setting for real good authentic Mexican food and good drinks. Real good variety of specialty sauces.
9942 Old Baymeadows Rd., (904) 641-1090
Pizza:
Al’s Pizza: $ Al’s is all over town with pretty good pizza.
Moon River Pizza: $ Nice atmosphere, not a chain, lots of pizza choices and hefty entrees.
1176 Edgewood Ave S, (904) 389-4442
The Red Elephant Pizza and Grill: Kid pizza joint with arcade games and actually some good pies and lots of other choices.
10131-12 San Jose Boulevard, (904) 683-3773
Italian:
Sorrento Italian Restaurant: $$ Nice family run place with a nice dining setting and real good food.
6943 Saint Augustine Rd, (904) 636-9196
Maggiano’s Little Italy: $$ It’s a chain, but what are you going to do? The food is real good and it’s a nice place. Your call, but I’d go for it if I was up for Italian.
St. John’s Town Center, 10367 Midtown Pkwy, (904) 380-4360
Barbecue:
Sticky Fingers Rib House: $$ Real nice rib house with lots of good sauces and spices. Great service.
13150 City Station Dr, (904) 309-7427
Hickory House BBQ: CHECK IF IT’S OPEN and if it is, go get some real good BBQ.
8083 Baymar Street., (904) 786-4616
General Goodness:
BB’s – Bistro Biscottis: $$ Really nice atmosphere with a WIDE variety of very good entrees. Calamari to steak to amazing desserts, this is a great dinner spot.
1019 Hendricks Avenue, (904) 306-0100
The French Pantry: $$ All sorts of wonderful baked good and very good lunches.
6301 Powers Ave, (904) 730-8696
European Street Cafe: Great sandwiches and lunches and they may just have more beers on the menu than food items, maybe. It’s a real nice place and the food and beer are both good.
1704 San Marco Blvd, (904) 398-9500
Markets:
Jacksonville Farmers Market: This is a flat out real farmers market with a few dozen vendors. Open all day every day.
1810 W Beaver St, (904) 354-2821
Watercolor by Peter Bailey