must-visit restaurants or pubs? (Jacksonville: wood floors, rental car, rental)

[jeanniepep]

My husband and I will be visiting Jax during the first week in May. I'm not exactly sure which hotel yet...this is for work and last time they put him up right next to the St. Johns Town Center (I think that's what it's called). I suspect we'll be in that general area again, it's not too far from his office. We will have a rental car though, so we can go anywhere. I want to explore the beaches and the San Marco area too, at a minimum!

Any suggestions of where we absolutely MUST eat, drink, and be merry while we're there? We're pretty laid-back and love a good "locals" beer-and-burger joint, but we wouldn't rule out something fancy if it's worth the bucks. A fun hangout on (or near) the beach would ROCK too! Thanks in advance!

[Ryde41]

You are staying in an area where most of the good restaurants are. Reservations are needed on weekend nights or expect a long wait. I can't speak for the beaches. If you log onto OpenTable.com and put in your zip code where you will be staying, 32256, it will tell you all the restaurants in the area including people's favorites. Jax. should have a famous restaurant on the ocean, but I can't think of one that's a must see. My personal out-of-town guests like to see Clark's Fish Camp. Some of the locals see it as mediocre but out of town people seem to love it because its rustic, on the water (Julington Creek?) and it has animals mounted everywhere, a bar, casual wood floors and tables. It's kinda fun. That's in the Mandarin area (which is south of where you are staying- about 15 -20 minutes). The best burgers are probably Town Center Ted's Montana Grill. ? Theres also the Jacksonville Ale House near Tinsel Town, sports bar and good food. And there's a Chicago Pizza with big screen T.V's located off Philips Highway and Baymeadows Road. It can get rowdy and fun. This question came up before and it didn't uncover any "must sees". If you'd like a little French Bistro for lunch, J'J's on Gate Parkway is nice. Its a good question--where do the locals hang out for beer and burgers?? I've driven by several nice places at the beach at night but never been to them. When you drive straight down Beach Boulevard until you see the ocean turn left, there are some beach joints down there that look good for beer and burgers. Hope that helps.

[jeanniepep]

Thank you for the help! I will make a list for the trip! I'm glad you mentioned the animals on the wall at Clark's, that really creeps me out (being in Michigan, it's hard to avoid having dead deer stare at you while you eat). Burgers at Town Center Ted's sound good, and Chicago Pizza sounds great! My husband went to the Jax Ale House during his last trip and I actually went during a visit some 4 yrs ago - they were the only nearby place that had NFL Sunday Ticket, and I recall some decent bar food, appetizers and such.

There are a few days before training that we don't HAVE to be near Baymeadows, so I'm looking at getting a hotel room on the beach for a few days. We'll see how that works out with what they want him to do for work, but I think that would be a good way to walk around and soak up some local suds with a stellar view!

[JagFan27]

If you want Mexican, you can try La Nopalera. It is just a few doors down from Chicago Pizza on the corner of Phillips Hwy and Baymeadows.
La Nopalera
They do have other locations throughout the city.

Another Mexican restaurant that is usually busy is Don Juan's on San Jose, south of I-295.
Don Juan

[JagFan27]

Heck, now I'm hungry for some tacos.

[jewelcor]

I'll have to let you in on a local secret in mandarin area. One word...PICASSO's. The best little joint in town! They serve anything from pizza to eggplant parm...you can even talk to the owner (who is there everyday) and he will make you something special. They serve fine wine and beer. It's a small place just off San Jose Blvd near I-295 in the Whole Foods shopping center (mandarin emporium I think is the name). My suggestions? Start with a spinach salad, maybe some cheesy bread - ohh... wings are another fine choice. Then you can have a kitchen sink pizza or fresh muscles on a bed of pasta. But you must try the dessert!

that's it.... I'm off to PICASSO's.

Picasso's Pizzaria
10601 San Jose Blvd # 207
Jacksonville, FL 32257
(904) 880-0811

some reviews...
Picasso's Pizzeria User Reviews - Jacksonville, FL 32257 - Citysearch

Enjoy....let me know what you think!

[jeanniepep]

That sounds GREAT! Thanks so much!

[fsu813]

Those are all chains.

Biscottis, The Brick, Mossfire Grill, & Al's Pizza are in the Riverside/Avondale area just outside of Downtown. 32204/05 area codes.

[TREE4309]

mmm...Mossfire Grill and Biscottis, both excellent choices. Don't forget Orsay!

FYI...Al's is a chain, too. =)

[JagFan27]

Originally Posted by TREE4309

mmm...Mossfire Grill and Biscottis, both excellent choices. Don't forget Orsay!

FYI...Al's is a chain, too. =)

What is Orsay?