Jax food scene? More like St. Augustine food scene! (Jacksonville: restaurants, places to eat)

[912904]

While Jacksonville has come a very, very long way in upping its culinary game, it seems to lag behind St. Augustine. Why? Because it's a more touristy town? Because it's smaller and the local community seems more interested and/or vested in local joints? Is the vibe there more conducive to people wanting to open restaurants?

So far I have found the pizza (Italian in general), burgers, seafood and even BBQ superior in St. John's Co. to anything I have had in Jax. I mean, I even travel to St. Simon's Island for a superior steak over anything in Jax. What gives?

[JBtwinz]

Originally Posted by 912904

While Jacksonville has come a very, very long way in upping its culinary game, it seems to lag behind St. Augustine. Why? Because it's a more touristy town? Because it's smaller and the local community seems more interested and/or vested in local joints? Is the vibe there more conducive to people wanting to open restaurants?

So far I have found the pizza (Italian in general), burgers, seafood and even BBQ superior in St. John's Co. to anything I have had in Jax. I mean, I even travel to St. Simon's Island for a superior steak over anything in Jax. What gives?

You have a very concentrated area in Saint Augustine that is heavily visited by tourists and that area has a wide selection for tourists as far as places to eat.

Jacksonville in comparison is wicked spread out being one of th largest cities in the US land wise but not population wise.

Now we have found some really great restaurants in Jacksonville but you are not going to find them in a shared area. They are all over the place and there are a lot of of them but you are going to have to travel to get to them.

Out urban core is a perfect example. We just don’t have a restaurant district. The closest thing to a central district like that is the Saint Johns Town Center but you are mostly going to find chain restaurants.

We have been here 33 years and we keep hoping we will see the birth of a vibrant downtown with a bar and restaurant district. We have a beautiful waterfront but downtown is like a ghost town.

[912904]

Originally Posted by JBtwinz

We just don’t have a restaurant district.

One could say the Riverside-Five Points-Avondale-Murray Hill districts act as such.

[wizrap]

I don’t normally order chicken at restaurants but when I was at The Ice Plant a few years ago, they had run out of their steak special so I ordered the chicken.

One of the best chicken dinners I’ve ever had.

[Gromicide]

I grew up in St Aug in the 90's. It has exploded in the dining scene since then. Back in the day, Saltwater Cowboys, Creekside, Gypsy Cab, Colombia etc were all the rage for dining choices. Colombia might still be there on the short list but so much has changed.

[JBtwinz]

Originally Posted by Gromicide

I grew up in St Aug in the 90's. It has exploded in the dining scene since then. Back in the day, Saltwater Cowboys, Creekside, Gypsy Cab, Colombia etc were all the rage for dining choices. Colombia might still be there on the short list but so much has changed.

Definitely agree with your comments and to add I had a good buddy that moved to Saint Augustine in the early 80’s. It was so dead back then, I can remember easily finding parking spots when we went downtown to Scarlett O Harahs. I also remember he proposed at the Gypsy Cab Co to his then girlfriend.

I am glad I got to experience the small coastal town it was back in the 80’s.