Jacksonville Hole in the Wall Restaurants, Part III
Three new "hole in the wall" restaurants you should try and a bit more about Chopstick Charley's in a video segment with Channel 4's Kent Justice.
Published October 1, 2013 in Hole in the Wall - MetroJacksonville.com
California Burrito. Much larger than appears.
Lupita's
If you've ever wondered what it looks like to see a newborn baby wrapped in a tortilla, Lupita's "No way, that is way too large" California Burrito might be the meal you should consider when you visit. Otherwise, you'll do just fine with the tacos (including their very popular fish taco), fajitas or anything else on their menu. Their house made salsa is refreshing, perfectly salted, and their queso is creamy with that right amount of spice.
The portions, obviously, are huge. The ingredients are incredibly fresh and everything is made in house.
The owners are a husband and wife team. They've been open several years and are located near the University Blvd and Arlington Expressway ramp (across the street from the, not so hole in the wall, Mcdonald's).
Oh, the wife recommends their seafood soup! A large portion of their menu is dedicated to seafood options.
Address:
1024 University Blvd N
Jacksonville, FL 32211
Arlington
(904) 762-9278
Hours:
Open for lunch and dinner.
Yelp Profile
Urban Spoon Profile
Bone Soup
Jiam Bong
Bulgoki
World Food Mart Food Corner
The pictures speak for themselves, don't they?
They are located in one of the larger Asian product retailers in Jacksonville. The Food Corner is nondescript and is approached with caution: "Do they still serve food? I'm not sure if I should go back here..."
Go. With. Confidence. Someone will be there to take your order. You just can't see them yet. Their food is delicious and fun. It's fresh, cooked on the spot, put together well and most of the items are served with their house made kimchi.
The food can be ordered at varying levels of spice. If you want it spicy let the cook know. You will get it spicy.
Address:
5161 Beach Blvd Ste 6
Jacksonville, FL 32207
(904) 398-5988
Yelp Profile
Hours:
Mon-Sat 10 am - 9 pm
Sun 3 pm - 8 pm
Turkish Coffee
Cheese Halwa
Chicken Sharma (right) and Beef & Lamb Shwarma. These are made in-house.
Shwarma Platter with lentils and tabouli
Karam's Mediterranean
Karam's is possibly the only place in Jacksonville where you can order a gyro that is made completely in house. Hundreds of thin slices of beef & lamb are stacked and slowly broiled. The chicken shwarma is cooked the same way. Typically, Jacksonville's middle eastern-ish restaurants purchase some thing like frozen meat from Krono's.
Everything is made from scratch at Karam's.
The falafel is light and airy, like a little cloud of chick peas and spice. The tabouli is crisp. The spinach pie (with house made dough) was delicious... though it needed more filling. The shwarma, good. I look forward to trying the chicken swarma as well as the kabobs next time.
Interesting observation...
It seems the people with the finest cars in Jacksonville are dining at Karam's. During my 30 minute visit I saw three different higher end vehicles pull-up. The drivers of which did not seem to know each other. As I walked in a BMW M6 Convertible (starts at $110k) was already parked.
Then, a Mercedes S-class (starts at $92k) picked up an order. As I was leaving, a Jaguar XJ (starts at $73k) turns into the parking lot.
I may have stared a little too long at the vehicles as I was leaving because, invariably, the owner of the beemer came out and asked, "Ah, you like? You want to buy?" So, I did what any man in my position would do. I laughed. Got in my very reliable Corolla and prayed, "Oh Lord, won't you buy me a..."
Karams was a tad bit too salty on my visit. Still, I will be going back... often.
Their prices are low enough that maybe I'll be able to make an offer on that shiny car in the parking lot one day.
Address:
4241 University Blvd S
Jacksonville, FL 32216
(904) 636-9595
Hours:
Open for lunch and dinner.
Yelp Profile
Urban Spoon Profile
Article by Arash Kamiar
Arash@MetroJacksonville.com
@ArashWaiting
More "Hole in the Wall" restaurant articles on the next page.
Related "Hole in the Wall" Articles:
Jacksonville's Hole in the Wall Restaurants, Part 1
Jacksonville's Hole in the Wall Restaurants, Part 2
Jacksonville's Hole in the Wall Restaurants, Part 3
Jacksonville's Hole in the Wall Restaurants, Part 4
Jacksonville's Hole in the Wall Restaurants, Part 5
Jacksonville's Hole in the Wall Restaurants, Part 6
Jacksonville's Hole in the Wall Restaurants, Part 7
Check out Stephen Dare's "A Chef's List for Dining In Jacksonville."
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