Jacksonville Restaurants: Hole in the Wall, Part 8


Six more Jacksonville restaurants to check out.

Published November 24, 2014 in Hole in the Wall - MetroJacksonville.com




Cover image by Anish T.











Si Senior Fresh

I've pretty much given up on getting a steak or chicken taco in Jacksonville that is not dried out. Si Senior Fresh is not an exception to that rule. The chicken and steak were dryer than I like but the carnitas tacos were awesome (and I am not much of a pork person). It was flavorful, with the right amount of fat, which mingled well with the lime and spices from the salsa.

The beans and rice did not feel like an after thought. The beans were probably cooked with a chicken broth to accentuate the flavors.


3546 St Johns Bluff Rd
Jacksonville, FL 32246
(904) 564-2444

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Chanh mui


Yummy Pho

Yummy Pho is keeping flavors and quality high in the Vietnamese restaurant world, assuaging my fears that Vietnamese food is a few steps away from Chinese food-ification.

These guys are on par (maybe better) than Little Saigon and cost less than Bowl of Pho. The server did not make me feel like I was getting one over on them when I asked for more bean sprouts, unlike my experience at Saigon Time, when I requested an extra togo container.

Yummy Pho has the classic pho but they also have at least two other types of broths, each with a different and distinct flavor profile.

The Cha Gio Tom (fried shrimp) was awesome, as was their egg roll, kinda. They served the egg roll cold because their was a kid at the table, "Okay...can we get these hot?" They were quickly refried and brought back to the table. Still tasty but a "thing that makes you go, hmmm."

The pho was sweeter than most pho's I have tasted and had nice layers of flavor.

5835 Normandy Blvd
Jacksonville, FL 32205
(904) 781-8009

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Holly's Bar-B-Q

Was this the best Bar-B-Q I have had? No. Was it better than most places in Jacksonville (especially the chain spots)? Absolutely. The ribs were incredibly meaty and they were tender. You will get your fill but you won't experience the drop off the bone "oh my, my, my..." experience that I think is impossible to find in Jacksonville. Finding amazing ribs in our city is like finding a unicorn house maid.

The chicken, was good, but if I'm in the mood for smokey BBQ chicken I'm going to go to Island Tropics for their Jerk Chicken.

Holley's fried wings were lightly battered with, I think, more of a fish batter. I'm used to those flavors when I'm having fried shrimp or catfish. It was hard for me to separate the batter from seafood mentally to see how I felt about it on the wings.

The fries, don't order them. I don't think their fryer is getting the oil hot enough. The fries tasted freshly fried but the texture was off and they weren't crisp.
 
Go here for the ribs.


3604 Moncrief Rd
Jacksonville, FL 32209
(904) 768-5698

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Broken Spoke

When I happen upon places (or people) that embody a caricature or an exaggeration of themselves it's hard for me to make any sort of proper evaluation. I become so enamored (and impressed) with the dedication to whatever archetypical thing that is being portrayed.

Broken Spoke is a total and complete dive bar.

This is the type of place where the most sophisticated beer on the menu is a corona light.

It is the type of place where Bud Light posters cover the ceiling and every other possible part of the bar.

It is the type of place where wearing backless pants and a faux tail are kinda cool.



Still, I'm inclined to like most elements of their bar and food. The wings were classic, late-1990s style, crispy and appropriately sized (as opposed to something that is the size of a small kids arm). I liked their wings more than most wing spots in Jax. 50 cent wings on Wednesday nights, FYI.

The burger, well, it wasn't a fresh made patty. It was on par with a bubba burger (but larger). For the price, I felt like I was eating well. It falls into the category of "what fast food should be".

I had a great experience, played some pool while I was there and connected with a couple of their other customers. The bar tender was kind and concerned about my experience. She wanted us to enjoy the food and space.

1529 University Blvd N
Jacksonville, FL 32211


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Wally's Gyros and Subs


If I had a star system in place, Wally's would get a three out of five. Their cold foods are refreshing, bright, clean feeling. The tabouleh, hummus and yogurt dressin were all so very good.

The meats and falafels, not so much. The flavors were there but everything that needed heating was thrown into the microwave. At least, that's what it tasted like. I think I would have enjoyed all of their hot items if they were heated properly.

I've been there twice. The first time I ordered the gyro platter, and I enjoyed it. The gyro meat is not made in house but it is still good and cut from a spit (then heated in a pan, so it is dryer than it should be). The falafels were fairly dense because of the microwaving. The kibbie was almost good but, again, the microwave.

I went back a second time to try their kabobs, chicken and beef. Both proteins were nuked to oblivion and dry but the tabouleh and hummus were right on.

Until they throw away their microwave go here for cold dishes or even the gyro platter/wrap.

1541 Cesery Blvd
Jacksonville, FL 32211
(904) 744-1401
www.wallysgyro.com

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Goal Post Sandwich Shop

I guess it's a thing. Whiteways Deli, Wally's Gyros and Subs and Goal Post all microwave their falafels. That's like microwaving french fries and it's totally unacceptable.

Goal Post Sandwich Shop is your typical Jacksonville Middle Eastern-ish deli. Pita based sandwiches that come with perfect french fries awesome tabouleh and/or freshly made hummus.

Goal Post has a legendary status in the avondale community. They've been open since 1979 and generations of families are repeat customers.

This is where you go when you want a quick, fresher sandwich to eat. Just stay away from the falafel pita until they throw away their microwave.

3984 Herschel St
Jacksonville, FL 32205
(904) 384-92627

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Article by Arash Kamiar
Arash@MetroJacksonville.com
@ArashWaiting


See 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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