Jacksonville Restaurants: Hole in the Wall, Part 9
Five more "hole in the wall" Jacksonville restaurants to try.
Published February 3, 2015 in Hole in the Wall - MetroJacksonville.com
Images from Sweet Theory Baking Co
Sweet Theory Baking Co
The best donuts in the city of Jacksonville.
The donuts from Sweet Theory aren't the type of donuts that you buy by the dozen just to throw in the break room, where the pot of shitty coffee and the plastic container of dehydrated cream stuff loiter. Those donuts are reserved for corporate dystopias, depressive eating habits and wal-mart style fluorescent lighting. All of which I fully understand (and sometimes appreciate).
Sweet Theory's donuts are gourmet. Plate this donut with a sprig of parsley. Set the proper silverware. Hire a violinist. Unfold your table napkin. Then, enjoy.
It's not just their donuts, though, most of their desserts are stellar. Go to their facebook page and check out the food pics.
Everything prepared at Sweet Theory is dairy, egg, soy and peanut free.
They have a large selection of gluten free desserts to try.
The interior is hipster modern. You'll like it.
1243 King St
Jacksonville, FL 32204
Phone number (904) 387-1001
Yelp Profile
Urban Spoon Profile
Images from Green Erth Bistro
Green Erth Bistro
Sometime in November 2014 Anthony Bourdain visited Iran (of which I descend) for his television series Parts Unknown.
Bourdain featured the incredible food of Iran, discussed a bit of the political situation and touched on the tortured relations between the US and Iran. It was an overall good show and it was a bit of a relief to see Iranians shown in a light that is not so "axis-of-evil" like. Plus and suddenly, Iranian food was something a lot people wanted to try. They should, it's awesome and I tend to think it befits the typical American palette. I've yet to have a friend not like a good home cooked Iranian meal.
Green Erth Bistro is one of the two places in Jacksonville that serves traditional Iranian food.
They also serve an assortment of other "Mediterranean" foods like falafels, hummus and tabouleh, which are not traditional Iranian fare. I didn't know about hummus and falafels until I was in college.
The kababs are an easy place to start. Try the Jujeh Kabab, chicken pieces marinated with minced onions, lemon juice and saffron. Or, try theChelow Kabab Koobideh, seasoned ground beef and onions.
The kababs are typically served with a plate of steaming white basmati rice, fresh herbs and grilled tomatoes.
If you want to take a plunge, you'll go with a Khoresh, which is an Iranian stew served over rice.
There are dozens of khoreshes and Green Erth serves three of the most popular ones, Gormeh Sabzi (beef, sauteed greens, kidney beans, dried persian lime), Khoresht Bademjan (beef, eggplant, tomatos, split peas, onions) and one my personal favorites Fesinjan (pomegranate sauce, chicken and ground walnuts).
Prices are higher than most of the "hole in the wall" restaurants in this series but it's worth it. The quality of the ingrediants, combined with the right-on food prep makes this place worthy.
As an FYI, the owner's uncle is the chef and he is lovingly referred to as "Amo" by everyone, which is the Iranian word for uncle.
1520 Hendricks Ave
Jacksonville, FL 32207
(904) 398-9156
Yelp Profile
Urban Spoon Profile
Images from Arash Kamiar
Donuts, ETC
The classic American, no-frill donut. All of which are prepped on site. The dough rises in the same location that it is fried.
Their drive through opens at 3am. The lobby opens at 6am and they close at 1pm. If you get there at 10am like I did, you're late. I wish I would have been able to taste the donuts when they were at their freshest, like my experience at the Donut Shoppe.
I don't have much to say. They're donuts. I wanted them to be more special but I may just not have been in the mood when I had them. I think they are better than anything you can get from Krispy Kreme and most of the grocery stores in town.
I did appreciate the donut fillings. The strawberry was filled with a jam, not a jelly. The bavarian cream was a lot of fun too.
5804 N Main St
Jacksonville, FL 32208
Northside
(904) 765-8772
Yelp Profile
Urban Spoon Profile
Image from Hung Thinh
Image from Hung Thinh
Image from Arash Kamiar
Image from Hung Thinh
Image from Hung Thinh
Image from Tung D
Image from Arash Kamiar
Hung Thinh Supermarket
Self-proclaimed as "Jacksonville Largest Oriental Supermarket" and I can't think of another store that is nearly as large in size. For perspective, World Food Mart is probably the 2nd largest in Jacksonville.
Everything you need is here, including a small fresh meat section, mostly pork cuts, and some fresh seafood.
Fresh vegetables and about every kind of bottled sauce imagined is on the shelves.
The deli is an unassuming space in the front corner of the store. It practically looks like an abandoned space except that there is one duck and pork roast hanging in the display.
Also on the menu, crawfish, sandwiches and desserts.
I had to try the duck as I haven't had much duck in my life. Which means, I really don't have an adequate frame of reference.
It was good, I think. Palatable, that's where I am with it.
The BBQ Pork Belly is sweet and, of course, fatty. We ended up using it for a soup.
Tip: They chop! If you want your duck whole or your pork in larger pieces, let them know or it will be served as small pieces packed into a styrofoam container.
5801 Normandy Blvd
Jacksonville, FL 32205
(904) 783-2218
Yelp Profile
Image from Arash Kamiar
Image from Arash Kamiar
Image from Arash Kamiar
Image from Arash Kamiar
Image from Southern Roots
Image from Southern Roots
Southern Roots Filling Station
About one one block away from Sweet Theory is the newly opened Southern Roots. This space is a fun mash-up of cafe, grocery and bulk foods (around three dozen items). They serve excellent coffee, hearty desserts, sandwiches, salads and the such.
I've yet to try their savory items but they get fairly packed during lunch. I'm thinking that's a good sign.
I believe everything they prepare is vegan, or, at least, vegetarian.
It's a good spot and worth a visit.
1275 King St
Jacksonville, FL 32204
(904) 513-4726
Yelp Profile
More Hole In The Wall Jacksonville Restaurants Here
Article by Arash Kamiar
Arash@MetroJacksonville.com
@ArashWaiting
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