Jacksonville Restaurants: Hole in the Wall, Part 11


5 more "hole in the wall" restaurants to experience.

Published October 26, 2015 in Hole in the Wall - MetroJacksonville.com




El Palermo Restaurant








After spending several hours at The Urban Bean nervously working (I left my charger at home and my battery is jittery...), I was ready to eat. I was too far from home and Orange Park restaurants are usually surprisingly good. My odds of eating well by randomly walking into an OP restaurant are higher than they are in Jacksonville.  

I've heard a lot about three latin restaurants that "You need to try!" El Palermo is one of them and the other two I won't disclose until a later release.  

El Palermo is a small family owned Puerto Rican restaurant that has passed the authenticity and quality test according to the native Puerto Ricans I've talked to. Of course, the next thing I hear from my Puerto Rican fellows "I'll just go to my mom's house when I want good Puerto Rican food". I've heard that statement a surprising amount of times in cities throughout the southeast. For the rest of us, who don't have a Puerto Rican mother (or, apparently, even better, a Puerto Rican grandmother) for home cooked, authentic PR cuisine El Palermo is where you can go.

But don't go if you are not going to order something with the slow cooked pork. And, they make a badass cuban sandwich (certainly better than one supposedly cuban restaurant a few streets away). The rice was probably my favorite part of the meal. As you can see they are quite generous with their portions...of rice. I could have used more pork.  

Buen Provecho!

2177 Kingsley Ave
Orange Park, FL 32073

Phone number (904) 276-7701

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Q Cup Boba




Image from Virginia M.


Image from Tony N.




There are a number of things I'm happy about regarding Jacksonville's restaurant scene and Vietnam is one of them. It seems like a new Vietnamese restaurant opens every month and each is as good as the last. I want to have a favorite but that's not possible. Each has a distinct quality. I've yet to be really disappointed by any of them.

If you are familiar with and a fan of vietnamese food you will like Q Cup Boba. Every element is fresh and the flavors are spot on.

That's all I got.

11380 Beach Blvd
Ste 20
Jacksonville, FL 32246
Phone number (904) 329-2623

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Fuji Sushi - San Marco







I'm excited about this place.

Finding great sushi in Jacksonville is an unreasonable pursuit; mediocre, high-priced pieces are the status quo.

This is why I am a fan of Fuji Sushi.

The sushi is slightly better than mediocre and you're paying the right price for the "hey, not bad" level of quality. That is such a rarity these days, for just about anything, really.

It's an all you can eat menu, which includes more than sushi, and all items are made to order. The fish is fresh, and cut large. You're not going to get filled up on rice alone. This AYCE menu is not tactical.

There are times when we need 5 to 7 tuna rolls but don't want to spend $57.00 for what amounts to two ounces of fish. During those times we can venture to Fuji and pay $10 to $12 for a relatively awesome lunch.

1950 San Marco Blvd
Jacksonville, FL 32207
Phone number (904) 438-8646

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Olio




Image from Katrice S.


Image from Sara





Olio is widely known amongst Jaxsons living or working in the urban core. It's one of the few spots that serve consistently amazing food for a more than reasonable price.

The french influenced fare is high-craft and unforgettable. Opportunity cost, it's real. The only regret you'll have is not ordering the other five items you were considering.

They're open for breakfast and lunch on weekdays. On Friday's (and during Art Walk) they are open in the evening.

Check out their incredible food on Instagram.

301 E Bay St
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Phone number (904) 356-7100

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Knead









There's only one way to describe one the best eggs benedict I've ever had, refreshing. I know, right! Afterwards, I felt light. As though I had just taken a dip in a perfectly tempered ocean. Knead's food takes you places.

The flawless poached eggs are served on a homemade french baguette, with a thick slice of chilled tomato and ham. It's then covered in a foaming hollandaise sauce. The accompanying pear salad is the best way to clear the palette... each bite of the benecdict was like a new one.

Knead is a bakery. They have an assortment of freshly made breads, pastries, sweets and desserts.

Part of the Bold Bean family, there is an adjoining Bold Bean cafe.

Perfect atmosphere. Great service. Fantastic food.

1173 Edgewood Ave S
Jacksonville, FL 32205
Phone number (904) 634-761

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Written by Arash Kamiar
Arash@MetroJacksonville.com
@ArashWaiting


This article can be found at: http://dev.metrojacksonville.com/article/2015-oct-jacksonville-restaurants-hole-in-the-wall-part-11


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