The Great Burgers of Jacksonville
A few months ago, we ran a story featuring a few new burger chains expanding in Jacksonville. Today, we share a few local spots known for having great burgers.
1. The Loop Pizza Grill
Courtesy of The Loop Pizza Grill
“The Loop” began as a small business called “Applejacks” in Jacksonville in 1973. This joint was known for not only its good food, but its good live music, too. By 1980, owners Mike and Terry Schnieder decided to open a second location.
Unfortunately, debt would outweigh success, and the second Applejacks would close down shortly after opening. Refusing to file for bankruptcy, though, the owners thought up a new restaurant. A year later, The Loop would open up its first location. By 1990, The Loop would be found in four more locations. Today, The Loop franchise consisted of over 13 locations.
The Loop was a mix of upscale and casual, serving quality food in a quick fashion. Pizza Grill hardly makes you think “Hey, I think I will get a hamburger,” but you would be surprised. Their burger selection includes a standard hamburger, the “BBQ Bacon Cheddar,” and the “Cajun & Jack.”
The Loop is located at the Town Center, in San Jose, off Southside, and in San Marco.
2. Cruiser's
Courtesy of Cruiser's
The first “Cruiser’s” started up in Jacksonville Beach in 1996. It was an instant, local hit, which helped the restaurant thrive for over 10 years, before being taken over by current owner Bobby Handmaker in 2007. Since then, Cruiser’s has expanded to 3 locations. In 2010, Handmaker decided he needed some help, so he assembled a small team of senior managers to help run the business.
Cruiser’s is known for their “freshness.” That is, almost everything used at each location is made right there on the premise. Additionally, they have no heat lamps at their facilities. Other notable things about Cruiser’s are their super family-friendly environment, and their fast service.
Their menu features burgers such as the “Cruiser Burger,” which is a half-pound patty with all the fixins’; the “Black Bean Burger” with Pico de Gallo; and a “Turkey Burger,” cooked just the way you like it.
Cruiser’s is located in Jax beach, St. Augustine, and Mandarin.
3. Poe's
Courtesy of Lumina News
“Poe’s Tavern” began in Charleston in 2003; named in honor of the famous author and poet Edgar Allan Poe. About five years later, the business expanded to Atlantic Beach, where it has been wildly successful since then. The restaurant itself is covered in art that pays homage to Poe, from paintings and epigraphs, to actual pages from his works being used as wallpaper. The menu also pays its respects to Poe, with each item named after a particular story or poem written by the author.
Poe’s is a gastropub known for their large beer selection and their fresh, in-house ground meat. Poe’s offer an array of gourmet burgers, which you can get with beef, chicken, or made as a veggie, that include the “Annabel Lee,” which comes with a crab cake on top and veggie remoulade; “ The Sleeper,” which has roasted garlic blue cheese and buffalo shrimp; or the “Amontillado,” which has guacamole, jalapenos, and sour cream.
Poe’s is located in Atlantic Beach.
4. Pine Grove Market and Deli
Courtesy of Cari Sanchez-Potter
“Pine Grove” was original built in the 1920s, and functioned as a grocery store and butcher shop. In 1968, the current owner, Sal Bajalia’s, father bought the store and several years later, his brother Nader, would add a deli.
It has been a family business for 40 years, and if there’s one legacy left behind, it is the meat. Pine Grove serves high-yield, prime and choice cuts of meat. They also dry age their beef for up to 28 days.
Pine Grove’s burgers are made with ½ poind of this meat. You can get a steak burger cooked the way you like with all the fixins’ on top, or you can get the famous “Sal’s Patty Melt” with grilled onions and Havarti Jack cheese.
Pine Grove is located in Riverside/Avondale.
5.Chomp Chomp
Courtesy of Mandi at Yelp.com
“Chomp Chomp” is a local restaurant owned by Ian Chase, Mark Lynn, and John Touchton-- the same guys who own the “Fox” in Avondale. Chomp Chomp is situated in historic downtown and is open until 2 AM. They are known for their unique, “street” inspired, and fresh food, as well as the fact that they use local products.
Almost everything at Chomp Chomp’s is house-made. They have s smaller menu and daily specials that they rotate out. They have a good selection of food, catering to vegetarians and vegans, too, and some unique burgers, including their “1-up,” which is a portabella mushroom burger.
Chomp Chomp is located downtown on East Adams St.
6. Colonel Mustards
Courtesy of Local Eats
Colonel Mustard’s is a family-owned, local favorite. They about 3 blocks from the beach and are known for serving up tasty food for a reasonable price. Colonel Mustard’s uses 100% fresh ground chuck, where they grill ½ pound burgers to order.
Their burger selections is extensive—from a regular ol’ burger to burgers such as the “Jaguar Special,” which has bacon, ham, fried onions, and 1000 Island dressing; the “Bahama,” with green peppers, onions, pineapple, and ham; the “Bull Dog,” which has teriyaki sauce, pineapple, and Swiss; and the “Brooker,” with cheesy mashed potatoes on top of a patty.
Colonel Mustard’s is located in Jacksonville Beach.
Article by Kristen Pickrell
Courtesy of The Loop Pizza Grill
“The Loop” began as a small business called “Applejacks” in Jacksonville in 1973. This joint was known for not only its good food, but its good live music, too. By 1980, owners Mike and Terry Schnieder decided to open a second location.
Unfortunately, debt would outweigh success, and the second Applejacks would close down shortly after opening. Refusing to file for bankruptcy, though, the owners thought up a new restaurant. A year later, The Loop would open up its first location. By 1990, The Loop would be found in four more locations. Today, The Loop franchise consisted of over 13 locations.
The Loop was a mix of upscale and casual, serving quality food in a quick fashion. Pizza Grill hardly makes you think “Hey, I think I will get a hamburger,” but you would be surprised. Their burger selection includes a standard hamburger, the “BBQ Bacon Cheddar,” and the “Cajun & Jack.”
The Loop is located at the Town Center, in San Jose, off Southside, and in San Marco.
2. Cruiser's
Courtesy of Cruiser's
The first “Cruiser’s” started up in Jacksonville Beach in 1996. It was an instant, local hit, which helped the restaurant thrive for over 10 years, before being taken over by current owner Bobby Handmaker in 2007. Since then, Cruiser’s has expanded to 3 locations. In 2010, Handmaker decided he needed some help, so he assembled a small team of senior managers to help run the business.
Cruiser’s is known for their “freshness.” That is, almost everything used at each location is made right there on the premise. Additionally, they have no heat lamps at their facilities. Other notable things about Cruiser’s are their super family-friendly environment, and their fast service.
Their menu features burgers such as the “Cruiser Burger,” which is a half-pound patty with all the fixins’; the “Black Bean Burger” with Pico de Gallo; and a “Turkey Burger,” cooked just the way you like it.
Cruiser’s is located in Jax beach, St. Augustine, and Mandarin.
3. Poe's
Courtesy of Lumina News
“Poe’s Tavern” began in Charleston in 2003; named in honor of the famous author and poet Edgar Allan Poe. About five years later, the business expanded to Atlantic Beach, where it has been wildly successful since then. The restaurant itself is covered in art that pays homage to Poe, from paintings and epigraphs, to actual pages from his works being used as wallpaper. The menu also pays its respects to Poe, with each item named after a particular story or poem written by the author.
Poe’s is a gastropub known for their large beer selection and their fresh, in-house ground meat. Poe’s offer an array of gourmet burgers, which you can get with beef, chicken, or made as a veggie, that include the “Annabel Lee,” which comes with a crab cake on top and veggie remoulade; “ The Sleeper,” which has roasted garlic blue cheese and buffalo shrimp; or the “Amontillado,” which has guacamole, jalapenos, and sour cream.
Poe’s is located in Atlantic Beach.
4. Pine Grove Market and Deli
Courtesy of Cari Sanchez-Potter
“Pine Grove” was original built in the 1920s, and functioned as a grocery store and butcher shop. In 1968, the current owner, Sal Bajalia’s, father bought the store and several years later, his brother Nader, would add a deli.
It has been a family business for 40 years, and if there’s one legacy left behind, it is the meat. Pine Grove serves high-yield, prime and choice cuts of meat. They also dry age their beef for up to 28 days.
Pine Grove’s burgers are made with ½ poind of this meat. You can get a steak burger cooked the way you like with all the fixins’ on top, or you can get the famous “Sal’s Patty Melt” with grilled onions and Havarti Jack cheese.
Pine Grove is located in Riverside/Avondale.
5.Chomp Chomp
Courtesy of Mandi at Yelp.com
“Chomp Chomp” is a local restaurant owned by Ian Chase, Mark Lynn, and John Touchton-- the same guys who own the “Fox” in Avondale. Chomp Chomp is situated in historic downtown and is open until 2 AM. They are known for their unique, “street” inspired, and fresh food, as well as the fact that they use local products.
Almost everything at Chomp Chomp’s is house-made. They have s smaller menu and daily specials that they rotate out. They have a good selection of food, catering to vegetarians and vegans, too, and some unique burgers, including their “1-up,” which is a portabella mushroom burger.
Chomp Chomp is located downtown on East Adams St.
6. Colonel Mustards
Courtesy of Local Eats
Colonel Mustard’s is a family-owned, local favorite. They about 3 blocks from the beach and are known for serving up tasty food for a reasonable price. Colonel Mustard’s uses 100% fresh ground chuck, where they grill ½ pound burgers to order.
Their burger selections is extensive—from a regular ol’ burger to burgers such as the “Jaguar Special,” which has bacon, ham, fried onions, and 1000 Island dressing; the “Bahama,” with green peppers, onions, pineapple, and ham; the “Bull Dog,” which has teriyaki sauce, pineapple, and Swiss; and the “Brooker,” with cheesy mashed potatoes on top of a patty.
Colonel Mustard’s is located in Jacksonville Beach.
Article by Kristen Pickrell