Guide to Jacksonville, FL

#76
#76
Check the JTA website for information on bowl shuttles. Buses run from remote lot to downtown for about five dollars per person.
 
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#77
#77
Forgot to mention this gem, if sketchy restaurants partially owned by former players is your thing, check out Big Johns Crumpys off of Southside blvd. A John Henderson establishment. Never been, never will go but let me know if any of yall do.
 
#80
#80
Just to add a few places that I really liked when I lived in Jax:

Players Grille in San Marco/Mandarin is a good little sports bar in a good part of town.
Philly's Finest in Jax Beach has the best cheesesteak outside of Philly. Jeff, the owner, is kinda cocky but a really good guy. They have an ice bar, which is really neat if you've never seen one.
Lynch's Irish Pub in Jax Beach is a great little place. It's like a lower end Jig and Reel and has a HUGE draft selection
Sake House in either five points or on the South Bank (near Chart House and Mortons) is fantastic sushi.
European Street Cafe (several locations in Jax) is one of the best lunch spots in the city. Also a great place to get those obscure, hard to find beers and wines.
Bistro Aix in San Marco is a bit pricey, but if you're in the mood for fine dining, this blows most of the other places in the area out of the water, except maybe Capital Grille.
The Casbah Cafe in Avalon is a neat environment and if you smoke hookah, is definitely worth the visit. This place can get packed on Friday/Saturday nights.
The Loop (sevveral locations) has great pizza and burgurs
Stonewood Tavern at Baymeadows and San Jose is a great restaurant with a fine dining feel but not the price.
La Napolera - San Marco/Mandarin This is great mexican and good prices on things like Margarita pitchers. Definitely check it out.

That's what I've got for night life, here's the golf:

TPC Sawgrass - pricey, but well worth it. Green's Fees run about $300 I think at this time of year. They do have some military discounts and I recently found out that Wounded Warrior Project Alumni can call ahead and play for free. Ponte Vedra

Palencia - also pricey, but a beautiful course. St Augustine

The King and Bear/Slammer and Squire - These are the World Golf Hall of Fame courses and both are really gems. I really like King and Bear. St. Augustine

Hyde Park - on the cheaper side of Jax golf, and the grounds aren't perfect, but this is a hidden Gem on the West Side. Designed by Donald Ross, it's a lot harder than it looks. Green's Fees run in the 25-50 dollar range. 103rd St in Jax


I will say, I left Jax in 2009 for Knoxville, but my mother does still live there, so some of these places may either be closed or way different than I remember them (also the reason I excluded some places like Starlight, Fuel Coffee House, and Yesterday's, because they've changed).

San Marco is a great place to walk around and shop, as there are a lot of little boutique places that are great. For bigger, national stores, head to St. Johns Town Center. Avoid Orange Park Mall; The crowds are out of hand and the traffic on Blanding just isn't worth it.
 
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#81
#81
I became a fan of MojoBlues BBQ last time I was in Jax. I thought the 'jerk' BBQ sauce was outstanding.
 
#82
#82
I became a fan of MojoBlues BBQ last time I was in Jax. I thought the 'jerk' BBQ sauce was outstanding.

I'll get flamed for this one, but it's purely an opinion. My favorite bbq in Jax is hands down Bono's. It's a chain, but their spicy sauce is delicious and the corn nuggets are amazing.
 
#84
#84
One of my favorite places to eat in JAX. Jeff and his family are from Bensalem, right outside Philly.

Yeah, I used to be a really big regular there. In fact, me and my buddy were such good regulars that when we went to Tampa for game 1 of the World Series in 2008, Jeff got mad at us for not watching the game in the bar. Great Place.
 
#85
#85
Just to add a few places that I really liked when I lived in Jax:

Players Grille in San Marco/Mandarin is a good little sports bar in a good part of town.
Philly's Finest in Jax Beach has the best cheesesteak outside of Philly. Jeff, the owner, is kinda cocky but a really good guy. They have an ice bar, which is really neat if you've never seen one.
Lynch's Irish Pub in Jax Beach is a great little place. It's like a lower end Jig and Reel and has a HUGE draft selection
Sake House in either five points or on the South Bank (near Chart House and Mortons) is fantastic sushi.
European Street Cafe (several locations in Jax) is one of the best lunch spots in the city. Also a great place to get those obscure, hard to find beers and wines.
Bistro Aix in San Marco is a bit pricey, but if you're in the mood for fine dining, this blows most of the other places in the area out of the water, except maybe Capital Grille.
The Casbah Cafe in Avalon is a neat environment and if you smoke hookah, is definitely worth the visit. This place can get packed on Friday/Saturday nights.
The Loop (sevveral locations) has great pizza and burgurs
Stonewood Tavern at Baymeadows and San Jose is a great restaurant with a fine dining feel but not the price.
La Napolera - San Marco/Mandarin This is great mexican and good prices on things like Margarita pitchers. Definitely check it out.

That's what I've got for night life, here's the golf:

TPC Sawgrass - pricey, but well worth it. Green's Fees run about $300 I think at this time of year. They do have some military discounts and I recently found out that Wounded Warrior Project Alumni can call ahead and play for free. Ponte Vedra

Palencia - also pricey, but a beautiful course. St Augustine

The King and Bear/Slammer and Squire - These are the World Golf Hall of Fame courses and both are really gems. I really like King and Bear. St. Augustine

Hyde Park - on the cheaper side of Jax golf, and the grounds aren't perfect, but this is a hidden Gem on the West Side. Designed by Donald Ross, it's a lot harder than it looks. Green's Fees run in the 25-50 dollar range. 103rd St in Jax


I will say, I left Jax in 2009 for Knoxville, but my mother does still live there, so some of these places may either be closed or way different than I remember them (also the reason I excluded some places like Starlight, Fuel Coffee House, and Yesterday's, because they've changed).

San Marco is a great place to walk around and shop, as there are a lot of little boutique places that are great. For bigger, national stores, head to St. Johns Town Center. Avoid Orange Park Mall; The crowds are out of hand and the traffic on Blanding just isn't worth it.

I really liked the Loop the one time I visited. They had a bbq chicken pizza that was really good.
 
#86
#86
I'll get flamed for this one, but it's purely an opinion. My favorite bbq in Jax is hands down Bono's. It's a chain, but their spicy sauce is delicious and the corn nuggets are amazing.

New place opened up called 4 Rivers off of Baymeadows east of i95 about a year ago. Great pulled pork samich
 
#89
#89
There is a Wasabi at the St. John's Towncenter.. Owned by the same people from Knoxville.. Standard japanese steakhouse. My 2 cents on lodging stay away from Phillips Hwy and Emerson near downtown.. Unless you are looking to rent by the hour.
 
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#90
#90
I heard on the radio today that some exposition center downtown is offering free parking and shuttles to and from the game. Here's a phone number for the parking, 904-798-1700.


I found this link to the coaches luncheon on Dec 31 if anyone wants to attend. http://jaxevents.com/event/taxslayer-bowl-coaches-luncheon-presented-csx/
 
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#91
#91
Would staying at the sleep inn on Ramona Blvd put me in the ghetto or anything like that? We based that choice simply off of being close to the stadium.
 
#93
#93
Would staying at the sleep inn on Ramona Blvd put me in the ghetto or anything like that? We based that choice simply off of being close to the stadium.

If im thinking of the correct Ramona, youre on the west side. Id look at the OP and plan around those places to be honest.
 
#97
#97
Would staying at the sleep inn on Ramona Blvd put me in the ghetto or anything like that? We based that choice simply off of being close to the stadium.

Thats in the hood. The good news is there's a lot of good soul food and BBQ joints out that way.

You want to be on the Southside.
 
#98
#98
Thanks for putting this thread together. Can't get everything off Tripadvisor.

Glad you mentioned One Ocean. We have reservations, but I was wondering if somebody knew something about it that I didn't, because no-one was mentioning staying there.
 
#99
#99
Ill be at a friends in St Johns. Good little bar/restaurant called Taps there. Hopefully gettin a lil disc golf in while im there.
 
Anyone know anything about the airport area in North jacksonville? Looks to be a decent area by the river city marketplace with alot of dining available.
 
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