FOLIO
Words by Briana Pereira
Two Sisters and A Deviled Crab: Who are the Two Sisters?
Jo Johnson and Kiara Simons are sisters who grew up in Tampa, and like most Tampa natives, grew up eating deviled crabs. For those who might not be familiar, deviled crab is similar to a crab-based croquette. It’s a Cuban-influenced dish, typically made with seasoned crab meat that is mixed with various ingredients such as bread crumbs, spices, herbs and sometimes vegetables. The mixture is often stuffed either back into the crab shell or formed into patties, then baked or fried. It’s a flavorful dish with a bit of a kick, well known to the Tampa area and its people.
Johonson took the lead and moved to Jacksonville around 10 years ago, and Simons followed after graduating high school. When the COVID-19 pandemic was at its peak in 2020, the sisters began talks about starting a small business. At first they toyed with the idea of running Airbnb properties down in Orlando but soon realized weekly drives were not going to be doable. Around the same time, circumstances led them to make some trips back home to Tampa to visit their great aunt and mom, but the sisters always made sure to treat themselves with deviled crabs on every visit.
In February 2021 on a Sunday drive back to the 904 from Tampa, the two sisters realized the community of Jacksonville was missing out on the powerful and delicious flavors of deviled crabs. For months, Johnson and Simons, neither of whom had any prior culinary experience, worked to perfect their own deviled crab recipe; one that would make both their family and their hometown proud. A year later they held the grand opening of their food truck, Two Sisters and a Deviled Crab, in Orange Park where their business took off expeditiously.
After much success with their initial opening as a food truck Johnson and Simons decided to expand their business and open another spot. In July 2023 they opened their second location inside the Orange Park Mall (they still use the food truck but mostly for special events and festivals).
I had the opportunity to sit down with the sisters at their restaurant, and when I tell you I felt like I had entered, for me at least, every girl’s idea of what Barbie-land would look like, the minute I walked past the rope, I just couldn’t help but smile the whole time I was in there. Not only was the colorful pink interior of the business enough to add some joy to your day but the presence and personalities of Johnson and Simons made me feel so welcome and comfortable, I felt right at home. Before sitting down I had an opportunity to take a peek at their menu and hear some of their LTOs, and even though my dietary needs unfortunately prevent me from enjoying a good number of the things on their menu they were so accommodating for me! They made the most delicious Cuban in a lettuce wrap, YUM! So yes, in addition to their delicious and signature deviled crabs, their menu offers other beloved dishes, some seafood based, others not, to ensure that every customer has a rich culinary experience. The menu has been uniquely crafted to stimulate even the most seasoned palates, and as Johnson and Simons like to say, “We’re here for the bougie taste bud.”
With such a unique menu, you know I had to get the chef recs (excluding the deviled crab, obviously). Johnson’s top menu choice is their Whole Snapper Special, which includes one pound of fried snapper, paired with coconut rice topped with fresh mango and a side of sweet fried plantains. Simons said her favorite menu item is their Sammie or what she calls “The People’s Choice” because of how many people order it. The Sammie is a fried salmon BLT dressed with pepper jack cheese and bacon-jalapeño aioli. Tell me those don’t sound AMAZING!
In addition to these two menu highlights Two Sisters offers an upscale, specialized brunch menu as well (yes, they have mimosas). From day one, both Johnson and Simons have done everything for their business with a standard of excellence while both of them even still maintaining full-time jobs on top of owning their restaurants (so boss-girl slay of them). Some of their favorite memories have been the opportunity to serve the community and being embraced by the community of Jacksonville and Orange Park. As their business continues to grow, the two sisters, continue working hard to share good food with the world. To keep up with Jo, Kiara and their business you can follow them on Instagram @2sisters_jax.
Mixed Fillings Pie Shop: It’s What’s on the Inside!
Chef Natasha Burton is the founder of Mixed Fillings Pie Shop, located on Park Street in 5 Points. Since she was 5 years old, Burton has loved baking. That passion remained unwavering, and in 2011 she learned French culinary techniques at Le Cordon Bleu. Prior to relocating to Jacksonville in 2019, she lived in Dallas, Texas with her family, where she owned a meal prep business. Definitely something on quite the other end of the spectrum in comparison to her current venture, but personally, I’m never saying no to a little sweet treat. (But don’t fret if sweets aren’t your thing, Burton has all of the pies, including some delicious savory ones.) She decided to move here after visiting Jacksonville with family and falling in love with Park Street.
Burton’s original pie shop, opened in May 2020, operated out of the back room of a commercial building that was located on Oak Street but was takeout only. Burton’s business became so popular it needed somewhere that the community could gather, so in May 2023 they opened their doors to their current spot on Park Street.
My entire conversation with Burton was nothing but joyful. You can tell she carries a true servant’s heart, and it is seen throughout her business. Mixed Fillings Pie Shop offers tons of unique flavor options, and her desire to challenge and raise awareness of socio-political issues are often found in the elements of her pies.
This month Burton has three seasonal pies, one that’s flavor profile is built to showcase the tastes of Valentine’s Day and the other two both designed to highlight some things more real. Her first seasonal pie of the month is in honor of Black History Month called, “Let’s Do the Black Bottom.” The black bottom is a dance named after Detroit’s Black Bottom neighborhood, which is mostly African-American. The dance is a jazz dance that combines hip and shoulder movements, originating in the rural South becoming popular in the 1920s. Burton describes this pie as a funky twist on something traditional; starting with a key lime filling, something everyone knows and loves, building it on an Oreo cookie crust and topping it with meringue, adding some unfamiliar but bold elements to the dessert. Her second seasonal pie, which has to be my personal favorite, is her “We the People” pie. For this pie it looks very traditional on the surface but the meaning behind the ingredients get deep; starting with a buttermilk crust, she adds a blueberry compote and tops it with whipped cream. The blueberries are used to symbolize a national treasure and American tradition, hoping to remind her patrons to know their roots and what freedom tastes like. Burton hopes with a pie as traditional and comfortable to many as this, she can encourage the community to use their voice and vote. These are just two examples of the many pies Burton puts lots of effort into ensuring the flavors go far beyond taste but are also intentional.
In addition to her shop, Burton serves as treasurer of the 5 Points Merchants Association and shared how difficult it can be as merchants to help all those in need which is why — through her treats — she hopes to encourage others to go out and take steps of action in the community, whether it’s through a random act of kindness, volunteering or using your voice and voting, be the change you wish to see. Burton showcases this passion further on her Mixed Fillings website under the tab Acts of Pi(e)ness where she lists small and simple ways you can be intentionally kind throughout your day. Overall, getting to meet with Burton was an absolute delight and her love for the community that she serves radiates from her. Her pie, by the slice or as a whole, can be ordered in person or online Wednesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. — or until they are sold out. If you decide to stop in, I recommend bringing a friend and trying her “Come Pie With Me” flight which lets you try 4 slices, YUM! To keep up with all that Burton is doing and have a look at all of the deliciousness that is Mixed Fillings you can follow her on Instagram @mixedfillingspieshop.
Be sure to show some love to these and other wonderful Black-owned businesses throughout Northeast Florida:
- Silkie’s Chicken and Champagne Bar
- Malachi’s Ice Cream Bar
- i-Move U-Move
- Cupcake 50
- Springfield Scoops
- The Selfie Showroom
- Xclusive Eats
- Daq Shack
- Legacy Lounge
- Trap House Chicken
- Pink Salt
- Danni Harris Photography
- Kravegan
- Jones and Roses
- Skate City
- Fab Skincare
Small businesses should always be supported and recognized, but during Black History Month we wanted to take some time to highlight a few in particular from our Jacksonville community.
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