Jill Cruz

Something for Everyone at Empanada Llama in Mandarin

September 10, 2019

Feature·Food + Drink·Mandarin·Restaurants

Besides having an adorable name, there are plenty of other reasons to visit Empanada Llama in . Located in the Carrabba’s strip mall off of San Jose, Empanada Llama occupies a small space with about 5-6 tables and bar seating against the wall. When you first walk in you are hit with how charming the interior is. There walls are

Marijuana Themed Sandwich Shop? Cheba Hut has all the Munchies

Feature·Food + Drink·Restaurants·St. Augustine

Marijuana Themed Sandwich Shop in St. Augustine? Cheba Hut has all the Munchies

Cheba Hut recently opened their first East Coast location in . I was invited out to meet with the owner Dusty and try the food. Having zero knowledge of the brand before they contacted me, I was intrigued by their business once I read that they are a “Marijuana Themed

Bambino Scoops, A Little Taste of Europe in Jacksonville

Jacksonville has quite a few ice cream and frozen custard shops, but

Epik Burger introduces Poutine using Wainwright Dairy & Creamery Cheddar Cheese Curds

12740 Atlantic Blvd #105, Jacksonville Epik Burger has long been a Jacksonville

River & Post Rooftop Lounge isn’t Just for Drinks Anymore

March 6, 2020

Food + Drink·Restaurants·Riverside

With wonderful views of the St John’s River, the rooftop lounge of River & Post is a nice, serene place to enjoy happy hour after a long day at the office. Recently, Chef Steve Thurston was hired on from the German Schnitzel Haus, where he worked for the past 5

Southern Coast Seafood, A Great Addition to Arlington

February 23, 2020

Arlington·Feature·Food + Drink·Local Seafood·Restaurants

With the news of closing in , a lot of people were pretty upset. Mudville has been a Jacksonville institution since 1994, so this felt like the end of an era (the location is still open, so don’t fret). Luckily, this sad news came with a nice silver lining. It

Damascus Gate, Jacksonville, Florida, Shawarma, Pita, Photo by Jill Cruz

Haven’t Already Heard About Damascus Gate? You Will Soon

February 2, 2020

Feature·Food + Drink·Restaurants

If you haven’t already heard about Damascus Gate, you definitely will soon! Owners Raed Alshaikh and Mouhammad Maidani have already opened two restaurants in Jacksonville and have a third on the way. I can’t say much about the third location except that it will be located in the middle of

New Fall Cocktails Hawkers Asian Street Fare

December 9, 2019

5 Points·Drink·Feature·Food + Drink·Neptune Beach·Restaurants

Cocktails at Hawkers Hawkers has some new fall cocktails available and I was one of the lucky few invited out for a cocktail making class to celebrate. Our class was held at the location, but the new cocktails can also be ordered at their location, which was recently expanded to

Paryse Watson Creates a Piece of Canada in Riverside: The Stuffed Beaver

November 14, 2019

Business·Feature·Food + Drink·Restaurants·Riverside

While it’s true that we have many different types of cuisines in Jacksonville, you will only find one Canadian restaurant, The Stuffed Beaver. Located on the corner of Oak and Barrs St in , everything about this place screams “Canada!” The décor includes a giant Canadian map where people can

Karai Ramen Bistro: Chef Levi Broadwell Working Hard to Get Each Recipe Right

September 30, 2019

Business·Feature·Food + Drink·Intracoastal·Restaurants

Those in search of Jacksonville’s best Ramen should head towards a strip mall near the intracoastal. That’s where you’ll find Karai Ramen Bistro. Chef and Owner Levi Broadwell has been perfecting his recipes all around Jacksonville for the past six years. His career started in Central Florida when he was

Taqueria Cinco: A little slice of Mexico in Riverside

September 20, 2019

5 Points·Feature·Food + Drink·Restaurants·Riverside

Down in the heart of on Lomax St is where you will find Jacksonville’s newest taco shop, Taqueria Cinco. Nestled into a tiny spot between Bakery Ribault and Wells Fargo, it’s easy to miss if you aren’t looking for it. We went in on a Sunday afternoon to give them

Buchner’s Bierhalle: New German Bierhalle in Murray Hill Transports You Back in Time

September 20, 2019

Business·Drink·Feature·Festivals·Food + Drink·Murray Hill·Restaurants

Upon walking into you are immediately transported back in time. A time of bootleggers roaming the streets on horseback and speakeasies that require a secret password or have a hidden back-alley entrance. Buchner’s, is easy to miss if you aren’t looking for it (or even if you are!). Located in