Cross Creek BBQ and Steakhouse — Restaurant in Jacksonville

If you’re looking for a place that combines hearty Southern comfort food with the smoky allure of barbecue, Cross Creek BBQ and Steakhouse is a must-visit. My recent dining experience here was nothing short of exceptional, leaving me with a full stomach and a satisfied smile. From the warm, rustic ambiance to the flavorful dishes, this restaurant truly delivers on its promise of quality barbecue and steakhouse classics.

Ambiance and Atmosphere Walking into Cross Creek BBQ and Steakhouse, I was immediately struck by the cozy, down-to-earth vibe. The decor is a perfect blend of rustic charm and modern touches, with wooden accents, vintage signage, and soft lighting that creates a welcoming atmosphere. Whether you’re dining with family, friends, or even on a casual date, the setting feels just right—relaxed yet polished.

The Food The star of the show, of course, is the food. Cross Creek BBQ and Steakhouse excels in delivering bold, smoky flavors that barbecue lovers crave. Here’s a breakdown of what I enjoyed:

French Onion Soup: This classic dish was executed to perfection. The French Onion Soup was rich and deeply flavorful, with a savory beef broth that had been slow-cooked to develop its full depth. Topped with a generous layer of melted, bubbly cheese and a slice of toasted baguette, every spoonful was a comforting blend of sweet caramelized onions, savory broth, and gooey cheese. It was the perfect starter to warm me up and set the stage for the rest of the meal.

Burnt Ends with Fries: The burnt ends were a barbecue lover’s dream. These succulent, caramelized chunks of brisket were packed with smoky flavor and had the perfect balance of crispy bark and tender meat. Each bite was a burst of savory goodness, and the portion size was generous. The fries on the side were crispy, golden, and seasoned just right—a classic accompaniment that complemented the richness of the burnt ends.

Fried Okra with Ranch: The fried okra was a delightful Southern treat. Lightly battered and fried to a perfect crisp, the okra retained its natural flavor and texture without being greasy. Served with a cool, creamy ranch dressing, it was a refreshing contrast to the smoky, savory flavors of the other dishes. This side dish was a testament to the restaurant’s ability to elevate simple ingredients into something truly special.

Service The service at Cross Creek BBQ and Steakhouse was top-notch. The staff was friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu. Our server made excellent recommendations and ensured that our dining experience was seamless. The food arrived promptly, and the presentation was thoughtful, reflecting the care that goes into every dish.

Overall Impression Cross Creek BBQ and Steakhouse is a gem for anyone who appreciates well-executed barbecue and hearty, flavorful meals. The French Onion Soup was a comforting and classic starter, while the burnt ends and fried okra showcased the restaurant’s mastery of classic Southern and barbecue fare. The combination of great food, a welcoming atmosphere, and excellent service makes this a restaurant I’ll definitely return to.

If you’re in the mood for a satisfying meal that hits all the right notes, Cross Creek BBQ and Steakhouse is the place to be. Whether you’re a barbecue aficionado or just someone looking for a comforting, flavorful meal, this restaurant won’t disappoint.

Rating: 8.5/10 Highly...

It’s a shame, because the food wasn’t terrible other than the over cooked green beans, and I work at Texas Roadhouse so that’s saying a lot (our green beans are famously over cooked) but our server (Jody?) was completely checked out the moment she even greeted us, which was almost 15 minutes after we even sat. (I know I come from a corporate restaurant where guests are greeted within 45 seconds but 15 minutes is outrageous) we stayed because we were so hungry. We didn’t receive our drinks until another 10 minutes after we ordered them. Didn’t get our appetizers for EASILY up to 25-30 minutes for things that take 7 minutes in the fryer MINIMUM. I’ve worked in food service for 12 years and have never in my life waited that long for an appetizer. Even if it was forgotten, which as a server myself, I know happens sometimes. But it wasn’t even busy this Friday night at 7 pm. Our salads that come with the meal were completely forgotten, and on top of that, my steak came out with a medwell temp stick in it, which from the beginning, i emphasized that both steaks were medium rare, one with mushrooms one with onions (NEITHER steak had either mushrooms or onions) my baked potato that I requested loaded came out with only sour cream and butter, and the replacement was wrong as well. I HATE complaining, ESPECIALLY as a server, but I just couldn’t ignore the fact that we were charged for the full check even after sides didn’t come out at all, or came out completely wrong in general along with my steak that I waited an additional 20 minutes for. Our server had a dismissive and crappy attitude the ENTIRE time, as a server, I treat EVERYONE with respect even if I’m not receiving it back, I was nothing but kind and understanding til a point, I refuse to ever treat my servers badly. But even after we established that our food was wrong and we didn’t even receive certain items, our server JODY? (She didn’t even tell us her name until 40 minutes into the dinner) was the least bit apologetic or empathetic towards us. I’m typically a HUGE tipper because I know how hard it is to serve, but for the first time in my LIFE, I might as well have stiffed her because I left 2 dollars on a $109 check, I’ve never felt so neglected and disrespected at an establishment in my life. The manager on duty who took our salads off the bill, didn’t even have the gall to come over and ask us how our dining experience was, or if there was anything else he could do for us. Which after the salads were taken off, wasn’t MUCH, but the least he could offer was an ear so I didn’t have to write this absolute BOOK, of a review. Quite literally the WORST dining experience I’ve ever had in my life, only reason why I’m giving two stars is because the food tasted decent. Should’ve just went to Texas Roadhouse and gotten an employee discount, with 10 times the amount of hospitality a server...

We use to frequent this place quite a bit for lunch and dinner for many many years. Since Covid has come and gone it's been subpar on dinner. Wait times for food to come takes a good hour at least. The food was warm but not hot like it just come off the grill/stove which is what is expected. We were told they were down a grill but this is something I've heard before about 6 months ago. The service could use some improvements. We had a lot of cups and plates left on our table and the waitress was seen sitting with her boyfriend across from us in a booth. A runner that brought food grabbed the cups for us, not our waitress. We cleaned our own table at the end of the night, stacking everything up for the bussing lady. Also..... I called prior to our visit to make a reservation. Guy even got my phone number and said our 615 reserve was good to go and they will see us soon. NO ONE had a reserve for the party when I showed up. That was also a problem. My parents were already seated and the host said that he had a party already for us but the girl did not wanna hear him or what he had to say about the already existing party and where they were sat. She over talked him and myself explaining that we would have to wait for a table. After waiting for 10 mins, we were walking to our table and we were gonna be walked past my parents to another table. I stopped the host that originally knew of the party and said this is us. The host was a cook and they sent him to a host position and out of his element I'm sure but he knew what was going on and the lady hostess disregarded him. They also said that they were so busy and they were behind yet there was not nearly as many people as ive seen before and they had no issues then. I'm not sure if they need new management or more mature people, but yall have let us down another visit. Everyone that we know that use to frequent no longer bothers and when mentioned to make a visit it is literally "Oh man really!!" "We're gonna try them again?!" Nothing has...