The Local — Restaurant in Jacksonville

Well, butter my biscuit and call me a Tiger fan, because I'm about to serve up a sizzling review of The Local in Jacksonville, Fla, that's hotter than a Clemson tailgate in July!

Now, I'm just your average Joe, a dad who loves a good dad joke almost as much as I love watching Dabo Swinney lead the Clemson Tigers to victory. So, when I heard about The Local, I thought, "Why not give it a try? It's gotta be better than trying to understand cryptocurrency, right?"

Let me tell you, folks, The Local is the real deal, just like a Dabo Swinney halftime speech. It's got charm, it's got flavor, and it's got more local spirit than a high school pep rally. The atmosphere? Cozier than a pair of socks on a cold winter's night. And the staff? Friendlier than your neighbor lending you his lawnmower.

Now, onto the grub! The menu's got more variety than my dad jokes repertoire. I'm talking roasted salmon sandwiches that'll make you swim upstream for more, and a 'get chopped' salad that's fresher than my latest pair of sneakers. And the turkey sandwich on wheat? Let's just say it's the MVP of sandwiches, no fowl play there!

But wait, there's more! The appetizers are like the opening act to a rock concert – you don't want to miss 'em. Sure, there might've been a mix-up here and there, but hey, nobody's perfect, except maybe Dabo on game day. And those burgers? They're like a Hail Mary pass – sometimes they miss the mark, but when they connect, it's a touchdown!

Now, I've gotta mention the Hendrick burger. It's like the quarterback of burgers – sometimes it's the star player, and other times, it's just part of the team. But either way, it's playing the game and doing its best, just like my Tigers on the field.

In conclusion, The Local is a place where you can kick back, relax, and enjoy some good eats. It's a spot where everyone's a local, even if you're just passing through. And if you're a fan of Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers, well, you'll feel right at home.

So, if you find yourself in Jacksonville, Fla, looking for a place that's got more character than a dad joke about a steak (it's rare), head on over to The Local. It's a place where the food's as satisfying as a Clemson win, and the laughs are as plentiful as my dad jokes. And remember, folks, you don't have to be a local to eat like one!

Go Tigers, and go The...

Sometimes the best things are right near your own backyard. I'm so lucky to have The Local, in Miramar, literally steps from my house. I'm also guilty of never having reviewed it here. We had a quick brunch on Sunday before heading out to explore some hiking trails. We were seated promptly, had the delightful Haydn H as our server, and in no time yours truly had a delicious Bloody Mary (and the hubster a beer) because that's how we roll! I love my vodka cocktails! Their bloody good bloody has a very simple garnish, so no appetizer type thing to consume with the drink, but the bloody mix is quite tasty. Not sure if it's house made, but I know a LOT of bloody mixes and I couldn't identify it (should ask next time). It was delicious and not weak at all. It interesting to know their menu is MUCH bigger than the version you can view online, so I am posting pics at the end. I mean LOTS more things, and good ones. I got crab cake Bennys and the hubster got the salmon, extra hoizen glaze, with fried rice that's actually quinoa. Everything was super yummy! My eggs were poached a bit too long, and I never even brought it up, but our server spotted it while checking on us and offered to have them remade. We were pit stopping and I really didn't mind, just requested extra hollandaise, but they took $5 off the check without me even complaining! Who does that? That is a real dedication to quality! Also, the crab cakes have SO MUCH CRAB, and hardly any filler! That's also amazing! The hubter inhaled his salmon, he gets it often and is really obsessed with it. Great little place, that now has a full bar when they didn't used to, in case you didn't know that. More menus and info in the last pics like live music on Wednesday and happy hour daily specials. It's such a reasonable priced place to go with great service and good food with lots of options. Try it,...

I love Google...sometimes. Why? Because, sometimes, when I ask the Assistant for a "good restaurant near me", she gets it right.

The Local has a coffee shop feel, but it's so much more. It's more than "FOOD, BOOZE, CAFFEINE" as well, even though that's what the sign says above the door. We visited on a Saturday evening, and although most of the tables were full, it wasn't loud or cramped at all. It's totally casual, but I saw a mix of attire from guest to guest, which was nice...no matter how you come in, you'll fit in.

The menu is great - very diverse, very accommodating to a everyone. Meat-eaters, vegans, vegetarians, diabetics...there are several options for all of us. The best part of the menu - your not overwhelmed with choices.

My wife ordered Steak Frites with some delicious roasted sweet potato fries, and I ordered a Quinoa Bowl with salmon. She liked her steak, and I LOVED my bowl. Definitely check it out - it was a great mix of flavors and textures, and everything was really fresh.

It was raining when we finished up, so we decided to hang around a bit longer and share a French Press. It was what the server described as their "regular blend"; I don't know what that means, but it was really tasty.

The service was really good, the pricing was a little high (but not a deal-breaker), and the place was very clean and well-kept.

Next time you're looking for a bite in the San Marco area, don't ask Google to find you a good restaurant. Instead, ask for directions...