In Loving Memory

A Tribute to Food Businesses Come and Gone

Alewife Bottle Shop in Riverside.

Our culinary community in North Florida is home to hundreds of local restaurants and bars, each offering creativity, ambiance and culinary delights. Their impact becomes part of our community, inspiring diners and business owners alike. While these favorite spots may be gone, their significant contributions to our community in flavor, style and connections live on.

JACKSONVILLE/BEACHES

SOUTHERN ROOTS FILLING STATION: 1275 KING STREET

One of Jacksonville's first all-vegan cafes blossomed from a tent at the farmers’ market, putting down roots on King Street. The scratch kitchen was open for eight years and featured favorites like Tofu Egg Salad and Carrot Lox Bagels. Alongside a full menu, they had signature coffee from local roasters and a bodega-style section where you could find fresh bread, signature pesto spreads, cheeses and bulk spices.

OLIO: 301 E BAY STREET

Three words: Duck Grilled Cheese. Open for 11 years with a wide range of salads and sandwiches, the lunch spot welcomed the 9-5 downtown office crew daily. When they closed due to the owner’s health reasons, it was a blow to the downtown restaurant scene.

BLACK SHEEP: 1534 OAK STREET

A cornerstone of Five Points, this was the place to be for more than a decade. Whether dining downstairs or enjoying the rooftop bar, the menu featured fresh ingredients from Florida farms. As one of the first rooftop bars in town, the experience of watching a sunset was best paired with a Dusty Boot cocktail and fried olives. (Tip: you can still get a Dusty Boot at Black Sheep’s sister restaurant Bellwether.

WHITEWAY DELI: 1237 KING STREET

For 90 years, Whiteway Deli was an iconic, old-school sandwich shop. The no-frills spot was beloved for its stacked sandwiches, including classics like a Reuben and those named after local institutions. The Times-Union (double RIP) was a grilled pita with turkey, tabouli and hot sauce. When the family institution was sold in 2016, it had another life as Whiteway Deli & Tavern before closing permanently.

RAIN DOGS BAR: 1045 PARK STREET

For over a decade, Rain Dogs in Five Points was a safe haven. Started by Christina Wagner, this was more than just a place to get bottomless mimosas or local beer. The bar became a cultural hub and offered a divey, artsy vibe, hosting poetry slams, local bands, improv and more.

SUN‑RAY CINEMA / PIZZA CAVE: 1028 PARK STREET

This Five Points venue was the ultimate movie theater experience. From indie flicks to blockbuster films, Sun-Ray offered something for everyone – and so did their menu. The signature house-made pizzas named after cult-films, the Black Lagoon or Zaat pizza, were delivered straight to your cushy movie theatre seat. The pizza was so good they opened a separate pizza restaurant, the Pizza Cave. It wasn’t just about the ‘za or the milkshakes or the build-your-own-popcorn-toppings bar or the bucket of beer; it was about the love of cinema and the community created from watching a movie together.

CHOMP CHOMP: 4162 HERSCHEL STREET

Originally in downtown Jacksonville, this hole-in-the-wall opened in 2011 and was known for its scrappy vibe and signature Chomp Chips dusted with curry powder. The over-the-top menu was an excellent spot for lunch or a late-night bite featuring mouthwatering sandwiches that weren’t your traditional sandwich shop fare, like a Banh Mi and Korean BBQ filling. After a move to Avondale, Chomp Chomp had another three years before closing permanently.

ALEWIFE BOTTLE SHOP: 1035 PARK STREET

This shop was one of those warm, welcoming neighborhood hangouts that made everyone feel at home. While Alewife was known for its curated craft beer, cider and mead, it was more than just a retail space. The owners hosted a variety of community events, including craft and game nights, creating a space not just for beer lovers but for all.

RAGTIME TAVERN SEAFOOD AND GRILL: 207 ATLANTIC BOULEVARD

Located in Neptune Beach Town Center, local favorite Ragtime Tavern closed in early 2025 after 40 years of serving the community. The small spot turned spacious as the business expanded over the years, which included an in-house brewery that was Jacksonville's first microbrewery and taproom. Ragtime was known for its Cajun cuisine, fresh seafood and live music.

BURRITO GALLERY: ORIGINAL LOCATION 21 E. ADAMS STREET

Burrito Gallery set up shop in downtown Jacksonville and became a beloved Adams Street staple. Founded in 2005, the fast-casual joint, known as “Jax Mex,” specialized in tacos, margaritas and burritos. As you waited for your food to arrive, it gave you a chance to admire the local art on the walls. At its height, BG had four locations scattered around the city, with the last location in Brooklyn Station closing in 2025.

CORNER TACO: 818 POST STREET

Corner Taco embodied the American food truck dream. It started serving “semi-swanky street food” in a vintage Airstream in 2012, quickly becoming a beloved local institution. In 2014, they opened a brick-and-mortar in Five Points, slinging signature favorites like 24-hour brisket and specials like General Tso's Chicken Tacos and Smashburger Tacos.

FERNANDINA BEACH/AMELIA ISLAND

29 SOUTH: 29 SOUTH 3RD STREET

Opened in 2006 in downtown Fernandina, 29 South was an early advocate for farm‑to‑table cuisine in the region. Chef-owner Scotty Schwartz and his team grew organic produce in an organic, on-site garden and sourced fresh meat and seafood from local fishermen and farmers. The menu embraced seasonal change, playful flavors and Southern hospitality. It was not only a top dining spot in Northeast Florida, but ushered in an era of commitment to sustainable, local gastronomy.

GILBERT’S UNDERGROUND KITCHEN: 510 SOUTH 8TH STREET

From 2015 to 2024, Chef Kenny Gilbert had a presence in North Florida’s restaurant scene with a suite of restaurants: Gilbert’s Underground Kitchen, Gilbert Social, Gilbert’s Hot Chicken and Silkie’s Chicken & Champagne Bar. The Top Chef contestant offered contemporary Southern cooking in different formats. Gilbert’s Underground Kitchen in Fernandina Beach was upscale, highlighting local seafood and seasonal produce. Gilbert's Social, on the Southside, offered smoked meats and unique items like Southern “ramen.” Gilbert's Hot Chicken and Silkies was known for its fried chicken, served with a beachside view.

ST. AUGUSTINE

GYPSY CAB COMPANY: 828 ANASTASIA BOULEVARD

Known as a cornerstone of creative “urban” cuisine in St. Augustine, Gypsy Cab closed in June 2025 after 42 years. Their signature “Cab Fare” menu blended ingredients and flavors from around the world, keeping diners intrigued for decades. However, it’s not the end of good, local food in that space! Another beloved local restaurant, Purple Olive, is taking over the space on Anastasia Island.

KINGS HEAD PUB: 6460 US ROUTE 1

Off‑the‑beaten‑path, this pub was located just outside St. Augustine. You couldn’t miss it, thanks to the iconic double-decker bus and bright red telephone booth in front of the building. It was treasured for its traditional English fare, like cottage pie, Scotch eggs and sausage rolls. The dart boards and specialty ales added to the immersive pub experience.

GAS FULL SERVICE RESTAURANT: 9 ANASTASIA BOULEVARD

GAS was more than just a casual dining spot; their over-the-top burgers caught the eye of Guy Fieri and were featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Juicy burgers like the monster jalapeño popper burger and the half‑tank with homemade pimento cheese, slaw, bacon and fried pickles were signature dishes. The retro Americana vibes, craft beers and creative menu made it one of a kind.

SCARLETT O’HARA’S BAR: 70 HYPOLITA STREET

For more than 40 years, thousands of St. Augustine locals and Flagler College students made a home at Scarlett’ O Hara’s. The storied downtown bar and restaurant was a social institution. The menu, which focused on Southern-style bites like fried green tomatoes and shrimp and grits, was complemented by trivia, karaoke and live music, making it a popular spot to end the evening. In 2022, the location closed with the parting words, “We really did give a damn.”