 *Part of - Bean’s Coffee Shop Challenge - series I’m always trying to do something I’ve never done before - to try something new. Whether it be a new recipe in the kitchen, read a book I never thought of reading, drive a different route to get where I’m going, expand my taste buds with a new brand of coffee, or visit somewhere I’ve never been… Well, in the spirit of that continued search, we finally made it to The Grom… Angie’s Grom, that is.     We had visited Angie’s Subs for the first time a while back - before the plague - and had intentions to then get ourselves on over to The Grom as well, but then everything shut down. And it only took us some freaking years to finally make it to the most local of local establishments in town here at the beach. Located at 204 3rd Avenue South in Jacksonville Beach, The Grom describes itself online as a colorful and quirky sandwich joint. They serve breakfast and lunch and coffee and sodas. And on weekends they also have a Sunday Brunch menu.  With a Facebook page and an Instagram, social media is the way to stay connected with the Grom online. So if you’re looking for an online menu before going in, check them out on social for the latest and their daily specials. The Grom is a daytime cafe - of which there are a lot in town. Their hours are normally 7am-4pm on Monday through Friday, plus 7am-5pm on both Saturday and Sunday’s, with dine-in, takeout, and delivery having some limitations right now during the coronavirus situation we all find ourselves in.   Described as a local dive, or the beaches dive, I knew I wouldn’t need to be dressed in my Sunday finest to visit. A tank top, shorts, and some flip flops are more than dressy enough, and most people get their food while going or coming to the beach for the day. And with the early morning start, it’s a great, quick stop to get coffee on the way to work for the day. Angie’s also sells reusable drink mugs too for hot coffee refills to go. On this day, we were once again out on a morning walk with the pooch. And decided it was finally time to pay them a visit.  The vibe is fun and most definitely beachy. Silly, and most certainly colorful. There isn’t a dry or boring space on any wall. Service is fast-casual, paying at the counter, then waiting for one’s order to be called. Out the front door and around to the side, there’s a cute little outdoor seating alcove that we found ourselves situated at, enjoying the beautiful morning. I’ve been in love with the tall palm tree being hugged by a table and chairs forever and glad to finally sit at it.  For purposes of this visit, we ordered two hot coffee’s, to go. Plus hubby ordered the breakfast burrito/wrap meal - which comes with home fries. They also offer iced coffee - already premade and sweetened. We opted for the hot coffee, adding cream and no sweetner.     Our total for two coffee’s at $2.50 each, plus the single breakfast meal at $5.99, was $11.76, plus tip. The price for a cup of coffee is certainly one of the cheapest around, and the cup a generous size as well. Actually, word of mouth has it that Angie’s offers generous portions and remains extremely inexpensive. I would say that rumor is true. With our cups of coffee being quite large - comparable to a Starbucks venti size hot drink, and the portion of food in the to-go box, we definitely got our money’s worth. In fact, my coffee was so large I didn’t finish and put the rest in the fridge, to reheat the next morning. Fast, simple, and in and out. We took our order home to eat on the balcony. Another Sunday at home. Another week on the way. And another place I’d never been checked off my imaginary list… What something new did you do this weekend? And what something new will you be trying this week? ~ 
*Have you been to Angie’s Grom? What’s your favorite item on their menu? I’d love to know. Drop me a comment down below: Hey - you there - If you’re looking for the rest of Bean’s Coffee Shop Challenge, check out the links below: 72] Breezing Through Life @ Breezy’s Coffee Shop 69] Chaunie’s Coffee Truck 67] Delicious & Delightful Days @ The Delicomb 60] Welcome To Muffin Land ~ The Ugly Cupcake & Muffinry 48] Love & Donuts In The Air @ Beaches For Australia 44] Nothing Finer Than Coffee In The Keys ~ The Coffee Plantation Cafe 39] The Very Official & Quite Serious Donut Debate Of 2020 9] Sago Coffee: A Cup Of Friendly & Flavorful Florida Also - you may wanna browse through some more of my ponderings, and poems, here: 73] What I’m Missing Right Now 71] My 69 Week Break From Social Media ~ Why I Left & Why I Came Back 68] A Sunday Stroll 65] The Sea Life ~ Happy Easter 64] Stay-At-Home Sunday ~ Palm Sunday 63] Mercy & Comfort 62] PERSPECTIVE @ Seaside Sculpture Park 61] Bean’s Idea List ~ 15 Daily Activities For Well Beyond 15 Days 59] REACTION ~ To World War 19 57] First Watch on the First Coast 55] The Shamrock 54] Um, Open @ Angie’s Subs 51] Life Is Full Of Pasta-Bilities ~ Bean’s Red Sauce Recipe *Part of - Bean’s Kitchen - series
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 *Part of - Bean’s Coffee Shop Challenge - series How does one “do” coffee shop outings during a pandemic? In-and-out is the basic and simple answer - in this, our new and current reality.  After my visit to the Ugly Cupcake & Muffinry a couple weeks ago, plus many recent visits to other local area restaurants for take-out, I knew exactly what to expect when I decided to visit the Delicomb this week. And I wasn’t surprised at all but the sight of my surroundings.         I’ve been visiting the Delicomb for a few years now. It’s one of my favorite coffee shops in Jax to go inside and soak in all the air conditioning, while sitting in a big comfy, leather chair. As well as to sip a delicious and foamy cappuccino, while reveling in the delightful and coffee-filled atmosphere. And further, to always be surrounded by a bunch of unique and local art on the walls.    But this time, walking in the shop was very, very different. There’s something quite sad about walking into an establishment - that is open for business - and seeing all their chairs - hanging, in a frown face and upside down - from the tops of every tabletop. It can definitely bring about the feeling of defeat. The sight of depression. And the imagery of uncertainty - and loss. And while all I wanted to do was sit down and chat for a while, I knew that wasn’t possible under our surreal and very pandemic of circumstances. By this point of the coronavirus crisis, I’m simply grateful a coffee shop in town still has their doors open. Especially considering that even my beloved Starbucks is currently closed here at the beach. Located at 102 6th Avenue North, the Delicomb is a charming little cafe, sitting right in the heart of Jacksonville Beach, Florida. They’re open 7am-4pm, Tuesday through Sunday, and always closed every Monday. Situated kiddy-corner from the new Margaritaville Resort - currently under construction - and across the street from the Casa Marina Hotel.      The Delicomb offers the typical assortment of hot and cold coffees and espresso drinks, all of which are fantastic. I almost always get the large hot latte - as I did on this occasion. And hubby chose the iced latte. We’ve also had the granitas many times in the past - and if you haven’t had one before, I’d highly recommend trying one. They remind me of coffee flavored Frappuccinos, and are perfectly refreshing on a very hot day, and to bring along to the beach. It was mid-morning when we ventured inside the cafe this visit. We had just finished a long morning walk - a daily act I consider very important and high priority, just as important as the fresh air itself. So with it being morning, and having not had our breakfast just yet - we each decided to grab a bagel, to go, along with our drinks. Hubby chose the everything bagel and I decided on the whole wheat bagel, both toasted with cream cheese, and both fabulous.         The Delicomb also has a large selection of sandwiches, açaí bowls, salads, wraps and paninis. I’ve had the scrambled two-egg breakfast sandwich many times in the past as well, and it’s a fantastic grab-and-go hot meal. And because of the circumstances, we literally did just that. We grabbed... and we went.            We grabbed hold of our steaming lattes, and quickly left the shop after thanking the baristas. We could not sit underneath the shaded outdoor patio either, as all the tables and chairs have been removed to follow the current social distancing guidelines. We then sat on the curb and ate our bagels for a few minutes, and then headed home. Oh, sighhhh. By this point of the CoVid19 plague we are surrounded by, I’m thinking … Does one go on without coffee? Is life - life - without a coffee bean? Is coffee essential? Are those magical beans a necessary purchase? As I sipped my creamy and steamy hot latte, my answer to all of the above was, and is, yes. And thus, is the reason I’ve been trying to support as many local shops as humanly possible during this critical time period. It is my sincere hope that you also leave the house… and grab a coffee… To-Go. Get out there and support your local area cafes, coffee shops, and diners. Many are still open and very ready to serve - just in a different capacity than most are used to. Offering take-away, curbside, online pickup, and grab-and-go. They’re all a big part of what makes any town special. And besides - It’s absolutely imperative that we all get out there and get some fresh air. Pandemic or no pandemic. So don’t y’all forget to go for a walk now and then - or every day, as I do.  Let’s all breath IN the fresh air of our Mother Nature - and let’s breathe OUT the stress of the news.  We all can INHALE the aroma of espresso - and EXHALE the worries and thoughts of doom and gloom.  We can all listen for the sounds of a milk frother - and not for the sounds of sirens in the distance.  Let’s all say HELLO to those working outside the home all around you - As we all say GOODBYE to sticky, and yucky, and very clingy and needy viruses… Or at least attempt to say goodbye… And Good riddance…. And… Oh yeah, one more thing - Don’t let the door hit ya’ on the way out, either. Whenever a hurricane comes to town, all the Floridians always say we’re gonna BLOW it away. No matter what hurricane is headed our way, I tend to think that big and forceful “goodbye” comes with all the strength of all our lungs. It’s the strength of togetherness that makes one think they can blow a hurricane away, or even the mere wish for it to be gone. As one little blow can snuff out a candle. But it takes a much larger gust indeed, to change the course of a storm. So we all need to keep fighting. We all need to keep living. Even while at home. Even - Amidst a plague. Because… life is still going on all around the world. And because pretty soon those chairs will be right side up once again. And because - Pretty soon that frown will turn itself around - right here - and in your community too. And pretty soon those seats will really be filled, once again. Because - We all need to keep going. We all need to keep living while we’re alive. And we all still need our very delicious, and indeed delightful, morning coffee. ~ 
*Have you been to The Delicomb? What coffee shop are you desperately missing right now? I’d love to know. Drop me a comment down below: And to check out the rest of Bean’s Coffee Shop Challenge, as well as reviews of various Floridian diners - check out the links below: 9] Sago Coffee: A Cup Of Friendly & Flavorful Florida 16] Beach Diner ~ If You Feed Them They Will Come 19] Another Broken Egg Cafe ~ A Taste Of NOLA @ The Beach 40] Visiting The Florida Cracker Kitchen ~ Jacksonville 44] Nothing Finer Than Coffee In The Keys ~ The Coffee Plantation Cafe 48] Love & Donuts In The Air @ Beaches For Australia 50] Sundays Are For Diners ~ Super Diners 57] First Watch on the First Coast 60] Welcome To Muffin Land ~ The Ugly Cupcake & Muffinry  *Part of - Bean’s Coffee Shop Challenge - series Holy cow folks! Here’s my first dining review since the world went ahead and changed on us all… Today, I’ll be visiting an adorable local cafe in Jax Beach. And the only difference between this visit and any other dining review I present you with… is the fact that this is my first review since life as we all knew it imploded before all our very eyes. Yep, we’ve all been thrown for a total loop these last many weeks. And things are only getting stranger and stranger each and every day. And hour by hour. I’m thinking to myself… Maybe we’ve finally gone through the other side of that Black Hole I constantly theorize about. Or - a wormhole? Or maybe we’ve even been teleported to the edge of the universe. And then jumped right over into our real and true multiverse? Either that, or it’s just another day on this - our good buddy - Earth. Yes, Mother Nature is challenging us. And we are at war - with a virus. Either way, as I’ve said since the very beginning and even before that. I’m still going to live my life. I’m going to be alive - when I’m alive. I’m not going to be afraid. And I’m not going to cower. Don’t get me wrong - I’m still going to be safe. I’m still going to follow the guidelines set forth by our leaders. I’m simply not going to panic…. And I will keep living my life. Thus, what I mean is - I’m still going to go about my day. My job outside the home is still open. I work at what the government is now deeming an essential business during this crazy crisis. So I HAVE to leave the home. But I’m extremely happy to do it, and I would be doing it anyway. So in a way, I’m still technically living my “normal” life - while surrounded by much un-normalness. And I’m extremely grateful for my job. Even as things change now by the week, by the day, by the hour, and by the minute. Literally. And during my shift, I am also grateful now more than ever for my lunch break. And each day on my break, I’ve been trying to support an area business to grab some quick food. I have one hour to patronize a local drive-thru. I have one hour to get a drink of coffee or iced tea or some drive-thru food or take out, or drop-in-your-trunk food. And then get myself back to work, and back to sweating my behind off. But like I said - I’m still living. So Sunday Morning in America… I start my day. And I checked my social media as I usually do. I happened to see today's muffin specials at The Ugly Cupcake & Muffinry, located @ 115 5th Street South in Jacksonville Beach, Florida.    This cafe is the absolute cutest place in town. I’ve been before. But I’ve never been during the Apocalypse...I’ve never been during WW19. So, I’ll give it a whirl, I thought. And better yet, I’ll go, and then tell you all about it. So that you can also consider giving them a whirl on your next morning looking to support a local business, and when you want a fabulous cappuccino too. So according to Facebook and Instagram, The Muffinry was currently open and inviting us to come on over and pick up some take-out. While indoor dining is not allowed at any restaurant in the state of Florida right now, lots and lots of restaurants, coffee shops, diners, cafes, etc. are still trying to stay alive. They are trying to keep their operations up and running. But most of all and very importantly, they are trying to keep America both alive and fed during this Conona Crisis, and at the same time, keep our spirits up. The very least I can do is try to patronize local businesses in return. After all, I gotta eat any way you slice my ugly muffin. So, on this beautiful day at the beach, we went for a lovely walk. The sea mist was beautiful and refreshing. Lots of people out and about walking and biking on the local strip. Countless dogs being walked. And as we approached The Muffinry, I saw people picking up their order and walking to their cars. The beautiful and picturesque exterior of the cafe is beyond charming. I was so appreciative of everything I saw. Life was happening - still - all around me. Yes, any day and every day can be the best day of one’s life. The Ugly Cupcake & Muffinry is housed in an absolutely charming old house. About a block from the beach. And yes once again, their location is beyond priceless. Surrounded by other homes, condos, sidewalks, and inviting and open parks, with the ocean on the horizon, The Ugly Cupcake has all the feels that perfectly define the local beach community here in Jax. They have outdoor seating tables and chairs and umbrellas. Now just sitting there - waiting to be used when life is “normal” again. When we can un-social distance ourselves from one another. The property entryway is lined with a white picket fence post front gate, which welcomes you into their front yard.       We were greeted immediately, outside at the front porch. They welcomed us inside and said we could come in if we wanted. We went in to pay and their payment Square is just inside the open front door anyway. But they have it set up to pay that you’re “inside” but not inside the building if you don’t need or want to go any further. While we obviously could not eat inside, I have been here many times, and never have eaten inside. The outside is sooo adorable, and besides, it’s Florida y’all. We are always outside anyway.  Pet-friendly establishment! Always, such a friendly establishment every time I’ve been - but this day was even better. I was so glad we could chat with them a bit, before continuing on our walk back home. They informed us they have yet to lay off even one employee - as of my visit on Sunday, March 22. And that they are actively donating during this crisis through their newly implemented program entitled “Muffin But Love” - and I just love that. They are truly helping pay if forward in this great time of need. 100% of the gratuity added to each check is being used entirely to pay it forward. So, if you go, please tip what you can give. They are putting that money to make food to pass on to those in the local community who have been affected by this new and unforeseen crisis, such as business and restaurant and bar workers who have since found themselves abruptly unemployed. And While The Ugly Cupcake has recently since been restricting their dining to take-out throughout the Corona Crisis, they have still been publicizing daily on their social media about their daily muffin specials. Fresh and very healthy muffins made fresh daily.   Muffins used to be on display behind this case - but for food sanitation purposes they are not in the back in the kitchen.     And on a somewhat sad note, according to their social media, starting this week they are closing their doors to customers almost entirely for the unforeseen future of this crisis. They will still be available, but through online order, with pick-ups once or twice a week. As they are trying to do their part to limit interactions and help stop the spread. But on a positive note - this is adaptation. This is the way forward. This is innovation. To stay alive. To stay functioning. We all must change in some way to persevere in an ever-changing environment. If you’re local during this crisis, please consider this wonderful and friendly and local community small business establishment. The next time you need a meal to go, a meal at home that you are too tired to cook for, or simply need to get out of your self-quarantine for a bit when going to the grocery store or pharmacy. Go ahead and place an online order. Stop by and pick up during the scheduled times they set. The Ugly Cupcake has lots of other foods beyond muffins. I’ve had it all before. And I’ll be happy to come back and review their hot menu for y’all once their kitchen is open to the public again.       But for purposes of this visit, we got their basics. We picked up a bag of muffins and two coffees. Specifically, we ordered two blueberry muffins and two double chocolate muffins. I then ordered a large 16 oz. cappuccino and hubby ordered and the large cold brew iced coffee with some really cool coffee ice cubes inside it - the creative way of not having one’s cold coffee get watered down is genius to coffee fans.      Doggie muffin!  Blueberry muffin.  Double chocolate muffin.  And, of course, because it would not be a visit to the Muffinry without something special happen, they sent us away with a dog muffin as a treat. What a special place in our local community. And as I write this review with joy and love and happiness, I can’t help but feel the sadness still ahead of us through this pandemic. An economic and societal crisis that is really only truly beginning. The ripple effect of everything that has occurred is sending shock waves throughout the world. To receive the doggy muffin during such times touched my heart. I’ll be back. When they open up again. I’ll be back for a full and thorough dining review - with a hot breakfast out on the porch. Oh yeah - side note - while we could not go upstairs this day due to the statewide indoor dining ban, The Muffinry does have an upstairs, outdoor porch. Breathtaking views await us all at their reopening. In the interim, if you’re here in town, go ahead and place a take-out order. Help pay it forward to our wonderful and amazing local community when you add gratuity to your check. Say hello. Say thank you. Stop to have a conversation. Remembering all the humans that are part of our shared and beautiful humanity, while you have yourself a very large - and very ugly - muffin. ~ 
*Have you been to The Ugly Cupcake? What small businesses are you supporting during this Corona Apocalypse? I’d love to know. Drop me a comment down below: Hey there, my fellow cupcake lovers - here’s some more local bakery, diner, and coffee shop reviews for you, all located right here in the Jax, FL area: 9] Sago Coffee: A Cup Of Friendly & Flavorful Florida *Part of ~ Bean’s Coffee Shop Challenge ~ 16] Beach Diner ~ If You Feed Them They Will Come 19] Another Broken Egg Cafe ~ A Taste Of NOLA @ The Beach 21] Cinotti’s ~ And Why Life Is Too Short To Not Eat Donuts 39] The Very Official & Quite Serious Donut Debate Of 2020 48] Love & Donuts In The Air @ Beaches For Australia 50] Sundays Are For Diners ~ Super Diners 57] First Watch on the First Coast Plus - check out these other fun adventures below - all from my Floridian Dreams: 2] 3 Wows Plus 1 Piece Of Magic I Experienced At Jacksonville, Florida’s Cummer Museum Of Art & Gardens 3] The Dog Days Of Endless Summer 8] It’s Fall ~ In Florida ~ Y’all! 11] Eleven South Bistro & Bar ~~ Supper Club Of The South 12] Paint N’ Pints @ Intuition Ale Works ~ Downtown Jacksonville, FL 14] Finding Trinkets & Treasures @ The Jax Beach Vintage Flea Market 15] V Pizza ~ The Very Best Pizza In Jax Beach! *Part of ~ Bean’s Best ~ Award Winner 2019 18] Sea & Sky Jax Weekend ~ Fun In The Florida Sun, Sea, Sky & Sand 22] Saturday On San Pablo Island 31] Tuesday’s On First Street ~ The Jax Beach Art Walk ~ 32] Jolly Holiday In Jarboe Park ~ The Beaches Green Market 36] The End Of A Decade & My New Year’s Wish To You ~ 40] Visiting The Florida Cracker Kitchen ~ Jacksonville 44] Nothing Finer Than Coffee In The Keys ~ The Coffee Plantation Cafe 45] Dessert First, My Friends ~ Cantina Louie 52] Keeping Cool - And Creamy ~ In Key West 53] Totally Terrific & Tasty Thai @ Blue Orchid Thai Cuisine 54] Um, Open @ Angie’s Subs  A funny thing happened last Saturday night. The Earth went through a black hole, and came out the other side, roughly an hour into the future. Either that, or we all jumped at once, head first, into Daylight Savings Time. Ahhh - the time change. Spring ahead. Bleh Bleh Bleh. Fall behind. Blah Blah Blah. And spring ahead, once again... Is it all God’s way of laughing at us? Is he in charge? Or are we? After all, us humans are the silly ones who invented the logistics of changing the clock. Sometimes I think the whole time change thing is the universe's way of treating the Earth like a snowglobe. Or God - he picks up the Earth, with both his large hands, and gives it a big shake, jostling everything and everybody around. And just to really mess around with us, he does it not only once, but freaking TWICE a year. Then laughs at us. All while watching the snow fall. Personally, I think the time change is a whole buncha silly nonsense… an outdated notion - and way past its time - no puns intended - sorta concept. In this era of sheer technological innovation, and where lights can remain on all evening and then late into the morning if one wants, do we really need this twice a year time warp? To save light? Of course some say yes. But more and more people, and many governments included, are stepping onto the #freezetheclock bandwagon. Also - are bandwagons outdated as well? So…. yeahhhhhh. The time changed. And with that the whole world was thrown for a little loop. Household pets and animals were confused. Babies and children’s routines were abruptly interrupted. Everything changed - once again. But I can tell you one, little, minor, insignificant detail that for sure did NOT change because of Daylight Savings Time… and that’s food. Cause every BODY has to eat. So, we awoke Sunday morning. To greet the new day. The sun rose at a different time. We watched the shiny and happy orb situate itself in the sky amongst the clouds at a different angle at a different time. We adjusted the digital clock above the microwave to the new, correct time - cause, if you can’t beat em, join em, right? And, also with that act of stepping into the kitchen… and just like every other morning on the face of this planet, our tummies got hungry. Nope - the time change did not mess with our stomachs, at least. It was then decided that going out to breakfast was going to be a fabulous way to start our new day. We made the executive decision to finally try First Watch. A daytime, breakfast cafe, headquartered in the Sunshine State. And with locations in 26 states and still growing, we were excited to finally give it a whirl. So our tummies lead the way. To the Cafe.      Apparently the whole world had the same idea as us, as even the hosts and hostesses commented that they were inundated with guests at a different time than they normally are… Located @ 13470-1 Beach Boulevard in Jacksonville, Florida, First Watch is known as The Daytime Cafe. And with hours appropriately matching the daytime hours in the Eastern Time Zone of the United States, and then closing their doors well before the sun ever decides to set, the slogan makes a whole lot of sense, even if the time change itself doesn’t. And for those who live an hour behind me in Central time, like Chicagoans, good news is on the way to you - via way of a wormhole. Chicagoland is set to open its first First Watch in the fall of 2020. Right in one of my favorite suburbs - Oak Brook! So with hoards of people all going out to eat on Sunday, we had a wait. But we didn’t mind. They had chairs both inside and out for waiting. And menus to puruze to pass the time. I also took note that First Watch has its own cookbook, published and for sale in the lobby. And, of course, I had to check out the bags of coffee for sale to take home. I must admit I was tempted, but did not purchase. After all, I already have a lifetime supply of Folgers back at home. Or do I?        Once seated in the crowded and friendly and Edison lit dining room, we were both immediately served hot coffee, priced at $2.89 per mug. With the fresh pot then left at our table for our convenience. And, by the way, I am absolutely in love with the old-fashioned jug our water was served from. I must buy one of the same shape some day.     I ordered the traditional breakfast with bacon at a cost of $10.99. And it was worth every reasonable penny. First, there was whole wheat toast topped with whipped butter. Why is bread ALWAYS better in a restaurant? The bacon was out of this world, and the best bacon I ever ate, other than at The Ice Plant in St. Augustine - Let me know if you'd like me to reinvestigate that place, by the way? All for the sake of the written word of course - and not at all because of the free samples they so happily pass out. And the potatoes! Don’t even get me started on the potatoes. Well, ok, here goes anyway. Did your grandfather cook you fried potatoes with butter and onions when you were a child? Did he allow you to eat samples fresh and hot off the skillet, while they were frying? Did you then consume the whole pan of potatoes and then could easily still eat more? Did you then grow up, and forever miss those fried potatoes you so freely consumed in your youth? Well, I found us those grandfather-fried-potatoes, folks. Even though my grandfather is now long since passed. Turns out they were sitting right here in Florida all along. Just waiting for me to come find them. Maybe they thought I went into an alternative universe, and it was going to take me seven million light years to find them. But I found them, gosh darn it! Yes, that’s right. If you’ve been looking for fried potatoes like Grandpa used to make, First Watch is the place to go to. I’ve been to A LOT of diners. And I’ve never had any fried potatoes that tasted this terrific. And let’s not forget about the eggs. ‘Eggs are eggs.’ As they say on Seinfeld. All kidding aside, the eggs were fabulous as well. Seasoned and garnished and perfectly scrambled... yes, they are eggs, but better than I could ever make at home.   And onward to the hubbies plate - he ordered the same coffee and the classic eggs Benedict at a price of $11.79, plus a side of four slices of bacon at $4.89. A picture perfect platter. Our total check came to $35.80 with tax, plus a tip.   I would for sure go back to First Watch in a heartbeat. And am already planning to visit the Jax Beach location at my earliest opportunity - located in the Marsh Landing shopping complex. I’d highly recommend you go ahead and plan a visit as well. If you’re just passing through Jax, you’ll be able to feast on a fabulous breakfast to start your day. And if you’re local to the area, I’m sure you'll want to be planning your next visit as quickly as I am planning mine. But just as quickly as I’d like to jump aboard the next bandwagon on over to the diner, I’d rather just as quickly leave the time change gathering dust behind me. ~ 
Have you been to a First Watch? I’d love to know. Drop me a comment down below. Also, here’s some more diner reviews for y’all: 16] Beach Diner ~ If You Feed Them They Will Come 19] Another Broken Egg Cafe ~ A Taste Of NOLA @ The Beach 40] Visiting The Florida Cracker Kitchen ~ Jacksonville 50] Sundays Are For Diners ~ Super Diners Y’all may also enjoy: 39] The Very Official & Quite Serious Donut Debate Of 2020 48] Love & Donuts In The Air @ Beaches For Australia 54] Um, Open @ Angie’s Subs 55] The Shamrock  Hey there yall! Happiest of Happy Monday’s to you - each and every one. I hope you had the very best weekend of your life... I hope your Sunday was: Simply. Swell. Actually, I hope you ate a delicious ice cream Sundae. On. Sunday. I hope you got your Sun Daze On. On. Sunday. But, you know what I really hope???... I really hope and wish that your day was a supercalifragilistic one. On. Sunday. I hope your Sunday was a full blown expialidocious one. On. Sunday. And, even if you didn’t happen to devour a delicious sundae - on Sunday - and, even if you didn’t have a long and repetitive song stuck in your head - on Sunday - then I hope you did the very next best thing to that. Sang the very next best song to that. And dined on the very next best thing to that. I hope you enjoyed a delicious meal. On. Sunday... On my Sunday, I dined at a diner. The Metro Diner - to be exact.     Metro Diner has grown significantly in recent years. And on our busy, yet lovely and leisurely Sunday, hubby and I dined at the Ponte Vedra Beach Metro Diner location. However, there are many locations throughout Jacksonville. And we’ve been to most of them. Metro Diner is a regular part of our “dining out” experience. The one and only original Metro Diner, located in San Marco, is the perfect and very quintessential diner. And this diner became so popular that others were built around and throughout Jacksonville. And now, very recently, Metro Diner has spread throughout the entire SouthEast and is growing at a fairly rapid pace. But San Marco is and remains probably my favorite of their locations. Old trees. Historic neighborhood. Directly next to the gateway to Downtown Jax. Yet, this past Sunday, we stayed on the island, not venturing over the bridge, for anything. So we chose a Beaches location to dine at. Still the same food. Still the same atmosphere, service, and friendliness. Just a different area of town, very and much closer to home.  The Jacksonville area Metro Diners are so popular, that Guy Fieri found himself making a stop to Jax, FL. He featured Metro Diner on the popular cable series Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. And that stop in by Guy has only made Metro Diner even more famous. And while it started out and is known as the place “where the locals eat” - Metro Diner has grown to be a must-visit stop on the list of business travelers, tourists, and spring-breakers, and families young and old, while they are visiting the greater Jacksonville area. I know that I am always recommending Metro Diner to lots of out-of-town visitors. And I’ve had many a wonderful meal there myself, whether it is just with the hubby, or with lots of friends and family too. So while I had a leisurely Sunday yesterday, it was also filled with busy and errand-filled tasks that needed to get done. But, you know what? Life, every day, isn’t just about “getting stuff done.” Running around: doing tasks, and chores, and a list of never-ending errands…. Even if you have an errand-filled day, there’s always room for good food. And Metro Diner was a no-brainer choice for us. We were in the Ponte Vedra Beach area, and planned lunch out at the Diner while doing my long check-list of things I knew I wanted to get done that day. I simply added Metro Diner onto that to-do list. And it became a must-do. And there we went.  While I love the Jax Beach location; and it’s so close to home. The Ponte Vedra Beach location I might love even more. The Diner in Ponte Vedra is part of the Sawgrass Village shopping complex. A complex filled with a grocer, a variety of restaurants, lots of clothing shops, a surfboard shop, stationary, treats, and most importantly - a Peterbrooke Chocolatiers. There’s also hotels and other restaurants around back. Including the Sawgrass Marriott Resort. So, while from driving down A1A, Sawgrass looks like it’s just a Publix and a few other things, there’s a lot of other treasures mixed in and behind. Location, location, location.      Outdoor patio. And when you pull in the complex, and drive toward the Diner, if that lot is full, just keep rounding the corner, and there’s an entire, larger, hidden parking lot in the back. The Diner also has a nice, covered, outdoor patio for dining facing the water in Sawgrass.  Back of diner.   And at Metro Diner, when you walk inside, they always thank you for coming in, and say goodbye and thank you on the way out.    We were seated in a booth of a crowded restaurant during the lunch rush. Not an open seat or table to be had. Families on outings, couples, very large parties, and very small ones too. Metro Diner is the place to be for everyone on a Sunday morning at the Beach. Very crowded. Expect a potential wait if the timing is just right. And while we were seated immediately and didn’t wait at all, I also easily and immediately chose the lemonade to order, no decision making time needed. I love their lemonade and I almost always it. And hubby ordered the iced tea.   And, in about two seconds, I chose the French Toast with a side of Bacon. When my meal was served to me, our lovely server put it down in front of me, and before the plate even hit the table, I already smelled cinnamony goodness. My meal had the scent of a bakery. It was heavenly. The bacon at Metro Diner is perfect, so I always recommend ordering a side if your meal doesn’t come with it.    All the Diner’s have a large chalkboard inside, clearly listing the daily specials, and maybe special pies, drinks, deals, or holiday-themed goodies. So, while my hubby always seems to order the Eggs Benedict, he chose the Sunday Special this time around - which happened to be spicy fried chicken Benedict. And the meal came with a generous side of hash browns.    As is typical in Florida, but not so much so in the winter, it rained while we were enjoying our meal inside, and by the time we left, the rain had cleared and the ground was drying. We said goodbye and carried on with the rest of our day on the coast. The misty air and salty breeze all-consuming and heavenly, indeed. Over and over I told my husband how much I love a Florida winter day. And my tummy was full of Sunday goodness. And my heart was full of gratefulness too. And my head was full of song. Yes, inside it a little tune… And I'm really not quite sure what song was in there??? And I’m not sure where it came from? Or what the words were? I just think I recognized it as a little hummm, and a little garbled… and I think it went a little something like this: Um-dittle-ittl-um-dittle-I. Um-dittle-ittl-um-dittle-I. ~  Check out these other delicious and diner-filled stories below, why don’t ya? 16) Beach Diner ~ If You Feed Them They Will Come 19) Another Broken Egg Cafe ~ A Taste Of NOLA @ The Beach 22) Saturday On San Pablo Island Y’all may also enjoy: 9) Sago Coffee: A Cup Of Friendly & Flavorful Florida *Part of ~ Bean’s Coffee Shop Challenge ~ 11) Eleven South Bistro & Bar ~~ Supper Club Of The South 39) The Very Official & Quite Serious Donut Debate Of 2020 40) Visiting The Florida Cracker Kitchen ~ Jacksonville 48) Love & Donuts In The Air @ Beaches For Australia Have you been to Jacksonville’s Metro Diner? What’s your favorite Metro Diner location? I’d love to know! Let me know with a comment down below.
 Howdy, folks! Are you looking for some real, Southern, down-home cookin’? Well, then look no further than the Florida Cracker Kitchen. I had an absolutely Fabulous outing there, and I Must tell you about it! I’ve driven past the Florida Cracker Kitchen many a time these past few years. Probably hundreds of times in fact. And always wanting to stop in, and always on my way somewhere else. Well, finally, that somewhere else turned into my somewhere to be. As we finally made our way to this lovely little destination, we pulled into the Cracker Kitchen lot and curved right on past the cow statue which stands guard out front of the building. I’ve glanced at this cow many times as we passed on by traveling Beach Boulevard. And he always looks back at me and waves hello. Stepping out of the car there was someone playing the guitar on the front porch. I was immediately reminiscent toward the Cracker Barrel, of which I am a fan. With their rocking chairs out front, and gift shop in the entryway, this place made me think of many meals out on the road. The Florida Cracker Kitchen has a bags game outside for those who want to play while waiting for their table. They also have an outdoor bar where patrons are served their drinks out of an old truck. And yet another neat sight was an antique fire truck sitting out back. They even have their own Little Free Library, next to a lounging horse statue. It seems the cow was on his shift, while the horse was on his break.       An absolutely gorgeous and calm Florida winter day presented itself to me, as it tends to do most every day in the winter here. So there was no need to worry about sitting Inside v. Outside because Outside it was. We were seated at a nice, pet-friendly screened-in outdoor patio, overlooking Beach Boulevard. And while we were walk-in during the prime lunch rush, with no reservation, there was no wait and we were seated immediately. And the porch was packed. Not a table beside ours to be had.    Mason jars of icy lemonades and sweet teas, and ceramic mugs filled with coffee etched with the upside-down boot shape of the state of Florida adorned all the wooden table-tops. We were starved, and placed our order straight away. As our meals were cooking, I smelled many things. And all of those things were good things. Breathing in through my nose, I was immediately transported to my childhood. To the house I grew up in when very young. As I napped in the afternoons, I remember my Mother cooking the best home-cooked meals… I remember waking from a nap and smelling the aroma of good food. And that is exactly what this patio smelled like. Meals from Mom’s Kitchen. I smelled meatloaf and mashed potatoes. I smelled swiss steak and fried potatoes. I smelled casseroles and I smelled stews. I smelled ribs. Now, mind you, I had no idea if these were things even on the menu, but I smelled it all. I smelled every meal my Mom ever made me. And it all smelled swell. Do you think we might have been hungry when we arrived? Our plates were served to us as my daydream came to an abrupt end. Stepping back into the immediate present, I was face to face with the best breakfast platter I’ve had in ages. I was presented with a plate loaded with protein and carbs, and all quite delicious. I ordered the two egg breakfast which comes with two scrambled eggs, two slices of bacon, a homemade biscuit, and a large serving of fried potatoes. All for $7.49.    The potatoes reminded me of my grandfather’s fried potatoes, with tiny sprinkle of seasoned salt mixed within. I can picture him cooking them in their small kitchen on a skillet; these had onions slighting caramelizing a bit inside as well. And all of those doughy breads are made daily in house. That’s all their white breads, french toast, biscuits, and especially their cinnamon rolls. If you are wondering how I am maintaining massive weight loss being served such a tasty platter of this size and full of all temptation, the answer is quite simple. I merely ate half of what I was served. I took the other half home with me, and ate it for dinner that evening. If you want to start halving your portions for weight loss while dining out, I highly recommend giving it a go. When you start the habit you may be quite discouraged, as the meal sitting in front of you will be very tempting. And once you eat half you will think you are still hungry. Your brain will tell you to give it all up and just eat the whole darn platter already why don’t ya. But never fear, it gets much easier over time to tell your brain to just shut the heck up! Believe it or not, you know better than your brain does. And repetition of this practice will lead you to be an expert plate-halver just like myself. So all you have to do is practice. Easy, right - so just keep on keepin’ on, and keep going out to eat. The more you halve your plate, the easier it will be on you. You will resist temptation and cravings and you will be able to tell your brain exactly what Kevin McCallister tells his basement furnace, just like a pro in no time flat. I promise. Hubby ordered the Cracker Omelette priced at $9.99. This consisted of eggs, sausage, bacon, onion, bell peppers, and both jack and cheddar cheese; and comes with a side of the fried potatoes and a biscuit.  And the very best part of the meal was what we ordered to take home with us for our dessert that evening. Before our visit to the restaurant, I had signed up online to become a Grits Club Member. This entitled me to one of MeMa’s Giant Cinnamon Rolls for free during our meal. I would highly recommend signing up, if merely to get an amazing free roll. It’s valued at $3.99, and when the server places the order it will come up as a $1.00 charge on your receipt. When you pay at the front counter (inside the gift shop on the way out), you can then show the cashier your email coupon again on your phone and the $1.00 charge is taken off your total bill. We took our cinnamon roll from MeMa on home with us to split as a treat that evening. I heated it in the microwave for thirty seconds and then spread all the frosting on top. It was one of the best nightly treats I’ve had in ages. And yes, even though I lost weight, I am sure to allot myself calories for a treat each and every evening, no exceptions to that. Because I’m not living if dessert isn’t allowed in my life.  MeMa’s Giant Cinnamon Roll packaged to-go.  MeMa’s Giant Cinnamon Roll prepared hot that evening at home. On the way out of the restaurant, we of course, browsed the gift shop in the adjacent room. It houses lots of restaurant-branded merchandise including tees, ball caps, baby bibs, and lots of decals for the car. There were countless items branded with their famous logo of which is that upside down state of Florida represented as a cowboy boot. I was in immediate love with their boot logo and purchased the cutest pink beaded necklace at $32.00 plus tax when we paid our tab.  Overall, I’d say to get your cute little behinds on down to the Florida Cracker Kitchen forthwith. You will not be sorry you went. And if you’re watching your calories, just plan for your other two meals that day to be lighter and you’ll be fine. And if you’re not watching your calories, you’ll enjoy it just the same or more so. The meal was very inexpensive, and it ended up being significantly less than our meal of the same type at Another Broken Egg Cafe - of which I like and am a repeat customer. But just saying so that you know it’s not pricey at all. Definitely give the Florida Cracker Kitchen a go, and get a nice and hot, real southern meal. When we got in the car to leave, I said, “I haven’t had so much fun, since the last time we had so much fun.” And that’s the gosh darn truth. ~  For more of my Floridian Fun - feel free to check these links out why don’t ya: 7) My ‘Before & After’ ~~ How A Single Act Of Kindness, Lime Bubly, And MyFitnessPal Helped Me Lose 77 Pounds In One Year 16) Beach Diner ~ If You Feed Them They Will Come 17) Fall Flavors ~ Six Simple Steps I’m Taking This Fall To Maintain My Massive Weight Loss 19) Another Broken Egg Cafe ~ A Taste Of NOLA @ The Beach 39) The Very Official & Quite Serious Donut Debate of 2020
 I love bakeries. I love everything created and made by hand inside of bakeries. My favorite bakeries are the small ones - the local ones - the ones that aren’t part of any chain - the ones no one’s ever really heard of, except those who live right there in that same town alongside it. Sure, I seem to always find time and room for Dunkin and Starbucks, etc. In fact, where else do I run to while on a long road trip but for a Dunkin coffee to keep me awake while I’m driving? But what about all those bakeries scattered across the country that don’t have a drive-thru attached? The bakeries you actually have to get out of your car for, and go inside the building to place your order??? Those bakeries... tend to be the best bakeries.  I like to think that my passionate love of bakeries and their heavenly creations runs in my blood... My grandfather was a baker for well over forty years. And when he wasn’t working, both he and my grandmother were at home. They spent hours upon hours in the kitchen. Always cooking. And always baking. Some of my favorite memories with both of them include time well spent in that small kitchen. My sisters and I helped them cook all kinds of food. But my favorite foods they made were their baked goods, of course. My Papa taught us how to hand-roll the dough to make kolacky cookies. We always started by pouring flour onto the table-top - that was my favorite part - making a purposeful and deliberate mess. We rolled the dough and we put in the jellied fillings. We watched them bake. My grandparents made hundreds of cookies, each and every Christmas, before their health declined and they could no longer do it. It seemed to me that everyone they knew was given a large and heaping full silver aluminum tray of kolackys to take home and enjoy on the holiday. I’ve yet to be able to replicate those amazing cookies. I am continually determined to try though. I believe my grandparents teaching us these skills in the kitchen has held influence on my life and transformed my love of food, and really just helped me become the person I am today. Foods are tradition. And when my husband and I bake now, not making nearly as much at a time that my grandparents did in their prime, we are always sure to pass some goodies along to a neighbor, a friend, or to whomever we will be seeing in the coming days. This holiday season I am looking forward to baking chocolate chip cookies, frosted sugar cookies, and Angeletti cookies with my husband. It is now tradition in my home, and someday I’m going to replicate that kolacky as well… maybe even this year. When I lived in Illinois, there was an abundance of local bakeries. I could go in any suburb surrounding me, living just outside of Chicago, and find a bakery. There was never a shortage of places to pick up special cookies for Easter, a coffee cake to bring to a party, or a cake for a special occasion. And my hubby’s favorite item served at any bakery are always their frosted sugar cookies. Me - I like the chocolate donuts. Simple, basic, and the best ever. In my hometown, the Orland Park Bakery is one of God’s best creations. I make it a point to stop there at least once, and most likely always much more than once, every time I go up for a visit. Some years back, I remember one cold December day, my husband and I decided to make the trek all the way out to Chicago just to visit a local bakery and pick up their special St. Nicholas Day gingerbread cookies. My hubby had them in his youth every year, so we wanted to bring the tradition and memories back, and he really wanted me to try them for the first time. Well, being a self-proclaimed bakery connoisseur by this point in my life, I should have well known that making the very long trek fighting through Chicago holiday traffic and ridiculously sloppy weather to arrive at a bakery around two in the afternoon... is really not the best time to arrive at a bakery. Bakeries thrive in the mornings. They are the place to be - in the morning. After almost two hours in the car and arriving mid-afternoon, what in the world was I thinking? We definitely should have gone in the morning for this adventure? But that was a different life I lived, and now I am fully awake by five am daily. Anything later - I tend to consider myself sleeping in. We parked and walked through the icy cold and the busy and festively decorated street to find the bakery, just about to close. The window displays were empty. And once inside, the shelves were near empty as well. Sold out for the day of all product. I was crushed. We inquired... And somehow, by some miracle of the bakery Gods up above, they still had a few St. Nicholas Day cookies left… We’ll take them! We were ecstatic. We took all that remained. Thrilled. We also snagged up a pre-arranged box of their sprinkle cookies simply because it was all that reminded for sale, sitting on a counter and patiently waiting to go home with someone. It was only after this outing did I learn that I could actually pre-order special product at bakeries to guarantee them available when I arrive to pick up. So we were on our way out of the bakery to leave them be as they closed up for the day. It would be many more years before I learned my lesson about “sleeping in” and my enrollment in my own 5am Club membership. To me, at the time, we had simply just ‘lucked out’ that’ they had some cookies left for us to purchase. We then strolled just a short ways down the street from the bakery and dined at a local Bohemian restaurant. It was an old building, and a place beautifully decorated for the upcoming holiday. It was an altogether lovely outing. An outing entirely revolved around bakery as the destination. When I moved to Florida, it was my definite perception and really became quite hard to find a good bakery. They weren’t nearly as abundant as they were in Illinois. And when we did find a bakery - it didn’t taste the same as up north! I am extremely biased though...Chicago has the best food, and nothing else even comes close. So it’s very difficult for me to compare the delicious food from the north with the different food in the south. Today, bakeries are still part of my life. I recently lost a lot of weight and made a complete lifestyle change these past few years. I am much healthier than I was during the earlier part of this decade. I had gained weight during a lot of inactivity, and now I have lost it all, and am quite happy to say that I am very healthy. I lost 83 pounds lost to be exact. I go into great detail on my weight loss journey here if you’d like to check out how I lost 77 of those pounds in one year’s time. How can I be so healthy now and still eat donuts regularly? The answer is simply moderation. And - Discipline. I can eat ALL THE THINGS. Just not ALL THE TIME. I believe that when one fully grasps and understands that simple and basic concept, it can truly be life-changing. And I love baked goods so much that I currently plan a once-a-month outing to our local bakery - Cinotti’s, located in Jax Beach, FL. “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” Declared on the top of each box. I lost 83 freaking pounds, while eating treats and breads and pastas and pizza and ice cream - AND - bakery, lots of Cinotti’s Bakery.  Summer time @ Cinotti’s  Back to school time @ Cinotti’s  Thanksgiving time @ Cinotti’s  Christmas time @ Cinotti’s  By establishing that roughly once-a-month outing, this allows for me to have the tasty treats that I love and never, ever want to give up, but also allows for discipline and patience in between outings. All that discipline and patience make for a stronger person. I don’t eat donuts every day - I eat them roughly once a month. And as I’m sure you’ve probably read in every magazine out there preaching at you on how to get healthy - don’t restrict. Don’t eliminate… Meaning, don’t erase foods from your life to get healthy. Learn to live WITH the foods you love. Because life is too short not to eat donuts. Just don’t eat them all the time. Simple, right? These outings are so important to me I classify them by name - and time-and-date stamp them into my iPhone calendar as well. I then share the calendar event with my hubby so he knows when we are going out for donuts. Yay! We have called these visits many things… Fabulous Friday, Wacky Wednesday, Tasty Tuesday, and Terrific Thursday. Whatever we call it isn’t important though; it's simply putting a name to an event on the calendar that is now tradition. Right now, hubby and I are living through our monthly ‘Totally Terrific and Tasty Tuesdays’ - That means we go to Cinotti’s, once a month, on a Tuesday. And my iPhone tells me as much, once a month. So simple, and sooooo delicious. And for our November visit to the bakery, our furry baby Madeline was officially included in this little tradition of ours…. When I happened to glance down while we were paying, and underneath the cash register area toward all the little holiday trinkets for sale inside the shop... dog bones! Better yet - BAKERY dog bones! I was thrilled once again. How absolutely and utterly adorable. Made with flour and peanut butter and really just a few simple ingredients safe for a doggie’s tummy, and with a label calling them Canine Cookies… I HAD to purchase them! When we got home Madeline had the single best treat she ever had in her life. I know this not because she told me in English, but because she literally cried out loud for more after she was done with her very special bone. Even dogs love bakery.  And now that I know there is life out there at five am, and that is also roughly when bakeries are usually turning on their lights for the day, we would never now show up at the bakery at such a late hour as two in the afternoon. When that time of the month arrives, and my iPhone vibrates and jingles to tell me it’s our Totally Terrific and Tasty Tuesday, we go outside and exercise before the sun rises, and then head right on over to Cinotti’s. We arrive there fairly early in the morning, when they are fully stocked and selection is overflowing. Parents are bringing in their school-aged children up to the counter so they can pick up a special treat on their way to dropping them off at school. I think of my Papa and all his years upon years of hard work in the bakery. I walk outside carrying my taped, cardboard box of goodness, and I miss him terribly. This box of bakery is a special way of remembering him. Yes, life is too short not to eat donuts. And we bring home our box along with some peanut butter baked dog bones to our very happy, little, eight year old puppy. ~ 
 If you’ve been looking for the finest beignets on the island - and not just any random beignets - then look no further than Another Broken Egg Cafe… Because THEY have the best beignets at the Beach! And, I know, this is definitely not New Orleans… beignets are not plentiful around here. But they really are the best around. I’ve had the opportunity to visit NOLA three times thus far in my life. The most recent trip being in 2016, which feels like an eternity away from such fabulous memories. Such a very special place and a vibrant city that I could easily move to in two seconds flat. So it was 2016 the last time I was blessed with the opportunity of being able to dine upon beignets. On that most recent visit, my hubby and I had arrived in NOLA by rail from Chicago; Amtrak specifically. I remember sitting outside at a table at the famous Cafe Du Monde. It was Thanksgiving weekend. The Christmas season was officially starting and beautifully decorated trees were popping up everywhere I looked. Everything we ate and drank that weekend was divine. But the beignets were the best of it all.  NOLA ~ 2016 We ordered a plate of the traditional beignets, and each a cafe au lait to sip. I remember powdered sugar being everywhere. It’s was draped all over the seat I sat upon. It was layered throughout the entire ground floor of the outdoor patio. It was floating through the surrounding air in swirling motions. It was ghostly and magical at the same time. It had snowed powdered sugar in the city of New Orleans - and it was magic. Because whether or not it was real snow falling, we were sitting at the very heart and soul of NOLA. We sat there and soaked in all the excitement. All the wonderful sights and smells and sounds. If you ever make it to New Orleans, be sure to plan a stop at the Cafe, and remember to get a table for a more leisurely experience. There is also a quick service line area, which mostly caters to the countless tourists who need to taste the piece of heaven but are in a rush to see everything else too. So if you have the time on you hands, take the seat and sit a while. Because sitting down and observation can sometimes be the most moving and important aspect of your travels. And as for the beignets themselves, they were heaven on this earth. And the ones I ate this past week were too! And who would have guessed that ‘Another Broken Egg Cafe’ was born in Louisiana? They really serve up some fabulous southern hospitality at the Broken Egg as well. We had the friendliest server, and the first thing she asked my hubby and I was if we had ever been to the Cafe? No, we said, this was our first visit. We had attempted to dine there a few times, mostly on the weekends, and the place was always packed - too packed to even find a parking space. Most recently, we had made inside the front door. It was a Sunday morning. And everyone in Jax Beach goes out to breakfast on Sunday mornings. We had somewhere to be that day and thought we could “squeeze in” an outing to the Cafe beforehand. They had a one hour wait; sigh - sad face. We had to leave. We reminded ourselves to try them again, on a weekday. So just the other day, which happened to be a Wednesday and just after the lunch time rush, we walked into the Cafe. We literally had the place to ourselves! Such a lovely and peaceful time to dine out sometimes.  Since we told our server that this was our first visit, she said she’d be right back. Upon return, she mentioned that an order of beignets had been started for us. It was on the house - it’s their way of welcoming us in, she said, and wanting us to come back again. And as you can tell by the fact that I’m writing about this magnificent food creation, we will most definitely be returning. I ordered what I had intended to order after I had searched their online menu earlier in the day - the classic French toast, a side of baked bacon, and unsweetened iced tea. We each drank at least two glasses of their fabulous tea.     The beignets were a very unintended surprise, so I hadn’t planned that food into my day. A few months ago I completed a personal weight-loss journey and major transition to a very healthy lifestyle. But one of the commitments I made to myself during that change was that I would always allow myself desserts. I lost a total of 83 pounds, while never giving up desserts. I love treats too much to eliminate them entirely from my life, and I refused to restrict myself in that area. So any weight loss that occurred had to occur while allowing access to treats. The only difference now being continual moderation. So, with complete confidence - as the completely unplanned powdered beignets were served to me, I was able to sample them. And THAT sample and THIS picture below are the prime reasons that desserts remain a part of my life.  Wow. Amazing. Their ‘biscuit beignets’ were heaven on this earth. No words can accurately describe them - and they should definitely not be missed out on. I highly recommend visiting the Cafe and placing an order. Or, better yet, mention that it is your first visit if it truly is, and you’ll probably be treated to a very special treat. The photo at top shows their “half order” that was served to us, which comes with four beignets. A full order comes as a batch of eight.. After my first bite, I immediately inquired if diners are able to place to-go orders. And during this inquiry I multi-tasked... and I dreamed of picking up a full batch of biscuit beignets on a regular basis and eating them all in front of the tv in the evenings, by candlelight… I can dream, right? Yes, of course, our server mentioned. She said that she personally was bringing home a batch for her teenage son that afternoon. She wanted him to help her clean up the house, and her son’s response, can you bring me some beignets? Smart kid. My husband ordered an omelette with a side of baked bacon, and he also drank an unsweetened iced tea.  Both of our meals were much too large for us to finish in one sitting. So we had a second meal for the next day made from our leftovers that we brought home. Second-day breakfasts can be the best. But second-day breakfasts with a beignet on the side IS the very best. Beyond our doggie bag, we were also each sent away with to-go cups of yet another glass of iced tea. You definitely get your money’s worth there, that’s for sure. And then, after we paid, our server presented us each with a sealed return certificate. Put them in your purse and don’t open them, she mentioned. When you come back, your server will open the sealed envelope for you and each certificate is a winner… maybe even an order of beignets.   After the shock of the beignets wore off, we paid our check and were ready to leave. I made a mental note to myself on the way out the door. We will be back… and while it’s been a very long few years since I made it to NOLA for a visit, something tells me it won’t be nearly that long before I make the trek down A1A for a visit to the Broken Egg Cafe. ~  NOLA ~ 2016
 “If you feed them they will come.” As well as, “First feed your soul.” These are some of the wooden signs adorning the walls of Beach Diner in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. And what an absolutely adorable little diner it truly is.  Beach Diner is a local small business in the greater Jacksonville area. In my opinion the diner is a wonderful mix of greasy spoon, cafe, and a beachy bistro too. There are five locations in various local Beaches communities. I’ve been to three of them so far - and my goal is to try all five within the near future. The five diners are located in Atlantic Beach, San Marco, Fernandina Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, and Mandarin. Each Beach Diner that I’ve been (Atlantic Beach, San Marco - and now for today’s review - Ponte Vedra Beach) has a fun, eclectic, and of course, beachy vibe.  The diners are set up offering patrons various styles of seating. Traditional counter style diner service is at the front of the diner in Ponte Vedra Beach. Booths and tables are also throughout, including a lovely, shade-covered patio outside, just off its location on A1A, where dogs are also welcome (bonus!).  White beadboard covers the walls of the diner, with coastal decor and funky, fun, “beachy” paintings adorned on the walls.  I ordered the two egg meal. Served with two scrambled eggs, bacon, and choice of toast - I chose the multi-grain wheat toast, served with butter already on it. The meal also comes with your choice of style of hash browns. So whatever potato you want that day, you can get it.  I highly recommend always ordering their bacon, even a side order if you happen to be ordering something else on the menu. Full of delicious savory flavor and never overcooked, my husband and I can’t replicate it at home if we continually tried.  Service is ALWAYS friendly. A very warm and welcoming environment, indeed. In my opinion, Beach Diner is one of those very special, and very Southern diners - overflowing with quintessential Southern Hospitality.   Some folks stay to have leisurely and slow morning meal and linger over their coffee, while watching the televisions situated above the counter. Jaguars mostly guaranteed to be the channel of choice on the air. Newspapers and laptops, families, and couples. A quick meal or slow, it’s a nice, relaxing outing any time you come for a visit. Upon leaving, as a bonus on the way out the door, I was able to say hello to a very excited dog sitting politely on the patio. The owner said her dog loves coming to the diner each week to be greeted by all the people coming in and out. Beach Diner is simply a lovely little local spot in the Beaches community. And next time you’re looking for a breakfast that you don’t have to cook - bacon you don’t have to fry yourself, eggs you don’t have to scramble yourself, and hash browns you don’t have to hash yourselves, get on over to Beach Diner - where you will be reminded to first feed your soul - with some real darn good food. Staff and servers wearing Beach Diner tees or their favorite Jaguars apparel are ready to serve a wonderfully delicious meal to you. ~ 
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