Garlic crabs aren't the only dish native to Gullah Geechee that is widespread in Jacksonville. Other dishes that can be found all over the city include boiled seafood, shrimp with semolina, Hoppin' John, salmon empanadas, gumbo, lots of rice, crab soup and, of course, barbecue (we'll talk about this in a minute). A basket of fried Mayport shrimp. In Jacksonville and the First Coast, restaurants are proud to serve fresh Mayport shrimp.
This is not a particular species of shrimp; the designation “Mayport shrimp” refers to shrimp caught in the wild and unloaded in the Jacksonville area, especially in the historic fishing town of Mayport. Garlic crabs are among the many Southern dishes that originate in the Gullah Geechee. Gullah geechee are descendants of enslaved West Africans in the Lowcountry, the coastal region that stretches from North Carolina to St. Augustine, where they developed a culture, a language and a cuisine badges.
Jacksonville isn't recognized enough as the epicenter of garlic crab, but connoisseurs travel far and wide to enjoy this treat, and some restaurants in other areas, such as Charleston's famous Charlie Brown's Seafood Kitchen, have “Jacksonville style garlic crabs” on their menu. Jacksonville's culinary landscape is constantly evolving, but some signature dishes have survived the changing landscape, as new dishes make their mark. A newcomer, shrimp with grits, has become a staple in many Jacksonville restaurants, as noted in a recent article in the Florida Times-Union. Located in a modest mall, this former Jacksonville food truck now has a physical location that offers Italian dishes such as lasagna with hand-rolled pasta, delicate gnocchi, ravioli with various fillings, and the popular pear fiocchi with pears and cheese.
Jacksonville has a unique and delicious dining offering, from casual dockside restaurants to elegant rooftop restaurants and owned by famous chefs. Others that can be found all over the city are boiled seafood, shrimp with semolina, Hoppin' John, salmon empanadas, lots of rice, crab soup and, of course, barbecue. Dockside Seafood, located next to the Jacksonville Beach boat ramp, specializes in fresh local seafood. What's specific to the Jacksonville area is the name “honey dropper,” which isn't common anywhere else.
Horsemen are a true staple of Jacksonville cuisine and one of the many legacies of the city's thriving Arab-American community. Whether it's a fantastic Italian restaurant hidden in a mall, a fried chicken restaurant in the middle of one of Jacksonville's historic neighborhoods, or a breakfast place that serves hot cinnamon rolls loaded with icing, Jacksonville's dining scene seems to get better and better over the years. Jacksonville's Arab community dates back to the 1890s and has influenced all walks of life, from business to politics to healthcare, but Arabs have had a special influence on the local food and dining scene. There's one dish that both Sanchez-Potter and Caron Streibich, a columnist for Folio Weekly and co-founder of the food truck group Jax Truckies, agree is unique to Jacksonville, the camel rider.
Although less well-known than other Lowcountry cities, such as Charleston and Savannah, Jacksonville is home to the largest population of Gullah Geechee descendants in the United States United. They are famous for their fried pie, which is literally a bag of chips that is opened and covered with brisket, beans, cheese sauce and jalapeño aioli. Wicked Barley Brewing Company specializes in craft beers and dishes ideal for pairing beers. Innovative brewmasters are constantly creating new offerings, including beers inspired by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Many of them represent the combination of fish and seafood or other proteins common in the local environment with common basic foods and tasty spices to create a food that could feed the whole family.
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