Just about every major city has them. Finding them is like being initiated into a secret club, knowing the password to whisper to the bouncer to gain admission. Withstanding the hazing process to reap the rewards of the fraternity or sorority. Ok, it’s not that serious, but really – who doesn’t love finding the hidden gem holes in the wall where lines wrap around the corner and they’re well worth the wait for just one taste of amazing food? If you’re in Jacksonville, FL, I’m talking about the French Pantry.
When we first moved to town, my twins’ preschool teachers quickly learned that I’m a major foodie. Simultaneously, they asked if I had been to the French Pantry yet. “What’s that?” I asked. Their faces illuminated with lust, I could almost see french bread in their eyes. “Oh, you have to go there. But they’re only open from 11-2 and there’s always a line. It’s easy to miss, so just look for the line.” Now, this piqued my interest. I love food establishments that are off the beaten path and are in such high demand that there are long lines, worth waiting on.
I called Josh at work and asked him to sneak away for an early lunch. We met at this secret spot and stood in a long line. Even at 11:30 a.m. We felt like such rebels, although there was nothing promiscuous about this rendezvous (but, the food is orgasmic). Turns out, this place is super popular with the weekday lunch crowd. Unassumingly situated in a commercial building, the restaurant blends in seamlessly with its surrounding industrial buildings and businesses. It’s definitely not in the best part of town, but that’s usually where you find these hole-in-the-wall restaurants!
The menu is vast and includes paninis, bruschettas, salads, and burgers. It was a daunting task to choose – we wanted everything! We ogled plates as waitresses delivered them to tables and tried matching them to the menu items. I finally settled on bruschetta with mozzarella, artichoke hearts, prosciutto, and pesto. Josh ordered bruschetta with mozzarella, shrimp, chorizo, and jalapeno. After placing our order and paying for our meals, we were assigned to a communal table. A waitress delivered a small dipping bowl of olive oil, vinegar, and herbs, along with a basket of bread that is freshly baked onsite, daily. If the breadbasket was the only thing the establishment offered, I’d go home happier than the Pillsbury Dough Boy. We made the rookie mistake of filling up on and devouring the entire basket before our meal was delivered to the table. But we rallied and found enough space in our bellies to enjoy the piece de resistance.
The waitress delivered mammoth-sized plates and set them in front of us. We looked at each other in wide-eyed disbelief and agreed that we were full, but not too full to not enjoy these picture-perfect meals! There are four pieces of French bread topped with melted mozzarella and the various toppings of your menu selection. The decorated pieces of bread are served over a very generously sized salad with delicious homemade balsamic vinaigrette and a hearty scoop of tomato bruschetta in the center. The dishes are huge and can easily be shared. If you’re feeling selfish, however, they have to-go boxes and bags so that you can enjoy the meal a second time in the comfort of your own home. In elastic-waistband pants. Trust me.
Since our first visit, The French Pantry has become a staple in our restaurant rotation. Whenever friends or family come to visit, we make the trek for this delicious meal. We have tried a number of the bruschettas, the paninis, the shrimp po’ boy, the burgers, and the salads. The paninis are not your traditional Italian pressed panini, they’re more of a sandwich on thick toasted bread and not pressed flat. They’re delicious, nonetheless.
Since all of the bread is baked fresh onsite, daily, you can take home mouth-watering loaves for dinner or freeze for future use, like French toast! There is a dessert display case at the registers, full of beautiful and freshly baked pastries, muffins, and tarts, and they’re known for their wedding cake.
I’m pleased to report that you can’t go wrong with any of their menu items. If you’re looking for a weekend brunch meal (because the dishes will keep you full most of the day), or a weekday lunch escape with friends or colleagues, jump in the car and hop in line, you won’t be disappointed.
The French Pantry is open Monday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until 2:15 p.m. and is located at 6301 Powers Avenue, Jacksonville. Want to browse their menu to get yourself salivating? Check it out here: https://thefrenchpantry.com/menus/
Tamar Blazer is an attorney-turned-twin mom, with a passion for her family, friends, writing, good food, home decor and laughing. When she’s not lamenting on her lack of sleep, you can find her doing one of the too many projects she likes to take on, usually with a twin on either side.
