Lunch Bunch

Mid-Day Munchies- what’s for lunch?

Jacksonville is host to a massive amount of lunch options, with restaurants dotting the streets of Town Center and Southside. While all these options mean never getting bored, it can be a little overwhelming to sift through all the options for the best meals. Here are some of the best places to stop by for lunch, looking at variety, speed, and price.

• Chipotle –  Located in Town Center, it’s a staple fast, affordable, and tasty lunch spot. As a Chipotle fanatic myself, it’s always important for me to locate the closest one to campus. About 10 minutes from school, Chipotle is an easy place to grab a bite in between classes, or even get to go and bring up to the library with you.
• Blaze Pizza  – Blaze offers tasty pizza at a decent price and gives buyers a lot of options on customizing their pies. Also located in Town Center, but even closer to campus at just a 5-minute drive, Blaze is a great option for a speedy lunch, and the pizza can easily be boxed up and taken to go.
• Bento – Another pretty well-known chain located in Town Center.  Offering sushi, fried rice, poké bowls, and a lot of classic Asian dishes, Bento is a great fast option.  Bento is a little pricier however the portion sizes are fairly large and could definitely end up being two meals instead of one. Bento is also a sit-down or take-out restaurant.
• Chicken Salad Chick  – One of my daughter’s favorites.  Chicken Salad Chick offers a different spin on classic chicken salad.   Also on the healthier side, it’s a great option for a lighter meal. CSC is also located in Town Center. Also a sit-down or take out option.
• Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen  – Cheddar’s is located across the street from the shops at Town Center and offers classic American food. This option is great because of its large variety of options – from burgers to salads to pasta.  While you can sit down, it is also a takeout restaurant.
• Zoës Kitchen – With a Mediterranean cuisine, Zoës offers salads, kebabs, sandwiches, pitas, and piadinas, protein-packed bowls, and awesome sides and desserts. They also have an option for delivery online. ( Our interns really love this place, food is unique, healthy, and tasty!)
• Noodles & Company  – Craving noodles?  Try Noodles & Company in Town Center for anything pasta related.  From classic pasta like pesto and spaghetti and meatballs to a variety of mac and cheeses to Asian style noodles and ramen, and even some healthy vegetable noodles like zoodles (zucchini noodles) and cauliflower infused rigatoni. Their large range doesn’t limit you to carb or fat-heavy options, despite being a pasta focused joint. Their vegetable noodle dishes and salad options are great for a lighter choice. That also has an option for delivery online.
• Mellow Mushroom  – If you’re looking for pizza but want something a little more next level than Blaze, Mellow Mushroom is a great option for some really innovative and interesting pies. They’re a little pricier but similar to Bento they can definitely be more than one meal, and they offer lots of different deals like happy hour discounts on small pies and appetizers. While Mellow itself is a sit-down restaurant, they offer take out and also offer delivery through sites like grub hub and bite squad. They also have salads and hoagies stacked full of toppings. (Our UNF intern works here and says “the takeout is quick and the pizzas are seriously insane.”)
• Chuy’s – Located in Town center, Chuy’s is a Tex-Mex restaurant with unbelievably cute and wacky decor and atmosphere. If you’re looking for pretty quick service but a step up from your typical Moe’s, this is a great option. Their menu features soups and salads, burritos, tacos, fajitas, enchiladas, as well as house specialties and Tex-Mex classics. They are a sit-down restaurant but offer delivery orders online.
• Mission BBQ – If you’re looking for a quick counter service like Chipotle or Panera, Mission BBQ  offers that for tasty all American bbq. They offer smoked meats, ribs, and classic sides like coleslaw and mac & cheese. They also are large supporters of military servicemen and veterans! They make it a mission to hire those who have served and donate heavily to organizations like the USO, Special Ops Warrior Foundation, Navy Seal Foundation, Semper Fi, Concerns of Police Survivors, and many more.
• DOMU – If you’re looking for a casual place with creative dishes and more of a fine-dining feel, DOMU is a great option. DOMU is known for its incredibly fresh and seasonal ingredients, offering house-made noodles vegan options, and creative takes on small plates, DOMU is a very popular Asian restaurant in Town Center. Their quick service lunch hours are Monday-Friday from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM. This option is one for when you have a little more time, as they do not offer takeout.

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