Cracker Jax BBQ

Where’s the beef?
Seriously, where is it?
I’ve gone to this place three times for lunch trying to get their smoked beef but every time they tell me they it’s not ready yet. Usually they say it won’t be done until after 2:00 pm.
What kind of BBQ restaurant doesn’t have smoked beef? Or, if they know it’s not going to ever be ready at lunch time, why don’t they take it off their lunch menu?
Their fries and pulled pork are OK.

Finally. A Sunday morning when the weather and time available allows us to bike to breakfast in Mandarin at our favorite place.

Came back after a year or so. Better than the last time. Great sauce on the baby back ribs. Onion rings were maybe the best I’ve had. Definitely will continue to go back as it continues to be a great value.

Let me start with that this place was one of my employees favorite bbq joint when we worked across the street. Now I’m working across the street again and here I am. I should have known something when it was a little after noon and the place was empty. I mean the cook and me empty. It’s like he knew he would be so slow that he didn’t need even a waitress. I looked around at everything that I remembered for 10 – 11 years ago. Exactly the same pictures on the walls and tables. Picture of cars on the walls and guys killing things on the tables. Ok food, I’m not one much for bbq places some I looked for what was safe. I asked what cut the sliced pork was and I was told pork butt. Safe enough I guess. When I got me food the pork was from the butt. It was really fatty so I guess it wasn’t going to be dry. It wasn’t and it also didn’t have much smoke flavor. I found out why when I went to the bar/​counter to see that they used the pit for storage. I tried to get a picture but the owner I guess was camera blocking me. I mean they had boxes and a what looked like a mop bucket where the meat should have come from. So again I find another bbq joint that I will not return to. Well I guess Julington Creek likes fast food cause that’s the only thing out here.

We had breakfast. Service was a tad slow and confused. They brought tea to the wrong table and weren’t sure which plate belongs to whom when brought to our table. My wife’s potatoes were cold, the bacon extremely greasy and not crisp. The biscuits were hard and crunchy almost like a cracker.
The place feels greasy and at least two tables had to ask for additional wiping down of the table.

I had shredded pork and beef, both were very dry. Normally I like to give a place a second chance but we won’t be going back to this one.

Great smoke. I always get ribs or pulled pork. Really good. Also great for a weekend brunch! They can cook. I recommend the shrimp and grits when they have them. Also really good pancakes and eggs.

This is a surprising BBQ find in a sea of BBQ chains in Jacksonville. It’s family owned and they have very good smoked pulled pork and chicken. The sides are pretty good. They have specials from time to time that feed a family of four with meat, rolls, sides and a gallon of tea. I would recommend you try it.

Horrible, nothing fresh. The food is best described as tasting like a school cafeteria. I have had better food on airplanes. Any positive review of this place is fake or very old when they were slightly better. it seems the owner does not know good food from bad and is content serving low grade food to a small clientele. The owner would rather save a dollar on food costs then put out a quality product and build a successful business. In the last 7 years this location has changed hands a few times, it will again soon. they don’t have a clue.

This is a great place, good food, good prices and excellent service. We go there at least once a week. And breakfast is available on weekends and it is good as well. O have tried several items on the menu and have not been disappointed, The friday shrimp special is a favorite. And we love Trish the Dish!!!

We gave this place a try after getting a
certificate. Hands down the worst service I’ve ever had. Our server never greeted us except to ask what we would like to drink then rushed us, asking three times in probably 5 minutes if we were ready to order our meals. During the meal she came back once to ask if we needed anything else but never inquired to see if we were enjoying our food. When she cashed us out, she laid my change on the table and walked away without even a thank you, hope to see you again, etc. It turned out she shorted me a buck but I let it go as I just wanted to get out of there by that point. Lucky for her that the 18% gratuity was mandatory as part of using
certificate. As for the food, the collard greens and bbq beans were excellent but the ribs, both the St Louis and the baby backs, left much to be desired. The baby backs were just above room temperature and sitting in water on the plate as though they had been in a steamer or something, certainly not fresh. It was so bad, I actually joked with my friend that I would have been more satisfied with a McRib sandwich from McDonald’s. Food/​service can be hit or miss at times but when a restaurant fails at both on the same visit, there are no second chances.

Well, I’m sure the 5 stars got your attention, but since Unilocal doesn’t offer 4 and a half I had to give this fine BBQ joint the full Monte. The pulled pork is a phenomenom. This moist and tender mound is the Holy Grail for some and here it delivers that hours by the smokey log taste that you crave.
Now if it’s ribs that you want to sink your choppers into, then this be the place. The St. Louis’ are meaty, porky and reminded me of a BBQ pit in the country, where slow cooking is an art. Of course the Baby Backs are the crown jewels for any restaurant and here they’re superb. Unsurpassed by all others that I’ve tried. You don’t need any sauce on these babies as the secret rub will bring you back to… aah, «hog heaven».
We had the sampler that also had chicken and 4 sides. Try the lima beans and rice which is seasoned with bits of sausage and pulled pork and you instantly know anyone who could come up with this dish loves country cooking. The sampler served 5 adults and 1 child and we brought some home.
I know that it’s off the beaten path but if you’re in Jax and are Jonesin’ for BBQ this be the place.

Best BBQ in Jacksonville!

Visit Date: 12.20.2010
Formerly a Crackers BBQ joint, this place has been taken over by new owners.
Ordered the Memphis-​style pulled pork with green beans and mac & cheese sides. The pulled pork was tender and very delicious, while the sides tasted good. Also had some of the banana pudding and it was mighty fine. One downside is that the portion size is rather small, especially concerning the size of the side items, at least for take out orders.