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Victoria Savage, Alex Austin, Micah Reamer, Asia Baughan and Curtis Hicks
Best Burger in Jacksonville
MShack
Technically, the “M” in MShack stands for brothers Matthew and David Medure’s surname. But one bite of their all-natural, hormone-free beef burgers and the word “mouthwatering” or “mind-blowing” seems far more appropriate. Both award-winning chefs, the Medures have brought culinary creativity to an old-fashioned burger joint with toppings like avocado and foie gras, in addition to the usual lettuce, tomato, etc. The Atlantic Beach eatery (with a St. Johns Town Center location expected to open next month) also offers veggie burgers, fish sandwiches and salads. As if. – KS Aqua Grille. Today, he owns and operates his own eatery – but this one’s on wheels. Located at the corner of Jefferson and Adams streets 11 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays, On the Fly Sandwiches & Stuff is technically a food truck, but with menu items like firecracker sesame seared ahi, braised pulled pork soft taco and jumbo black tiger shrimp taco, it’s more like gourmet take-out. – KS
why it would be crowned Indian king. Lamb biryani, paneer tikka, chicken tikka naan and tandoori fish await. With a toll-free phone number like 1-888-5SAMOSAS (seriously!), they can’t go wrong. – CS
Best Frozen Yogurt
Vito Corleone urged his son Santino to “never tell anybody outside the family what you’re thinking” in “The Godfather” – but it’s clear that Folio Weekly
Sweet Frog
We’ve lost count of how many froyo shops have popped up in Northeast Florida since the trend’s huge popularity rise began a few years ago. But now that readers have had time to sample them all, they’ve declared their favorite: Sweet Frog Premium Frozen Yogurt. What makes Sweet Frog stand out from the others? It could be the guilt-free, made-fresh-daily treats in more than 40 nonfat flavors like Maple Bacon Donut and Thin Mint Cookie, or the extensive toppings bar. Or it could be those adorable little frog mascots. – MT
Best Italian Restaurant
Vito’s Italian Café
readers have delicious pastas and timeless Italian recipes from the Vito’s Italian Café family on the brain, and they’re not afraid to proclaim it. Vito’s once again takes the prize for its Jacksonville Landingbased mega-variety menu, featuring classic Italian fare, seafood, antipastos and an extensive wine list. Next time you go there, try Vito’s three-course special menu – you’ll get a soup or salad, an entrée and cheesecake or cannoli (take the cannoli!) for dessert. Like the Godfather, Vito’s Italian Café makes an offer you can’t refuse. – MT
Best Hot Dog
Orange Tree Hot Dogs
Do you remember when a trip to the mall wasn’t complete without a snack from Orange Tree Hot Dogs? Carolyn and Peter Koppenberger opened the first Orange Tree in Regency Square Mall in 1968, and though they’ve since moved on from those humble mall beginnings, Orange Tree franchises are still serving their famous Orange Frosts and original sweet and spicy onion sauce in three Jacksonville locations: on the Northside, the Southside and Intracoastal West. Go get one, dog. – MT
Best Indian Restaurant
5th Element
Stealing the coveted title from nearby India’s Restaurant after nearly 13 years straight (OK, Cilantro’s won in ’06), this Baymeadows spot in a former Village Inn space has proven it’s as hot as its curry is spicy. From an expansive buffet featuring a seemingly endless rotating selection of freshly prepared vegetarian and meat specialties to an elaborate menu and ample seating, it’s easy to see
Emily Gregorchik, Morgan Christiansen, Valerie Giustiniani and Jazelyn Ocana
Best Seafood
Salt Life Food Shack
Salt Life Food Shack wants you to know that you don’t need to be an expert angler to “live the salt life.” Taking the top spot for seafood again this year (four in a row!), Salt Life has two locations – Jacksonville Beach and Coral Springs – with a third opening in St. Augustine this winter. No matter the variety of sea creature you’re craving, odds are that Salt Life has just the dish to please your palate. One bite and you’ll be hooked. – CG OCTOBER 9-15, 2013 | FOLIOWEEKLY.com | 35