Up in the hills of the Appalachian Mountains, you’ll find a small town named Jacksonville, Alabama. It’s a cozy place with an exceptional university. Even though it’s not a big city, Jacksonville has many tasty restaurants to try. The food there is delicious! They have food from different countries and also tasty Southern dishes. Families can enjoy going to these restaurants because they have food that everyone will like. So, when you plan a trip to Jacksonville, AL, try these restaurants with delicious food.
Restaurants in Jacksonville, AL
Let’s get into the details of various restaurants in Jacksonville, AL!
1- Cooter Brown’s Rib Shack
Cooter Brown’s Rib Shack is a popular local barbecue restaurant near Jacksonville State University that opened in 2000. They smoke meats on-site using these recipes. Cooter Brown’s ribs have won awards and been featured in Alabama tourism guides. The restaurant has a nice bar area with local beers. Signature menu items include the Hillbilly Egg Roll appetizers and the Down South Philly sandwich with pulled pork.
Cooter Brown’s offers catering and sells meats for fundraisers, delivering within 30 miles. They provide an expanded menu for catering with items outside the restaurant menu. It has become a community staple through its commitment to quality barbecue. This local favorite is known for its great barbecue, drinks, and friendly atmosphere. It’s a must-visit spot for ribs and barbecues near Jacksonville.
2- Jefferson’s
Jefferson’s is a well-liked place where people go to watch sports and eat in Jacksonville, Alabama. It started in 1991 and has been a favorite ever since. They are famous for their yummy chicken wings, which you can choose from over 20 tasty sauces. Their award-winning Double Dipped wings are a customer favorite. Jefferson’s also serves tasty burgers, chicken sandwiches, and fresh oysters.
With plenty of TVs playing all the big games, it’s a great place to watch sports while enjoying good food and drinks. The Jacksonville location has a full bar with lots of beer choices. It aims to be a laid-back, family-friendly restaurant. It is the perfect spot for sports fans in Jacksonville if you want tasty wings while watching a game or simply a refreshing cold drink after work.
3- Bojangles’
Bojangles’ is a popular fast-food chain known for its yummy chicken and biscuits. The Bojangles in Jacksonville serves hand-breaded fried chicken in meals, sandwiches, salads, and box combos. Their famous buttermilk biscuits are soft and fluffy. You can get a biscuit sandwich with chicken, sausage, bacon, or egg and cheese. Or just get a box of biscuits to share.
Other menu items are mashed potatoes, coleslaw, dirty rice, and Cajun pinto beans. Sweet tea and Legendary Iced Tea are two drink options. Bojangles has a drive-thru for easy ordering, plus indoor and outdoor seating. With its Southern-inspired menu and convenient service, Bojangles’ is a go-to spot in Jacksonville for juicy chicken meals and biscuits any time of day.
4- Taco Bell
Taco Bell is a popular fast-food place in Jacksonville. You can get crunchy tacos filled with seasoned beef, lettuce, and cheese. Everything is made fresh when you order. Some favorites are the Cheesy Gordita Crunch, a taco stuffed with a cheesy shell, and the Bean Burrito for vegetarians. Taco Bell also has options for kids, like quesadillas and cinnamon twists.
A nice thing about Taco Bell is they have a drive-thru, making it easy to grab fast food. The prices are low, too, with $5 boxes and meal deals. With its tacos, burritos, and affordability, Taco Bell is a convenient spot for a quick Mexican-inspired meal in Jacksonville, especially for college students looking for fast food.
5- Heroes
Every trip to Jacksonville is complete with a stop at Heroes for juicy burgers, crispy fries, and thick milkshakes served in a fun, casual atmosphere. This old-school burger joint has been a local favorite since 1983, grilling quality patties on the flat-top and serving them alongside delicious hand-cut fries.
Bring the whole family along, as Heroes also features an arcade area with classic games like pinball, skeeball, and Pac-Man that will keep the kids entertained. Be sure to try their seasoned curly fries for a deliciously greasy treat!
6- Mama Mia’s Pizza and Grill
Are you craving cheesy pizza, giant meatballs, or rich baked pasta? Mama Mia’s is the place! This lively Italian eatery serves homemade classics like lasagna, chicken parmigiana, baked ziti, and more. Of course, you can take advantage of their mouthwatering; New York-style pizzas piled high with toppings.
Mama Mia’s also has an extensive kid’s menu so that the little ones can enjoy ravioli, spaghetti, or pizza bites made just for them. Save room for their housemade tiramisu for a sweet ending. The chequered tablecloths, cozy booths, and charming Italian décor make Mama Mia feel like dining in the old country.
7- The Roost
For leisurely brunches and breakfasts in Jacksonville, The Roost hits the spot. Housed in a charming cottage, The Roost serves hearty Southern classics like fluffy pancakes, cheesy grits, smoky bacon, and eggs cooked to order.
Their menu includes mile-high biscuits covered in spicy sausage gravy, French toast topped with fresh fruit, and specialty mimosa cocktails. The lovely patio with hanging flower baskets provides nice outdoor seating when the Alabama weather cooperates. With its quaint, vintage décor, The Roost is a delightful spot for weekend brunch gatherings.
8- Mason’s BBQ
Locals rave about the barbecue at Mason’s BBQ, where meat is smoked over hickory wood for up to 14 hours, giving it an incredible flavor. The baby back ribs glazed in Mason’s sweet, tangy sauce practically fall off the bone and into your mouth. Pulled pork, smoked chicken, and smoky wings are menu highlights.
Mason’s also offers spiked milkshakes and homemade banana pudding for the perfect sweet finish. The laid-back, roadhouse vibe makes It is a fun spot for a juicy, Memphis-style barbecue.
9- Jazzman’s Café & Bakery
You should visit Jazzman’s Café & Bakery for a delightful breakfast or sweet treat. Display cases brimming with giant cinnamon rolls, muffins, cookies, and more will make decisions difficult. Known for their melt-in-your-mouth cupcakes topped with mounds of frosting, Jazzman’s Café & Bakery also serves breakfast fare like omelets, French toast, and sandwiches.
Grab a light lunch like a chicken salad croissant or one of their daily quiche specials. And don’t miss their fried apple hand pies – a uniquely Southern delicacy! Jazzman’s Café & Bakery provides a perfect excuse to indulge your sweet tooth.
10- JL Trent’s Seafood and Grill
Situated right along the train tracks, JL Trent’s Seafood and Grill is the place for crispy, down-home seafood in Jacksonville. This laidback eatery excels at golden fried catfish, shrimp, oysters, and more served in generous baskets or piled high on po’boy sandwiches.
JL Trent’s Seafood and Grill also plates chicken tenders, country-fried steak, mac and cheese, collard greens, and other Southern staples to please the whole family. Be sure to try their famous hushpuppies, watching for passing trains as you dine! With chequered tablecloths and friendly service, JL Trent’s Seafood and Grill offers delicious comfort food in a unique setting.
11- Scoop Du Jour
No family visit to Jacksonville is complete without enjoying an old-fashioned ice cream treat at the Scoop Du Jour. This 1940s-themed ice cream parlor serves up gigantic sundaes, milkshakes, and floats in vintage train carts delivered to your table.
Scoop Du Jour offers over 200 ice cream flavors with unlimited mix-and-match options for create-your-own frozen concoctions. Enjoy classic flavors like chocolate and vanilla, or go wild with more adventurous choices like cookie dough explosion, mint Oreo, or bacon. The sky’s the limit at this wonderfully nostalgic ice creamery.
The Bottom Line
Jacksonville offers no shortage of delicious dining options to suit any taste or budget. This small Alabama town packs a surprising punch for cuisine, from classic burger joints to barbecue smokehouses to bakeries overflowing with sugary confections.
Food-focused travelers will enjoy exploring the local eateries that give Jacksonville flavor and charm. So next time your travels take you near northeast Alabama, come hungry and prepare your tastebuds for some mouthwatering Southern fare that you’ll want to try again and again.
FAQs about Restaurants in Jacksonville, AL
Jacksonville offers a wide range of culinary experiences. You can enjoy delicious American classics, mouthwatering BBQs, comforting Southern dishes, fresh seafood, and international flavors like Mexican or Italian cuisine.
Certainly! Jacksonville is famous for being an excellent place for families. It has lots of restaurants that warmly welcome families. Many places have special menus for kids, provide high chairs, and create a comfortable setting.
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