Review of Gators Deli in Jacksonville, FL

Gators Deli

1367 Cassat Ave
Jacksonville, FL 32205-7084
(904) 387-6866

 It sometimes seems as if there are more hole in the wall sandwich shops in Jacksonville than there are cars, or sushi places. Okay, so maybe that is an exaggeration. But with that said, there are a lot of them. Jacksonville seems to pride themselves in quick, blue-collar, mom n pops style places to grab a quick ‘grinder’ or burger. All of these shops offer your basic breakfast and lunch. Most of these places close by 4 and are not opened on the weekends. Gators Deli on the west side of Jacksonville is no exception to this rule. They offer good basic food from 7 am till 3 pm on Monday thru Friday.

 The two visits that I have made to Gators have both been during breakfast. It just so happens that the location that I get my oil changes done for my car are in walking distance of Gators. Apparently this cafe is popular with the mothers and fathers to grab something for their kids on the way to school. Its location is on a very busy road full of car dealerships, car washes and a few garages. When you sit in the Deli and ‘people watch’ you will notice a pattern of pick-up trucks, work vans and the hard workers that have made America great. You won’t see any $3,000 suits here.

 The gentleman that is the owner of Gators is also the one who will take your order. He also will tell you when the order is up and ready. This gentleman is an Asian man who introduces himself as Sam. Sam told me that he bought the business 11 yrs ago. One thing you can tell the very second you walk in is that he is a major University of Florida fan. Not just the Gators football team, but softball, volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball. There are posters that literally wallpaper this establishment dating back to the 80’s. When I was at the counter ready to place my order, I noticed on the menu that breakfast is served till 10:46. Naturally I asked Sam about the odd time of 10:46. He let me know that customers would ask for one more minute…just one more minute. So, he gave them the one more minute. This little place is full of character between the Gator stuff on the wall, to Sam and to the people that stop by for their food.

 With my belly growling for some breakfast I decide to get the 2 eggs (scrambled), bacon and the grits. When asked the kind of toast I would like I asked if I could get a bagel, Sam said sure, and called it bagel toast. I heard him call the order back to the kitchen and even then he said ‘bagel toast’. After sitting in the front of the restaurant for a few minutes I hear Sam at the counter. He yells out ‘Eggs, Bacon, Grits and Bagel Toast’ to let me know the order is ready. I grabbed my food and sat back down. The eggs, bacon and the ‘bagel toast’ were perfect nourishment for what I was needing. The flavor was good and the eggs were not over cooked. Now the grits were another story. They were watery and obviously not made by a Southerner. For those of you who are not from the South you probably would not care, but for those of us who are…we do! If grits are not your thing they do offer what they call ‘chunky hashbrowns’.

 Gators Deli offers a daily lunch special that cost $7.39. They vary from a turkey sub to an Oriental Special of fried rice and egg rolls. All lunch specials are served with fries and a drink. They serve Coke products and I would recommend that instead of the tea. At least on the day that I stopped in the tea was very bitter. 

Before I left I wanted to stop by the men’s room to wash my hands. The restroom is a one room with a toilet and a urinal. No divider walls in between either. After washing my hands I realized that actually locking the door to the bathroom was nearly impossible. Of the whole place the bathroom was the least clean of anywhere in the place.

When it comes down to it and you are looking for a good meal, you should give Sam and his Gators Deli a try. Just don’t wear a UGA or FSU shirt in there!

Review by Pie, email:  pie@piesplate.com