First reviewed by sdvicens
I work right across the street from Chew and eat there at least once a week. I've also eaten there for dinner before a special occasion. The first thing I fell in love with at Chew was their Creme Brulee. To die for, the best I've ever had. Some of the sandwiches I don't care for. The chicken salad sandwich with curry for instance, I think the curry is too overpowering. Also, the fried tomato sandwich is really greasy. I adore their ceaser salad and their ham and brie hot sandwich. It does get noisy and super busy at lunch time. Take-out is just as good as dine in. Sometimes they seat you at a table with people you don't know, which I don't like. The iced tea is the best I've ever had. Overall, I love the place and feel lucky it is so close. It is a little expensive for lunchtime, but totally worth it.
The food at Chew is inventive, flavorful and fun. My friends and I ordered 3 “nibbles” to start, the portion size was perfect for an appetizer. The potato chips were freshly fried, golden brown, crispy and well seasoned. The grits were infused with sharp cheddar cheese and bacon. The creamy grits were balanced well with the pungent cheddar and salty/sweet goodness of the applewood bacon. My favorite was the fried green tomatoes with a creamy gorgonzola sauce. The crunchy crust added wonderful texture to the soft tangy tomato. The creamy gorgonzola sauce added a nice counterpoint to the crunch of the crust. I had a Panini style sandwich made with Chevre (an herbed cream cheese), carmelized onion and asparagus. The creamy herbaceous cheese blended with the sweet onions made the crunchy earthy asparagus come to life. Absolutely the best veggie sandwich I have ever had. My friends and I knew to get there early, shortly after 11:00, by 11:30 the noise level was so high it was hard for us to have good conversation. The service was a bit slow and Chew is small, there was a line of people waiting to get seated when we left at about 12:15. This is not the place for a hurry up lunch but, if you have time, the food is worth it.
I've been to Chew more than a handful of times. I always get the Apple and Goat Cheese salad, delicious mac and cheese and shoestring potatoes. Chew is not the best place to go for a working lunch or intimate conversation because it can get quite loud especially during peak lunch hours. Get there before 11:30 if you don't want to wait for a table. Service is very friendly, but you might wait a little to receive your food. Overall I am very impressed with this new addition to downtown Jacksonville!
Chew...you're fabulous! You remind me of many great bistros in other great cities, and, yes, I'm including Jax on the list of great cities. Restaurants like you help make it so.
I met you recently when some girlfriends and I met for lunch before an art show downtown. I loved your hospitality, your good looks, and charm. You seemed to have a great party atmosphere going on, and the food you served was as delicious, fun, and creative, and decadent as you!
Just one question...when will you start serving me dinner, too?
We went to Chew for lunch and everything was divine. From the menu selection to the decor we were pleasantly pleased. I had a cilantro salmon hydroponic salad that was absolutely delicious and bursting with flavor. If you want something out of the ordinary for lunch that is chic, delicious and won't break the bank this is definetly the place to go.
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