Daytona/Jax /St. Augustine/ Stonewood Burger

Flew to JAX, then drove round trip to Daytona : Nov. 1st-3rd ,2008
Here's my DAY 3 Report....Monday, Nov. 3rd, my FINAL DAY.
THE GRAND FINALE !!

Checked out of my Daytona Beach Shores motel 9 am , after 2 nights.
Heading north towards Jacksonville, but my flight back to Philly is not till 8 pm. So I've got all day to cruise around and munch out!

I noticed some cool looking, but WORN signage from motels like this one in north Daytona Beach. Looks like a lot of these places had their heydey in the 60's and 70's.
DAYTONA BEACH....it's not a good sign to be missing marquee letters!
Is this Pig Latin, or something?

It made me think about the "real" Desert Inn in Vegas that is no longer! (was imploded)
$59 nightly room rates are advertised on the sign...


Made a PIT STOP in ST. AUGUSTINE for about 45 minutes

Bought a small portion of expensive, but wonderful chocolate (Claude's
Casa Maya menu sounded interesting, but I did'nt indulge.
I had to get out of the way to let the tourist trolley pass thru


One had to step into the dirt-hole to get into this HOT SAUCE SHOP !
I was tempted, but just as well, as my sauces would've likely got confiscated at the JAX airport...(like my buffalo wing sauce did!!)

Here's another neat ST. AUGUSTINE side street

Even though I go to Florida quite often for vacations, I had'nt been to St. Augustine since I was dragged around there as a young teenager with my parents. (think "Ponce de Leon", as that's about all I associated it with)

Yours truly in St. Augustine.....I made the most of my 45 minutes!

St. Augustine reminded me of cruise ship ports like ST. THOMAS, with all their pastel colors, and little side streets.
ST. AUGUSTINE



Horses in St. Augustine await customers

Back to my parking meter before it expires!I got my 45 minutes worth!

I veered off of A1A for a little bit on my way to Jacksonville Beach.
I wanted to see the beach town of Point Vedra, on a road that runs parallel to A1A. The town was miles and miles of exclusive looking homes, like this one.... I had no idea what Point Vedra was like.
It was neat at first, but then I was like 'When am I going to get to Jacksonville Beach already?!?"
POINT VEDRA (typical beachfront home)

Finally, JACKSONVILLE BEACH, and ELLEN'S KITCHEN !
I did'nt tell you I had a little coffee shop in Jacksonville Beach???

Oops, I must've forgot to tell you..
(LOL) Actually, I'm too busy doing Roadfood reports to own a joint!
(this one looks like it was run well, though, and they had a full lunch crowd) Right on the main drag, N. 3rd St, (which is also A1A)
In the Marshall's Dept. Store shopping center

Ever have a LUBI sandwich?!? I certainly never did...

I had read in a Frommer's type book in the store that the LUBI sandwich was about the only unique JACKSONVILLE food item.
I just had to try one! WANDERING JEW, you'd be PROUD of me!
I'm eating regional food !
LUBI'S, JACKSONVILLE BEACH...established 1969

I LOVED my LUBI sandwich! It was a cross between a ground beef sloppy joe sandwich, and a "hamburger sub". (the latter is popular here in my A.C area) I love both sweet peppers AND hot peppers, so I got them BOTH! (Why have to make a choice?!)
LUBI SANDWICH, Jacksonville Beach, N.3rd St, (A1A)

There was a good amount of meat hidden under all those peppers!
I sat outside on a picnic table. It was nice, but very WINDY!

Looking north on A1A

After lunch, I take a walk by the beach

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, (off season!)




I like the way this pic highlights the OLD and the NEW !
JACKSONVILLE BEACH has a lot of new and semi-new midrise condos

It impressed me as really trying to spruce things up nicely;
it's an ambitious place, but not overwhelming!
(like some of those "condo rows" in Miami Beach area)
Here's A1A approaching 90. Jacksonville Beach.. "The Loop" restaurant is in shopping center on right; they are known for burgers and pizza. I walked inside and looked around.

Late afternoon; time for my FINAL MEAL before my flight back to PHL
my LAST SUPPER, Jacksonville, FL

Recommended by one of my favorite Roadfooders, BAAH BEN!
He claimed the burgers here are very much like the Brickyard's!
Baah Ben also recommended the BUFFALO WINGS

The wing presentation was very gourmet; nice plate, good blue cheese
I enjoyed these wings very much!
I had room in my heart to love these wings, as well as the one's I had at Booth's Bowery in Daytona area!
The CAESARS SALAD came on an attractive rectangle plate.
It might've looked nice, but the wierd shape made it hard to eat!

It's a lot easier to toss around salad that's in a bowl..
plus I did'nt really care for the dressing..

NOW, for the MAIN EVENT!!
The BEST burger I EVER HAD in my life!
STONEWOOD GRILL burger..(I turned it over, so one can see the MEAT, not just the CHEESE!

THANK YOU, BAAH BEN !!! You were so "RIGHT ON" regarding this burger!
(as it IS so much like the Brickyard Burger;)
And these FRIES were the best ever, as well...
they had the perfect combination of crispiness and slight oiliness

And plenty of PINK!

BAAH BEN had recommended the Stonewood Grill in Ormond Beach.
Then I found out there are a bunch of them in Florida, 16 total! (plus one in North Carolina). www.stonewoodgrill.com
About 3 of them are in the Tampa area; great, as I'm going to Tampa next month for 4 nights. I think I'll go for the Stonewood steak this time, plus the homemade potato chips. (then maybe go back again for another burger and wings)

I was thrilled to see that one of the locations is in SOUTH Florida.. in Wellington... my Aunt and Uncle live in Delray Beach, only about 45 minutes or so away. And I love flying down there in the winter.
Hey Bluemaxx, my turn to buy YOU dinner!!!
And perhaps you'll make the drive down from Daytona, BAAH BEN!
I owe you a delicious STONEWOOD BURGER to return the favor!
What a great rec.! The Brickyard Burger is now my SECOND favorite burger in the country. (a close second, anyway!)

I had a relatively uneventful flight back from JAX to Philly, changing planes in Charlotte...

Another masterpiece Ellen....look forward to each and every one.Thanks!

quote:

Originally posted by leethebard

Another masterpiece Ellen....look forward to each and every one.Thanks!

You came through yet again, leethebard!
You are almost always the first one to respond to my reports;
In fact, when I was about halfway through with this report, I was already saying "Are you out there LEE?!? You're almost late already!"

I gotta get my eyes checked, i could have sworn tha sign said

Lubi's Hot Tubs

(first the hand cuff pix and now hot tubs....)

Bravo! Bravo! Ellen I sure do admire you. What a wonderful pictorial of your jouney.

The first several pictures could have been in Long Beach. I would never have guessed Florida if not for your telling us.

When you were in St. Augestine, did you have a Datl Pepper? It's the only place in the country where it's grown.

Datl Do It!

That's the name of a hot sauce from there.

I am still quite jealous of your eating trips. You live my dream!

Ellen - It is a great burger when they do it correctly. The meat is incredibly rich tasting as I've mentioned. The GM told me they use the trimmings from their steaks of which they sell a lot. I am not a big fan of their steaks.

Do try the gourmet potato chips with the blue cheese and their balsamic reduction. They are very good. You could make a meal of their wings, their potato chips and if you like those flat Mexican pizza type things (sorry), they make them really well, too. Their chocolate bread pudding with whiskey sauce and ice cream is the best I've ever had.

I have been to our local Stonewood at least 75 times over a 7 year period..Maybe more. Like I've said many times, we do not have many palces to choose from here that are good. If you sign up for their free newsletter, they send you their own recipes and these $10 off coupons throught the year..Both nice touches.

In many ways they are very customer friendly. But, Stonewood is not perfect..I'd say at least 10 times that I ordered a medium rare hamburger, they totally ruined it. Totally! And, each time I had to return it while the rest of our dining party was eating. I'd sit there and eat just french fries.

Never once did they offer to even buy us a dessert. No, I never asked and they never offered. I think I've discussed this before so I apologize if this is repititious. The waiters would emphasize medium rare to no avail.

Ellen, I am thrilled they made your burger correctly in Jacksonville. Yes, it could actually be better than the Brickyard at times and vice versa. The meat at both places is great..It's all in the hands of the short order cooks though.

My wife says they have the best Ahi tuna in the area and they do make it with a terrific soy dip on the side and really good wasabi for all you that like Ahi tuna. She gets the dinner portion albeit it is on their appetizer menu.

It's a pretty good chain (no,it's not Houston's) but in Ormond Beach, its one of the two or three better places to eat at. They have little competition yet have served this town well over the years. At one point the town was going to have an influx of new dining spots, but the community voted down a development near the beach.

Anyway, I am very happy you liked it Ellen! Now, if you could only get Harold to open down here, we'd see you more often! Great pictures of St. Augustine!

For those interested in such things, Ponte Vedra is one of the most expensive towns in all of Florida. Many of the pro golfers and pro tennis players live there and they all have their homes right on the beach. Ellen, smart move to stop there just to see those homes. They are amazing. A bit like the drive up AIA in Palm Beach.

Ellen, why would they confiscate your sauce bottles on the plane?

Yet another fine, fun trip report, Ellen. That Lubi sounds interesting, and I amazed that you outdid the Brickyard burger so fast! Hmmm, that Wellington Stonewood is about 90 minutes from here...

Here is what Mar52 is writing about:

quote:

Originally posted by brittneal

Ellen, why would they confiscate your sauce bottles on the plane?

britt,

Government intelligence that is shopped over to dumber levels of competency. Remember, fear sells and to think about the reality of the situation is not a requirement. Nail clippers are weapons too, gimmie a break. The most dangerous weapons can be found at the library.
They tried to fix that too. End of rant....

mark

Darn. Now I have to go back to try The Stonewood.

Ellen, your reports certainly enhance the site.

Thanks again.

quote:

Originally posted by doggydaddy

quote:

Originally posted by brittneal

Ellen, why would they confiscate your sauce bottles on the plane?

britt,

Government intelligence that is shopped over to dumber levels of competency. Remember, fear sells and to think about the reality of the situation is not a requirement. Nail clippers are weapons too, gimmie a break. The most dangerous weapons can be found at the library.
They tried to fix that too. End of rant....

mark

Mark,

As someone who works at TSA, the liquid ban is for YOUR safety, not because we want your hot sauce, you can thank terrorists in London for the govt over stepping it's bounds to make sure the American flying public is safe. 3.4fl oz in a quart sized baggy is the amount given because you can't blow up a plane with that amount of liquids, gels,cremes, pastes or aerosals. I'm not pushing any agenda here, I'm just telling you my job is to keep you safe, I WILL not have another 9/11 on my watch, If this offends you, fine, be offended.. But for you all who remember, and I pray everyone remembers, TSA is not the bad guys here... and BTW nail clippers are allowed.. if you need ANY info .. check out www.TSA.Gov...that will tell you everything you need to know.

Ian's Mom

ellen4641, Thanks for the great walking tour of St. Augustine. Looks like there is a nice small town atmosphere.

Now about those burgers. That's a pretty strong statement coming from you,"The BEST burger I EVER HAD in my life!" Now I have to figure out a way to get my hands on one.

The Lubi also looked very good and unique. I thought the menu prices were downright cheap.

Now when you are in Tampa, give The Mariner a call and take him for a good burger at Stonewood. I would hate to see him suffer at a Five Guys.

Wings look awesome, and that burger-pink to perfection and juicy looking, too.So glad the food lived up to your expectations.Usually a fellow roadfooders suggestion is spot on!!

Loved the report and being from that state have been on A1A top to bottom. Plenty of good spots to try. Pointe Vedra was where Pat Summerall had a home. If going to Tampa, left there 6yrs ago after 38 yrs there, to many good spots, have posted them before, if doing tourist and once in a life thing:
http://www.roaring20spizza.com/
Food not excellent but fun place. Pizza ,subs, salads.

IansMom ====I'm just telling you my job is to keep you safe, I WILL not have another 9/11 on my watch, If this offends you, fine, be offended..====

Not at all, and my rant was just that, as I am feeling very pissy.
I do not want to change thread directions and I'll stop here. I am currently dealing with various agencies that convinces me government intelligence can be a oxymoron. I learned that in the Navy and it still continues as I watch the news. I'm still ranting, aren't I?

What I always loved were how many variations of hot sauce that the average tourist to NOLA can find, yet are unable to take these memories through Louis Armstrong Airport. I suspect it is possible that the TSA has saved passengers from destroying their taste buds.
I want to turn this thread back to ellen's report. Burgers are allowed as a carry-on but watch out for the pickle...

mark

Ellen, glad you liked Stonewood. Now that we have moved to Florida it is our favorite place to go. There is one at Siesta Key on Stickney Point Road, and we discovered it a couple of years ago when we were staying in a condo on the key. Everything we have had, has been well prepared and the service outstanding. But I've never had their 'burger. Next time I will! BTW, great report--as usual!

St.Augustine is a special place,the oldest city in America is living hostory...and old St. Augustine(no pivtures shown) is a fun walking and shoping tour,not to be missed. The Columbia Restuarant,there, is great!!!

Well, lots of good comments about Stonewood...One of the owners lives in my development. I'll refer him to the site. I'm sure he'll be pleased. I have had lots of wings and I still say they are the
best one's I've ever had.

quote:

Originally posted by Baah Ben

Well, lots of good comments about Stonewood...

And it's a great testimonial that you've been there about 75 times in 7 years! That's a steady once a month or so, which says a lot.
It reminded me of a Houston's in many ways.
Stonewood's burger is even better, (a very RICH burger, like you said accurately) but I do love some of Houston's salads.

More Ellen talk coming!!

quote:

Originally posted by ellen4641

quote:

Originally posted by leethebard

Another masterpiece Ellen....look forward to each and every one.Thanks!

You came through yet again, leethebard!
You are almost always the first one to respond to my reports;
In fact, when I was about halfway through with this report, I was already saying "Are you out there LEE?!? You're almost late already!"

I ate at the Stonewood in Ormand Beach last year, I had an excellent steak! Plus we shared BBQ shrimp, and we had some of those great wings also. Next time I'll have to try the burger!

I was in St. Augustine on 10/22 & 10/23, we ended up eating at the A1A Ale House, a block down from the fort. Great local brews, made on site, had some great sushi, and Mahi Mahi for dinner. Had to try the "grilled banana split" for desert, it was awsome.

quote:

Originally posted by joerogo

ellen4641 That's a pretty strong statement coming from you, [red]"The BEST burger I EVER HAD in my life!"

That was definitely a strong statement; I realize that many peoples' best meals are the one they JUST had, cause it's fresh in their memory.

But in THIS case, the Stonewood Burger was the best ever!
It was THAT good!

Ellen, just keep travelin' and writin'. Thanks. Me & joerogo are going to have to do an Old Forge PA M&G just to get you here to write about it! I have to take off work to do that, so, maybe this winter.

quote:

Originally posted by Mosca

Ellen, just keep travelin' and writin'. Thanks. Me & joerogo are going to have to do an Old Forge PA M&G just to get you here to write about it! I have to take off work to do that, so, maybe this winter.

Mosca, ready when you are buddy. I think we will have to limit it to about 10-15 people though. Tough getting into these places on weekends. I am thinking we will have to do a Saturday night.

And we will have to work around BuffetBuster's schedule also. I know he was loooking forward to a Meat n' Greet.

stanpnepa, are you out there?

quote:

Originally posted by leethebard

St.Augustine is a special place,the oldest city in America and old St. Augustine(no pictures shown) is a fun walking and shopping tour,not to be missed.

It looks like I DID miss it, huh?!?
I noticed the signs for the historical places, but did'nt realize there was an "old" section of shopping and more restaurants...
thought I was right in the middle of it.... guess I was in the "new" part of downtown, all the time thinking "they really spruced up these shops and restaurants!"

quote:

Originally posted by Baah Ben
Pointe Vedra is one of the most expensive towns in all of Florida. Many of the pro golfers and pro tennis players live there and they all have their homes right on the beach. Ellen, smart move to stop there just to see those homes.

Interesting demographic info you provided regarding Point Vedra!
To be honest, I drove thru the town not knowing at all what to expect...! I had guessed that it would be either undeveloped, or a very sleepy beach town with worn out looking bungalows.
Boy, was I shocked to see such gorgeous, exclusive homes; dozens and dozens and dozens of them on a long, narrow strip.

Then it all culminated with a stunning Point Vedra Golf Club Resort that took up both sides of the street.
It was landscaped so nicely , and could easily have fit right in down in Palm Beach.

Nice wrap up to your Daytona trip Ellen. I do not think the Brickyard minds playing second fiddle to Stonewood's for burgers. I'm curious though, what does Stonewood's charge for a burger?

quote:

Originally posted by ellen4641

quote:

Originally posted by Baah Ben
Pointe Vedra is one of the most expensive towns in all of Florida. Many of the pro golfers and pro tennis players live there and they all have their homes right on the beach. Ellen, smart move to stop there just to see those homes.

Interesting demographic info you provided regarding Point Vedra!
To be honest, I drove thru the town not knowing at all what to expect...! I had guessed that it would be either undeveloped, or a very sleepy beach town with worn out looking bungalows.
Boy, was I shocked to see such gorgeous, exclusive homes; dozens and dozens and dozens of them on a long, narrow strip.

Then it all culminated with a stunning Point Vedra Golf Club Resort that took up both sides of the street.
It was landscaped so nicely , and could easily have fit right in down in Palm Beach.

Web site for Ponte Vedra Inn http://www.pvresorts.com/index.html . Great beaches to walk..

John - Stonewood charges $9 or $10..Comes with choice of cheese (I love the Colby) fries..no slaw. Sauteed onions are an outrageous $3 more!

They have wonderful appetizers at Stonewood. You can make a meal of them and then get the chocolate bread pudding. It is sooo wonderful. Hey, I never checked, but did you finish your burger at the Brickyard? You eat like a bird! I only ate half of mine as I finished all the fries and had all those wings...G-D that was such a great roadfood meal with great roadfooders....How many times can we thank Rich..Never enough.

We have been to Stonewood many times but never had the hamburger. I will have to try it. We would go with a group from our condo every two weeks and most of them got the chicken pot pie which they thought delicious.

By the way, Ben, where you there at the one up on A1A the first week or two that they were opened? We sat down and could barely breathe. We talked to the manager and he said that they had vented something wrong over the grills. It did not take them long to get it right, and then it was great!

I am wondering, with so many of them now, how long it will take for the food and service to go downhill..........as happens with most chains.

Greymo - No, I was not there when it first opened. Actually, we have lived here for 7 year..Before that in So Florida for many years.

I do not see Stonewood going downhill. Even though they are a chain..They are a vey, very small chain. The owners all work very hard and they have some sort of deal with their General Managers so that they are actually part owner, too. No, I think what you see now is what you will get for the foreseeable future. Never ordered the pot pie. It has been on the menu forever.

Do you ever get to Leahan's with your group? I highly, highly recommend it if you like Chinese food. Many, many seniors from the developments in the area go out to dinner as a group there. It's very very good. Lehann's is the Pete's of Chinese and right down the block.

I also recommend highly recommend Won Lee's in Deland, which is very, very good, too. I'll match their shrimp and lobster sauce and egg rolls against those back in my homeland..NYC/NJ.

Hey Greymo, we're going to try Legend's Sports Bar in a few hours...6 of us. I'll give you the report. I've talked (schmoozed as Ellen says) with the General Manager several times. He use to be a Manager at the Palms in one of their locations. Seems like he knows is stuff. He retired here and is helping the new owner get started.