JAX Picasso's in Jacksonville, FL: Restaurant Review

If you're hungry for pizza, Cuban food, seafood, Italian, or just about any food in Jacksonville, Fl, then you must give JAX Picasso's a try. You're likely to find at least one item on the menu to soothe your craving.

Is it possible for a restaurant to do it all and do it well? I haven't tasted everything on Picasso's menu but if my limited experience and other glowing reviews are any indication, I believe they do!

Location and atmosphere? Maybe not so near the top. First, you have to find the place. Since we aren't familiar with the area, this took a few tries. Hint: Look behind Walgreen's. Then, once you find it, you might be tempted to write off Picasso's as another strip mall restaurant - nondescript from the outside.

Don't write it off.

An Eclectic Dining Experience at JAX Picasso's

JAX Picasso's must have one of the most eclectic menus you can find. If that wasn't enough, they offer daily specials and more upscale additions for evening dining.

We recently visited JAX Picasso's Pizza restaurant in the middle of a weekend afternoon. Probably not the best time to try a new place - but a good time to see if it is worth coming back.

When you first step in to the restaurant, JAX Picasso's has the look of a 'nice' deli. There were plenty of open tables and booths in the middle of the afternoon of our first visit so we were unsure whether to help ourselves to a seat or order at the counter. The cheerful cashier quickly solved our dilemma by pointing out the menus and letting us know we could choose an entree and order at the counter.

Of course, you might want to take a seat for a few minutes to choose your meal because the menu is huge. There are pages of pizzas, and more pages of appetizers, salads, sandwiches and entrees. Since I had already scoped out the diner favorites on Yelp! and knew what I was in the mood to eat, I quickly selected the Cuban Sandwich and my companion selected the Shrimp and Grits with a side of steamed vegetables. After adding an order of onion rings we set about to get our drinks and choose a place to sit.

JAX Picasso's - Clean, Friendly, and Busy

At this point we had some time to look around. While simply furnished, the Picasso reproductions on the wall lend the restaurant its name. Many restaurants might be slow to straighten up condiment and drink areas after a noontime lunch rush. However, Picasso's was neat and spiffy clean. The open kitchen provided a view of several workers busily preparing plenty of pizza as well as our meals and the meals of other diners in the restaurant. Every employee was busy, accommodating, and helpful when needed.

The Cuban Sandwich is a Definite Hit at Jax Picasso's

We keenly eyed every meal that came from the kitchen. They all looked scrumptious and our dinners were no exception. The Cuban Sandwich (the pork and the homemade bread put it over the top) and onion rings were a hit. And while the Shrimp and Grits entree was good, it was not nearly as exceptional as the sandwich. A little of that bread served with the shrimp and grits dish would have made a nice accompaniment. Picasso's menu does bill the shrimp as "Mayport" shrimp which I hope means they are using wild caught, local shrimp. For that we definitely applaud them.

Picasso's Pizzeria serves thin crust St. Louis, New York and Mediterranean pizza with plenty of topping variations and we will definitely be back to try them. There are plenty of standard toppings including artichokes (one of my favorite pizza toppings), premium toppings (including hearts of palm and goat cheese), and even gourmet toppings (including truffle oil, prosciutto, and Mayport shrimp). If you can't decide there are plenty of pizza topping combination suggestions.

Our meal with drinks, onion rings, dessert and tip in the counter tip jar maxed out at about $30.

Exchanging a goodbye and a promise to return with the staff, we left with a piece of Gooey Butter Cake boxed to go and were later delighted to find we have been gifted with a big, fat corner piece (thanks, Picasso's!). Very yummy.

I am sad because I live over an hour away from Jax Picasso's Pizzeria. I rejoice because I will find an excuse to go back. Again and again.

JAX Picasso's Pizzeria
10503 San Jose Blvd.
Jacksonville, FL 32257
(904)880-0811
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Twitter Link
Website: JAXPicassos.com

Source: Personal Experience.