This is a guest post by Morgan Large, a graduate student at the University of Arkansas.
I have a bit of a guilty pleasure.
I enjoy a variety of shows on Food Network, the Travel Channel, and TLC.
One of those shows is Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives
So if I have time when I am visiting a location, I try to find one of the locations highlighted on any of the shows on those three networks. It could be a cupcake bakery from Cupcake Wars, a restaurant on Man vs. Food, or a local dive on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.
Jacksonville Skyline Panorama. Photo by Jonathan Zander.
I happened to be spending some time in Jacksonville, Florida during my travels, so I started looking for eateries featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives before I left.
Behold Metro Diner.
Metro Diner is tucked away in a place you would not think it would be. It was not located in a bustling city center but in a neighborhood (more or less.) There are actually three Metro Diners, and the one I visited was in San Marco — the one mentioned on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.
From my research, I had heard that there could be a line out the door waiting to get a seat at this iconic diner. The day I visited there was a huge sporting event in Jacksonville, and yes, there was a long line. After we waited for a while, we were taken past the classic diner chairs and counter to the back of Metro Diner.
Now onto the best part: the food. My friends tried the famous “Yo Hala on the Square” highlighted on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. Yo Hala on the Square is Challah bread stuffed with sautéed bananas mixed in cream cheese. The bread is prepared like French toast and topped with strawberry and blueberry compote. I had just a bite, but as you can see from the photo this breakfast item could feed an army.
I, on the other hand, had the Pittsburgh Steak Salad also featured on the show. The owner is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and named this menu item after his hometown. I had to try this salad because it sounded delicious, and I grew up about 45 minutes south of Pittsburgh. It was a perfect choice in my mind. Crisp lettuce, rib-eye steak, fries, onions, tomato, croutons, egg and crumbled blue cheese make up this delicious medley. The blue cheese dressing for this salad as well as the compote and filling for the French toast are all homemade.
Metro Diner lived up to its fame. It has some of the best food of any diner, drive-in or dive especially in Jacksonville. Next time you are in town, be sure to put Metro Diner on your foodie list.
Have you been to Metro Diner? Where else do you like to eat in Jacksonville?
Morgan Large loves to explore the world. She’s traveled across the United States and to 11 countries.
Originally from Ohio, Morgan currently lives in Arkansas with her Australian Shepherd, Oxley.
A graduate student at the University of Arkansas, Morgan’s studies are focused in agricultural communications. Her blog, RazorBuck: A Midwestern girl living in a Southern world highlights her adventures in photography, cooking and travel.
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