REVIEW: Cruisers Grill

Since opening its first location in Jacksonville Beach, Cruisers Grill has become a mainstay in the First Coast area. It expanded into the San Jose and St. Augustine areas, and for a brief time it had a fourth location next to Tinseltown.

Its location along San Jose Blvd. is the most convenient for those west of the Intracoastal, but all three locations offer similar atmospheres. It’s probably not the place to meet up with friends for drinks or to catch the big game, but it’s great for a simple dinner with friends or family.

The restaurant’s main point of emphasis in its marketing is the freshness of its food. Everything is made in-house, including salad dressings and sauces.

The menu offerings are divided into appetizers, salads, and entrees. The entrees range from burgers to tacos to sandwiches, and there’s really no going wrong here. Everything is fresh and tasty.

The drink selection is unfortunately rather limited, and they don’t have a bar. They do, however, have a few beers on tap and a sangria option as well.

For cheese lovers, the Cheddar Fries are a necessity. Cruisers uses shredded cheddar cheese rather than the nasty “cheese” sauce you’ll encounter at many other restaurants. They don’t hold back on the cheese, either, creating a delicious (though incredibly unhealthy) mound of melted cheese, pepper, and fries.

The service here is good, although given that everything is freshly-made, don’t expect to be in and out quickly. After your meal, your server will give you a Tootsie Pop with your receipt. (You can also ask to trade your pop out for a different flavor at the front counter.)

The restaurant’s most active time tends to be the lunch rush, with nearby workers coming in as well as students on lunch break. (It’s often a popular destination for Bolles kids during senior year.)

While it’s not the most happening social spot in town, the San Jose location does offer a trivia night on Tuesdays with deals on Bud Light buckets.

Cruisers is worth a try for cheese lovers (CHEDDAR FRIES!) and those who prefer calmer eating environments where you’re still able to have a couple of drinks with friends.