Where Howard Eats: Jacksonville Food Guide

Fred Cotten's Landmark BBQ (North Main Street, Jacksonville, FL) is a true local institution, smoking everything the old way over blackjack oak instead of gas. One of my go-to spots for classic, no-frills barbecue plates.

12760 San Jose Blvd, Mandarin, Jacksonville. Fresh North Florida seafood with panoramic views over Julington Creek. A popular choice for date-night dining.

Fred Cotten's BBQ (North Main Street, Jacksonville, FL) traces its roots to 1947, making it one of the city's longest-running barbecue traditions. This local history covers how it started and why it's stuck around.

Cotten's Bar-B-Q (Jacksonville, FL) grew from the original Fred Cotten's on North Main Street, opened by Fred's father in 1947. This News4Jax piece marks the family's barbecue legacy as one location closed after 37 years.

Julington Creek Fish Camp (Mandarin, Jacksonville, FL) is known for Southern fare and fresh North Florida seafood, part of the same family as the Palm Valley and North Beach fish camps. This is the Visit Jacksonville listing with menu and details.

A guide to dining along San Jose Boulevard in Mandarin (Jacksonville, FL), from casual pizza spots to sit-down seafood. A solid overview of the area's options for both quick meals and special occasions.

Bono's Pit Bar-B-Q (San Jose Boulevard, Mandarin, Jacksonville, FL) was founded by Lou Bono in 1949 near Kings Avenue in San Marco and grew into one of the city's best-known barbecue names, now with a location in Mandarin.

Metro Diner (San Jose Boulevard, Mandarin, Jacksonville, FL) started in a 1938 Jacksonville building, was rebranded in 1992, and hit national fame on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. The Mandarin location sits right on San Jose Boulevard.

Metro Diner (San Marco, Jacksonville, FL) opened its very first location here, and the original building still serves guests today. Known for dishes like the Fried Chicken and Waffles and the Bissell Breakfast.

A look at Jacksonville's barbecue history (Jacksonville, FL), from Fred Cotten's on Main Street to Bono's, which got its start in San Marco. Several of the city's most iconic names are still going strong decades later.