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Just Down the Road

Just Down the Road: The Top 3 Sushi Places in Jacksonville, FL

Dive into the vibrant sushi scene of Jacksonville, FL! From traditional nigiri to inventive fusion rolls, this city offers a sushi paradise for enthusiasts and novices alike. We'd like to tell you about some of the best sushi places in JAX; and there's no better vehicle for zipping out to get some great Japanese sushi than the zippy Japanese Mazda3 hatchback! The Top 3 Sushi Places in Jacksonville, FL Sushi Bear Sushi and Grill Located at 4530 St Johns Ave, Sushi Bear is open from 11 AM until 10 PM Monday through Thursday, and until 11 PM on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, their hours are noon to 10 PM. Expect very good service and very good food here. We love this place for quick lunch. We recommend that you try some of their lunch specials that run from 11 AM to 3 PM Monday through Saturday. Lunch specials from the kitchen come with salad, vegetable, rice, and noodles. Sushi bar specials include soup and salad. We particularly like the hibachi shrimp, the vegetable tempura, the pork katsu, and their 10-piece sashimi lunch. more Open Sushi Open Sushi is located at 9930 Old Baymeadows Rd and opens for lunch from 11 AM until 3:30 PM Monday through Friday and for dinner from five to 9:30 PM. On Saturday, they are open from noon until 9:30 PM. They are closed on Sunday. This restaurant is very clean, the servers are friendly, and you get large portions for a good price. The presentation here is especially nice. We really like the stir fry noodles here, especially the beef yaki. You should also try their shumai (shrimp dumplings), and the hiyayako starter, which is tofu with flaked scallions and soy sauce. Be sure to try their yellowtail roll, the tuna avocado roll, and their delicious spicy white tuna roll. Fancy Sushi Located at 7083 Collins Rd #102, Fancy Sushi is open from 11 AM until 10 PM Tuesday through Thursday and until 11 PM on Fridays. On Saturday and Sunday their hours are noon to 10 PM. They are closed on Mondays. This is a great place to sit down and enjoy your sushi in a calm atmosphere. Sometimes you can feel a bit cheated by the sushi or sashimi set meals at a restaurant, as if the chef is throwing at you whatever isn't selling well and is left over. You'll never have that feeling at Fancy Sushi with their sushi deluxe or sashimi deluxe meals. We also really enjoy the red snapper teriyaki here, too. These are a few of our favorite spots for sushi, so we hope you enjoy them as much as we do. Visit us at Tom Bush Mazda for a great new ride to get to these sushi restaurants!

3 Family Restaurants Worth the Drive

3 Family Restaurants Worth the Drive Near Jacksonville, FL

Are you looking for a nice place to take the family for a good meal? Jacksonville, FL is a great place to be when you are searching for good family restaurants. In fact, we've listed a few of our favorites, so you can have a nice time with your loved ones. 3 Family Restaurants Worth the Drive Near Jacksonville, FL 1. The Table (formerly Aunt Jan's Kitchen) For a traditional American breakfast or lunch, visit this restaurant. Try their breakfast specials, which include pancakes, bacon, sausage, eggs, and grits. For lunch, they offer a variety of sandwiches, Southern dishes, salads, and soups. We recommend the Executive Club sandwich, the turkey club, the Camel Rider sandwich, or the Poor Boy sub, all for under $6. Other good choices include smoked sausage with red beans and rice or country-fried steak. Vegetarians will also find a lot of choices, such as mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, okra with tomatoes and rice, and baby green limas. The kids will enjoy a grilled cheese or hamburger for under $3. Be sure to check their Facebook page for updates and specials. They are open Monday through Friday and are located at 5065 Normandy Blvd. more 2. Metro Diner When you're craving comfort food, stop by the Metro Diner for tasty and affordable meals. For breakfast, the kids will love the cinnamon roll pancakes, the kids' chicken and waffle, the kids' platter, or the carrot cake waffle. The adults can enjoy the biscuits and sausage gravy, the avocado bacon scramble bowl, or the Western omelet. Lunch specials include boneless wings, cheese fries, chicken pot pie, Charleston shrimp and grits, mashed potatoes and gravy, fish and chips, or the Philly cheese steak, to name a few. For dessert, have a slice of the homemade chocolate cake. Metro Diner is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and they are located at 3302 Hendricks Ave. 3. The Bearded Pig Sit down and relax for a delicious dinner here at this venue. We suggest starting with a cobb salad or a frito pie while your pulled pork sandwich, adult nuggets, or sausage sandwich is carefully being prepared by the chefs. The veggie platter is a great selection for vegetarians, and it includes your choice of four sides, such as potato salad, baked beans, and collard greens. For the little ones, order a hot dog, nuggets, or the kids' sandwich. Stop here at 1808 Kings Ave. any day of the week with the exception of Mondays. Picture yourself and your family driving to dinner in a brand new 2023 Mazda CX-5 2.5 Turbo AWD. Visit us at Tom Bush Mazda, located at 9876 Atlantic Blvd., and take a test drive today.

restaurant-1284351_1280 (1)

3 Family Restaurants Worth the Drive Near Jacksonville, FL

Are you looking for a nice place to take the family for a good meal? Jacksonville, FL is a great place to be when you are searching for good family restaurants. In fact, we've listed a few of our favorites, so you can have a nice time with your loved ones. 3 Family Restaurants Worth the Drive Near Jacksonville, FL 1. The Table (formerly Aunt Jan's Kitchen) For a traditional American breakfast or lunch, visit this restaurant. Try their breakfast specials, which include pancakes, bacon, sausage, eggs, and grits. For lunch, they offer a variety of sandwiches, Southern dishes, salads, and soups. We recommend the Executive Club sandwich, the turkey club, the Camel Rider sandwich, or the Poor Boy sub, all for under $6. Other good choices include smoked sausage with red beans and rice or country-fried steak. Vegetarians will also find a lot of choices, such as mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, okra with tomatoes and rice, and baby green limas. The kids will enjoy a grilled cheese or hamburger for under $3. Be sure to check their Facebook page for updates and specials. They are open Monday through Friday and are located at 5065 Normandy Blvd. 2. Metro Diner When you're craving comfort food, stop by the Metro Diner for tasty and affordable meals. For breakfast, the kids will love the cinnamon roll pancakes, the kids' chicken and waffle, the kids' platter, or the carrot cake waffle. The adults can enjoy the biscuits and sausage gravy, the avocado bacon scramble bowl, or the Western omelet. more Lunch specials include boneless wings, cheese fries, chicken pot pie, Charleston shrimp and grits, mashed potatoes and gravy, fish and chips, or the Philly cheese steak, to name a few. For dessert, have a slice of the homemade chocolate cake. Metro Diner is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and they are located at 3302 Hendricks Ave. 3. The Bearded Pig Sit down and relax for a delicious dinner here at this venue. We suggest starting with a cobb salad or a frito pie while your pulled pork sandwich, adult nuggets, or sausage sandwich is carefully being prepared by the chefs. The veggie platter is a great selection for vegetarians, and it includes your choice of four sides, such as potato salad, baked beans, and collard greens. For the little ones, order a hot dog, nuggets, or the kids' sandwich. Stop here at 1808 Kings Ave. any day of the week with the exception of Mondays. Picture yourself and your family driving to dinner in a brand new 2023 Mazda CX-5 2.5 Turbo AWD. Visit us at Tom Bush Mazda, located at 9876 Atlantic Blvd., and take a test drive today.

3 of the Best Asian Restaurants in Driving Distance of Jacksonville, FL

Whether you're jonesing for some freshly steamed Chinese dumplings or a big plate of Korean BBQ, there are many options for Asian restaurants to choose from in the Jacksonville, FL area. Of course, you'll want the best, so make sure to save these places to your Mazda CX-5's easy-to-use navigation system! 3 of the Best Asian Restaurants in Driving Distance of Jacksonville, FL 1. Hawkers Asian Street Food Hawkers on 241 Atlantic Boulevard is unique for enabling diners to enjoy street food-style dishes from a variety of Far Eastern cuisines, from Singapore and Malaysia to Korea and Japan. Dim sum fans can enjoy soup dumplings, BBQ pork baos, and crispy golden wontons filled with shrimp, chicken, and mushroom. Their noodle dishes, such as yaki udon and beef haw fun, boast deep and smoky flavors thanks to the high-temperature wok. For dessert, don't miss out on Hawkers' banana spring rolls topped with spiced honey and accompanied by a scoop of vanilla ice cream, berries, and raspberry sauce. 2. Kusina Located at 4190 Belfort Road, Kusina is a Filipino café, bakery, and family restaurant all rolled into one. If you're coming in for breakfast, the restaurant offers a selection of silog, the Philippines' famous plate of garlic fried rice, eggs, and your choice of meat or fish. The café menu's Quiche Bites and Kusina Kicker breakfast sandwiches are offered as quick bites for when you're in a hurry. Items on the family-style menu come in insanely large portions, so they're perfect for feeding large groups. It includes classic Philippine dishes like pancit palabok covered in shrimp gravy and dinuguan, a savory and spicy pork stew. No matter which dish you order, you can be sure to enjoy high-quality ingredients and strong flavors. more 3. Gangnam Korean Restaurant When you want spicy, Korean food is a great choice, and Gangnam on 5161 Beach Boulevard is one of the most popular spots in Jacksonville for it. As soon as you step into the humble yet welcoming restaurant, it's easy to tell you're in for an authentic Korean dining experience. The most popular items come from their BBQ, hotpot, and soup menus. They feature high-quality meat and fresh vegetables. During cooler weather, you can't go wrong with Gangnam's memorable galbi-tang, a thoroughly spicy noodle soup with short ribs and green onions. As with any great Korean restaurant, there are plenty of delicious side dishes that perfectly complement any meal. These include savory pancakes called "jeon" that can be fried with kimchi or seafood, stir-fried tteokbokki rice cakes in a sweet, spicy sauce, and mandu dumplings. With its diverse mix of Asian-American cultures, it's no surprise that Jacksonville is home to some terrific Asian eateries! On the way home from your meal, stop by at Tom Bush Mazda and check out our huge selection of new and certified pre-owned vehicles!

5 Sweet Spots

5 Sweet Spots for Dessert in Driving Distance of Jacksonville, FL

The ultimate show of love for your sweetheart is a plate of decadent cupcakes topped with rich cream cheese dressing. Nothing shows your kids how special they are like a family trip to the ice cream shop. With this list of the best dessert spots in Jacksonville, FL, you're sure to find the sweet treat that shows your loved ones what's in your heart! 5 Sweet Spots for Dessert in Driving Distance of Jacksonville, FL 1. Smallcakes Cupcakery & Creamery Located at 13141 City Station Drive Suite 145, this artisan bakery is passionate about spreading the love with savory gourmet baked goods. Their adorable selection of enchanting sweets will have your mouth watering and your sugar tooth tingling! Keep an eye on their specialty menu for delicious monthly treats, like Baklava, Pineapple Upside-down Cake, and Rasberry Chocolate Truffle! Bring your four-legged fur babies for their own specially-made Pupcakes! more 2. Amaretti's This family-owned bakery located at 14965 Old St Augustine Road uses natural ingredients, no preservatives, and a heaping spoonful of love in each of its pastries. Their extensive selection of confections ranges from breakfast pastries to cakes and everything in between, including rich Tiramisu, savory Chocolate Silk Pie, and smooth Red Velvet Oreo Cheesecake. If you have a special event for the holidays coming up, consider having Amaretti cater your event with items like the Mini Cannoli Tray or the Mini Cream Puff Tray. Their Italian sweets are arguably the best in town! 3. Sweet Theory Baking Co. You'll find this bakery at 1243 King Street, where they favor natural ingredients and offer many gluten-free options. Their organic donuts and biscuits are handmade fresh daily in small batches so that nothing goes to waste. We love the So Fudging Good Cake with chocolate cake, brownie, and chocolate frosting; and the Banana Chip Cupcake with banana cake, vanilla, and salted caramel. 4. Motion Sweets Located in Historic Five Points at 1020 Park Street, Motion Sweets is a modern purveyor of American and French baked goods. You'll find a luxurious array of baked delicacies from the children's favorite Krispy Treats to the lesser-known Banana Bread Pudding. Cheesecake fanatics will be in paradise with options like Carrot Cake Cheesecake and Red Velvet + Double Chocolate Cheesecake. 5. Mayday Ice Cream Hop in your 2023 Mazda CX-5 and drive to 1432 Hendricks Ave to enjoy a scoop of ice cream on the patio. With flavors like Queen Salted Caramel, Almond Butter Chocolate, Blueberry Toast Crunch, and Sunday Best Banana Pudding, there's sure to be a perfect scoop (or two!) for everyone. Everyone deserves a little indulgence once in a while. Once you've explored the wonderful world of cream cheese frosting and crumbly pastries, swing by or give us a call at Tom Bush Mazda to schedule a full-service inspection with our professionals!

pumpkin patch

3 Fun Fall Activities You Can Drive to From Jacksonville, FL

Although you may not see the leaves changing colors, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the fall season in Jacksonville, FL. Whether you prefer cozy indoor events or strolling around in the crisp weather, we have some ideas for you. Check out these fun fall activities in the area! more 3 Fun Fall Activities You Can Drive to From Jacksonville, FL 1. Stroll Around a Pumpkin Patch Conagree and Penn started as a rice farm and quickly blossomed into a thriving farm of orchards, vines, and animals. The stunning farm is a popular destination for weddings, dinners, and workshops. Throughout the year, the farm hosts various seasonal picking events where you are invited to gather fresh produce right off the land. During Fall, this place hosts a breathtaking pumpkin patch filled to the brim with flashy orange gourds. In order to enter the pumpkin patch, you must purchase a farm pass. Pumpkins are available for purchase at $12 a pumpkin. 2. Skate Around at Community First Igloo As the weather gets cooler, the desire to skate gets stronger. Luckily, you won't have to wait for the snow to get on the rink (not like you'll get any snow in Florida.) Community First Igloo is the epicenter of ice sports in Northeast Florida. The indoor ice rink features 2 NHL-sized rinks, 3 party rooms, and a rinkside cafe. Some activities hosted at the center include training camps, sled hockey, and figure skating. In early November, the rinks open up for public skating. General admission is $12 and skate rentals are $5. Be sure that your skates are the right size and that they are on correctly before getting on the ice! 3. Enjoy a Morning Brunch at Another Broken Egg Cafe One of the best parts about fall is that you get to try tons of seasonal flavors! With flavors like warm pumpkin spice and salted caramel apple, we think that this is really the season of eating. At Another Broken Egg Cafe, you'll be able to order fall specialties that you won't be able to find any other time of year. This cozy restaurant is a great place to start your morning! One of the best seasonal menu items is the Spiked Chocolate Chip Pancakes. These handmade pancakes are layered with chocolate cream cheese, chocolate chips, and fresh strawberries served with a side of chocolate liqueur. We recommend pairing it with the Pumpkin Spice Spiked Cold Brew, a concoction of rum and pumpkin cold brew topped with spiced cream! Whether you pick a perfect pumpkin, take a spin on skates, or dine on festive treats, we hope you enjoy a perfect Fall day! With the 2022 Mazda3 Sedan, you'll have no trouble keeping up with your plans all season long. Visit Tom Bush Mazda to see what's in stock! Image by Paul Brennan from Pixabay

Museums

4 Favorite Local Attractions You Can Drive to From Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville, FL is undoubtedly one of the most exciting places in the state to live in and visit! The vibrant city is home to a bustling economy, a diverse array of cultures, and one of the most extensive park systems in the country. Read on to learn about some of the most exciting local attractions in and around Jax! more 4 Favorite Local Attractions You Can Drive to From Jacksonville, FL 1. Ripley's Believe It or Not! Located a short drive away in St. Augustine, this location was originally built as a Moorish Revival-style mansion and is the oldest of all Ripley's museums. Its famous Odditorium features 14 galleries filled with thousands of strange artifacts and pop culture items. The newest gallery is the Jungle Room, which houses many tribal artifacts and animal oddities like a taxidermy of a tortoise that somehow managed to live with a hippo tusk lodged in its shell. Paranormal enthusiasts definitely won't want to miss the museum's Haunted Castle Investigation! During this 60-minute tour, experienced guides teach guests all about the ins and outs of ghost hunting while delving into the dark history of St. Augustine. 2. Castaway Island Preserve Some of Northeast Florida's most stunning scenery is on full display when you visit this beautiful nature preserve. The 235-acre preserve is situated along the Intracoastal Waterway and encompasses a vast marshland ecosystem that has become home to a variety of wildlife. You'll be able to hike through several winding trails or use the high-strength roof rails of your Mazda CX-50 to take your kayak along and explore the park's waterways. 3. St. Johns Town Center This 1.2 million-square-foot outdoor mall boasts over 175 shops and over 20 restaurants, making it one of the top shopping destinations in Jacksonville. The stores range from Target and Dillard's to Tiffany & Co. and Louis Vuitton, so there's something for everyone. Building up an appetite after all that shopping? Stop by for some fresh Japanese food at Sushi House or enjoy a flavorful dry-aged steak at The Capital Grille! 4. Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens If you're an appreciator of fine art, then visiting Cummer is an absolute must when you're in the Jacksonville area. The museum's permanent collection showcases over 5,000 pieces of art from just about every era, from prehistoric times to the 21st century. Along with enjoying scenic riverfront views, visitors can also take a walk through the museum's enchanting gardens, which include both English- and Italian-inspired arrangements. Jacksonville is filled with amazing attractions like these, so you'll always have a great excuse to get out of the house and into your car! Need a new ride? Head on over to Tom Bush Mazda today and browse our huge inventory of new and used automobiles! Image by StockSnap from Pixabay

Dinner's a Quick Drive

Dinner's a Quick Drive Away: 3 Great Delivery Restaurants in Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville, FL has an incredible food scene. Cuisines from all over the world can be found around town, and since the pandemic, most of these places now deliver. Even though it's a reliable workhorse of a car, sometimes it's nice to give your Mazda CX50 a break for the weekend and call in some delivery food. If this is the case, here are some of our favorite delivery restaurants around town you need to try out. Dinner's a Quick Drive Away: 3 Great Delivery Restaurants With the Best Delivery Food in Jacksonville, FL Pagoda Restaurant When it comes to food deliveries, Chinese food is one of the most popular choices in the US, and Pagoda Restaurant is one of the most popular choices in Jacksonville! Established in 1975, this restaurant has been a staple of Jacksonville's food scene for over 40 years and has always been thriving. The place prides itself on serving only "Old School" Chinese dishes from Hong Kong, Szechuan, and Canton, keeping authentic flavors alive. more Carmine's Pie House The king of all delivery cuisines, everybody loves a good pizza, and Carmine's Pie House is the best spot in town. Serving up Chicago-style deep-dish pizza and New York-style thin and crispy bases, the variety is unbelievable, and calzones and stromboli are also available which are all delicious. When it comes to toppings, you can choose from one of their tantalizing options, or build your own using a variety of their numerable toppings. Masala Indian Cuisine Although not quite as popular as Italian or Chinese cuisine, Indian food is just starting to gain momentum in the US. Using exotic flavors that combine aromatic spices with hot chilies, Indian cuisine is in a league of its own, and Masala is by far the best place to give it a try. The menu encompasses food from all over India, so it's pretty big, and dishes range from dry dishes such as the Tandoori chicken to extremely spicy curries such as the infamous Vindaloo. As always with Indian food, Masala serves a huge range of vegetarian dishes that use proteins such as lentils or chickpeas, meaning this spot is ideal if you are ordering with a vegan or vegetarian. Sometimes, you just can't be bothered to cook after a long week at work, and that's ok, we're the same. So, this weekend, you can kick back, put your feet up, and order some delicious food from one of these great options. Whether you go for classic pizza or authentic Chinese, you're sure to love these joints. Drop by and visit us at Tom Bush Mazda afterward to let us know what you went for and while you're here you can check out our showroom of new and used cars.

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