Jacksonville-area restaurant roundup: 1 opened, 5 closed in January

January saw the opening of a first-of-its-kind, all-Ketogenic restaurant and grocery in Jacksonville, but the closure of familiar dining spots for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

A longtime Ponte Vedra Beach barbecue as well as two locations of a local pizza joint and a popular potato-centric restaurant shut their doors.

In addition, a Springfield microbrewery announced it will close this spring.

Here's a recap of notable Jacksonville-area restaurant news in January.

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PangeaKeto

A first-of-its-kind bistro and grocery focused on an all-Ketogenic menu including prepared meals debuted in Jacksonville. PangeaKeto, 14474 Beach Blvd. at San Pablo Road, is the first in Jacksonville as well as Florida. Located in a former Taco Bell, it offers Keto-centric comfort foods such as smash burgers, patty melts, pizza, mac & cheese, noodle bowls, quesadillas, sandwiches and wraps. The restaurant and grocery also offers gluten-free and sugar-free options. | Read more

Woody's Bar-B-Q

After more than 21 years, Woody’s Bar-B-Q closed its Ponte Vedra Beach restaurant, 225 Solana Road, Suite 1, at the Winn-Dixie-anchored Ponte Vedra Square. Owners Woody Mills and Yolanda Mills-Mawman announced the closure on social media saying that “[t]his decision was not made lightly. Due to unprecedented increases, we have chosen not to renew our lease.” Woody's continues to operate a dozen restaurants in Florida – including in Jacksonville, at 5930 Powers Ave. and 1638 University Blvd. S. on the city’s Southside. Other Northeast Florida locations include Green Cove Springs, Macclenny and Palatka. | Read more

Hyperion Brewing Co.

After more than six years, a Springfield microbrewery announced it will turn off the taps permanently effective March 31. Hyperion Brewing Co., 1744 N Main St., will become the fourth Jacksonville-area craft brewery to close within recent months. The craft brewery announced the upcoming closure on social media, posting "we are changing direction" — that their growing family was a factor in their decision to close. | Read more

Mr. Potato Spread

Open just over a year, homegrown Mr. Potato Spread closed its first franchised location at 7159 Philips Highway citing a "challenging year." The quick service restaurant concept features large, white potatoes and sweet potatoes baked and split down the middle, filled with steak, pulled pork, seafood or veggies. The menu also features tater tots, fries and salads. Remaining open are Mr. Potato Spread locations at River City Marketplace and Orange Park Mall. | Read more

Just a Pinch Cafe & Catering

Just two days into 2024, Just a Pinch Cafe & Catering, a Hawaiian-Southern fusion comfort food restaurant, shut its doors abruptly. The restaurant, 1615 County Road 220, Suite 180, in Fleming Plaza retail center on Fleming Island, announced the closure on social media. "This past year has come with many challenges that we were not able to overcome," it posted on Facebook. | Read more

Biggie's Pizza

A Jacksonville-area restaurant that earned national recognition for its giant slices of New York-style pizza abruptly closed two of its five locations. Biggie's Pizza shut its doors at 880 State Road A1A, Suite 8, in Ponte Vedra Pointe shopping center, and at 4160 Southside Blvd. in the Gates of Tinseltown shopping center in Jacksonville. Remaining open are Biggie's Pizza locations at 1053 Park St. in Jacksonville's Five Points business district, 311 Third St. N., Unit 101, in Jacksonville Beach, and 13423 Beach Blvd. at Beach and Hodges boulevards in the Intracoastal West area. | Read more

Teresa Stepzinski is the dining reporter for the Times-Union. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @TeresaStepz or reach her via email at [email protected].

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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville dining: PangeaKeto opens, longtime Woody's BBQ closes