Best Burgers in Jax

At the entrance to Beaches Town Center, sandwiched between Atlantic and Neptune Beach are the best burgers for miles. Poe's Tavern features a festive patio spilling with sun-kissed dinners chowing down on tasty meals. Now, I have a weakness for dining somewhere with a fantastic theme. I'll settle for only decent food just to take in the sights at Kickback's Gastropub. At Poe's, you don't have to pick.

NOTE: There are no photos of the burgers in this blog yet. This is because we ate them too fast. See empty plates.

The Food

You can immerse yourself in the Edgar Allan Poe theme and eat fantastic food. They have shoestring onions. which are my husband's absolute favorite. You can get the plain burger, the Raven, or the burger with cheese, the Beef Gold Bug, and those standard choices have the shoestring onions on the side. You can get some spice with the burger with jalapeno jack cheese and guacamole, the Amantillado. There are many excellent burger options.

Insider tip: Don't split a burger with your date here. Even though they are huge, they are too delish to let even someone you love and adore take so much of your tasty meal.

The Vibe

Poe's always has a festive bustle made up of tourists, locals, and Jax natives visiting from

across the ditch. The Tavern makes you feel like you are on vacation. Salty dinners sip beers and other adult beverages. Families, dates, and friends often fill the place to the gills. The expansive outdoor seating gives you front-row people-watching. There is a large bar that is the eye of the feeding hubbub. All the excitement circulates around the hum of people ordering drinks and clinking forks. Inside, there are even booths so you can cozy up in the AC.

It can get a little crazy when there are large parties or at peak hours. You just might have to speak up to be heard over the noise. But, the service is always good even when it gets super busy.

The Look

The atmosphere and decor bring some of the festivity of a Disney restaurant attraction. In the bathroom, readings of Poe's writings play in the background. The look is kind of rustic chic meets zaney literature lover. Even the menu items reference classic Poe prose, like Annabell Lee and the Telltale Heart. As someone who loves poetry and even writes poetry, I will admit that I never fully embraced Poe's gothic themes and macabre vibes. Still, I appreciate his contributions and he connects with many readers who normally shy away from poetry. Do you like Poe? (Answer in the comments!).

Remember the Time?

Michael and I came here for our first New Year's after Lucy was born. It was romantic in a way that only having a brand new baby in tow and finally getting out of the house can be. We brought our family here after Lucy's baptism and took up a couple rows of patio tables with our crew. You could feel the ocean air mingling with the Florida air.

Bottom line: Gorgeous location. Great beer options. Delightful patio seating. The tastiest tavern burgers you'll ever try.