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Contents
Stopping in for Eggs on the Bayou at Beach Diner (Atlantic Beach, FL)
Don’t want the details? Skip the review and check The Verdict.
Breakfast Available (Check Hours)
Lunch Options Available
Mixed Drinks
Mediterranean Diet Options
Vegetarian Options
I always feel welcome when visiting Beach Diner on Atlantic Blvd. Walking in on sunny day, I only have to wait a moment before being greeted by one of the servers and offered my choice of seating. It’s a beautiful day and the counter seats are comfortable and inviting.
It’s only a moment before the server greets me with a cup of coffee, the menu, and list of today’s specials. I scan the menu out of habit but I already know what I want. Eggs on the Bayou is a specialty here, and the double comes with two poached eggs, crabmeat, bacon, tomato, and green onion on a split English muffin toasted just right, topped with a hollandaise sauce. This is a common Jacksonville take on eggs benedict with that special attention to detail which comes from long expertise in making a delicious breakfast.
I place my order and ask for a side of the corned beef hash just because. Today it will be with the mixed fruit, a seasonal mix of strawberries, melon, grapes, and pineapple. Settling in to enjoy the wait, I greet the other patrons at the counter and receive friendly greetings in reply.
I can’t imagine this location without smiling. The sunny yellow and white decor, warm wood, and deep blue trim always bring to mind a perfect sunny day at the beach. The staff seem happy, smiling and greeting each customer. Everything just fits here, it feels like family.
The meal arrives before long, expertly prepared. I like to take my time with this one, enjoying each bite. The crab pieces are large, sliced and grilled, with whole strips of crispy bacon. The tomato and green onions are chopped with bits in every bite. The poached eggs and hollandaise are just right.
The owner stops by while I’m eating, as always, checking in on customers and greeting familiar faces. He gives me a good-natured ribbing to be sure I finish everything, or he might call my mom. I’ve got nothing to fear and I need no encouragement – the food is delicious and there won’t be anything left over.
I have a full day ahead and I won’t take much time after finishing, but I do enjoy an extra refill on the coffee as I plan the rest of my day. I know I’ll be back in – the service, the food, and the company here are always excellent.
The Theme
Beach Diner seems like it came straight out of a vacation postcard from the mid 20th century. Yellow the color of sunshine, blue trim like a perfect day on the water, and clean white of scattered clouds brings to mind a sunny, moderate beach day with clean sand, perfectly moderate temperature, and a fresh ocean breeze.
I can’t explain why but this place reminds me of having a picnic on the beach with family and friends. The pictures on the wall fit in with the beach theme, and the booths along each window are reminiscent of a seaside kitchen cottage.
You can practically smell the ocean here and if you are looking for a place to cheer you up, this is it.
Best Dish
If you can’t tell, Eggs on the Bayou is my go-to favorite here. It can be ordered as a single or a double, with the single coming on half an English muffin and the double twice as good. Grilled crab and crispy bacon complement poached eggs with hollandaise, and a scattering of fresh tomato and green onion for color and extra flavor.
The grilled or blackened Atlantic salmon is also excellent. I prefer blackened, and the salmon is an excellent accompaniment to eggs.
The Menu
The menu is deceptive, a long sheet covered with options on both sides. At first glance it looks like standard diner fare but a closer look shows a special Beach Diner touch. It’s packed with options for all hours of breakfast and lunch.
Beach Cafe offers a variety of breakfast and lunch options. In addition to the standard options of eggs with bacon or sausage, the selection of sides includes ham steak, pork chops, or corned beef hash. Shrimp & Crab, Mexican, and Greek omelettes are available, along with a “Left Coast” option with bacon, tomatoes, onion, and Swiss cheese topped with avocado and hollandaise.
The corned beef hash is a regular hash, mixed with onions and grilled up. It’s not anything very different from what is found in many brunch locations, but the added touch of the onions certainly makes a difference.
There’s buttermilk, pecan, blueberry, and chocolate chip pancakes, or the Belgian waffle topped with seasonal fruit. French toast of course, with small serving options available for kids.
House specialties include my personal favorite – Eggs on the Bayou, which is a Florida-style crab benedict topped with bacon, tomatoes, green onion, and of course hollandaise. Other specialties are a traditional eggs benedict, biscuits and gravy, or the Atlantic Salmon with eggs – a great departure from the “normal” breakfast.
There’s breakfast sandwiches including traditional fried egg sandwich, a breakfast burrito, or the AM Rider. Other offerings are Bagels and Lox, the Healthy Breakfast with spinach, tomato, and avocado slices, or “The CSX” – a toasted English Muffin with 2 eggs, bacon or sausage, and cheese.
For lunch, there’s a variety of salads including a Shrimp and Crab, Chef’s salad, Cobb salad, or Mediterranean salad. The stuffed avocado is a treat – a split avocado stuffed with tuna salad, chicken salad, or taboulli.
There are no less than 14 specialty sandwich offerings served warm or cold on the menu. The Ultimate Turkey sandwich looks mighty appetizing, but there’s also the Godfather, a chicken cordon bleu, a club sandwich, smoked salmon, and garlic shrimp. There are 3 vegetarian sandwich options – tomato & sprouts, a veggie wrap, or a garden pita. For the less adventurous, there are 7 traditional options like turkey, pastrami, roast beef, or chicken or tuna salad.
If that wasn’t enough, there are also a variety grilled options. A beach burger leads the grilled options. There’s a reuben (traditional corned beef or turkey), fish filet, chicken breast or fingers, and a patty melt. There’s even a 3-cheese grilled cheese sandwich.
With all of this, plus sides and add-ons, there’s something for everyone on the menu.
The Coffee
The coffee is a comforting, traditional, moderate cup of joe. It’s not too strong nor weak. It’s always hot, and never has that acidic burn of being left too long unattended.
Service
One thing I really like about Beach Diner is the interaction between the servers. This crew is very supportive of each other, and they almost seem like a family. There’s a very good-natured interaction while everyone is taking care of their tables.
Servers are attentive to customers, returning at just the right times to refill coffee or check on progress. Their timing is very good, working together with the kitchen to make sure everything comes out on time and tables are handled in an efficient, orderly manner. It’s not hard to remember to tip well here.
The Location / Hours
Atlantic Beach Diner is located on the north side of Atlantic Boulevard in Atlantic Beach – the right side of the road when heading toward the beach. It looks a little like a beach cottage, and shares parking with the Gate fuel station next door. There is a bit of local history around the construction of that Gate station, with concerns for the diner about parking, but all seems to have worked out well enough.
Atlantic Beach Diner offers both indoor and outdoor seating, with a counter area available inside. There are booths or tables and all are brightly lit by sunshine coming in through the windows, bright and cheery even on a cloudy day.
The outdoor seating is cozy with built-in nooks for each table. Personally I prefer the indoor seating but I can definitely see the attraction of an outdoor brunch here.
Atlantic Beach Diner is open from early morning to mid-afternoon every day of the week. If the Atlantic Blvd location is too far for you, there are other locations in Mandarin, San Marco, Fernandina, and Ponte Vedra Beach. Although I have not visited those locations, I would expect nothing less than a similar excellence.
Do note that the San Marco location is temporarily closed at the time of this post due to recovering from a fire on premises.
A note about social isolation
Like most Jacksonvile restaurants during this time of new rules, Atlantic Beach Diner has had to reduce its seating somewhat. Servers and staff are always masked, and customers are expected to be masked until seated and when settling the bill or leaving the table for other reasons.
Unlike most Jacksonvile locations, the Atlantic Beach Diner proudly displays a plaque near the cash register showing that all servers and staff have been trained in COVID-19 distancing and requirements. In addition to showing the care for their customers, I feel this shows a willingness to invest in their staff – the kind of attention to little details that really makes a difference in the overall experience.
The Verdict
If you can’t tell, I heartily recommend Atlantic Beach Diner. The location is bright and spacious, guaranteed to cheer you up on any day. Servers are friendly, professional, and prompt. The food is excellent – a combination of traditional brunch fare with that little extra flare that makes a very special experience.
There can be a wait on busy days but most of the time business seems brisk without being overwhelming.
Where to Go Next
The Atlantic Beach location is a great step-off before heading to the beach, or to any of the Atlantic Beach venues or shops. Anytime there’s a beach festival, Atlantic Beach Diner is just far enough to skip the worst of the crowds but still in easy driving range of the beachfront parking areas.
I will be back, and I recommend you give them a try.