1928 Cuban Bistro, the fast-growing Jacksonville-based Cuban eatery, is working on a new location in Deerwood, at southeast Gate Parkway and Village Crossing Drive.
The restaurant is one of the tentative food operations coming to The Block Jax, a new 2.5-acre family-friendly entertainment center at the entrance to Southside Quarter, according to Jacksonville Daily Record. The new entertainment center will feature a covered outdoor food hall with eight vendors and a craft beer bar. The Block Jax will be family-oriented with a live music venue and play park for children, sitting next to a second Kanine Social along Gate Parkway. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.
The new food hall will have space for eight vendors, with founder Daniel Moffatt focusing on experienced area restaurateurs who want to open a second or third location or try a new concept. While 1928 Cuban Bistro is the only restaurant that will be expanding into the space with a new location, several other local restaurant owners will be testing out new ideas, including new concepts from the owners of The Bearded Pig, The Bread & Board, the San Marco Chz Fry Co., and Canopy Road Cafe. The site is at southwest Interstate 295 and Butler Boulevard.
“The food pods, as we call them, are shipping-container-style, so they’re just a small kitchen, they’re fully equipped, so the vendors can come in and they can try something out, and it doesn’t cost a lot for them to do that,” Moffatt tells JDR. “They just need to have a concept that they either know that works, or they want to try something new.”
When the new development opens, customers will find delicious Cuban flavors at 1928 Cuban Bistro, including various sandwiches, plates, salads, and breakfast options. Owner Rebecca Gonzalez has operated the restaurant through its five locations at Baymeadows, St. Johns, Ortega, Jacksonville Beach, and Fernandina Beach. The company’s website also lists more locations are coming soon.
