According to recent public records, a new concept will soon revolutionize dining, community-building, and entertainment in Jacksonville.
“Kiss my Gritz is actually a play on “grits”, as in Southern Grits,” the effervescent Chandra “Lady C” tells What Now Jax. “[Co-owner Dr. Archie Harrison Sr.] is from NJ, I’m from Duval County, Jacksonville. We came together to make a combination of northern and southern comfort foods.”
“Our menu consists of four types of grits: buttery, cheese, garlic, and our KMJ signature grits.”
When WNJ asked for what the signature was, Lady C says, “Sweetness, a little bit of sweetness.”
Diners can top their grits with shrimp, seafood medley, corned beef hash, salmon croquette, and fish.
“And for those who are on a budget: there’s the po’ with fried baloney.”
The establishment will be open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner—and a whole lot of community initiatives and events.
“We wanted to do something family-friendly that wouldn’t include alcohol, drugs or cigarettes. We wanted to have a good vibe,” says Lady C.
There will be a stage at the facility which will lend itself to game nights with Uno and Checkers; Karaoke nights on Thursday and Friday night open mics (with no explicit language).
Kiss my Gritz will be open Monday – Sunday and will debut a lunch buffet starting in the month of November. There will be a (non-alcoholic) bar too.
“We will have a bar that serves smoothies and mocktails, featuring drinks such as Holy Moses, Red Sea, Storm and Sunshine.”
In closing, Lady C adds that she has been part of the team behind Breakthrough Center, a local non-profit which has been taking care of disadvantaged locals for 22 years, providing housing, clothing, and employment.
“KMG is actually in collaboration with our trade,” Lady C says, adding that they’ll be bringing in people from the Breakthrough Center to man the staff at Kiss my Gritz.
Eager readers should note that the ribbon-cutting ceremony (featuring city council members & local pastors) will be on Oct 24; the grand opening will be on November 4th.
