Jacksonville's Oldest Hardee's Closes After 32 Years, Habit Burger Opens Its 3rd Local Store and 3 More Restaurant Changes: What's New and What's Coming

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Jacksonville's oldest Hardee's, on San Jose Boulevard in Mandarin, has closed, according to News4JAX. A sign on the front door said the restaurant shut down as of Monday, Nov. 2, and the sign gave no explanation. The Florida Times-Union reported that the restaurant opened in 1994, which makes it about 32 years old, and News4JAX noted that Hardee's website still listed the location as open when it reported the closure.

The closure comes as several other restaurants open or prepare to open across the Jacksonville area. This roundup covers what was reported from Nov. 2 to 4, and it is based on published reports and company announcements.

The Changes at a Glance

Habit Burger Opens at River City Marketplace

Habit Burger & Grill is the third Jacksonville location for the California-inspired chain, according to the Jacksonville Daily Record. The restaurant at River City Marketplace, 15088 Max Leggett Parkway, had a soft launch Sept. 21 and set its grand opening for Nov. 4, from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. The first 100 guests were to receive a tote filled with free items, the first 500 were to get a Flavor Passport good for three free future visits, and a ribbon cutting with the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce was set for 1:30 p.m.

The chain's other Jacksonville restaurants are on Baymeadows Road and Beach Boulevard. Its menu centers on charburgers, chargrilled chicken, salads and sides. Habit launched in Southern California in 1969 and was acquired by Yum! Brands in 2020, the Daily Record reported.

Pita Mediterranean Street Food Comes to Neptune Beach

Pita Mediterranean Street Food opened its first Duval County location Nov. 3 at 630 Atlantic Blvd., Suite 14, in the Publix shopping center, less than a mile west of Third Street. A grand opening was set for 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, with each customer getting one free gyro, chicken gyro or falafel with fries or rice and no purchase necessary. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

The 1,100-square-foot space has 18 interior seats and four patio chairs, and it was formerly a Cousins Maine Lobster. The menu includes gyros, street pitas, pita platters, salads, bowls, hummus and Greek fries. The Atlanta-based company was founded by Nour Rabai, whose family is from Lebanon, and it opened in Peachtree, Georgia, in 2012 and began franchising in 2016. This is its 60th location across Alabama, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, and its next goal is 100 locations.

Marshtackie Florida Cafe Is Set for Hastings

Jennifer Ashton, who also owns Juniper Market3 in St. Augustine, scheduled an 8:30 a.m. ribbon-cutting for Marshtackie Florida Cafe on Nov. 6 at 420 N. Main St. in Hastings. The event was timed to the town's annual Fall Harvest Festival, and the cafe's hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday, per the restaurant's Facebook post. The name honors Florida's official state horse.

The menu is seasonal, with bakery items, all-day breakfast that includes avocado toast and breakfast burritos, salads, sandwiches, smashburgers with tater tots and daily specials. Ashton bought the 3,600-square-foot Hastings building in 2023 and renovated it, and the cafe seats 42 indoors, with patio seating planned. She said, "We're here to serve our locals and be part of the neighborhood."

Circa 26 Steakhouse Plans a December Opening

Circa 26 is expected to open in December at 1067 Beach Blvd. in Jacksonville Beach, less than a mile west of Third Street South. The owners are Jenne and Tom Corsano, who started multiple Two Dudes Seafood restaurants and previously owned Red's Steakhouse in Ponte Vedra Beach. They lease the 998-square-foot space from restaurateur Keith Chan.

Dinner will run Monday through Saturday from 4:30 p.m. until at least 10 p.m., with no lunch service, and the room will seat 36. Steaks start at $28 for an 8-ounce prime sirloin, and other entrees start at $26. The menu lists house-cut steaks from Quincey Cattle Beef in Chiefland, plus duck breast, ahi tuna, catch of the day, pasta, lobster and a Japanese filet mignon served tableside.

What to Know Before You Go

Opening dates and promotions can change, so check each restaurant's social media or phone line before making a trip. The giveaways at Habit and Pita were limited to specific dates and, in Habit's case, to the first guests through the door. The Hardee's closure was reported from a sign on the door, and the published reports did not include a reason from the company.