Courtney McCleister Public Relations Specialist

2JACKSONVILLE, FLA. (June 8, 2015) The Volkswagen Beetle, windows down and blasting a Taylor Swift song, was full of laughter as a pair of hungry friends drove to one of Jacksonvilles local food spots. As Bonnie Kohner, a University of North Florida student originally from Boca Raton, Florida, drove she updated her childhood best friend, and fellow South Florida native, Angela Keenan on all the boys, gossip and events she had missed since their last visit. The best friends pulled up to Angies Subs, a local sub shop located near Jacksonville Beach. According to reviews on Yelp, Urbanspoon and Google, Angies Subs has been rated as a four-star sandwich shop. Jacksonvilles City Guide said it is a place locals eat, which offers visitors a local Jacksonville flavor experience. Jacksonville beach, like many other historic neighborhoods in Jacksonville, has done a fantastic job of embracing local restaurants and limiting the amount of restaurant chains giving visitors the opportunity for unique, authentic dining experiences said Visit Jacksonville official, Patty Jimenez. The plain brick building stands in a parking lot by itself. Two signs hang on the building, one basic with Angies Subs logo and the other sign plain white with black lettering. The black sign is changed regularly with new announcements.When the door opens, the smell of pulled pork and Angies signature Peruvian Sauce floods the nostrils. Kohner took a deep breath.Mmmm, she said, turning to Keenan.I dont know how you have lived this long without Angies in your life, Kohner said.The friends step up to the counter, Kohner encourages Keenan to order The Peruvian, Angies No. 1 selling sub. The Peruvian stacks ham, genoa salami, bacon, Italian sausage with provolone cheese and tops it all off with Angies signature Peruvian sauce. The friends moved to the next counter to pay and grab cups for a drink. Keenan read the sign hanging above the dispenser. Best sweet tea in Jax! Ill be the judge of that, she said as she filled her cup. There are a number of non-franchised eateries in Jacksonville where a visitor can get a local experience, according to Jimenez. Many of these places are spread around Jacksonville Beach. For a local breakfast visitors can try Metro Diner or if they are in search for a burger they can head to M Shack, these are just two options of local eateries. Angies dining room looks more like an old family cottage than a restaurant. It is filled with mismatched chairs, wooden tables and stuffed animal heads decorating the walls. There are posters, paintings, and sport team references all throughout the room as well.The friends find a seat at one of the high tops in the middle of the dining room. Keenans eyes wander all over the room absorbing the array of decorations throughout the place. aKeenan then asked the question Kohner had been preparing herself for: So what is there to do in Jacksonville?The problem I have answering the question What is there to do here? is picking out what is best to do, Kohner said.In 2013 Jacksonville was ranked No. 4 destination for Floridians traveling in state, according to HotWire.com. Kohner answered Keenan: water sports, beach activities, the zoo, the beach and Riverside bars, concerts and festivals. We can ride bikes on the beach here, Kohner said. This surprised Keenan, who only knew of South Florida beaches where the sand is loose compared to Jacksonville Beachs more compact sand.What do you mean? The tires dont get stuck in the sand? Keenan said. Just wait and see, Kohner said, leaving Keenan in suspense.There are 22 miles of beaches in Jacksonville to explore.You can really feel the essence of Jacksonville at the beaches, Jimenez said. They are relaxing, vibrant, local and not overly commercialized.Jacksonville Beach was named one of the 25 most visited beaches in the United States by aggregate news site The Daily Beast.Kohner continued to list activities around Jacksonville and was starting to list places to eat locally when their names were called. They waved the Angies worker carrying their lunches over and began unwrapping their subs as soon as they could get their hands around them. The table soon became silent. The only words exchanged between receiving their subs and finishing them were Kohner encouraging Keenan to use more Peruvian Sauce on her sandwich. Kohner finished her sub and every crumb she could find to eat, she begins to wipe the crumbs from her lap. Can I just experience that sub all over again, Keenan asked. She licked her fingers andalso began to search for crumbs. I can die happy now, she continued. I wish we had something like this in South Florida. Kohner smiled: mission accomplished. The friends refilled their drinks and walked back to the car. They powered it up and rolled their windows back down. The next Taylor Swift song came on as they pulled out of the parking lot. Two full friends were out to enjoy their next adventure in Jacksonville.

208 North Laura Street Suite 102 Jacksonville, FL 32202Phone: (954) 918-1088Fax: (904) 798-9104

E-Mail: cmccleister@yahoo.comWeb: VisitJacksonville.com

[Type text][Type text][Type text]Visit Jacksonville Courtney McCleister Public Relations Specialist208 North Laura Street Suite 102 Jacksonville, FL 32202Phone: (954) 918-1088Fax: (904) 798-9104

E-Mail: cmccleister@yahoo.comWeb: VisitJacksonville.com