Chick-fil-A and Dick Mondell's: A tale of two drive-thrus

Gary T. Mills, Florida Times-Union
·3 min read
A rendering depicts the drive-thru-only Chick-fil-A coming to Glendale, Wisconsin, this fall. The fast-food giant is proposing a similar restaurant in Jacksonville.
A rendering depicts the drive-thru-only Chick-fil-A coming to Glendale, Wisconsin, this fall. The fast-food giant is proposing a similar restaurant in Jacksonville.

When it comes to drive-thru service, Chick-fil-A is the envy of many fast-food restaurant operators.

With queues packed with cars morning, noon and night, the chain’s drive-thrus spurred record sales for the fast-food giant in 2021, even as many of its restaurants’ dining rooms were closed. (Fun fact: Chick-fil-A's drive-thru wait times aren't as fast as you think they are. More on that in a future newsletter.)

Now Chick-fil-A is looking to take its drive-thru game to the next level: a drive-thru-only restaurant. Several are planned or proposed around the country – including one right here in Jacksonville.

That’s right: no indoor seating.

Instead, diners will find a longer drive-thru queue, with a stack capacity of a whopping 35 cars in two lanes. (Even more than at your neighborhood Starbucks on a Monday morning.)

More details will come later, but here’s what we know so far.

Coming soon: Move over Cheesecake Factory, there's a new "factory" coming to Jacksonville

Also in the works: If you're traveling in or out of Jacksonville International Airport, you'll soon have a new dining option nearby

Freshly made on a flattop grill, cheeseburgers top the menu at Dick Mondell's Burger & Fries, which is opening its second restaurant in Jacksonville Beach.
Freshly made on a flattop grill, cheeseburgers top the menu at Dick Mondell's Burger & Fries, which is opening its second restaurant in Jacksonville Beach.

'Cheeky' drive-thru Dick Mondell's coming to Jacksonville Beach

More than three years after opening their first restaurant, Jacksonville native Chris Castelli and business partner Chris Leckerling are planning to bring their Dick Mondell’s Burger & Fries concept to Jacksonville Beach.

Named for a fictional character, the restaurant is known for its signature burger with a cheeky name: The Original Big Dick, made with two quarter-pound burgers and topped with lettuce, pickles, onion and the restaurant’s special Dick Sauce.

The restaurant’s limited menu includes a chicken burger as well as a veggie burger and Impossible Burger.

The pair plan to open the restaurant in a former Third Street carwash early next year. | Continue reading

Chef Charles Wang of Blackstone Grille holds a plate of Filet Mignon Au Pouvre in the dining room of his restaurant.
Chef Charles Wang of Blackstone Grille holds a plate of Filet Mignon Au Pouvre in the dining room of his restaurant.

'It is bittersweet, but we are retiring': Blackstone Grille set to close

Another Jacksonville-area restaurant is set to close its doors this weekend.

Blackstone Grille, a fixture at Bartram Oak Walks in Saint Johns since 2007, announced that Sunday, Father’s Day, will be its last day of service.

Chef Charles Wang, an award-winning chef with more than 30 years of experience, and his wife, Helen Chang, noted that they plan to retire after closing the restaurant.

The restaurant follows other notable closures this year of Ocean 60, Barrique Kitchen + Wine Bar, Olio, Cousin’s Maine Lobster and more. | Continue reading 

Olio, Willard's, E Street: In 2022, some longtime favorite Jacksonville restaurants have closed. Here's a list.

The surf and turf burger touts cheese, shrimp, lettuce, tomato and onion atop a plump patty.
The surf and turf burger touts cheese, shrimp, lettuce, tomato and onion atop a plump patty.

Sliders is back with a new look (and great seafood)

And finally, reviewer Caron Streibich visits Neptune Beach mainstay Sliders Oyster Bar, open again after an extensive remodel late last year.

There, she sampled Godzilla oysters, triggerfish, fried clams and more while her dining companions opted for the surf ‘n turf burger and blackened trigger platter. Be sure to read her full review.

More restaurant news below.

Have a question about a restaurant opening or closing in your neighborhood? Let me know.

Cheers!

Gary Mills

Deputy Managing Editor

The Florida Times-Union

Email: gmills@jacksonville.com

Twitter: @garytmills

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Chick-fil-A and Dick Mondell's: A tale of two drive-thrus