Clean Juice, Butt Hutt and Mr. Potato Spread: The latest restaurant news

Florida Times-Union
·3 min read
Smoothies and a selection of toasts are sold at Clean Juice locations
Smoothies and a selection of toasts are sold at Clean Juice locations

After bringing state and national football titles to Nease High School (2005) and the University of Florida (2007, 2009) – and a popular fried chicken chain to Jacksonville in 2013 – Northeast Florida football legend Tim Tebow is bringing Clean Juice to Jacksonville’s St. Johns Town Center area.

Billing itself as the first and only USDA-certified organic juice and food bar franchise, Clean Juice has opened at the Markets at Town Center, next to BurgerFi. Tebow, who has been a national brand ambassador for Clean Juice since 2021, is co-owner of the new location, one of more than 200 across 31 states.

In addition to its signature juices and smoothies, Clean Juice’s menu features a variety of sandwiches, wraps, toasts, salads and acai bowls.

[Keep reading: there's more restaurant news below, including a review of the recently new SoNapa Grille, new food options at TIAA Bank Field and a Top 10 ranking for a Jacksonville restaurant for best rooftop bars.]

“When people walk into my store or any Clean Juice store, I want them to know they are getting what the brand says they are getting: clean, organic, healthy food options. When they walk out, I hope they feel a little bit better physically, a little bit stronger emotionally, and maybe even spiritually,” Tebow said in a news release. 

Clean Juice operates other Northeast Florida-area restaurants in Nocatee and St. Augustine.

In 2013, Tebow, as an investor, helped launch fast-casual chicken concept PDQ in Jacksonville. After debuting at Hodges Pointe Plaza, PDQ has opened area locations at the Town Center, Julington Creek and Bartram Park. The chain offers a limited menu of chicken tenders, chicken-based salads, chicken and turkey sandwiches, fries and hand-spun shakes.

Butt Hutt putting down stakes

Earlier this year we told you about a number of Jacksonville food trucks that have opened brick-and-mortar restaurants or are planning to make the leap soon. (Pie95 Pizza was one of those.)

Now another is in the works.

Butt Hutt Smokehouse, launched by Jacob Bander in 2014, is planning to bring his Florida-style, savory and sweet, pecan wood-smoked Florida-style barbecue to the former Island Bar spot at 3210 Roosevelt Blvd. If you live in Riverside or Murray Hill, you know the spot: the restaurant building bordered by U.S. 17 on one side and Roosevelt Boulevard on the other.

He's planning an early December opening. Read more on Bander and his Butt Hutt Smokehouse plans from Teresa Stepzinski.

Mr. Potato Spread closes one location

Speaking of food trucks-turned-restaurants, Mr. Potato Spread has closed its Regency Square location to diners. After opening at the mall's food court more than three years ago, owners Lakita and Aaron Spann plan to continue using the restaurant's kitchen for catering operations as they focus on opening a new location at River City Marketplace and their first franchised location on Philips Highway near Butler Boulevard for their gourmet stuffed potato fast-food restaurant concept.

Mr. Potato Spread's Orange Park Mall location remains open.

Hoptinger Bier Garden & Sausage House, 1037 Park St. in the Five Points neighborhood of Jacksonville recently was named one of the Top 10 Rooftop Bars in the World by Mandomedia.com.
Hoptinger Bier Garden & Sausage House, 1037 Park St. in the Five Points neighborhood of Jacksonville recently was named one of the Top 10 Rooftop Bars in the World by Mandomedia.com.

Tops of the rooftops

Five Points' Hoptinger Bier Garden & Sausage House is one of the Top 10 best rooftop bars – in the world. That's according to a new ranking.

Of course, we already knew it was pretty special. That's why it's on our list of favorite rooftop dining spots in Jacksonville.

Support from readers like you makes our coverage of Jacksonville's growing dining scene possible. If you're not already a digital subscriber, now is a great time to support local journalism. Here's how to subscribe.

And in case you missed it:

Now open: Dolly Llama Waffle Master artisan waffles and ice cream shop opens in Ponte Vedra Beach

Coming soon: Black Rifle Coffee Co. exploring second Jacksonville-area coffee shop

Now open: Engine 15 co-founder launches Myrtle Avenue Brewing in Rail Yard District near downtown

Did you know? 2 New Smyrna Beach restaurants seen on Guy Fieri's 'Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives'

There's 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: Clean Juice, Butt Hutt and Mr. Potato Spread: The latest restaurant news