Half a fried chicken sits on a Belgian waffle here, and the whole thing gets topped with sweet strawberry butter. That sounds like dessert and dinner shaking hands, and I am completely fine with it.
Guy Fieri once praised a meatloaf from this kitchen that gets seared right on the griddle. Breakfast also runs all day, from the 7 a.m. opening until the doors close in the evening.
I like how this place seems built for real Florida schedules. An early shift, a late lunch, or a pancake craving at dinnertime all get treated with the same respect here.
Local newspaper readers keep voting it the best breakfast and the best diner in the city, and that tells you plenty. So what keeps a whole community coming back for plate after plate?
Breakfast At Dinnertime Is Totally Normal Here
Pancakes at 6 p.m. might sound like a rule being broken, but Metro Diner Southside treats it as standard practice. Breakfast runs all day, every day, from opening time until close.
The doors open at 7 a.m. and stay open until 8 p.m. daily. That gives you a thirteen-hour window to chase eggs, waffles, or biscuits whenever the mood strikes.
The Bissell Breakfast is the classic move for anyone who wants a traditional platter. It’s a straightforward plate that works just as well for a late supper as an early start.
Huevos Rancheros bring a little more personality to the table. Jacksonville Magazine even singled out the dish when it recognized the diner for best breakfast.
Biscuits and sausage gravy sit on the menu too, which feels exactly right for a Florida diner. Southern comfort and all-day hours make a pretty convincing team.
One practical tip is worth remembering before you plan a holiday brunch. The diner closes on Christmas Day, but every other day your 4 p.m. omelet craving is fully supported.
Strawberry Butter Is The Detail You Will Keep Thinking About
Most chicken and waffles stop at syrup. The version here goes further with powdered sugar and a sweet, strawberry butter that melts right into the waffle pockets.
You also get a serious amount of chicken. The plate comes with half a fried chicken alongside a Belgian waffle, so this is no dainty snack.
The dish is the diner’s signature, and it shows up in the awards too. Jacksonville Magazine named the Chicken and Waffles with Strawberry Butter as part of its best breakfast nod.
Sweet and salty fans, this is your moment. Crispy chicken next to a fruity, buttery waffle is the kind of pairing that makes a regular breakfast feel like a small celebration.
Feeding a crowd at home? The dish is also offered as a family meal, so the whole household can skip the cooking and still eat well.
A smart plan is to bring a friend and split sides. That way, you save room for a few extra bites of that strawberry butter, which is clearly the star of the show here.
Guy Fieri Already Gave The Meatloaf His Stamp Of Approval
Television fame can come from a single slice of meatloaf. Guy Fieri featured Metro Diner on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives and praised its griddle-seared Iron City Meatloaf.
That griddle step matters more than you might guess. Searing the meatloaf gives the outside a little crust before it hits the plate.
Rich brown gravy goes on top, and nobody should complain about that. Creamy mashed potatoes and green beans round things out like a proper Sunday supper.
Here’s a fun bit of trivia for the table. The dish’s name gives a nod to Pittsburgh, often called the Iron City, which adds some out-of-town flavor to a Jacksonville favorite.
Meatloaf can sometimes feel like a dish only grandparents order. This one makes a good case for everyone else, especially when you’re hungry for something warm and filling after a long day.
Planning a cozy night in instead? The Iron City Meatloaf is also available as a family meal, so you can bring that TV-famous comfort home without lifting a single mixing spoon.
Shrimp And Grits Bring A Coastal Twist To Diner Classics
Grits deserve better than a side-dish role. At this diner, they share top billing with shrimp in a dish called Charleston Shrimp and Grits.
The name points north toward South Carolina’s famous Lowcountry cooking. Still, the combo feels right at home in a coastal city like Jacksonville.
Shrimp and grits work for almost any hour, which is handy at a place with all-day breakfast. Order it for a late morning meal or call it dinner without any guilt at all.
Newcomers to grits should know what to expect. They’re made from ground corn and cooked until soft, sort of like a Southern cousin of oatmeal.
Grits also soak up whatever flavor you pair with them. That makes them a great partner for shrimp, which brings a salty taste of the sea to the bowl.
If someone at your table is unsure about grits, offer them a bite first. Plenty of people discover a new favorite food that way, and this dish is a friendly starting point for skeptics.
Lunch Crowd Gets Burgers, Cheesesteaks, And A Club Too
Not everyone wants eggs, and that’s perfectly okay. The sandwich and burger side of the menu keeps lunch fans just as happy as the waffle crowd.
The Breakfast Burger is a fun bridge between both worlds. It lets you enjoy morning flavors while still holding a burger in both hands.
Simpler tastes can go with the Classic Burger. Sometimes a straightforward burger is exactly what a busy afternoon calls for.
Cheesesteak lovers have the Philly Cheesesteak to consider. There’s also a Fried Chicken Sandwich for anyone who wants that crunchy chicken without the waffle.
The Metro Club rounds out the lineup with a layered, stacked sandwich feel. It’s a solid pick when you can’t decide and want a little bit of everything in each bite.
Visiting in the fall? Seasonal items like Pumpkin Waffles and Pumpkin Pancakes sometimes show up, so keep an eye out for those cozy limited-time treats before they disappear again.
The Trophy Shelf Would Need Extra Room
Best Breakfast, Best Brunch, Best Diner, Best Pancakes. Readers of the Florida Times-Union have handed Metro Diner a long list of titles like these.
The list keeps going from there. Those same readers also voted for Best American Restaurant, Best Family Restaurant, and Best Bang for Your Buck.
Local magazines joined in too. VOID Magazine awarded the diner Best Breakfast and Best Diner in Jacksonville.
Jacksonville Magazine added its own honors for Best Comfort Food and Best Breakfast. It specifically called out the Huevos Rancheros and the signature chicken and waffles.
Awards like these come from people who live in the area and eat out often. That gives them extra weight compared to a flashy ad or a quick social media post.
The Best Pancakes award is a handy clue if you can’t decide what to order. When an entire city votes for your pancakes, ordering a stack feels less like a gamble and more like homework.
Family Dinner Can Come Home With You
Cooking for a hungry family every night can wear anyone out. Metro Diner Southside offers family meals to go, which turns a hectic Tuesday into an easy win.
The Fried Chicken and Waffles is available as a family meal. So is the Iron City Meatloaf, giving you two crowd-pleasing options to choose from.
Pick-up is available if you’d rather grab your food yourself. Delivery works too when nobody wants to leave the couch.
Planning a bigger event takes things up a level. The diner also offers catering, which could make a birthday, office lunch, or team gathering a lot more fun.
Think about how much easier a party gets when someone else handles the main dishes. You can focus on balloons and guests while the comfort food shows up ready to eat.
One helpful idea is to order a little extra for leftovers. Meatloaf and fried chicken both make a great lunch the next day, and future you will appreciate the planning.
A Jacksonville Story That Started Back In 1992
Some restaurant brands start in big cities far away. Metro Diner began right here in Jacksonville in 1992, with its very first location on Hendricks Avenue.
That hometown origin gives the Southside spot a special connection. It’s part of a story that grew out of the same city it still serves today.
Diner culture runs deep in Florida, and the brand leans into it proudly. Classic comfort dishes like meatloaf, fried chicken, and pancakes are the heart of the menu.
The diner’s stated goal is a warm welcome and a relaxed feel. It says it wants guests to feel like part of the family, which is a sweet aim for any kitchen.
Thinking about that history makes a simple meal feel a little more meaningful. You’re eating at a place with deep roots in the community rather than a random chain stop.
Next time someone asks for a true Jacksonville food experience, this counts. A local brand serving local favorites is a pretty great way to show off your city.
Game Day And Shopping Trips Pair Perfectly With This Spot
Location can make or break a meal plan. This diner sits in Baymeadows Village at the corner of Baymeadows Road and Southside Boulevard, an easy spot to find.
The full address is 9802 Baymeadows Road, Jacksonville, FL 32256. Pop that into your map app and you’re good to go.
Sports fans have a great reason to stop by. Metro Diner Southside calls itself a perfect place to fuel up before a Jaguars or Jumbo Shrimp game.
Shoppers get a bonus too. St. Johns Town Center is nearby, so a big lunch after a long shopping day fits right into the plan.
Out-of-towners exploring Florida’s First Coast will appreciate that breakfast never stops here. Landing late or sleeping in won’t cost you a good morning meal.
So whether it’s game day, shopping day, or just a Wednesday, this corner has you covered from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Strawberry butter at sunset?
Honestly, that sounds like a solid way to end any day.
