Top Dawg Tavern opens first Northeast Florida restaurant in Jacksonville's Shoppes at Bartram Park

Known for its burgers, wings, sandwiches and family-friendly atmosphere, Top Dawg Tavern plans to open its first Northeast Florida restaurant on Monday in Jacksonville.

The family-owned and operated casual dining restaurant takes over the former Panera spot at 13820 Old St Augustine Road in the Publix-anchored Shoppes at Bartram Park. (Panera moved to a standalone building with drive-thru in 2019.)

The restaurant will be the sixth from founders and owners Renee and Brett Summers, who launched their first restaurant in 2013 just outside Athens, Ga.

Since then, the couple has expanded the restaurant concept to Columbia, S.C.; Summerville, S.C.; Augusta, Ga.; Hilton Head Island, S.C., and now Jacksonville.

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The Bartram Park restaurant will serve lunch and dinner daily as well as brunch on Sunday, said Renee Summers in a news release announcing the opening.

“We wanted to make sure that we were able to offer quality, fresh food, but at an affordable price,” she said. “We are somewhere that you can go eat every day and you'll still be able to afford us. And that's one of the things that we focus on, providing value to the community.”

Top Dawg Tavern will offer eight lunch specials, including its Tavern Burgers made with fresh, never frozen Black Angus beef; boneless wings and fries; and Buffalo chicken sandwich featuring the restaurant's own wing sauce, according to the menu.

In addition, there is a "build your own salad" ($8) with more than 20 available toppings to choose from on weekdays.

The menu is extensive.

Starters include bite-sized tenderloin filet bites ($12), fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese, bacon and France sauce ($8) and Buffalo chicken dip ($8.50).

Wings, in 6-, 10- and 20-piece servings ($11-32) come with a choice of 12 different sauces. The restaurant's signature Tavern Burgers start at $9.50.

Among the sandwiches and wraps offered are pulled pork barbecue ($10.50), Tavern cheesesteak ($11), fried flounder ($10) and chicken Caesar salad wrap ($9.50).

Top entrees include pot roast ($14.50), brisket mac & cheese ($15), lemon pepper fried shrimp, a filet stir fry ($15) and sweet bourbon salmon ($17), according to the menu.

The dessert menu features Dulce de Leche fried cheesecake, peanut butter pie and a double chocolate cake — all for $6 each.

The couple noted the restaurant has a dedicated "Lil Dawg House," which is a children's room featuring an interactive gaming floor.

“It's a different space that gives the kids their own little areas to go play, allowing the parents to enjoy a relaxing meal,” Renee Summers said. “It's really fun and the kids really love it. It keeps them moving and happy, not sitting around bored.”

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Described as die-hard sports fans, the couple launched the original restaurant because they wanted to create the perfect place to grab a bite to eat, have a drink and enjoy time together with friends and family. They also wanted a comfortable place to watch their favorite sports, according to the restaurant website.

Top Dawg Tavern also has a full bar featuring craft cocktails, beer and wine.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville is home to first Top Dawg Tavern in Northeast Florida