Bold City Best 2015

SEPTEMBER 27, 2015 THE TIMES-UNION • 17
(Left and right) photos provided by Metro Diner
(Middle) Will.Dickey@jacksonville.com
locations in Northeast Florida. Now,
they are starting their next adventure
— expanding the brand nationwide.
Plans are in the works to open
several stores with partners around
the country, starting with a store in
Gainesville that will open its doors
next month.
“We have 12 stores on board for
next year. How we’re going to do that
is we have partners in different areas,”
said co-owner and Master Chef Mark
Davoli. “How it works is that each one
of these [partners] will open three
stores a year, and we will be adding
one more. That’s how we can have that
kind of growth but still control it the
right way.”
But, the dynamic trio isn’t stopping
there. They have even bigger plans
for the next several years and will
continue to grow at a rapid pace while
keeping up the Metro Diner standards
for great food and exceptional service.
“I think the growth is going to
accelerate as we bring on new, jointventure
partners,” said co-owner
John Davoli Sr. “Our plans are to go
national. You can read into what type
of growth we are going to have — 12
next year, 24 the following year; it
should expand exponentially.”
Although the family plans to develop
the brand quickly, they are committed
to preserving the culture that makes
Metro Diner unique. Their recipe for
success is simple: Make guests feel
appreciated.
For the Davoli family, it comes
easily because they do appreciate their
customers. A simple sit-down with the
owners proves they take time to say
hi to those who recognize them, and
offer hospitality to each patron. They
realize there are a lot of options when
it comes to choosing a restaurant and
feel honored to see the same friendly
faces week after week.
“One thing we’ve always been
Jacqueline.Persandi@jacksonville.com
Metro Diner co-owners John Davoli Jr. (left), John Davoli Sr. (middle) and Mark
Davoli (right).
really good about, especially when
we started, was not rushing into
anything,” said John Davoli Jr. “As long
as everything is going up to Metro
Diner standards and the stores are
opening with the same food quality,
we will keep it going on the same page.
[We] make sure consistency is there.”
John Sr. agreed.
“Numbers are not the important
thing; it’s the ability to open up each
location [and] maintain the high
standards that we have delivered on,’’
he said. “This is why we feel we are
successful in Jacksonville and now in
St. Augustine, because we keep that
consistent quality of operation and
hospitality.”
As part of growing the brand, Metro
Diner will add dinner to all existing
locations by March 2016. Several
locations already serve dinner until 8
p.m. Although the menu is the same,
dinner features appetizers and three
blackboard specials — typically a
steak, pasta dish and seafood special.
Patrons can also enjoy a brand-new
item — the Bold City Burger.
Metro Diner wins
Bold City Best:
• Best Bang for the Buck
Restaurant
• Best Family Restaurant
• Best Burger
• Best Breakfast
• Best Brunch
• Best Diner
• Best Pancakes
Created by Master Chef Mark Davoli,
this mouthwatering burger is layered
with provel cheese, fried jalapenos,
caramelized red onion, hickory
smoked bacon, lettuce and tomato, and
aioli sauce all piled high on a patty,
and topped with a brioche bun.
This massive burger combines the
flavors of the Davoli’s hometown, St.
Louis, with bold city favorites for a
one-of-a-kind experience you can only
get at Metro.
“The inspiration [for the burger]
started with the cheese. It’s a unique
cheese blend [with a] great flavor,’’
Mark Davoli said. “[The patty] is about
80 percent hamburger meat, and 20
percent sausage. The fried jalapenos
are something we’ve used before and
we loved them.’’
If you’re looking to try the best the
bold city has to offer in cuisine, visit
one of Metro Diner’s seven locations
and try one (or two, or three) of their
delectable dishes. As the diner boldly
proclaims, and this year’s Bold City
Best awards confirm: Metro Diner is
“where the locals eat!”