Greece and family history inspired the menu at JustKitchen Fresh Salads & Mediterranean.
Owner Justin Rohloff, 32, grew up eating Mediterranean cuisine and plans to bring it to Jacksonville in a fast-casual restaurant at 13423 Beach Blvd., west of Hodges Boulevard.
He is awaiting final city inspections and wants to open April 11.
The shopping center includes Jersey Mike’s, Kimbe Asian Bistro and Biggie’s Pizza.
His parents, Mark and Theresa Rohloff, served in the Navy and met in Greece, where they were stationed for two years. Their stay resulted in Greek food and fresh salads becoming a staple of the family dinner menu.
“Mediterranean food is something we have always enjoyed eating. Chipotle had its moment. I now think it is Mediterranean’s time. It’s great for fast-casual,” he said.
Rohloff has worked in restaurants most of his life, beginning as a waiter at the Governors Club in Tallahassee. He was drawn to what was happening in the kitchen and joined the staff.
After six months, he enrolled in culinary school at the French Culinary Institute, now the International Culinary Center, in New York City. He graduated in 2014.
He worked at several of the city’s restaurants including Grand Lafayette Cafe, Nix and Intersect by Lexus for nine years before deciding to return home to open JustKitchen.
This is Rohloff’s first venture as a business owner. Startup costs are about $300,000, he said.
The restaurant will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. The 2,800-square-foot space seats 38. It will offer to-go, third-party delivery and catering. Rohloff expects to hire 12 employees.
JustKitchen will offer platters, specialty wraps and salads, gyros and pitas, sides and a children’s menu.
Customers build their salads and wraps. Menu boards line the wall heading to the register. There is a choice of greens – romaine, arugula, kale, Supergreen Mix and spinach. Proteins are grilled or crispy chicken, grilled steak, Za’tar spiced shrimp, chicken shawarma and beef and lamb shawarma. There are 20 toppings and seven dressings.
The menu offers vegetarian and gluten-free items.
The restaurant serves soft drinks – no beer, wine or liquor.
“I just don’t see this location as a place where people would come and order a beer,” he said.
Eventually, Rohloff would like to have three JustKitchens and maybe a couple of full-service restaurants.
“It is my passion project to open one or two restaurants. We’ll see if I still have the energy when that time comes,” he said.