West Jacksonville gained another eatery last week when Janice Gibbs opened Aunt Jan's Kitchen at 5065 Normandy Blvd., just off Cassat Avenue.
Open 6 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Aunt Jan's serves classic breakfast and lunch fare, including Gibbs' take on a few items.
For example, the "Hoss Cartwright Special" at breakfast offers three eggs, grits, home fries, two strips of bacon, smoked sausage and smoked ham, with toast or a biscuit, for $6.95.
The lunch menu includes club and submarine sandwiches, traditional sandwiches, burgers, salads and side orders along with daily specials. The $5 hot plate features a meat entrée, two vegetables and bread.
Gibbs offers homemade soups and desserts, too.
Asked her favorite dish, she first said chicken and dumplings, until her husband, Joe, and her staff – a daughter and a friend – reminded her of another.
Gibbs then changed to the Friday special – deep-fried hot dogs.
It's a quarter-pound hot dog split, filled with cheese and then wrapped in bacon and deep-fried. Asked if it had a name, staffer Christy offered "locked and loaded."
Gibbs has at least 20 years of experience in owning and operating a restaurant.
Joe Gibbs said the couple, married 35 years with four children and seven grandchildren, owned and operated The Edge Restaurant in Westside from 1992-2007 and Janice Gibbs continued working there after they sold it.
"I love the restaurant business," she said, having begun as a waitress in her teens. Aunt Jan's Kitchen is named after her. She's one of nine siblings.
The 1,400-square-foot location seats 49 customers. "It's just a little home place," she said.
For more information, visit Aunt Jan's Kitchen on Facebook.
@MathisKb
(904) 356-2466