by Caroline Gabsewics
Staff Writer
The Jaguars are not the only ones kicking off the football season this
Saturday. Area restaurants are also gearing up for all of the team’s fans.
Russ-Doe’s Sandwich Shop has been open for 24 years, 13 years before
Jacksonville even had a football team. Times have changed and the restaurant that is about two blocks from
Alltel Stadium has changed to help accommodate Jaguars fans. The restaurant’s normal hours are 6 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., but when there are night games (like this week), they will reopen the restaurant three hours before kickoff and continue to stay open for another hour and a half after the game.
“Before the Jaguars came, we didn’t have to work weekends,” said Russ Smith, owner of Russ-Doe’s Sandwich Shop. “The Jags have given us 10 extra working days a year, so now we work for games and we also park cars.”
There is a field near the restaurant where they park cars for fans. It costs $20 to park a car during the football game and Smith said there are about 100 spots available.
“People are out there tailgating or they come here to eat,” he said. “The stadium prices are so high that it helps us, because people stop here on their way to the game.”
Smith said they offer good quality food at an affordable price.
Not only has business changed for Russ-Doe’s during football season, but also throughout the rest of the year.
“The office personnel that work at the stadium year-round is good for business all year, not just during the season,” said Smith.
Smith said he is excited to get the 2005 season started.
“We’re happy because they have a good coach and the team continues to show improvement each year,” he said. “We have hopes of having a playoff team.”
Ann’s Sandwich Shop has been on East Duval Street since 1987, and they too have changed since the Jaguars came to Jacksonville.
“This area has been cleaned up and during the football season there is more traffic so we get a lot of extra business on game days,” said owner Ann Farah.
Throughout the week, the restaurant is open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
and also according to the Jaguars schedule.
“We will open four hours before the games and we will stay open afterwards, but not too late,” she said.
Along with different hours, their menu also changes and beer is available for game days.
“The plates are little more dressed up and the portions are hardier,” she said. “We accommodate the crowds on game days and we accommodate the everyday workers on the weekdays.”
Farah said they are making sure they have all of their supplies ready for Saturday’s preseason game.
“We are looking forward to Saturday and this season,” she said. “We are true football fans and we are looking forward to see what the team can do this year.”
For those who aren’t going to the game, there is a large TV in the restaurant to watch the game.
“Game days are fun days,” she said. “We are looking for a winning season.”
Mark Jackson, owner of Amsterdam Sky Cafe, is hoping the Jaguars rejuvenate his end of town.
Amsterdam Sky Cafe, a restaurant with a full bar, is a five minute walk from Alltel Stadium and has been open for two years. Their hours are Monday - Thursday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Fridays 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. For all events they are open until 1 or 2 a.m.
“We get a pretty good size crowd before the games,” he said. “It is a great place to wait and let the traffic die down after the game.”
The restaurant has 11 TVs that will show the game for those who don’t have tickets. Their full menu will stay the same for the season.
“We hope the Jaguars get into the playoffs,” he said. “And my goal is to serve at least one beer to everyone in that stadium.”
Jackson has seen a difference in business from season to season and he hopes this season the Jaguars will do better than in the past.
“I hope the Jaguars can bring a new life down here,” said Jackson.