Two of the newer faces Downtown belong to Ronaldo and Raquel Bonachela, the new owners of the sandwich shop at 100 E. Forsyth St.
Formerly Jax City Subs, the restaurant has been renamed Brazil Corner Sabor do Brasil.
The Bonachelas are originally from Sao Paolo, Brazil, and came to Jacksonville from Conyers, Ga., where they owned and operated a Mexican restaurant.
They added Brazilian dishes to the Mexican menu and plan to do the same at their new Downtown venture.
"We always wanted to move to Florida for the climate. We visited Jacksonville, found the restaurant for sale and bought it," said Ronaldo.
"Our vision for the restaurant is to expand into gourmet international food. We plan to redecorate the restaurant, enlarge the kitchen and bring a taste of Brazil to Downtown," he said.
Raquel Bonachela's culinary background is in catering. She said the regional Brazilian additions to the menu will include seafood cooked in coconut milk; chicken and pork dishes; black beans with rice; and okra.
"Every day, there will be something different," she said.
In the meantime, the couple is maintaining the traditional breakfast menu and serving sub sandwiches at lunch. They're also meeting neighbors who have been eating at the location for years.
"Everyone will be invited to our grand opening," said Raquel.
@drmaxdowntown
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