More than two years after construction began, Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux says it will open Oct. 6 in The Pavilion at Durbin Park in St. Johns County.
The restaurant, at 495 Durbin Pavilion Drive, is in front of the Cinemark Durbin Park and XD theater.
The company announced the opening of its eighth Florida location in a Sept. 29 news release.
The restaurant was issued a building permit in July 2023 at a construction cost of $2.1 million. Arkel Constructors Inc. of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was the contractor.
After the 7,500-square-foot shell of the building was constructed, the project sat unfinished for months.
Work then restarted and Walk-On’s was issued a sign permit Sept. 17.
Louisiana cuisine
The sports restaurant that specializes in Louisiana cuisine is a franchise with 80 locations in 15 states. Franchisee Shane Morrison of R&R Brands has 12 Walk-On’s.
Walk-On’s serves from-scratch dishes. Cajun items include pepper jack boudin, crawfish étouffée and beignet bites. Other items include ahi tuna salad, boom boom shrimp tacos and a hickory burger.
The grand opening is at 9:45 a.m. Oct. 6 with coffee and fresh beignets, giveaways and the chance to win free Walk-On’s for a year. Former Jacksonville Jaguars’ kicker Josh Scobee will be there representing his philanthropic partner, First Tee – North Florida.
During the opening event, diners can choose to round up their tab, and Walk-On’s and R&R Brands will match the donation to the First Tee.
To celebrate the grand opening, checks totaling $5,000 will be given to local organizations: the St. Johns County School District’s Character Counts/Pursuing Victory with Honor and the Athletic Leadership Councils; Diamonds of Dreams; the St. Johns County Fire Rescue Cadet Program; and the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office Special Teams Association.
Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday.
Walk-On’s history
Walk-On’s was started in 2003 by two former Louisiana State University basketball players Brandon Landry and Jack Warner. The two were not recruited, rather they walked on and made the team, thus the restaurant’s name.
Partners also include former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Derrick Brooks and Clemson University head football coach Dabo Swinney.
“Walk-On’s has been incredibly well received by guests in Florida, so continuing our growth in the state is a natural next step,” Landry said in the release.
“The team at R&R Brands has played an important role in growing this brand, and their ability to execute an excellent restaurant makes them the right partner to bring Walk-On’s to an entirely new market.”