We drove up to Checker's all the way from south of Middleburg- and let me tell you it was worth the trip!! As we walked in the door we were greeted by Art himself and he made us feel like we were family- such a nice man. And the food..... have to take a few minutes to think of words to describe how GREAT it all was . Our plates overflowed with goodness, true "Old South" cooking- they way my Grandma made on her farm! From fried chicken to pork B-B Que- to some of the best fried shrimp and catfish our family had ever eaten! We all kept taking food off each others plates, and still walked out with 4 take out boxes cause we were so stuffed! Thanks Art- we WILL be seeing you again soon.
Andrea and Joe
- Search
Flickr Photos
Follow Us
Click on the social media icons below
and stay connected with us across the web and throughout your day.
and stay connected with us across the web and throughout your day.
Hours of operation
Tue – Thurs:
11:00 am – 3:00 pm
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Fri:
11:00 am – 3:00 pm
6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Sat:
12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Sunday:
11:30am till 2:30pm
11:00 am – 3:00 pm
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Fri:
11:00 am – 3:00 pm
6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Sat:
12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Sunday:
11:30am till 2:30pm
Contact Us
Copyright © 2013 – Art Of Cracker Cooking
Designed by Hub City Computers
Designed by Hub City Computers
Small place with lots of character….Art the owner is of course the character! If you like lightly breaded shrimp so you can actually taste the shrimp instead of nothing but breading then this is the place for you. Thin mustard sauce is on the table but honestly the BBQ is so juicy and flavorful it doesn’t really need sauce. Make a reservation if you want to go to the buffet on Fri or Sat evening, It gets crowded.
Don’t let the size, location or decor put you off of this wonderful little place for us crackers.
I went to the Friday night buffet and it was awesome!!!. Very unique and great southern food at its best. Everything that is fried is lightly breaded.If I had to describe my experience it would be like going home and having dinner with your family because thats the way you feel. Art is a character,friendly and a awesome cracker chef which gives this place its own little uniqueness in the heart of Jacksonville.You won`t be disappointed,I promise.
Art is the best. Been eating with him for years. Our families favorite place, from the fried shrimp, hot shrimp, collards, chees grits. Food doesnt get much better than Art’s Cracker Cookin.
We are so glad we found this place. Would come here every day if we lived here. Great food, service and atmosphere. Felt like eating with family. Everything we ate was delicious. A hidden jewel!
I have been coming for a few years now and still can’t get enough! Everything I ever had is just great! I took yesterday 8/4/10 off from work just to go to the Wenesday Lunch Buffet! It was mmmmmmmm good! I agree with the prev posters don’t let the decore and look of the place fool you it is a hidden jewel. This is hands down one of my favorite places to eat! Hot Shrip!!!
Art, we were there at the Saturday buffet on 10/23/10 for my 60th birthday. Look, we had a fantastic time, my favorites were the fried green tomatoes and the fried whiting fish — and collards! Also, I left my favorite beer drinking glass there, the tiny glass one, hopefully I can pick it up sometime, but if not, I can’t think of a better place to have left it!
Take care!
Mangrove Jim (aka “The Cracker from Apalachicola”)
I started eating at Checker in 1970.I’ve lived in Pa for the past 40+years and have never tasted any food as wonderful as the BBQ chicken sandwich that Art made with the BBQ sauce back then. This place is the best BBQ in the entire western hemisphere bar none! I have had dreams of a sausage sandwich and a cold lime aid!!!! like I used to get at Checker. What a wonderful place to eat!
Eating there again is my last wish.
We have been visiting Arts for years and always love the fresh, real food…..and having Art as the Chef makes the visit even more meaningful! You will not regret coming here if you love good food. Wonderful shrimp, fried green tomatoes and collard greens!! The BBQ is pretty kickin also!!
I was taken here for the first time in March of 2010 for a birthday lunch as my co-workers had all came before me and raved about how good the food was. Now, as a southern country African American who knows all too well about what REAL down home cooking taste like, all I have to say is Art you have outdone yourself. The food was better than they described. The shrimp and fish were endless. I ate so much I almost had to unbutton my pants. Everything was lightly battering, so filling, and tasty. That sweet tea was on point too. You have a customer for life
God Bless You
Art made us feel as if we were family! My partner can’t eat shellfish, so Art made sure both of us could dine happily. We both walked away stuffed! We will be back and refer Checkers BBQ to our friends! Eric and Cecil from Rest. Depot.
What a joint! All I can say is fabulous. The food is great and Art, well, FABULOUS!
You must check this place out.
Best Hot Shrimp & fried tomatoes IN THE WORLD!! Loved it since the Fish Camp days : )
To the cast of characters that are Checkers/The Palms Fish Camp:
Thanks for many years of wonderful food, interesting sights/sounds “Get the hot stuff, Baby”‘ and especially for your loving and generous friendship. And through it all, I have yet to figure out what you put in those fantastic cookies! hehehehe…see you for lunch or dinner soon, for it sure is worth it!
We drove up to Checker’s all the way from south of Middleburg- and let me tell you it was worth the trip!! As we walked in the door we were greeted by Art himself and he made us feel like we were family- such a nice man. And the food….. have to take a few minutes to think of words to describe how GREAT it all was . Our plates overflowed with goodness, true “Old South” cooking- they way my Grandma made on her farm! From fried chicken to pork B-B Que- to some of the best fried shrimp and catfish our family had ever eaten! We all kept taking food off each others plates, and still walked out with 4 take out boxes cause we were so stuffed! Thanks Art- we WILL be seeing you again soon.
HOT SHRIMP!!!!! The greatest. I came for the shrimp and fish and they are simply delicious, but….the collards are outta sight!!.
Thank you Art and staff for a wonderful lunch, almost didnt make it back to work…LOL this was not my first visit and surely will not be my last ……. The food and the services was great.
See you soon
I grew up eating Art’s amazing food! He and his food have always been a blessing to my family! We claim he’s the one who kept us gymnasts alive, and healthy at the YMCA so many years ago. I’ve converted many followers, and plan on converting more! Don’t let the location fool you, this is some of Florida’s best examples of local fare done right!! Miss you out on the island Art!
Started dining with Art way back when he was still at the old Palms Fish Camp. What a dump! Checkers is like Buckingham palace by comparison. Amazing food. The cajun shrimp will light you up! Always go there GA FL weekend. A can’t miss place. Can’t believe Guy Fieri hasn’t found this joint yet!
My dad (James) and I used to go to the ole fish camp all the time when I was growing up. Now that he is dying, he has requested me to “Find Artie’s new restaurant.” He wants to go there really bad. Well, I found it! We will be coming in this Friday or Saturday. I can’t wait!
This Seafood Buffett is great! It is more than I could eat but Art packed me a Doggie Bag for home.
Absolutely Amazing! I had my boyfriend drive all the way from Daytona to eat lunch here at Checkers! Everytime I leave with boxes of food and a full satisfied belly! Art makes you feel like family and the cooking is unbelievable. I’m glad I found this place.
First timer to Checker’s……Best shrimp and chopped pork sandwich. I can’t wait to go back! Art was a delight to meet!
The Fried Green “Tomaters” are the best ever! Shrimp is awesome too!
We had dinner tonight with Art, and the food was great and the atmosphere was wonderful. We had a blast meeting everyone. Art, your food was great and the dog Rusty loves his rib bones I brought him. We will be back with everyone that comes into town to visit us. I think this will become a weekly stop for us.
SHHH! This place is our Big secret, but our Momma’s taught us to share, so were telling ya to come to “Checkers Barbecue and Seafood” for the most delicious fresh southern food prepared by the talented Chef Art and his staff.
Art and his staff head to Mayport early in the morning for shrimp and other seafood. We sure appreciate such dedication to customerslike us looking for a “real Florida meal”.
Thanks Chef Art for preserving a style of southern cooking that is so good tasting. See you again soon!
WOW! What a fun place! Great job Art! You made my mother’s birthday yesterday a blast. Your cracker cooking is simply the best. . And, your generosity is amazing. You made all of us feel like family. We were so full when we left we could hardly move. But, somehow we managed to eat our “leftovers” for supper! And, those “Art Crack” cookies were scrumptious. Well done. I have been telling all my co-workers all morning and we are already trying to plan a lunch date, gotta get on the boss’s schedule, so we can stay as long as we want.
Thanks for your kindness.
I’ve never been to any place like this. Art greets everyone from behind the buffet and later in person. You feel like you’ve stumbled upon something that is very exclusive.
Don’t expect fine China and linens. This is just down home good southern cookin’ without the frills. Once the food is gone, it’s gone! So make a reservation, Be on time, and support Art who is sure to be a local legend.
One critique – I wish the Fried Green Tomotoes had been sliced thicker!! YUMMY!
For 8 years both my son and myself have eaten all of Arts Southern Cooking. If you have the oppurtunity to eat at Checker’s and don’t, you have made a horrible mistake! Make the time and go. Checker’s week end buffet makes all others pale in comparison! Larry and Brandon who take care of all the tables are the best!
Celebrated my Birthday at Checkers ….. Best Birthday Meal Ever ….. Felt just like a Family Dinner at home !
Our daughter had her rehearsal dinner at Checker’s. It was fantastic. Everyone loved the food. And the relaxed atmosphere was perfect for visiting. Great job!
first when you pull up you question if this place is any good but after you have eaten you start calling all your friends about the food how great it is it won me over i will be a regular
Wonderful place for some good down home cooking. Art and the boys will take care of anything that you need. Mama told me never to eat dessert before a meal, but those Sweet Georgia Brown cookies are just too good to wait for. Art always makes me a to go container so I can share with my coworkers. Thanks Art, you da best!!!
Cant wait to go back again! This place rules!! Art is the best. You can tell he really pours his heart into what he does.
We just tried this place on Saturday (Labor Day weekend 2012) and loved everything.
It reminded me of my grandparents cooking, EXCELLENT!!!! My husband is in the military
and we plan to bring some friends back to share the wonderful food and experience with them. We loved everything and will surely come back again and again!!! Thank you so much for the great food and great fun!!
Best ribs and shrimp I have ever eaten. The “character” both of the owner and the place was unbeatable. This is a must to eat in Jacksonville. Definitely not your regular tourist place to eat. California traveler
The best ever. We. Are from Calif. and we have nothing that compares to the food, fun, and people. Thanks so much Art for being such a happy person. They don’t serve alcohol so if you want a beer/wine etc, bring it. The flavor of the food stays with you for a long time. Yummy. Yummy. The staff made sure you always had plenty to eat , and drink. Thanks again. If I ever get back to Jacksonville I will for sure make this a spot to stop.