Duval boasts many different bars and breweries. The downtown bars start at Intuition and end with Bold City and others completing The Elbow. San Marco features Side Car, Grape & Grain, and Aardwolf Brewing Company. Five Points has Hoptinger, River & Post, Rain Dogs, and more. Head down a little further to the King Street District and you can find Keg and Coin, The Garage, and Dahlia’s among others. On the other end of the city the Jacksonville Beach bars are widely known by all. More chain-based districts include Tinseltown and the Atlantic Beach Town Center.
With all of those places around, what is missing? Are you more interested in a new concept? Or is it more about location for you? We have seen places come and go that were thought to be successful. We have seen random spots like Wicked Barley in Baymeadows flourish and attract all kinds of attention. But is the recipe for success to brew your own beer? Wicked Barely, Bold City, Engine 15, Intuition, Bottlenose, Atlantic Beach, Veterans United, and many more already brew their own beer. If you’re big in the craft beer scene (like many young folks are) this might be what you’re looking for.
Wicked Barley has been a huge addition to the Baymeadows area.
On the other end, you could be living in an area where easily accessible bars aren’t available. The Mandarin Station/Losco area come to mind for this issue. Sure, you can go to *insert chain restaurant here* and get a beer, but you and I both know that is not the same.
For me, I want to be able to have a cold brew (craft or domestic, it does not matter to me), maybe a light snack/appetizer, and a big screen to watch the game. Living in the LaVilla neighborhood, I have several choices within a couple miles. Unfortunately, I am forced to use my car unless I walk to the Landing *shudder*. LaVilla is growing fast with the additions of the Lofts at LaVilla, Monroe, and next Jefferson Station. With a growing population, grocers and restaurants should be looking into moving in. A bar within walking distance would be a hot spot for sure, as the lack of watering holes in the immediate area would certainly attract folks of all kind. Also, if the Jaguars continue this downward spiral, it may become a permanent spot for me to catch the game (Was that too far?).
I would like to turn the keyboard over to you. Where do you want to see a new bar arise? What kind of bar? This article only works if I get your feedback. If I get enough responses, I will write a follow up with all of the best suggestions. Don’t be shy!
We here at River City Rogue like two things in particular: being festive and mock drafts. We decided to combine the two and pick some of our favorite holiday related things, starting with movies, because that is obviously the end-all-be-all of holiday related discussions. Let the debate begin! (Direct all discrepancies to twitter dot com)
1. Die Hard (1988)
Bruce Willis, in his prime, with hair. This is the movie that spawned a thousand cultural references – once you’ve seen Die Hard, the world of “Yippee Ki Yay Motherfucker” “Hans Gruber” “Nakatomi Building” and SO MUCH MORE are opened to you. Glass? Who gives a shit about glass? Every time you watch any episode of How I Met Your Mother, you’ll start going, “ohhhh yeah – I get that now.”
-Courtney Eckerle (@courtneyeckerle)
2. A Christmas Story (1983)
This movie is such a staple in my family that is usually consumed more than once a season in my house and I visited the actual house where part of the movie was shot in Cleveland this summer. I usually end up quoting the majority of the movie under my breath whenever I watch it to, so many classic scenes.
-Scott Manze (@ScottManze)
3. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
I believe the reason It’s a Wonderful Life leaves such a profound impact over seventy years after its’ release is because of its protagonist’s relatability and the film’s considerable warmth. George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) feels incredible guilt for letting his loved ones down as he’s duped by the corrupt Mr. Potter. This leads him to hit rock bottom on Christmas Eve, wishing he was never born. Luckily, George’s guardian angel Clarence shows him that he has made difference in the lives of his countless friends and loved ones. Stewart and director Frank Capra created an ageless holiday classic that is refreshingly idealistic and unabashedly sentimental. The film’s deft blend of love and redemption ensure it will be adored by posterity.
-James Bussell (@James_Bussell)
4. Elf (2003)
This pick, I really like. One of Will Ferrell’s best performances. Could’ve gone first overall in my opinion. Definitely became an instant classic in a short timespan. The only complaint people have about this movie is that it plays too much on Freeform(ABC Family).
-Skyler Chase (@Skychase94)
5. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Placed with the fifth overall pick I was stuck considering Home Alone, Christmas Vacation and The Nightmare Before Christmas. However, the emotions of joy and gratitude from the Jaguars successes sent me to an easy selection of Miracle on 34th Street. Most channels have it airing throughout Christmas week. Even though I don’t own it on DVD, the 1947 classic is a key film to build my Christmas franchise around for the next century.
A movie that I actually hated as a child (I was a troubled kid), I figured this would be a higher pick so I feel fortunate it was still there. My favorite part has to be the way that Snoopy eats his bones like chips.
-Keith Manze (@KeithManze)
7. Home Alone (1990)
Everyone’s favorite kid during the Christmas season. Although I’ve seen this movie tons of times, whenever it comes on, I still watch it. The witty, troublemaking kid and seeing how he deals with two criminals is definitely a movie to watch during the Christmas season.
Jim Carrey makes this movie one of the must watches of the holiday season. This is a great movie because there is always someone in the family who isn’t a “fan of Christmas”, otherwise known as the Grinch of your family. Such a classic movie if you like comedy, and dogs (Max).
-Mike Yazigi (@Mike_Yazigi94)
11. The Polar Express (2004)
You love the soundtrack. You know you do. Plus, at the time the animation was top of the line. Tom Hanks was wonderful as always.
-Keith Manze (@KeithManze)
12. Bad Santa (2003)
In the complete opposite direction of my first pick, Bad Santa has delivered gut-punch laughs and crude jokes with holiday cheer. I can even get choked up seeing legends Bernie Mac and John Ritter in fun roles alongside Billy Bob Thornton.
First off, the title is a pun. Another weird reason I like this movie is as a kid I always tried to make connections. Example being, his initials were S.C. for Scott Calvin and Santa Claus. Those are my initials too! This is the same reason I watched SportsCenter growing up. Also I was born in 1994, same year the movie came out. So there’s my weird reasons for liking it.
-Skyler Chase (@Skychase94)
14. Gremlins (1984)
I feel for parents searching for the perfect Christmas gift for their children, but Billy’s dad’s quest is especially misguided. He decides to buy a mogwai from a creepy antique shop because apparently a more suitable gift like a Harry & David gourmet fruit basket with gourmet pears or a puppy is too passé. Here’s a tip: it’s never a great idea to purchase a pet that comes with strict rules that must be followed to avoid extreme violence. I don’t care how cute it is. Mogwais can’t eat after midnight because it screws up with their sleep schedule, have to avoid bright lights like they are in concussion protocol and can’t get wet. No bathing? Their stench must be awful. Anyway, make smart decisions while shopping this Christmas season, you don’t want to have blood on your hands.
-James Bussell (@James_Bussell)
15. Santa Claus is Coming to Town (1970)
Hot take: This is the best of the claymation Christmas specials, not its more well-known cousin Rudolph. Mickey Rooney voicing Kris Kringle, Fred Astaire dancing and singing and one of the all time great villains, Burgermeister Meisterburger. Plus, I dare you to not sing “Put One Foot in Front of the Other” the rest of the day after watching.
-Scott Manze (@ScottManze)
16. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)
This isn’t just a great Christmas movie, it’s a great movie, period. So great, in fact, that it simultaneously resurrected two careers: Robert Downey Jr. and Val Kilmer. A noir murder mystery + Christmas = a flawlessly executed movie that you can watch every year without ever getting bored with the banter.
-Courtney Eckerle (@courtneyeckerle)
17. I’ll Be Home For Christmas (1998)
90’s classic JTT, otherwise known as Jonathan Taylor Thomas, at his prime. If that doesn’t sell you immediately, throw in Jessica Biel, a Van Wilder-esque plot line a sassy younger sister, and an estranged family coming together to celebrate Christmas – BAM. Instant 90s-nostalgic Christmas classic that doesn’t make you do any emotional heavy lifting.
-Courtney Eckerle (@courtneyeckerle)
18. The Family Stone (2005)
An ensemble feature that features enough family disfunction to have been filmed at one of my own family holiday gatherings. A real “who’s who” that features Luke Wilson saying “wow” just like his brother and Rachel McAdams, who I am in love with. Plus, just enough sentimental value to make it a true holiday movie.
-Scott Manze (@ScottManze)
19. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
Celebrating its 25th anniversary, The Muppet Christmas Carol is one of the most charming and poignant of all holiday movies. Michael Caine makes for a terrific Ebenezer Scrooge, brilliantly playing off his Muppet co-stars, even as he sings off-key. Highlights for me include Gonzo as Charles Dickens, the cantankerous duo Statler and Waldorf as Marley and Marley, and how all the Muppets have American accents in Dickensian London. This is a perfect movie for when you feel grouchy because watching it is guaranteed way to experience a similar epiphany to Mr. Scrooge. The Muppets deliver joy! Bask in it!
-James Bussell (@James_Bussell)
20. The Santa Clause 2 (2002)
I listed a bunch a weird reasons for why I picked the first one. Those reasons are why I kept watching these movies, but I really enjoy both of these movies. They have plenty of corny jokes, which are my favorite type. The storyline of how he became Santa is why the first movie got picked first by me, but this is a good holiday love story thats not over-the-top sappy.
-Skyler Chase (@Skychase94)
21. Scrooged (1988)
I stayed in the same realm of comedy with darkness and a clear message with Bill Murray’s Scrooged. I even watched it twice on AMC last Wednesday. The catchy tunes, references to Ghostbusters and even Bobcat Goldthwait makes this 1988 twist on A Christmas Carol one of my annual viewings.
I had the worst pick in the draft so all the mainstream good stuff was gone. Emmett and friends are all Muppets so you know it can’t be bad. It’s worth a watch if you have never seen it before. Very homely.
-Keith Manze (@KeithManze)
23. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
The young Kevin McAlister is back but this time he got to go on vacation with his family. Well, sort of. He got to the airport and went on the wrong flight. The young kid went to one of the biggest cities in the world in NYC, and dealt with two old foes again. Definitely one of those sequels that is as good as the original.
Couldn’t think of any other movie. But Tim Allen in a Christmas flick seems like a must-see (i.e.: Santa Clause series) it’s an okay movie, but worth the fourth round pick.
-Mike Yazigi (@Mike_Yazigi94)
27. Olive, the Other Reindeer (1999)
I had to pick a cheesy movie. Full of silly songs and clever puns (like Richard Stands thinking the Pledge of Allegiance was about him), Drew Barrymore plays the lead in this straight-to-DVD animation.
-Keith Manze (@KeithManze)
28. Love Actually (2003)
Not knowing how exactly to close with my final pick, I decided to go with a more-recent movie my wife introduced to me the first couple years I visited her family in late December. Love Actually, filled with a more than star-studded cast, has joined my rotation of holiday picks by way of marriage. Peggy and her mom always find time for early Rick Grimes, Liam Neeson, Colin Firth and the satisfaction of one of the more entertaining romantic comedies of the last 15 years.
This movie is really funny *Seth Rogen laugh*. It’s nice to watch an untraditional holiday movie when you’re tired of all the other cliché holiday movies. Just like any movie with Seth Rogen in it, it’s not really one to watch with the family.
-Skyler Chase (@Skychase94)
30. Trading Places (1983)
Let’s hope your holiday season is less stressful than Dan Aykroyd’s Louis Winthorpe III. Framed as a criminal by the diabolical owners of brokerage firm where he works as an executive; Louis gets fired, is evicted from his home, has his bank account frozen, and loses his fiancé. To make matters worse, Eddie Murphy’s street hustler Billy Ray Valentine takes his place at the firm and moves into his home–Murphy’s Law at its most obvious. This series of events leads to a self-destructive bender for the ages. While donning a ratty Santa suit, Louis drunkenly sneaks into his former company’s Christmas party and tries to plant drugs in his replacement’s desk. After he’s escorted out by security, Louis takes the bus, finds salmon stuck in his beard, has a stray dog urinate on him, and discovers his pistol is out of bullets. We’ve all been there. Please stay safe this holiday season.
-James Bussell (@James_Bussell)
31. The Bishop’s Wife (1947)
A classic starring the impeccably smooth Cary Grant as a angel, David Niven as a stressed out bishop and Loretta Young as his wife who just needs a little attention tells the classic tale of not being to micro in your worries, especially around the holidays. Fun fact, Grant and Niven’s roles were actually going to be reversed, but it’s hard to imagine it the other way around.
-Scott Manze (@ScottManze)
32. The Holiday (2006)
It’s sappy, it’s a little far-fetched, but hey, it’s Christmas. This could have been a weird and stupid movie, but THE CAST. Solid performances by Cameron Diaz and Jude Law, Kate Winslet makes it a classic and Jack Black is an absolute stand out – and also the reason your boyfriend will watch this movie without complaining too much.
-Courtney Eckerle (@courtneyeckerle)
What are your go-to holiday movies? Let us know in the comments and keep the conversation going on twitter and Facebook.
It is the final weekend in August, and you need to celebrate accordingly. Summer (but unfortunately not the heat) is fading fast, so drink the rest of your Summer Shandy’s and break out the surf board one last time. (Ah, who are we kidding, its almost always summer here, but enjoy anyway).
Richard:
1010XL afternoon producer – for the Frank Frangie Show – Big Country is hosting a Madden 18 Release Day on Friday night at The Landing’s Chicago Pizza. Register to participate at the link provided, for those 18 and older. At the GLHF (good luck have fun) Game Bar/Chicago Pizza venue, there will be drink and food specials. The Tournament, which goes by Madden Challenge rules, will begin at 8 p.m.
The University of North Florida has more soccer at Hodges Stadium this weekend with the men’s team hosting matches Friday and Sunday. Coming off back-to-back regular-season conference titles, the men’s team opens the season with the Mike Gibbs Tournament. The Ospreys are led by scorers Joshua Castellanos, Adrian Nunez and Micah Smoak with Juanes Fajardo as the Conference’s Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year. Both games kick off at 7 p.m. with Campbell on Friday and UNC-Wilmington Sunday night.
With five fall matches already in the books, the Jacksonville Armada (0W-2D-3L) is on the road this weekend trying for its first win since defeating FC Edmonton on July 1. The 7:30 p.m. match Saturday against the Indy Eleven (1W-1D-2L) will air on CW17 locally and ESPN3. Jax had Ciaran Kilduff make his first appearance for the Blue and Gold in last week’s 1-0 home loss to Miami FC. It’s a wait and see if Tony Taylor, who has goals in two of his last three matches, is healthy after being subbed out 29 minutes in at Hodges Stadium. Following a 3-3 road draw with the New York Cosmos, Indy and Jacksonville could be in for a higher-scoring affair.
Scott:
High school football, Various locales, Friday night
A full slate of games are here for your “Friday Night Lights” fix. My best three to watch are Providence at University Christian at 7:30 p.m., Nease at Ponte Vedra at 7 p.m., and Fletcher at Bishop Kenny at 7 p.m.
Prizes for winners, a free drink for all participants, live music, brewery tours, food specials and more. $15 registration for you to show off your bag skills in a little Sunday Funday action.
College football, Saturday, All day
It is back. No, there are not any marquee matchups this weekend, you will have to wait one more week for that. But, those who are CFB addicts like myself, will have no qualms checking out any of the five scheduled games starting with Oregon State at Colorado State at 2:30 p.m. on CBSSN and concluding with #14 Stanford vs. Rice from Australia at 10 p.m. on ESPN.
Don’t stand on the sidelines this weekend, get out and have some fun with some assistance from yours truly(s).
Scott:
Jumbo Shrimp Silent Movie Night, Monday, 7:05 p.m., Baseball Grounds
I know it is not exactly this weekend, but this concept is awesome to me. No PA announcements or recorded sounds, just live music accompaniment. Shrimp are partnering with Norman Studios of Arlington, a silent film studio & museum.
You’re itching for football season, and the Dolphins will be scrimmaging Saturday morning until 10:30, when the focus will shift to the kids as the players and coaches will provide a free youth clinic plus sign autographs.
Local fare from Monroe’s, Best Burgers Jax and more, plus beer from Budweiser and Bold City and plenty of activities for the kids. Enjoy the final parts of summer outdoors!
Richard:
1. The Jacksonville Armada host back-to-back home games for the first time in over two months. Sunday night at Hodges Stadium the Armada FC will try to bounce back from a gut-punch 2-1 loss to Puerto Rico FC on Wednesday night. It does not get much easier with Miami FC – the combined standings leader in the NASL – facing Jax for the third time this year. Miami has two wins over the Armada, 1-0 and 4-0. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. Sunday at Hodges. Watch live on CW17 and ESPN3. Can Tony Taylor make it three straight matches with a goal?
2. Jacksonville Beach will have the Eastern Surfing Association contest Sunday morning starting at 8 a.m. The Jax Beach Pier is the home venue for the third date on the 2017 schedule. Grab a beach chair, cooler, a bottle of sunscreen and take in some of the best surfing in Florida.
3. College soccer begins locally this weekend with the University of North Florida women’s team hosting Elon on Friday at Hodges Stadium. The two sides have not met on the First Coast since 1996. Game time is 7 p.m. under the lights. North Florida will have a quick turnaround with Charleston Southern in town Sunday for an 11 a.m. start. The Ospreys are coming off a season in which they posted their most wins since 2013. Both games will be streamed on Facebook Live.
The final weekend before school starts back, make it a good one with help from Scott Manze and Richard Miller.
Scott:
Jumbo Shrimp vs. M-Braves, Thursday-Monday, Baseball Grounds
Football season may be starting, but baseball is still in full swing on the First Coast. A full slate for you to take in this weekend, including a bowlign shirt giveaway Saturday and “Guy Harvey Jersey Auction” on Sunday. 7:05 p.m., 6:05 p.m. and 3:05 p.m. first pitches this weekend.
Get into the football mood by reading this hypothetical piece about the futures of FSU and CFB in general if UAB had lured Jimbo to Birmingham, and check out the rest of the special pieces on the wacky 2007 season.
Richard:
1. The Tour de Pain begins Friday night! Even though I’m not a runner, I have heard about the difficulty of completing all three events in a 24-hour period. Friday is four miles at Jax Beach, which begins at 6:30 p.m. The following day is a 5K in the Baymeadows area with a 7 a.m. start. It concludes Saturday at 4:30 with a mile sizzler downtown. Or if you’d prefer, you can pick one and brag about a singular pain. Find out more here, regarding one of the area running signature events.
2. Saturday at the Museum and Gardens is the GAAM (Games, Art and Music) Adventure Show. One of its main goals is to bridge the gap between the video gaming and non-gaming community. It runs from 6 until 11 p.m. Get more information here. The adventure theme is focused on Zelda, Tomb Raider and Uncharted. The adults-only event will have charity art auctions, DJs, cosplay, food trucks, dancing, prizes and surprises.
3. The Jacksonville Cannons season ended two Saturdays ago, but two of the teams in their division play Saturday at 1 o’clock. And there’s a great chance the winner of Dallas at Raleigh can go on to win the AUDL championship. That’s how competitive the AUDL South has been this season.
Today is Harry Potter’s birthday (and author JK Rowling’s) and it felt appropriate to give my own little homage to the character that helped shape a large part of my childhood in the 20th year since the Philosopher’s (Sorcerer’s) Stone was originally published. (Harry “turns” 37 today, in case you were wondering).
I, like many, read the HP series dutifully as a child. I started in the fourth grade, when the first two books had already been published and finished both quickly, just in time for the release of the third installment. After that, Pottermania swept over the United States and each subsequent release, I waited with eager anticipation to get my hands of the latest copy. What started when I was nine concluded almost the same amount of years later, as Deathly Hallows, the seventh and final book in the series, came out the summer going into my senior year of high school.
As you can see, much of my formative years where spent under the “spell” of the HP universe, and that does not even begin to look at the impact of the movies, video games, board games, and theme parks and more wizard-related entertainment (my red hair made me a shoe-in to be Ron for Halloween one year) that consumed me enough to wish I could have also received my letter to Hogwarts.
While many can say the same about how the wizarding world of Harry Potter touched their lives, I’m not sure too many can say that their current jobs were influenced, even slightly, by events in the series. You cannot actually be an auror (dark wizard catcher) or a Seeker for the Chudley Cannons, but certain moments from the third and fourth books caught my attention and are just as enjoyable to read today because of it.
As a child I went through the normal gamut of future careers: policeman, fireman, astronaut, professional athlete. When I was about nine, I thought I wanted to be a dentist. That lasted until I acted in a few school plays and naturally felt that I was destined for Broadway or Hollywood. All throughout grade school though, I kept revisiting two main scenes in the Harry Potter canon, which were not all that crucial to the development of the plot, but were dynamic for a sports fanatic like me.
Quidditch (sort of like soccer played on brooms) had certainly caught my attention through the first two books as the coolest sounding sport ever, but it really took a front and center role in Prisoner of Azkaban and Goblet of Fire. In the former, (spoiler alert) Harry helps lead Gryffindor to a Quidditch Cup for the first time in years and several chapters are devoted to the intense matches, especially the finale vs. Slytherin. To help paint the picture of the electrifying sport, author JK Rowling uses commentary from one of the students, Lee Jordan. While his broadcasting style can be described as at least a little biased towards Gryffindor and is punctuated by interruptions from Professor McGonagall who supervises, it is plain to see how commentary can add so much to the quality of a sport. Rowling could have just described the game through Harry’s eyes exclusively, but weaving in the call of Jordan is genius, and makes the match feel that much more real.
In the fourth book, we are unfortunately deprived of the interhouse Quidditch Cup, but do get a whole chapter devoted to the spectacle that is the Quidditch World Cup. Ludo Bagman, Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports, calls the action from the Top Box where Harry is seated. And true to how you would imagine the fastest game on broomsticks being played at the highest level, the action moves so fast that Bagman can simply name who has possession and occasionally slip in his own commentary (definitely a one-man booth situation). Again, I found myself just as enamored with how Bagman went about his business delivering the call as I did with what was actually happening on the pitch.
Fast forward many years later. With the summer months of college athletics being the quieter ones, I have had more time to read for pleasure and decided to crank out the entirety of the HP series again for the first time in about a decade. Having reread those parts recently, I found myself just as excited to read the comments provided during the matches by Jordan and Bagman as I was years ago when I consumed the books for the first time. As a current sports broadcaster, I cannot definitively say that these moments from a book series about a fictional wizard made me decide to follow this career path and do what I do today, but undoubtedly, the seeds were planted early, and I have recently found myself wondering what my Quidditch broadcasting style might actually be like if in another world I got the chance to try my hand at it.
If you have been a reader of this you have seen one of my first reviews was Pinegrove Market & Deli. I have visited this establishment many times, but never for breakfast. This beautiful Saturday morning I just dropped my dog off at the groomers in Five Points and thought this would be the perfect way to kill some time.
I ordered the loaded pita and biscuits n’ gravy, which turned out to both be good choices. The pita had two fried eggs with American cheese and a large helping of bacon. It was toasted and had the perfect crunch
It did not take long for Shoup to finish this savory meal.
The biscuits n’ gravy were outstanding. The gravy was creamy, enough spice to know you were eating something that was not straight from the can, but not overpowering. It also had plenty of sausage in the gravy. The biscuits were obviously homemade; quite large and with a fluffy consistency. They served as a great complement to the gravy and would have also been good to replace the pita…maybe another time.
It is rare that you can find a establishment that can do two great meals, but this is the one. They do offer dinner…maybe another night.
For future ideas for Shoup to check out, hit him up on twitter at @craigshoup. Until next time, stay hungry my friends.
It seemed inevitable. Of all the things that people argue and debate, candy has been a hot topic since forever. The NFL, MLB and NBA draft’s are in the books for this year, but we knew we couldn’t leave you without stirring this pot.
1. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
The undisputed king of the candies—peanut butter and chocolate together in two (“classic” or four (“king size”) mouthwatering cups. When I was five, I visited Hersheypark with my family and posed for a picture with the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup mascot while I enjoyed the candy. This remains one of the happiest and most fulfilling moments of my life. This was after the park’s employees informed me that they do not serve vanilla ice cream. It was the worst of times; it was the best of times…
-James Bussell
2. Plain M&Ms
The most versatile of all candies. Eat them straight up, put em on your ice cream, mix it with your popcorn at the movies, or put them in cookies and brownies!
-Keith Manze
3. Twix
Cookies. Caramel. Chocolate. Crunchy. Creamy. So pure.
-Scott Manze
4. Snickers
The perfect candy when you need a pick me up. A fantastic blend of chocolate, peanuts, and caramel makes for one delicious candy bar.
-MC Wale
5. Reese’s Pieces
Might as well lead with a banger – I’ll take Reese’s Pieces over M&Ms in literally every situation. Peanut butter and chocolate are a phenomenal combination, and Reese’s Pieces have been my favorite candy for as long as I can remember. Let’s just say that if there’s a bag around, the clock is ticking.
-Zander Kean
6. Kit-Kat
This is one of my favorite candies of all time. Very popular candy choice around Halloween.
-Mike Yazigi
7. Peanut M&Ms
I can never remember a time where I preferred regular M&Ms over peanut M&Ms. With the second to last pick in the first round, peanut M&Ms is a franchise quarterback. No need to worry about mechanics or taking practices off because the peanut concoction will lead you to the promise land. I would give peanut M&Ms Derek Carr-level money.
-Richard Miller
8. Butterfinger
I’m not a big candy man, so this one was a bit difficult, but here goes. My favorite candy to receive as a child in Easter baskets and Christmas stockings. Milk chocolate + peanut butter is always a winning combination.
-Jordan de Lugo
9. Milky Way
A classic delectable candy bar. Chocolate, caramel, and nougat lovingly mixed together? Yes, please. I like to eat the fun size version to cut calories, but that never works out great. I’m ‘gonna need a bigger bag.
–James Bussell
10. Skittles
The best non-chocolate candy there is. No contest. There are so many different players that getting bored of them is not an option.
-Keith Manze
11. 100 Grand
Anything with caramel is good. Combine it with the consistency of a Crunch bar and you take average and make it great.
-Scott Manze
12. Haribo Gummy Bears
As a big fan of gummies, you can’t beat Haribo Gold Gummy Bears.
-MC Wale
13. (British) Smarties
In a complete contrast to the childhood favorite I picked first, I wasn’t introduced to the version of Smarties from across the pond until Wale did the honors a few months ago. But yeah, I was missing out. Not as sweet as most chocolates, they’ve got a flavor that absolutely does the trick.
-Zander Kean
14. Hershey’s Cookies and Creme
The combination of cookies and white chocolate. People that like Oreos for the creme would enjoy this candy bar.
-Mike Yazigi
15. Sour Patch Kids
Sour Patch Kids is one of a handful of candies I think could be served in garbage can size, and I would become a Costco member tomorrow. SPK is a candy where someone offers you a few and you bear grab a handful and apologize never. I decided to build my team around chocolate in the first round and get a Pro Bowl selection in the second.
-Richard Miller
16. Take 5
A well-balanced candy bar that features a crunchy pretzel in the middle and of course, peanut butter and chocolate.
-Jordan de Lugo
17. Swedish Fish
When I first heard about Swedish Fish I didn’t understand the appeal. Why would someone like me enjoy lutefisk? Little did I know, but Swedish Fish is actually a magical fish-shaped, gloriously sugary, wine gum candy that comes in an assortment of three deliciously chewy colors. You can often find a 2 for 1 deal at your local Duane Reade, CVS or Walgreens to sufficiently stock your apocalypse bunker. Also, I love their bizarre ad campaign. “Swedish Fish: A friend you can eat.”
-James Bussell
18. Heath
I remember getting Heath in my bucket on Halloween and casting it aside like it was garbage. Boy, was I dumb. Heath is the hidden gem of candy. On the fence? Try Publix’s Heath cookies when they’re on sale.
-Keith Manze
19. Reese’s Fast Break
So many good Reese’s products, and the best remaining available of the peanut butter and chocolate giant adds nougat to the mix, and is a late round steal.
-Scott Manze
20. Starburst Gummibursts
Following a similar trend of my last pick, this brand of gummis are delicious.
-MC Wale
21. Junior Mints
Apparently I have a thing for candies that come in a size small enough to pop like, well, candy. I remember being fired up whenever a box of Junior Mints would show up while we were making the trick-or-treating rounds. Honestly, it’s been far too long since I’ve had a box – gotta rectify that soon.
-Zander Kean
22. Candy Orange Slices
An underrated type of candy, and is always a good choice when wanting some type of candy to snack on.
-Mike Yazigi
23. Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs
Anything Reese’s is usually money. How so? If they paid me in candy, I would name a child Reese. Their peanut butter eggs could replace real eggs for me as a breakfast food. I figured they would have gotten picked in the first 20 so I’m feeling good about my chocolate foundation.
-Richard Miller
24. Peach Rings
Super sweet peach flavored candy rings and the perfect combination of chewy and overly sweet.
-Jordan de Lugo
25. Raisinets
How to enjoy Raisinets at a movie:
Step 1: Walk past ticket box office and into Movie Theater. Step 2: Approach movie usher and scold them about the exorbitant ticket prices and demand they allow you to purchase concessions without buying a ticket. Step 3: Choose the line with the employee who looks like they care least about their job. Step 4: Deploy championship era Tiger Woods’ fist pump and shout “HOO-AH” when the worker fails to ask if you would like to try “the combo.” Step 5: Purchase popcorn with extra butter, making the worker go back for additional butter 3-4 times. Step 6: Inform manager of your harrowing experience of not being asked of having any interest in trying “the combo” and receive free ticket voucher. Step 7: Save the ticket voucher for later, sneak into Transformers: The Last Knight,and find a seat. It is best to choose a seat next to a stranger rather than one in an empty row. Step 8: Take 2 packages of Raisinets out of your cargo shorts’ pocket and pour into popcorn. Step 9: Munch on snack as loud as possible and talk throughout movie. Step 10: As you exit the theater, toss the packages of Raisinets under seat and dump leftover popcorn in the aisle.
-James Bussell
26. Baby Ruth
My dark horse candy bar. The mix of chocolate, nougat, peanuts and caramel shape up to make a tremendous choice. The mini ones are the best because you can pop four or five in and not feel guilty.
-Keith Manze
27. Milky Way Midnight
A candy I have only ever consumed in mini size, and that is fine with me. Personally, I find regular Milky Ways to be lacking, and apparently what it is missing is dark chocolate and marshmallow.
-Scott Manze
28. Dots
There’s no in-between with this gum drop style candies. You either love them or hate them.
-MC Wale
29. Atomic Fireball
Long before “fireball” meant the elixir that has led to countless questionable tailgating decisions, it referred to a spicy cinnamon hard candy that was an essential back in the day. Looking for a little kick? Pop a Fireball in and you were good for more than a few minutes.
-Zander Kean
30. Starburst
The fact that this candy was available in the 4th round surprised me. Many different types of flavors, and everyone has their choice of favorite colors. A steal in round four in my opinion.
-Mike Yazigi
31. Nerds
I remember the first time I heard Nerds had mixed flavors. That’s how much an impact this candy has had on my life. I used to trade my sister Halloween candy to get more Nerds. I became more proficient in opening a box of Nerds than I ever did opening a stupid milk during middle school lunches. I’m pretty sure I went a significant stretch one summer of having popcorn and Nerds Rope when I’d go to the movies.
-Richard Miller
32. Runts
Honestly running out of steam on the candy express, but these were some of my favorite movie snacks as a child.
-Jordan de Lugo
Where were we right? Wrong? What candy can you not believe was omitted? Let us know @rivercityrogue.
It is officially summer (according to the calendar at least) and what better way to ring in the new season than with some fun things to this weekend! Scott Manze and Richard Miller provide their top three things for the upcoming break from the work week.
Richard:
The College World Series continues Friday and Saturday. You might as well take a half day Friday or make sure you have the Watch ESPN app ready for Oregon State and LSU at 3 p.m. The Florida Gators will play at 8, so you have time for dinner with the family. The CWS Finals begins Monday night at 7 on ESPN.
Kona celebrates its 40th anniversary this week as “the oldest surviving skatepark.” Festivities began Thursday and continue through Sunday. Live bands, skate competitions and vendors will be on hand. It’s a wonderful opportunity to see local and national talent. Skateboarding legends Tony Alva, Steve Olson, Dave Duncan and others will be competing or in attendance. For ticket prices and schedule of events, go here.
The Jacksonville Sharks were dealt their lone loss of the season last Saturday. The Monterrey Steel (7-4) took down the Sharks 44-37. It’s a rematch in the first round of the NAL playoffs at the Veterans Memorial Arena on Saturday at 7 p.m. The 11-1 Sharks replaced their defensive coordinator this week and added receiver Joe Hills to the roster. Hills, an All-Arena pass catcher, led the AFL last year with 161 receptions, 2,020 yards and 58 touchdowns while playing for Jacksonville. The winner of Saturday’s 7 o’clock matchup will face either Columbus or Lehigh Valley in the NAL Championship.
Armada return home after a difficult road match, but have a golden opportunity to get right vs. lowly PRFC. It is also Puerto Rican Heritage Night, and Jaguars rookies will be out there as well.
Inspired by the time the brewers spent hunkered down during Hurrican Matthew last fall, WB celebrates its first bottle release this weekend, with live music and a cookout. $15 a pop for this 10% ABV Imperial Stout, no limit, bring cash.
Get outside
Summer is officially here, as are the temps, but after the last few weeks, extended rain is not expected everyday. So before the precipitation returns next week, go to the pool, the beach, take a bike ride, a hike, try out kayaking or surfing, or just go for a run or a walk. Take advantage of the weather and BE ACTIVE!
Finally, what the world has been waiting for…another restaurant review from me.
This past Saturday morning I was at Goodyear downtown getting my wife’s car serviced. Starting to get hungry, I remember that a long time staple of Jacksonville is right next door, Jenkins. AS I walk there (located on Pearl Street between State and Union), I can smell the barbecue smoke in the air and it makes me even more hungry.
I have a hankering for some chicken. They offer a half smoked chicken “sandwich” for $7. I use the word sandwich lightly, as it is literally half of a smoked chicken still on the bone between to pieces of untoasted white bread. They have another option for a quarter smoked chicken with two sides for $7, but I prefer more chicken and less filler. When I ordered the half smoked chicken, I requested all white meat. Often when I have ordered this in other restaurants there is not a problem, but here the response I receive is that they have both white and dark meat. Also, I can not have only white meat. Strike one.
So I changed my order to a pork sandwich and an order of corn nuggets with a large soda. The response I got….$12.42. Ok, seems a bit high but it is what it is.
I received my order within a couple of minutes, maybe to quickly (keep reading). The sandwich starts out hot and great, with a good vinegar-based sauce. As I got to the middle of the sandwich, it was cold. Strike two.
I finished the sandwich anyway, believing if I brought it to the attention of the folks in the store it might not have made a difference. I continued to the corn nuggets, which start out not bad. I was a little disappointed in having a package of ranch (after closer review it was low fat ranch. Who does low fat with corn nuggets? Giant oxymoron), as I prefer to dip. The ranch had a sour taste and I’m not sure if it was out of date as there was not a date on the package or if it was just because it was fat free, which I don’t usually get. I abandoned the ranch and use the side of barbecue sauce to dip the corn nuggets. Then, the corn nuggets started to fall apart. I have never seen this happen before. Strike three.
Jenkins has been a Jacksonville staple for many many years. Maybe it was this location, maybe they were having a bad day. Maybe I got there too early (20 minutes after opening). I don’t know what it was but I can not recommend Jenkins. On the bright side the sauce and soda were good.
Where should I go next? Let me know on twitter @craigshoup …..
Jenkins Quality Barbecue has three locations: 830 N. Pearl St., 5945 New Kings Rd., and 2025 Emerson St. All three open at 11 a.m., and the downtown location is open Sundays. For more information, visit their website.
River City Rogue 