Uptown Kitchen & Bar

Channa Nelly Ellen a month ago

It was very busy and it was a holiday so the wait was not that bad. The food was absolutely delicious. The portions were out of this world. I have never heard of oxtails and grits, but it was delicious. As was the catfish, salmon and everything else we had will absolutely be back is a true gem of Jacksonville.

Russ Robinson 5 months ago

We had brunch with friends at Uptown Kitchen & Bar in Springfield today. I'm reasonably sure this is only the third time we've been here. The first time we came here was the first time I'd ever had Oxtails in my life. My memory is a bit fuzzy but think I had a breakfast combo of some sort past time, but I was still thinking about those Oxtails lol. We started with the Mimosa Bucket, which has happened during every visit. We loves us some mimosas and we just really like the purees that you get with theirs. Seeing as the Oxtails remain on my mind, I circled back to them for my order today. It should go without saying that I'm no expert on the topic seeing as this is the second time I've ever had them but I really like them. I love salt and these things are salty, so that's good by me. They sit on a bed of Gouda Grits. Again, I am no grits expert seeing as I'm from the north. I'm 99% sure I never even tried grits until some time after I moved down here just under 4 years ago. Having said that, these are some dang good grits! Also worth noting: I will eat nearly anything involving gouda cheese, so take that into account when reading my praise as well. My wife ordered the BLT Sandwich. So thought it was a simple, but great BLT. Portions can sometimes be off on this type of thing but she said they were exactly right in this. She also said there was just enough Mayo to keep it from being dry but not too much to make everything too wet. Our server deserves a shout out too. She was a super nice woman named Betty. First, my wife & I showed up well in advance of our brunch partners but that didn't bother Betty. She said "I'll just make sure you're fine until they get here!". For the record, our friends weren't late, we just showed up way early. Outside of that, Betty was just very attentive and pleasant through the whole meal which took a while because we really took quite a while catching up while we ate. Like I said, we've only been here a handful of times but visits like this remind me why we want to go back. This review originally appeared in the Jacksonville Fun, Eats & Drinks Facebook group.

Ashley 3 months ago

My first time here and it was a great experience! We ordered the oxtail omelette with grits and a pancake, as well as the catfish and grits. The catfish was super flavorful and went really well with the Gouda grits. The omelette came with so much oxtail, I was definitely impressed. Great food and a satisfying first visit!

Ashlee 3 months ago

We had our first visit to Uptown Kitchen & Bar and overall it was a great experience! Carolyn was our server, and she was absolutely excellent. She took the time to walk us through the menu, made great recommendations, and provided friendly, attentive service throughout our visit. The food was delicious and came out quickly, and you can definitely tell they put effort into their dishes. The reason for the 4 stars instead of 5 was due to where we were seated right near the kitchen/food prep area. While sitting there, we noticed a moment that raised some concerns about food handling. We saw butter fall onto the table while being plated and then placed back onto the pancake, which wasn’t the most appetizing to witness. Overall, we enjoyed our experience and would return, but hopefully this gets addressed.

Donald Hill 4 months ago

Had an amazing first visit here! I got the salmon and Gouda grits, and they were seriously delicious—creamy, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. Went with my sister, which made it even better, and we really enjoyed sitting outside in the fresh air. The outdoor seating is great for a casual meal with a relaxed vibe, and the staff were super friendly and welcoming. It’s the kind of place you can just sit, chat, and enjoy a solid meal without feeling rushed. The combination of tasty food and nice ambiance made it a perfect outing. I can already see myself coming back for another visit, maybe trying a few other menu items next time. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a relaxed spot with great food and a fresh, breezy atmosphere.