Fiery Southern-inspired eats with a healthy spin are set to spice up St. Johns County.
Pecan Craft Kitchen has been approved to build out a new $750,000 space in Julington Creek, the Jacksonville Daily Record reported.
“The concept has been brewing for a while, and it’s simple: use fresh, local ingredients and bring out flavors with fire,” Brad Chasteen, who is part owner of the project, told the site.
The new spot will occupy the former Broudy’s Liquor Store at 138 Florida 13 N., which relocated to 25 Village Oaks Drive in August 2023.
The restaurant will seat 120 patrons and feature a covered patio
The fast-casual eatery is a “farm-to-fire” concept, with the menu spotlighting dishes grilled and “kissed with smoke,” according to its website.
“We want to offer food that’s tasty and can be enjoyed every day without guilt. We’re on a mission,” said Chasteen, who plans to open the new venture in April 2025.
The entrepreneur’s company, Welcome to Moe’s Inc., operates over 50 Moe’s Southwest Grill franchises across Florida, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
Chasteen described the new menu as Southern-inspired with health-conscious ingredients replacing the usual Southern staples.
Expect classic fare like burgers, chicken, and pimento cheese, alongside a few surprises like Arctic-raised salmon.
Along with a full-service bar featuring craft cocktails, there will be 45 self-serve taps for beer, wine, and cocktails.
“My goal has always been to take local, organic food whenever possible, and bring it to life with fire and bold flavors,” he added. “No one else is doing live fire grilling in the fast-casual world.”
