Chris Yung has marked two milestones in the past two months: He became a naturalized U.S. citizen and he bought Bay Street Café at the Blackstone Building along East Bay Street.
Yung came to America from South Korea and discovered Florida when he enrolled as an international student at the University of Florida.
“I’m a huge Gators fan,” he said.
After he was bitten by the entrepreneurial bug, Yung moved to Jacksonville and bought a Baymeadows sandwich shop, Joker’s Alley.
He said the restaurant had been owned and operated by the same family for more than 30 years, which gave him an appreciation for the value of tradition in the restaurant business.
When Jimmy Batteh, who opened Bay Street Café 27 years ago, decided to retire and put the breakfast and sandwich shop on the market, Yung decided to flee the suburbs and become one of Downtown’s newest businesses.
“Every city has only one downtown. When I bought the restaurant, I wanted to keep the name because it’s part of Downtown’s tradition. I am very happy to be here,” Yung said.
The first step for the transition was a facelift for the restaurant.
Yung has brightened the interior and opened the floor plan.
New lighting fixtures, tables and chairs complement the booths where thousands of meals have been served.
He has retained the menu staples that made the spot a breakfast and lunch destination for years, while offering some of his own touches.
Yung added French toast to the breakfast menu and a bourbon chicken salad to the lunch lineup.
Along with burgers, club sandwiches and camel riders, the lunch menu includes Philly cheesesteaks and gyro wraps.
Yung said he’s starting with a basic menu and plans to expand it with more items and specials as he learns more about what Downtown workers and visitors like to eat.
“I’m thinking about chicken wings,” he said.
Bay Street Café is open 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Call (904) 634-0328 or visit baystreetcafe.com for more information, including takeout options.
(904) 356-2466
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