A healthy, fiery twist on Southern-style dining is coming to St. Johns County.
The county approved plans Sept. 16 for Pecan Craft Kitchen to build-out in Julington Creek at a cost of $750,000.
It will renovate and operate out of the former Broudy’s Liquor Store at 138 Florida 13 N.
Broudy’s moved to 25 Village Oaks Drive in August 2023.
Jacksonville-based AVA Engineers Inc. is the civil engineer. Atlantic Beach-based Kaneco Construction is the contractor. Site plans show 50 parking spaces.
The restaurant will seat 120, and a covered patio is also planned.
The fast-casual concept is “farm-to-fire,” with menu items grilled and “kissed with smoke,” according to its website.
Brad Chasteen, through Welcome to Moe’s Inc., is part owner of the project.
Welcome to Moe’s franchises more than 50 Moe’s Southwest Grill locations in Florida, Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.
Chasteen said the goal is to open in April 2025.
“The idea has been in the works for a long time and the concept is simple: Use local ingredients and fire to enhance flavor,” he said.
“We want to create dishes you can eat on a daily basis that aren’t going to hurt you. We have a purpose. We do,” he said.
“The menu will have Southern spirit with traditional Southern recipes made with better-for-you ingredients,” he said.
Customers can expect hamburgers, chicken and pimento cheese, but also arctic-raised salmon, he said.
A full liquor bar with craft cocktails is also planned along with 45 self-serve taps featuring wine, cocktails and beer.
Chasteen said expansion is a possibility.
“If it’s successful, we can take it to other parts of the city,” he said.
“My idea has always been to take healthy, local foods that are organic when possible and enhance them with flavor and fire,” Chasteen said.
“There’s really no one out there doing live fire grilling in the fast-casual world.”
According to its website: “We believe delicious food should nourish, boost and optimize the body and mind as well as the taste buds. However, our mission goes beyond the plate. Our flavorful food is matched by our commitment to our people and community.
“Our farmers, our employees and above all—our guests—are partners and family. We are also dedicated to sustainability by reducing our environmental impact and prioritizing fresh ingredients sourced from local farms with supply-chain transparency.”