french pantry

i wish i could eat here every day. seriously great food, simple but so well executed! we got there at 10:30 (they open at 11) and there was already a small line that got longer quickly. they opened the doors a few minutes early and the order taker worked quickly, so by 11 we had already ordered at the counter and sat down. there were 2 women delivering food, so it didn't even take 5 minutes to get our drinks and desserts. yes, they apparently follow the "life is short" motto and brought desserts first. i saw some people put them to the side in favor of the fresh bread also delivered to the table, but i couldn't wait and dug into the heavenly tiramisu. rich cake, light topping, a noticeable hit of alcohol that kept me on my toes (and happy i was going to have time to metabolize it). my companion had the vanilla cheesecake, which was apparently also a winner, but didn't interest me enough to try some. our sandwiches showed up quickly, and we're also delicious. how can they make a simple french dip taste so much better than other places? all in all it was wonderful, although i can understand the complaints about the wait- the line continued to be out the door the whole time we were there. i've heard that the owner doesn't want to expand because the quality would suffer, so i'm willing to put up with it for the fantastic food they're putting out.


-----17 apr, 2015-----

tiramisu. this was so good it was almost sexual


-----17 apr, 2015-----

the parisienne french dip. so delicious!!!

jacksonvilles best kept secret. every time i drove past here while making deliveries i noticed a line out the door everyday before 11 a.m. i was always curious as to what people were standing in line for so curiosity got the best of me and i decided to be nosey and find out. i quickly realized that it was a small quaint restaurant. they seat you with other people at tables. but the food and desserts are definitely worth the wait. i've had sandwiches both times i visited this gem. they were both very tasty. i'd love to try a salad but i'm not big on field greens. this restaurant is a fresh concept and you can really tell they take pride in what they sell. definitely quality food is what seperates them from corporate owned restaurants. can't wait to bring my mom here to try you out as she is quite the picky eater. i'm sure she'll get one of the bruschetta plates and fall in love at first bite!


-----14 apr, 2015-----

french dip. sliced beef with cheese on baguette served with warm au jus...

best place in jax. from the bread to the sandwiches and even dessert everything is fresh amazing a home made. wish it was open on saturdays every time ive been there i had the best service they are always busy so dont exspect to have them waiting hand and foot on just you


-----08 sep, 2014-----

my favorite. this place is the best place to eat my favorite restaurant so nice

hours of operations. should open on weeked too at least saturdays.

in a word, delicious!!! i would definitely order it again.

this place has the nastiest people working there..... every time you call to place an order they are rude .... some days they take orders some days they don't .... they treat you like you should be lucky to eat their food when they should be lucky i want to order their food ...... i will never even consider them for food ever again..... if you want nasty service long lines and very overpriced food this place is for you.... if you want to be respected and appreciated try another restaurant..... not worth the money


-----01 apr, 2014-----

three times in the last two weeks i tried to place to go orders only to be told by a rude foreign woman with a thick accent that they weren't taking any more orders for the day i wish i owned restaurant that could turn away business on a regular basis...... they tell you you can't place an order before 9:45 am but when you call at 9:50 am they say they are over booked ...... success has really gone to this business's head .... sad

bad service. from what i have had, the food is good but is it worth having to wait in line and have horrible service? worse yet, my dealings on the phone to try to order a cake were horrific. so many better places to try with less hassle.

soooo ridiculously good! the shrimp po boy makes you wanna slap yo momma! lol

eggplant, bellpepper, and goatcheese"b". awesome

roast beef sandwiches are the best i have every eaten, the herb rolls with goat cheese are fantastic, any of the desserts. all the food is fresh and delicious

cakes. coconut with fluffy white icing

this hidden gem is worth the wait!. this is hands down one of my favorite restaurants in jacksonville. i learned of it from a friend of a friend (a self-proclaimed 'foodie') and i had to check it out. they're only open on week days for a few hours during lunch. the place is so nondescript that we drove by it and were confused by our gps telling us that we had arrived. the signage only consists of a green awning with the words 'french pantry' on it. we had to park around back because the small front lot was full and the line was out the door. there was a decent wait to order, but it was absolutely worth it.

while you're waiting in line, take the time to go over the menu board that's outside. there was also one posted on the door and a menu board right inside the front door. with so many phenomenal menu items to choose from, i had a difficult time deciding. i ended up ordering the portebella panini (yum) and my boyfriend and i split a piece of wedding cake. the inside is small, but quaint. you will be most likely be seated at a table with people you don't know, but it just adds to the charm. the staff isn't overly talkative, but they are super busy and they answered any questions we had about the pastries politely. they serve complimentary fresh bread with eat meal. i knew when i tasted the bread that my main course was going to be outstanding! the panini was excellent - i loved the portabella/cheese pairing (i can't remember the type of cheese it was). onto the monstrous slice of wedding cake ... i was skeptical as i really don't like cake. this took me by surprise - it's more of a shortcake? it's very light and the cream cheese icing is perfect, not overly sweet. the slice is served with a strawberry drizzle. their strawberry, cake, icing is a winning combination.

i would highly recommend the french pantry - although it's worth every second of the wait, just be sure you have the time.

  french pantry is a teeny tiny sandwich place that only has about 10 tables. they are only open for lunch monday through friday from 11am to 2:15pm, and you better get there early! the line usually starts forming outside around 10:30am. every. day. it’s that good. now i know you are wondering how a sandwich place can be that good. reason number one? the bread.   they make all of their bread fresh daily. it’s so good that many jacksonville chefs buy it to use in their own restaurants! when you get a table (which is family style, so make some new friends!) you are given complimentary bread with oil and spices. i know it’s hard, but you must pace yourself! don’t fill up on bread; remember that the good stuff is coming next!   favorite menu items: turkey bacon swiss guacamole sandwich pastrami on rye   dining tips: get there early! i am not exaggerating! i got there around 11 one time and stood outside for 45 minutes. yeah i know that sounds crazy. but once you have invested so much time,

absolutely delicious! just the bread the sandwiches come on is worth the wait. last trip, i had the hot italian. the combinations of meat, bread, cheese and mustard (a grainy mustard) really put the italian sandwich over the mark for me.
my friend and i shared chocolate cake and cheesecake, both topped with fresh strawberries and accompanied with a strawberry sauce. her cheesecake had this thick, graham cracker crust yummy. mine had a thick layer of chocolate fudge icing.
we also split the truffle fries. we both agreed that the sauce that comes with it is up there with peruvian and shrimp sauce lol one of our new favorites.

french pantry is definitely a treat. you definitely have to plan this trip out and get there early. or, later. i am hopeful they will expand some day, but until then, we roll in early or not at all.

amazing food...but. only open on the weekdays and if you are not there by 10:30...the lines out the door. i dont undertstand why they dont get a bigger place. i dont want to have to take the whole day off of work just to eat there..i would eat there more often. and only one cashier for the whole restaurant???? really! the best desserts made fresh daily and the breads are to die for!!