I worked for Jacksonville/Orange Park CJ's for 5 years. The owners ran it into the ground-then renamed it Cabana Joes, then left all of the emplyees high and dry by running out of town in the middle of the night, but when we were up and running, man, was it the best! The employees and management were like a family, the customers felt like they were part of that family, and like our motto said, Nobody but nobody parties like Calico Jacks! (The other motto, on our jungle Juice cups, said ""Only one thing tastes better than an oyster but you don't eat it on a cracker""!) Not a fancy or upscale restaurant, but very casual and very fun. Live bands, DJs,, a deck bar and oyster bars lining the joint. We had quarter beer night 2 nights a week, all-you-can-eat crawfish night, buckets/half buckets of oysters at the oyster bar and the best wings I have ever had! When I moved back to So Cal, I would freeze massive amounts of wings when I went bck to visit, to bring home (when i would visit So Cal, I would freeze Carne Asada Brritos to bring to Florida) We worked our butts off (I still have my tiny, x-small CJs dolphin shorts) but I have great memories of CJs. I do remember one shipment of kale (a garnish) that came in, which had some worms. Plump, bright green worms. I served a Seafood platter to an elderly couple and a little guys was standing up on the end of his tail, checking things out. I couldn't help but laugh. They didn't think it was very funny, and left behind the certificate for the free meals. Don't blame 'em, but it was just a bad case of kale and we hadn't realized it until then. I miss my CJ's crew. Even met my sons father there (a Navy pilot) Sure wish we had a CJs here (for the food)!
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