Calico Jack's Oyster Bar

I eat here at least once a month and the service is almost alway great and the food is very consistent and by consistant I mean the wings are huge and I never leave hungry. more

ALL PREVIOUS REVIEWS ARE SEVERELY OUTDATED. THIS REVIEW IS AS OF 11/15/2011. I actually worked here for about 4 shifts... I had to quit because the place was SO disgusting. It is an absolute cesspool. The kitchen is like a landfill. I worked four days in a row, and there was a stagnant puddle with food floating in it on the kitchen floor. There was dressing and sauces on the walls. The oysters were WEEKS old (per the tag attached to the bag). You can't keep oysters fresh that long... They had over 12 OPEN health-code violations when I worked there. The owner tried to hire me to re-grout the kitchen because he didn't want to pay a professional to do it. I refused because of health-concerns and quit soon after. Not only was the place just filthy, they have refused to pay me because I quit. Ive been battling them for over 6 months for $50. My next step is a lawyer. The owners are crooked people, very greedy and inconsiderate. I wouldn't suggest this place to anyone. more

We were part of a group of 30+ that had reserved a room. There was one server for the group. Our orders were taken around 7:30. Food did not begin... more

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)! more

Having grown up in the Gainesville area, i can remember going to C.J.s on the weekends to watch the Gator games. The place was always great getting you seated and served quickly, even when packed full. To sum it up in a two words: awesome place. more