Located at 2300 Kings Avenue, Howard Biser’s Restaurant advertised itself as being “Famed for Florida Sea Foods” and “Serving the best cup of coffee in Florida.” I can’t vouch for either but according to the sign out front, it was “Recommended by Duncan Hines.”
This view is looking North up US 1 from what is now Philips Highway. The sign for Mitchell Avenue places the location at the point where the I-95 Southbound off ramp feeds onto Philips Highway. I believe the building was displaced by the Scottish Inn that stands on the location today. In the background is a banner across the highway directing motorists to “Turn Left to Oriental Gardens.”
Tags: advertising, Biser's, fish, historic photograph, Howard Bisser's, Kings Avenue, oriental gardens, Philips Highway, Restaurnat, seafood, sign, vintage photography
I was born in Jacksonville a little more than 75 years ago so I remember the good food at Bisers. Go south around Emerson and one would have found the Green Turtle and Strickland’s Town House. All were good places to eat at a fair price.
Before the interstate the intersection of Phillips Hwy and Atlantic Blvd (US1 and US90) was called Times Square and was a big intersection. Bisers was located about a block south of there.
My great Uncle Biser opened this location when US 1 was a dirt road and the only access from downtown Jax was by ferry. My father took over as owner when uncle Biser died in the early fifties. I learned the restaurant business from Biser’s and started my own restaurant business years later. I sold out in 2006 and retired to Winter Park, FL. Besides the fresh fish we picked up daily from Mayport and served at Biser’s the other special feature was the entrance through the kitchen. Uncle Biser was proud of his clean kitchen where he also displayed his fresh fish.
Great to hear your memories to add to mine. As a young boy in the 60s my extended family went there often after Sunday services, always my favorite place to eat. My most vivid memories are that we always parked in the rear lot and entered throught the kitchen, to the wonderful aromas of seafood cooking, and where whole fresh fish could be seen on the block waiting to be cooked. My favorite meal always included a bowl of fresh vegetable soup, a sweet bran muffin or two, and usually the most expensive entree of lobster, which my elder insisted I order because I loved it so. My brother always got scallops. A glass of iced tea with a lemon wedge to drink. Those were great times.
I remember going to Biser’s with my family in the late 40s and early 50s. Always had fried shrimp. They had the best tartar sauce in the universe. Any chance you still have that recipe?
I remember going to Biser’s with my family in the late 40s and early 50s. Always had fried shrimp. They had the best tartar sauce in the universe. Any chance you still have that recipe?
For David Seitz — my family knew yours a bit. We lived near your Little Pottsburgh Creek home, and I went to school with Billy. Barbara was an influence on my to attend Principia.
Thank you Mr. Seitz for sharing your memories of your Great Uncle’s business. This was a popular post and I heard from a number of folks who remembered Biser’s with fondness.
I remember birthday’s & other special occasions at Biser’s with fondness. The signature finger bowls & warmed napkins delighted a young boy & helped instill a measure of mannerly behavior seldom seen in the generations that have followed. Am I correct in remembering Biser’s on Old Beach Rd. at the Inter-Coastal Waterway before the Phillips Hwy location? I haven’t lived in Jax for over 50 years, but Biser’s remains my ‘gold standard’ for seafood restaurants. Thanks for the memories.
I was born in Jacksonville in 1952 and remained there until 1999. My Grandmother, Ruth Green, was a waitress at Biser’s in the 40’s and into the 50’s but I recall going there even into the very early 60’s. Biser’s was located in downtown Jax on either Bay St. or Forsyth St. before relocating to the Kings Road location and you would have been hard pressed to find anyone who didn’t like the food or Howard Biser, both were a Jacksonville staple then and a unforgetable and treasured memory today…when people actually dressed up to go out to eat or to go downtown for anything including shopping…wonderful times they were!
Biser’s was indeed located downtown at 211 West Forsyth Street from 1935 to 1939 before relocating South of the river to this location.
Biser’s had the best tartar sauce in the universe. Any chance that the recipe still exists an is available?
Mr. Miller, I’m afraid not but I bet someone out there might. If someone comes through I’ll be sure to share it. Bob Self/Vintage Jacksonville
My mother worked for Mr. Biser as a waitress late forties and 50’s. I am 78 yrs old now I remember going thru kitchen as a small child and he would snap my suspenders on my back until i cursed and he would laugh then give me an ice creme cone a few years later he helped me get a job at dan jones motor court mr. jones and he were good friends. I even went to both of their homes off Hendricks ave. I will always remember both men.
I lived in Jacksonville as a child from 1947-54. My happiest memories made at Bisers Restaurant. The food was amazing. Oh what I would give to taste seafood like that again!
My Grandfather worked there as a chef in the 50’s.
I have a photo of him working in the restaurant but I cannot figure out how to attach it.