A popular Jacksonville-area diner known for its hearty, made-to-order breakfast, brunch and lunch fare is getting ready to open its sixth Northeast Florida restaurant in northeastern Clay County.
Grumpy's Restaurant will mark its grand opening Oct. 12 at 1803 East-West Parkway on Fleming Island, Daniel DeLeon, president and CEO of Grumpy's Restaurant and Grumpy's Restaurant franchise, told the Times-Union via text Sept. 24.
"We’re really excited about this location. It is a significant step for Grumpy’s and gives us an opportunity to serve Fleming Island on a larger scale while becoming very involved in the local community," he said.
![Grumpy's Big Breakfast with 2 eggs, 2 pancakes, a choice of bacon or sausage, with a choice of hash browns, Grits, or home fries. It also includes a drink choice of coffee, iced tea, or soda. The fresh squeezed Florida orange juice is extra. Photographed Wednesday, May 29, 2024. The Orange Park Grumpy's Restaurant is one of five in St. Johns, Duval, Clay, and Nassau Counties that serves a full menu of breakfast classics as well as lunch offerings and has a steady clientele of regulars filling the tables and booths. [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union]](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/05/29/NFTU/73896758007-jki-052924-breakfast-boom-grumpys-12.jpg)
The new diner will join Grumpy's flagship Orange Park restaurant and established franchise locations in Middleburg,
Neptune Beach, Saint Johns and Wildlight in Nassau County.
Grumpy's is a classic American diner that has earned national recognition as well as numerous local and regional awards for its breakfast, brunch and lunch menus and genuine hospitality.
Signature offerings and customer favorites such as biscuits and gravy, omelettes, pancakes, waffles, shrimp and grits, burgers and meatloaf — all at affordable, family-friendly prices — comprise the menu.
Its menu of homestyle American and Southern diner mainstays, along with seafood, a steak omelette and other specials, has proven to be a recipe for success for Grumpy's — widely known as the "Home of the Bad Mood Dude," the cranky-looking chef mascot and logo.
"We are committed to serving a working person's portion at a working-class price," DeLeon previously told the Times-Union. "Our goal is quality over quantity."
Family of Clay County restaurateurs at the helm of Fleming Island diner
The Fleming Island restaurant will be "owned and operated by the Hoard family, proud Grumpy’s franchisees and the owners of our Middleburg, Florida location," Grumpy's announced on social media.
The Middleburg restaurant at 1805 Blanding Blvd., #107, was Grumpy's first franchise location. Co-owned by Dell Hoard Sr., his wife, Peggy, their son, Dell Jr., and his wife, Courtney, the Middleburg diner opened in October 2020.
The Hoard family was undaunted by a devastating Jan. 19, 2022, nighttime fire that swept through the restaurant. They and DeLeon were determined to "build back stronger."
Working together amid an outpouring of community support, the Middleburg restaurant reopened Jan. 2, 2023.
Largest Grumpy's to date
Grumpy's took over and renovated the Fleming Island building Dick's Wings & Grill vacated in 2023.
DeLeon said the 5,352-square-foot Fleming Island restaurant is Grumpy's largest to date and seats about 140 guests in the main dining area.
"We will also have an additional private room that can accommodate approximately 25 to 30 guests, which will give us the ability to host meetings, community groups, celebrations, private gatherings, and other events," he said.
The restaurant will be open from 5:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily, DeLeon said.
Teresa Stepzinski is the dining reporter for the Times-Union. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @TeresaStepz or reach her via email at tstepzinski@jacksonville.com.
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Grumpy's sets opening date for newest Jacksonville-area restaurant
