Shut Em Down Authentic Southern Restaurant

Me and my fiance tried this place today and I must say the food was better than it seemed. I ordered the fish along with cabbage and it was really good to my liking. I guess the only thing that I would change is having to fish fried maybe a little harder. My fiance ordered the smothered pork chop and she said that it was really good. The candied yams had a bit of a different flavor but overall it was okay. I would definitely give this restaurant another try. Something to try on my weekend back from truck driving school..

Ordered off Door Dash, was absolutely the BEST Southern style food in Jax!! The roast meat was the star of the show, but everything was So delicious- Chef’s kiss! 💋

I have never seen nothing like this in my life especially of this extreme. Pregnancy Cravings had me wanting soul food. This would’ve been My first time Ever trying this place along with me visiting in town because I’m not from here. This is what I and my daughter was given. This is beyond disgusting and ridiculous. Old food with mold knowing it’s not safe to eat but u still serve to your customers.

Has 2 piece fried chicken with Lima beans and collar greens. Side were very small like 2-3 tablespoons each very disappointing. Chicken was good as usual. Counter service was good but getting a refill on sweet tea was next to impossible. Hope the do better next time if there is a next time

This food was really good we had ox tails, fish, black eyed peas, greens, macaroni, yams, peach cobbler and banana pudding and it was all good!

Had curry chicken over rice with stewed cabbage, black eyed peas, and sweet corn bread. The food was great, portion sizes were perfect for my super hungry lunch. The staff was so friendly and on top of things. Very little wait for food and tables were wiped as soon as people left their seats. The interior is quite run down but the tables and floor were clean. A run down interior has never stopped me from eating somewhere if the food is good and the staff are great, and it should not stop you either.

Great staff great food! It is a small business black owned, family owned! It has a great down home feel about it! You can tell there are a lot of regulars so I guess everyone enjoys the food so much that they just keep going back. The staff call you by name. They remembered a lot of the other customers names and are very personable and accommodating to anyone’s needs. I love this place and the food!!

Great food!! Flavorful as can be!! Staff was okay. Probably tired from a well deserved hard days work. Very minimal table settings. No condiments or paper towels on hand. Have to ask for it. Drinks were rather small but did the trick. We will be back try more!

Man ... the fried chicken was gooda den E Mudufucka The Lima beans was swangin' but whoever greens recipe need some more vinegar and cut em a lil smaller and add a lil more broth.

ARE THEY OPEN FOR THANKSGIVING?? Come to this place and for ~ $20 you can have a Beyoncé Homecoming party in your mouth. I sweatergod! I ordered the oxatail meal over mashed potatoes with macaroni and cheese and cabbage on the side. Along with accoutrements Collard Greens and Yams a meal to remember. I tried everything in the car and found myself eating the whole meal in the driver seat!! Couldn't put that plastic fork down Go try this place please, all the food was good!

Their food might be good but their service is lousy, I didn't ask the motor or manager when I have a second cashier and gave me some excuse but then the food won't be twice as good I placed an order and I've been waiting over 20 minutes for my order, and then when I ask for a cup of water he want to charge me $.27 telling me nothing is for free

Easily one of the best fried chickens in the North Florida area. When you get that perfect crunch on the breading but the meat inside is still glistening inside, you know it's done right. Couple that chicken with some amazing sides and it's a meal made in heaven.

Do not order their meat loaf this is not right at all why own a business in be cheap this is not how their meat loaf looks on the website nasty fr this business is a disgrace to the city of Jacksonville

Staff is extremely kind my card wasn't working and one woman named Tracy payed for my food even after I tried to give her a 30$ gift card and she wouldn't take it food was amazing also

Great restaurant! Was clean inside with clean bathrooms too. Gives an 80s,90s vibe with the decor and music that was playing (very nice touch). We went as a family and we all got chicken plates... THE CHICKEN, it was so hot, crispy,fresh,perfectly seasoned.... I actually cried, lol (my favorite meal my momma made was fried chicken and it came close to hers). I got Lima beans and Mac n cheese with mine and phew... this is legit southern cooking! I'm so happy that I found this place and it's not far from my husbands work (so he will now be responsible for being home a chicken box in Friday's)

Yum yum cheese wheel rats everywhere. Hope they remember to pay their employees next time

YA'LL!! OH..M...Gee this soul food restaurant is the bomb diggity! I had been craving some southern fried chicken and collards like my gramma used to make and boy did this not disappoint! My gramma would be proud of this fried chicken! I am so glad we drove all the way out here from Mandarin because we don't have yummy soul food out here! I will be going back for that smothered pork chop I saw another patron get! My hubby and I both had the fried chicken. My sides were collards, mac n cheese and black eyed peas. We washed it down with the peach cobbler but forgot to get pics of the cobbler but don't worry, we will be back and I won't disappoint you next time! Do not let the name or outside appearance scare you just go in and thank me later!

Southern deliciousness! Iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

Good was excellent and the staff was all very friendly!! Highly recommend this place if you need a good spot for a solid very reasonable meal. Solid home cooking

Great restaurant and fantastic service. The owner was at the front counter and couldn't be more friendly.

When you walk into the restaurant you will notice the ordering counter as well as all of the dining room seats. When we reached the counter we were greeted by a young lady to take our. She was extremely helpful and patient. Tj: Fish Lunch Special sides: Potato Salad & Cabbage Tilapia was well fried. Cabbage was bland and undercooked. Potato salad was bland, more mashed potatoes consistency instead of salad like. Josh: Smothered Pork Chops with Mash Potatoes & Yams Pork Chop Mashed potatoes Yams Zamaurie: Fried chicken, dinner with cabbage and macaroni and cheese Fried Chicken Cabbage Mac N Cheese We ate at the restaurant and service was excellent. The staff kept the eating areas clean. Meats were good. The sides questionable ‍ I would go back, Just not anytime soon.

Had fried chicken, collards and cabbage. All good and was very tasty, hot, and fresh. Also comes with cornbread. I had sweet tea to drink. Food is great but facility needs upgrade repairs to several things. Light in men's bathroom is out. It was out a month ago when we were here. Outside side lights don't work so it's very dark in parking lot.

We stopped in while our car was being serviced at the dealership down the road. The food was very good, the service was outstanding and the atmosphere was what you would expect. We ordered the ox tail over rice lunch and a rib lunch. The ox tail was very moist and tender. The ribs were 4 ribs which had good bite through. We both had Mac and cheese which was delicious. She had mixed greens and I had seasoned cabbage as our second side both were very good and well seasoned.

Good food is served here. Lawd whoever in the back on the candy yams kiss them for meeeeee, please!!!!

The food was excellent. The service was friendly, respectful, and knowledgeable. Will definitely visit this restaurant again.

Delicious southern cuisine. One of the few places where I will order Mac and Cheese (iykyk) I always get the fried chicken, which is cooked to order and comes out hot. Great prices, delicious food and great service. I also like the fact that it's located in an old Famous Amos - it reminds me of having lunch with my grandparents as a kid. It also gives it a real southern, old school Jacksonville feel.

Food is amazing here I was taken here by my boyfriend he wanted me to try this place and man I wasn't disappointed at all food was amazing hot and fresh and the chicken was delicious definitely will come here more often

Some of the best southern cooking I have had in a long time. Wished I had taken a picture. Got the fried chicken, collard greens and Mac & cheese and everything was perfectly cooked and flavor was so good. You have to go. And the staff were so nice and welcoming. They are good people.

It's been two years or so since I've been to Shut Em' Down and I must say it was better. I ordered through Door Dash this time so no interaction with the front counter. The Mac was great this time it was moist, cheesy and simple just like I like my Mac. Their gravy is money all across the board!!!! I was definitely sad that I didn't add two sides of it. The cabbage is cut into big pieces that I don't really care for because it doesn't cook consistently with the smaller pieces but the flavor of it had me drinking the cabbage juice like I had lost my mind and it was at the bottom of the container! My only con is that I asked for the gravy to be on the side and the pork chop was still smothered, none the less it still tasted great. Oh, and kuddos to this place for actually having good baked beans. Two times in a row the last two weeks I've experienced soul food that made me say, "I'll never go back" and the food ended up in the trash! Well tonight I'll Shut Down the leftovers waiting for me in the refrigerator!! ...And they're close to home so yes, I'll be returning! It's definitely a bang for your buck!!

Love the fried chicken. Remind me of my Grandma. Totally agree best Fried Chicken. Always worth the wait

My favorite is the Fried Pork Chop Dinner. It's perfect with a little hot sauce added and for me a little Seasoned Vinegar with the greens or cabbage.

I'm native to Jacksonville and had never heard of this place. Relatively fast food service. The mashed potatoes and gravy weren't very well seasoned, and my dad's chicken was undercooked. Beware: they will nickel and dime -- we were charged for a water cup.

Not much ambiance. Not a fan of ordering at the counter. But everyone is very nice and the food out weighs any negative I could have. I have tried everything on the menu, even things I would not normally order, and have thoroughly enjoyed everything. I have never left mad or still hungry.

Good afternoon all. Today neither of us wanted to cook so we decided to try Shut Em Down on San Juan. Wifey had the smothered Pork Chops, Mash Potatoes and Mac and Cheese, I had the Fried Chicken, Collard Greens and Yams So, Wife wasn't happy or impressed with any of it. I really enjoyed the Fried Chicken, but the Greens were watered down and the Yams taste like the were out of a can. I was very disappointed seeing I had been told so many times how top notch their food was and unfortunately they feel short. I'm sorry but not a repeat restaurant.

Food was good. B- would be my grade. Service was good too. I went for lunch. This was my first time ever going or trying their food.

Food is good. It takes a long time to get food. Clean and very friendly. I like the pork chops and cabbage. Desserts are pretty good

Brother and I enjoyed lunch here while visiting Jax. Expect a long wait for the food, ITS SO WORTH IT! Portions are generous and Fresh. I enjoyed the Toast with collards and cabbage with a ice cold lemonade. Brother had the fried chicken with baked beans and green beans. Would I go back? In a hot minute!!!

I love this place. Never been disappointed. The chicken is fried fresh every time. Sides are great too. And the cookies man, I love their peanut butter cookies.

It's really like mom's cooking and the menu is massive and it takes awhile to choose what you want. Good flavor on everything !!!

Shut em down is a west side staple. Fried chicken that melts in your mouth. So many choices at affordable prices. Only downfall, we have to drive to the Westside. There was a location off of Bowden Rd that shut down. All in all good food, good prices and good service. Shut em down was oh so good. Not pictured was the fish and grits. Delish!!

Food good. Please we're nice. It didn't take long. I'll be bank. The restaurant was also very clean. This is place i know I can bring my children to.

Oh my God this place is the best reason to go to Jacksonville FL!!! I wish that they would open a restaurant in Northern California. I suggested to the owner to check us out. The best soul food at a restaurant that I have ever had. The service is warm and welcoming, and it's family friendly. I love Shut Em Down.

We've been going to Shut Em Down since they were on Argyle... a long time ago. But... no more. Trying to call in a to-go order can take 6-8 attempts before someone will pick up a phone. Service is slow and often in error. Last night's order was misplaced so I had to wait nearly 40 minutes for them to recreate it while people who arrived after I did got their food and left. Counter staff seemed annoyed that they had to fix their error and when all was said and done, the order was NOT correct. Love the food... hate the hassle. No more. Not coming back.

Very friendly staff, the food was excellent and hit the spot. Next time I'm on the westside, I'm planning on this place.

Well it was about time I tried the delicious food at Shut 'Em Down, right?! So close to where I live and such rave reviews from my Yelp peers... This was my first experience.... The Friday lunch special was Fried Tilapia and Grits for $4.99. The fish was fresh and perfectly seasoned and lightly fried. Coupled with their cheese grits, this was a tasty meal. OK. You know I couldn't come here without trying their famous fried chicken. I ordered the dark meat special a la carte and I was pretty impressed with the flavor. Just fried chicken as it ought to be! Crispy, flavorful and juicy on the inside. Definitely worth the short wait. If you go, I highly recommend the collards, mac n' cheese, or yams as a side. At least that's what I tried and loved them. The collard greens were great, had a slightly sweet flavor which I didn't mind and actually enjoyed. The yams were thick cut, perfectly candied and robust with cinnamon. And the mac n' cheese was absolutely divine! Cheesy, rich, savory and so very satisfying. Delish! Oh course I cannot forget the desserts offered here. Yes. Please leave room for their desserts or at the very least, opt to take a few home. Everything is made in-house. Haiyaaa! Brownies, cookies, cakes, cobblers, banana pudding and pies!!! Oh My! I had both the Strawberry Cake and Carrot Cake. Each of them were decadent, delectable and well worth the calories. Definitely eat their cakes. Also noteworthy was their Sweet Potato Pie. Their version was one of the BEST (if not THE BEST) Sweet Potato Pie I have ever tasted. Yes. It was that good. And I probably could have eaten another slice of it if I were not so full from my meal. Of course you can order a whole pie, but they do need 24-hour advanced notice to make this happen. Next time... Overall, I will definitely be back. The service was fast and friendly from the moment I walked in with my family to the time we sat down in the restaurant to eat and to the very last second we left with our extra take-home orders. I highly recommend trying everything on their menu including the amazing desserts. Just YUM! Great southern comfort food is worth the wait here at Shut'Em Down.

So this is an update.... I was very pleased on my first visit. However after returning to this restaurant 2 more times, I realize that I have no intentions on returning. The staff members on my last two visits, who seems to be an owner and his niece, left a bad taste in my mouth. I can not in good consciousness leave my positive review for others to come into this establishment and be mistreated. It is quite the shame, because the food is really decent. It's not the best in town, but it is good comfort food and priced well. I wanted to be a regular to this establishment as I am most places we enjoy. But the poor attitudes and unprofessional service has removed them from my list. My first visit where I gave five stars was apparently a fluke. The gentleman that was working the register that day was kind and friendly and made us want to come back and refer others. My next visit rubbed my husband the wrong way, but I convinced him to give them another chance. This last visit was so deplorable, we won't be returning. Walking in the young woman at the register immediately began rolling her eyes and acting as if we had done something to highly offend her by choosing to patronize the business. Now we experienced an attitude from her our last visit. We assumed it was because it was an hour till closing. This day it was around 4 pm. So I have no idea why she was so nasty, but her expressed displeasure was so thick you could cut it with a knife. We ignored it and happily smiled and gave our order. She overcharged us for what we ordered, and didn't ring an item I asked for twice because she cut me off the first time I asked. My husband who has been displeased with the way they ring the items up and charge more than what is listed, said something to the man up front who seems to be the owner. He (the owner) told her the correct cost. Rather than give us the difference of what we paid and the correct cost, she gives us a refund of what we should have paid still leaving us at a loss. We tried to accept that and not argue, over a few dollars even though it was our money. When our food arrived we see they did not have my side item. We checked the ticket and she had not rung it. So my husband flags the owner guy down and says "I hate to be a bother, but she didn't refund me properly and she didn't get the order correct. Rather than worrying about all that, can you just give my wife her side and a pudding and we will be happy." He then gets all upset over him asking for the pudding and says let me go check to see the problem. He then never comes back to our table. So at the end of our meal we realize he has no intentions of returning. My husband goes to the front, he then makes up some rule that we were actually over refunded because the price didn't apply to the type of meal we purchased. This was rubbish because he rang us himself our last visit and the order was the same and the price was the same. There was nothing anywhere listing a change in pricing or exceptions. So my husband comes to the table to ask me for money back for what we have already overpaid! I was appalled. We gave it to him. As for my side the girl claims nobody said anything to her about it. My husband advised he heard me ask. She tells him she has customers and points him to the end of the line. It should come as no surprise that she feels at liberty to abuse customers in this way; the owner is constantly showing his displeasure with customers he deems annoying. The vibe in the place tense, like everyone is walking on eggshells. The paying customers don't want to do anything to get on their bad side, so they stay quiet and try to be on their best behavior. It is insane! I'm sorry, I am not paying to be mistreated. I can not refer others into the madness. There are other black owned southern restaurants in town you can support where the food is much better and they actually want your business. If the owner is interested in improving his business, he needs to hire people to do the job he is clearly too burnt out to do. Not everyone needs to be on the frontline with customers, and the people in the back seem way more suited to deal with customers than the ones up front.

Great Food , Customer Service is Trash everytime I call in a order its a issue with the payment or the order I placed . They need to take a Class or something Customer Service

Unfortunately we were not treated very kindly during our visit. At first, we thought that maybe the owner was having a bad day, but after seeing his interactions with the customers before and several that came after, it was clear that his problem was with us. It's 2023, seeing two married women together should not be an issue. And most certainly shouldn't be an issue from someone who themselves has been placed in a minority group. Judge your own life and practice kindness for the things you don't understand or agree with! We really just wanted some delicious soul food. But it won't be from here!

I came in from Denver and the first thing I wanted was fried chicken. Let me tell you what, I found it. Let me tell you this.. IT WAS FHE BEST MEAL I HAVE EVER HAD BEFORE. The fried chicken OMG, the mashed potatoes OMG, the macaroni OMG. And get this, the cater Christmas meals. I am slightly thinking of moving to Jacksonville just to be close to this restaurant. 3 million stars.

We live in Middleburg and we drive over at least twice a month the food is always on point and delicious I can never complain

Everyone and Everything at Shut Em Down is Great! The Fried Chicken is perfection! Service is amazing. Prices are great too!

Wonderful authentic Southern down home cooking. We had the fried chicken and the curry chicken. Both were very tasty. The sides and corn bread were also great. We ate just half of our lunch size meals so we could share a peach cobbler. Another winner! The staff was friendly and helpful. Both of us had the feeling of being truly cared about. Unfortunately this is a rare occurrence nowadays, especially when you're normally invisible past a certain age.

the food started out great now the last 3 times I ordered under cooked over cooked tasting spoiled. I'm done

Went 2 times while on the road in Jacksonville and it was 5/5 each time! Recommend trying it out.

We googled restaurants near me while in Jacksonville today and found this gem. The food is seriously good, nice sized portions, great service, and friendly people! What more could you ask for? We will definitely return!

Saw the good reviews here in Yelp so of course we had to try it! Came here on a Saturday lunch. They were pretty busy and seems like a lot of their customers were also coming in to pick up their orders. Selecting our lunch was a breeze as they have pictures and prices of their menu right in front of you. We got the following: Fish with green beans and rice with gravy for my father in law - he said he liked all of them! Smothered Pork Chop with collard greens plus Mac and cheese for my husband - that gravy with rice is perfect with the pork chop! It was delish! We also enjoyed the collard greens! The Mac and cheese was mushy though. Fried chicken with green beans and cabbage for me - Crispy and juicy! They have hit all the right notes to create this special dish! It was served hot and you would definitely lick your fingers! Banana Pudding - great dessert to finished off all our great meals! Creamy and not too sweet! We loved it! We will surely be here once a month!

Hunni!!! This is a hidden gem we actually passed it the first time but I'm glad we eventually found it. It's not some fancy establishment by no means but the food is worth it. I got the 3 wings dinner and everything was delicious. They don't even give u salt and pepper in your utensil pack bc they know it's not needed. Seasoned to perfection! And that Mac and cheese. Ion really eat anybody Mac but their Mac *chefs kiss* Now I wasn't a fan of the strawberry cake and sweet potato pie. Every great cook ain't bakers and that's alright. The next time I'm in Jacksonville I will definitely be coming back