If you don't know what Hawker's is and you live in Jacksonville (specifically the Riverside and downtown/Springfield area) you are truly missing out on what was one of my most treasured sixteenth birthday memories. Hawker's is a "pan-Asian" street food style restaurant on Park Street around Riverside.
My mother went to a friend's birthday party which is where she heard of this treasure. At the party they had an arrangement of favorites from the restaurant, and so when I awoke on my 16th birthday my mother suggested we eat out there that evening. I was so set on eating there, that I begged my mom to allow me to eat there.
As we went to find what there was online on their facebook page, since they don't have a website for the Jacksonville location (there is also one in Orlando), my mother and I were a bit baffled at the choices. Despite drooling, the menu did not give an idea of price. This wasn't really as big of a problem as we had suspected, considering their prices are low and similar unless of course you order their catering menu (which even then wasn't that much). I would suggest, however, going to their Yelp page for more details. The manager may even be welcome to emailing the menu directly to you.
*Photo not mine, credit to Yelp user Kerrah M.
As that was the biggest problem we had ordering from them (which we did via phone) the service was amazing. The service was so wonderful that the manager, Timothy Noble, even went as far as to almost give us the food $20 off and to just pay him back (we lost our card as we were ordering). He almost went to do just that before we eventually found the card. This was only one of the many wonderful things the manager did. While on the phone ordering, my mother mentioned something about how it was my 16th birthday, and they proceeded to give me a free ginger cake. When we received the bags of food, Noble's card was attached with a smudged message in blue ink reading "Happy 16th Bday!" which made my mood light up instantaneously. We picked up our food, and as we were walking to our car, Timothy was there carrying a Publix bag. "I knew you guys wanted to have a picnic in the park, so I brought you guys some paper plates," he said (the plates were not of the cheap variety, and this was all after he got off work). He even checked to see if the park was still open. My mother hugged him and they chatted very shortly. He then walked from our car, saying with a joyful smile "Happy Birthday."
*Photo not mine. Credit to Yelp user Ryan K.
Other than the incredible service, which the Yelp comments do not give justice to, the food itself was absolutely incredible. We got a serving of Korean bulgogi skewers with kimchi, Udon, Pad Thai, Singapore Mei Fun, Papaya Salad, a catering order of Pot Stickers, a Catering Order of Roti, Canton Noodles, and the on the house Ginger Cheesecake. The food was so good. Honestly I could live off of it. The only thing that could have been improved was the Bulgogi Skewers as they were a bit charred, though still delicious. The food was packed nicely for our picnic that we had by the St. John's River at the park, and the utensils were all placed neatly with napkins and sauce packets along with chopsticks and other utensils, which I thought was adorable.
Overall, I suggest going to Hawker's if you've never been. If you have been, visit them some time soon while they're less busy. The food was amazing, the customer service was out of this world, and it's very convenient. My family and I will definitely be returning.
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