Eat here: Shaka Jons

Dine on the food from the land of our Prez... in a downtown food court.

Skewers of shrimp sizzle on a bed of seasalt on a "lava" rock at Shaka Jon's.

Member rating: 2

By Linda Bladholm

Shaka Jons is a surfer-themed restaurant in a former tiki bar and club in downtown Miami. Owner Robert Cvetkovski named the place for the Hawaiian hand gesture with pinky and thumb up and middle fingers curled down. The shaka salute means "hang loose'' in surf culture, but has come to mean "hey'' or "right on'' and is used as a greeting by islanders.

Cvetkovski fell in love with Hawaii on a honeymoon trip to Maui and developed the Shaka Jons concept for a time-share development that didn't happen. When he found the tiki-themed space downtown, he decided the time had come to roll it out.

Shaka Jons (the Jon is for everyman) is the only sit-down eatery in the Flagler Food Court, so diners don't feel rushed. There are wings, ribs, burgers, salads, sandwiches and a smattering of Mexican items (nachos, fajitas, quesadillas). More novel are the cook-it-yourself meals on hot black lava rocks and the salmon and chicken in lightly spicy mango barbecue sauce.

Cruise ship day-trippers have already discovered his island retreat among high rises. The
lava rocks are fun for folks who like cooking their own sliced chicken or steak or skewers of shrimp. The rocks (actually river stones from North Carolina that resemble lava) are heated in the oven to 500 degrees. The raw ingredients are brought to the table with utensils. The shrimp arrives on a bed of citrus sea salts, herbs and spices. Watch carefully so the crustaceans don't dry out -- the rocks stay hot for 45 minutes.

A good accompaniment would be the Kapalua Salad (named for a Maui beach), composed of greens, Mandarin orange segments and apples in vinaigrette. Or go with the crispy Island Salad topped with chicken tenders, bleu cheese crumbles and pecans with ranch dressing. End with Aztec chocolate cake or Key lime pie. Rum Runners are two-for-one all day. Aloha Miami!

Shaka Jons, 48 E. Flagler St., Miami (mezzanine level at front of food court); 305-371-4304. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. daily, happy hour 3-7 p.m. Lunch specials $5.99, lava rock dishes $8-$10, ribs $10-$14, barbecued salmon $12

Published: 1/09

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Average rating based on 4 reviews.

What you said

Dtownmike

Posted on Fri, 02.13.2009 @ 09:06

We love the RIBS at Shaka Jons. We come in all the time for their $5.99 specials and they have a great Happy Hour as well. I tell everyone at the courthouse and downtown to go to Shaka Jons. Where else can you get Hand Cut Fries, fresh coleslaw and my favorite is their BBQ sauce. I cant wait until they open the one in Ft lauderdale. Great JOB Shaka Jons and keep up the Great Work. Kris happens to be our favorite waiter. Should you stop in make sure you ask for him. Have kris keep the 2 for 1 rum runners coming. GREAT PLACE . . .. . . . . . . . .... Read more

tonyboyy

Posted on Sat, 02.07.2009 @ 15:20

Its true, the bathroom is gross, the staff is clueless, The venue is a little shabby. However i believe that there is so much potential there. It is so roomy. There is such a big bar! Not like the tiny La LaLoggia. And LoLoggia is always packed for happy hour!! People could dance there. There could be a DJ, it could be a lot of fun! Like Cafe Iguannas! I see it as so sad that such a spot goes to waste. I wish i could help make it better. See i live right across the street from there. It would be great to have a place to party at and stumble home. I had a burger for lunch and it was so big, juicy and delicious!! the I The last owners lost the same opportunity also. That place must have a spell on it because no one lasts a year there. I believe that Granny Feelgoods was the only people that ever packed that joint. They should have real drink specials like Capones has 3 for 1! Now that's a happy hour! I give it a 2 star because i see a lot of potential! Everyone should stop by and give it a try.... Read more

RSS947

Posted on Thu, 02.05.2009 @ 11:05

I'd rather stick needles in my eye balls instead of going to that food court.

ChefSherlock

Posted on Wed, 02.04.2009 @ 11:26

Deciding to try something new I was very disappointed with this "New" concept as the place is a mess, from a clueless staff, to half finished interiors, to a bathroom, well lets just say that a gas station is cleaner-as far as the food well if the front is any indication I can only imagine the cleanliness of the kitchen, perhaps you need the "rock" to kill off the bacteria....So many other choices downtown why would I chance my precious free time at lunch on this or any other dirty establishment here in flagler station...... Read more

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