BEERporting ~ JoJo's Raw Bar & Grille

As I sup on a draft De Ranke XX Bitter, my muse decides tis time to reflect on my recent venture to a new establishment with good beer. Yes, that’s right. Good beer and all of it draft-only from what I could tell. A later visit will reveal the truth behind this mystery, but for now let’s focus on the suds at hand. Twenty taps included the usual macros suspects along with craft beers that range from sessioning to savoring. That’s not to say good session beers aren’t savorable, but it’s the difference between a few pints to a dozen in a day of merrymaking.

After taking care of some business with Mike and Paula (good beer = good people), I convinced Mike to meet me at JoJo’s in downtown Fort Piece. The location is an old one in that other establishments have opened their doors there before, but for now, JoJo’s Raw Bar and Grille is the newest occupant. Open now about three months, Jon Nolli is the owner/proprietor in-arms.

Let’s talk a little about Downtown Fort Pierce. Being a native, I have witnessed over the years, through eyes young and old, the highs, lows, ins, and outs of Fort Pierce in general and Downtown specifically. While the majority of Fort Pierce still leaves a lot to be desired, they have firmly grasped with pride and purpose Downtown’s heritage and turned her into the place to spend a lazy afternoon, night out, or weekend getaway. Downtown Vero Beach could learn a few from her southerly neighbor; there is a reason I will drive the distance versus walk the distance to make memories.

Speaking of making memories, located on Second Street is the newest addition of native merriment: JoJo’s Raw Bar and Grille. I parked in the public lot conveniently located right behind JoJo’s. With no fear of my car being towed, I cut down the alleyway and voila, found my destination and Mike waiting patiently. Crossing their threshold, we scootched up to the bar and settled into a couple chairs located, appropriately so, by the beer taps. As I gazed at the selection, I proceeded to do something I have never done before: drink out of order. Blasphemy! You say, but let me explain. I wanted to simply vegge, drink, eat, and chitter away the afternoon with Mike about everything and nothing without placing any undue strain on my gray cells. Thankfully, JoJo’s took the undue strain out of the equation by having ample draft selections to drink from.

I jumped the gun with an Arrogant Bastard, veered off-track with a Dogfish Head 60 Minute, and hit cruise control with an Anchor Steam. For my Arrogance of 60 Minutes, my lady bartender was attentive and personable. When her time to leave came to pass, instead of raising ruckus, I released my Steam with another gentleman who may have been Mr. Jon himself. Either I didn’t get his name, or I did and already forgot, the latter of which is far more likely.

In ordering my third and final brew, Anchor Steam, a pleasant surprise arose. Grasping the tap-handle in experienced hands, he got but a sputtering response of foam and beer. What?! After a few more tries and a check on the CO2, she finally descended in a smooth flow of golden grains into my thirsty glass. Turns out their draft lines had just been cleaned earlier that day. Sweet news to my ears. Clean draft lines and taps are as important, nay, maybe even more important than the beer which flows through them. Nothing ruins a good beer quicker than dirty draft lines and gunky taps. Any bar (and their proprietor) who values their product and their customer’s satisfaction will always maintain clean draft lines and taps.

The fresh cleanliness of my beer having been irrefutably proven, let me delve deeper into JoJo’s draft selection at the time I was there:

• Guinness
• Arrogant Bastard
• Shiner Black
• Smithwicks
• Holy Mackerel Golden
• Brooklyn Lager
• Dogfish Head 60 Minute
• Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
• Anchor Steam
• Rogue Dead Guy Ale
• Abita Purple Haze
• Samuel Adams Oktoberfest
• Kona Firerock
• Strongbow Cider
• Shock Top
• Yuengling
• Miller Lite
• Bud Lite
• Budweiser
• Bud Select

Good beer demands good food companionship, and from the majority of what I saw and the minority of what I tasted, JoJo’s had the food covered. My only regret was being unable to explore the Raw side, but that is what the next visit is for. My first morsel of choice was the conch fritters because I do love them so. Mike ordered the smoked seafood dip which came on a bed of fresh leafy greens with generous sides of chopped onion, tomatoes, jalapenos, and the prerequisite crackers. The dip itself was a nice deviation from the usual chunky dips; going more for a consistency of pureed fresh seafood and smoke essence. The smoke was a gentle presence in the background and finish, allowing the flavor of the fish and dressing (some kind of mayonnaise base) to pleasure my tastebuds.

While nibbling on dip, my conch fritters arrived in all their dark brown fried glory. In fact, these lil nuggets of conch indulgence were extra dark brown, their edges sporting a nice touch of char. A bit too long in the fryer, perhaps, but I fear not the burnt side. As my teeth sank through her crisp outer layer of fried batter heaven, her insides melted in my mouth in sublime ecstasy. Hands down, these are the moistest chunkiest conch fritters I have snarfed to date. Stuffed with huge chunks of conch, their thin outer skin snaps with each bite to reveal succulent meat inside. The fritters came with a side of dipping sauce which I dabbled in on occasion, but they almost didn’t really need it.

Popping the last conch fritter in my mouth, I settled back in my chair with a contented sigh and full stomach. While I drinking, eating, and conversing, platter after platter of gorgeous raw oysters strutted by my watchful eye.

Oh, sweet heavenly salty briny oyster delights…

Each plate that passed had those juicy oyster nibblies sitting pretty atop crushed ice and accompanied by lemon wedges, cocktail sauce, and the appropriate fork. It was a fleeting moment of oyster envy, but my moment of weakness didn’t last long because:

1. The conch fritters were awesome
2. I will be back

Food is all well and good, but how about the beers? As we know from earlier, the draft lines were squeaky clean which did my three beers justice. On the down-side, my Arrogant Bastard, Dogfish Head 60 Minute, and Anchor Steam were served in shaker-pint glasses, an unfortunately common vessel of beer deliverance. Beats a plastic cup, though. As for JoJo’s itself, she is Old Florida casual with a dash of beach-bum kitsch. The rich old driftwood-style walls, columns, and furniture made for a pleasant casual atmosphere while the kitsch amused. I don’t know what the previous establishment looked like inside, but I like the current digs. JoJo’s is a Raw Bar and Grille, after all, and this is Florida.

Other than the pint glasses which is just one of those things that, for now, ‘it is what it is’, JoJo’s was a delightful first with definite plans for return trips. I barely scratched the surface of their menu, and with good beer to wash my munchies down, I see a raw oyster platter avec stout in my very near future.



(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)