This week we headed south of town down to the white picket fence land of Nocatee. I honestly never thought Nocatee would have a restaurant I’d choose to drive that far for, but a restaurant that’s full of fun surprises changed our mind. Treylor Park restaurant, named after co-owner Trey Wilder’s nickname is one of Savannah’s most popular restaurants. Featured everywhere from Food Network to national newspapers Treylor Park takes the familiar and makes it unfamiliar in a fun and creative way.
Treylor Park – Home Is Where You Park It
The space actually looks like a Georgia redneck moved into The Candy Apple Cafe then his classy wife cleaned up after him. Just my crazy take….. The classy booths lining the walls and hanging chandelier give the place an upscale vibe then as you look around you realize you’re surrounded by pictures of air streams trailers and mounted fish. Overhead 80’s movies that take gen x-ers back to their childhood play . Nostalgic music plays from 360 degree speakers. All the fun little touches bring together the redneck but classy theme.
We got a chance to try many of Treylor Park’s signature dishes. First up were the PB&J wings. These are two distinct things that don’t seem to go together. I always tell my friends, the weirdest thing on the menu is always one of the best things on the menu. No restauranteur is going to go through the trouble of having their team convince people to try it if they’re not going to love it. These PB&J wings feature a peanut/pecan butter and peach jelly. The PB&J wings were stellar. I never think of peach and wings going together but it works. And I definitely never thought peanut butter texture and wings together but again it works. This dish is the one thing I wouldn’t miss on a trip to the Treylor Park. Next up were the Treylor Park nachos grande. This ginormous monstrosity starts with waffles fries topped with fried chicken, bacon, pickles, cheddar cheese, chive ranch, and balsamic gastrique. This dish looks like a messy plate of fun and that’s exactly what it is…. at least when you eat around the edges. The only problem is the ranch overwhelms things on much of the plate. I’d ask for half as much ranch or the ranch on the side if I were ordering it.
Treylor Park Nachos Grande
The next thing we sunk our teeth into were the tacos. In looking over the menu two distinct tacos stood out to me. First was the shrimp and grits taco with fried shrimp, fried grit bites, chili aioli, and chimichurri sauce. 2nd was the chicken pancake. These featured peppered pancakes with fried chicken, chili aioli and strawberry salsa.
The shrimp and grits taco checks off what is the dubiously Duval requirement of having shrimp and grits of every American style restaurant menu. However in this case they make it their own in a fun way that’s slightly reminiscent of shrimp and grits but more importantly really good.
Treylor Park Tacos
The pancake taco hits the spot in a very savory way with just a hint of fruit from the strawberry salsa. It’s really good and will be loved even by those without a sweet tooth. In fact it will be loved by the non-sweet tooth folks most.
Things were capped off by what’s become a county fair staple: the fried Oreo. This one is simple and straightforward with a bit of chocolate sauce and powdered sugar. If you’re looking to clog an artery of two it’ll make you smile.
Treylor Park PB&J Wings
Overall Treylor Park seems like a blast. The food is fun and creative. The environment feels like someplace I’d want to take my family during the day then come back to have a drink at during the night. We can see it becoming a go to spot in the Jax food scene….even if it is located in Timbuktu.
Treylor Park at Nocatee Town Center
158 Marketside Ave
Ponte Vedra, Florida 32081
Treylor Park Fried Oreos
Treylor Park Interior
Note: From time to time we’re invited out to try a restaurant or to taste new menu items. This meal is usually comped, as this one was. We’re under no obligation to write a positive review or any review at all when we’re invited out to try a place. Every review you see on our site will be an honest review of the place whether or not the restaurant provided us with the meal at their cost.