The Well Watering Hole

I’ve been back to the Well a few times since my last review and have been super happy every time. The Peruvian chicken sandwich and the black bean burger are both awesome. They also have a great happy hour menu (I believe it goes until 6, at least during the week). The staff is also super friendly and willing to answer any question about the menu. The location isn’t super convenient for me but worth driving a few minutes out of the way. Great place to catch up with friends over tasty food and great drinks!

Had the meatloaf sandwich — perfectly cooked and extremely tasty done «kickin» style with slaw, cucumbers and their in house sauce. It was the perfect size for lunch.
The best part of the trip was the owner who took amazing care to ensure we had the best lunch possible. This place deserves to be packed everyday.

Charming atmosphere, friendly staff. The bleu cheese chips with balsamic glaze and caprese pizza were excellent!

The following review was published under my byline in the Florida Times-​Union on Saturday, July 25, 2015. This is an original, unabridged version of that review.
King Kong isn’t hanging around one Baymeadows Road restaurant anymore. Before he found another building to swing to, he cleaned this one out, menu and all.
Such was the fate of a Larry’s Giant Subs on Baymeadows near San Jose Boulevard, which in January hit the reset button in a big way to become The Well Watering Hole Bistro.
The concept, launched by Larry’s franchisee Nancy Barber, couldn’t be any more different than its predecessor. A kitschy, homespun spot where barstools rule the dining room instead of tables, the gang from Friends would feel right at home in this modern-​day Central Perk. As you snake deeper into the slender space, you’ll find window ledges chock-​full of board games, children’s books, even a wall-​mounted guitar begging for a healthy strum.
Up front you’ll find two rows of barstools, a handful of tables and a larger-​than-​life glowing wooden The Well sign (originally fashioned for out front, it didn’t pass muster with the landlord). Then there’s the restaurant’s namesake wishing well. Throw down some coin and the restaurant will match it with a donation to a local nonprofit each month.
The Well is a wine and beer bar. You’ll find a healthy selection of reds, whites and Champagne by the glass and bottle, along with six taps almost exclusively dedicated to local craft brews. What stands out here are its eight Champagne and wine cocktails ($ 7, $ 5 during happy hour, Tuesday through Saturday, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.), which mimic liquor cocktails with grape-​based rum, tequila and vodka. For a little bite at the back of your throat, ask for the Coconut Jalapeño Margarita.
The Well also calls itself a bistro, with lighter fare populated by appetizers, salads and sandwiches. While Peruvian chicken and meatloaf are your primary protein options, vegetarians and vegans will find plenty to enjoy on this menu.
The happy hour Munchies selections feature six discounted appetizers. We tried out the Peruvian Chicken Taco and Meatloaf Taco ($ 3 each). Both handhelds were decent-​sized flour tortillas neatly folded down over their respective pockets of meat and fillings. The pulled Peruvian chicken had a creamy inside, blended with pickled slaw, Ranch dressing and Sriracha sauce, while it was harder to find that same bite in the meatloaf. Still, each was a substantial starter for one.
Our smooth Feta Cheese Spread ($ 6, happy hour $ 5) could easily be mistaken for cream cheese, came with a delicious fig topping and was served alongside water crackers and animal cracker «accents.» The spread was addictive; it had the feeling of something your grandma would proudly pass at a formal family get-​together.
You won’t go wrong with the Grilled Roasted Veggie Sandwich with Feta ($ 10), a pressed creation on ciabatta that my friend aptly described as «a little farmer’s market in your mouth.» Melty to the end, the marriage of that creamy feta, carrots, peppers, eggplant and more in that crusty enclosure was a study in delicious contrasts.
My friend’s Chicken Salad Sandwich ($ 10) on focaccia featured iceberg-​sized chunks of white-​meat chicken, blended with Hellmann’s mayo, smoked salt, spinach, tomato, Ranch and Sriracha. If you like your chicken finely chopped, this sandwich isn’t for you. I couldn’t put my finger on the smoked salt or spicy undertones, but those big blocks of creamy chicken meant business.
Desserts don’t make the printed menu, but they do show up on a blackboard near the front door. We chose the Choco-​Latte Cake ($ 6), a martini glass layered in chocolate espresso, cinnamon ginger rum cake and chocolate ganache. The spongy-​yet-​thick cake drizzled with rum and topped with whipped cream and a colorful M&Ms garnish was a treat that could be easily shared. I suggest they serve it on a standard plate, as that pooled rum at the bottom of the glass can be a bit intense.
The Well keeps the same menu for its lunch service, which launched a couple of weeks ago, weekdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
With a menu that does the basics very well, and innovative cocktails at reasonable prices, even outside of happy hour, this Well is a delicious, family-​friendly destination that tries hard to be unique and makes the grade.
The Well Watering Hole Bistro
3928 Baymeadows Road, Unit 9, Goodby’s Creek
(904) 737‑7740
Type of cuisine: Bistro/​Eclectic
Hours: Monday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Tuesday — Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 4:30 to 10 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 4:30 to 11 p.m.; Saturday, 4:30 to 11 p.m.; closed Sunday
Credit cards: All major accepted
Bar service: Beer and wine
Children’s menu: Yes
Reservations accepted: Recommended for parties of six or more
Catering: Yes
Price range: Appetizers, $ 3 – 9; entrée salads and sandwiches, $ 10

Cute place with a fun atmosphere. I recommend the artichoke nachos and the kale salad with the pablo chicken. Delicious! I will definitely be coming back!

I was pleasantly surprised and other than the fact that my roomie won a gift card while we were there, I will totally be going back again. This place was on point and the staff were lovely.
Basically going to give a run down of everything I was given:
The Well’s Strawberry Lemonade Not for children. It was okay. I like vodka and lemonade. It wasn’t anything special but it wasn’t the worst I’ve had either.
Feta/​Goat Cheese Spread with Blueberry Compote I really liked this. If you know me, you should be surprised. I’m not huge on cheese that isn’t cheddar and blueberries I consider icky. This though… I could eat all night.
Hummus with Tabouli and Sriracha Not bad… I’d pick the cheese spread over it, but I think hummus is always a safe choice if you’re not sure about what to order as an appetizer.
Tomato Basil Soup I have no feelings for or against this soup. I didn’t love it. I don’t love most soup though… Again, it wouldn’t be my first choice, but it definitely wasn’t the worst soup I’ve ever had. It did have a little kick in it.
Breezy Salad with Pulled Peruvian Chicken You know that emoji with the hearts as eyes? That’s how I feel about this salad. It was simple and I loved it.
Meatloaf Taco This is on the happy hour menu, not the everyday menu. They do have several meatloaf options on the menu though. I liked this more than I thought I would. An interesting take on a taco.
Black Bean Burger I think I would have picked the meatloaf taco over this burger. I can’t quite put my finger on what I didn’t love about it, but I think maybe my hopes were just too high.
Cheesecake Brownie Not always on the menu but I could have eaten three more! To me it didn’t take like cheesecake at all, but whatever it tasted like worked for me! I don’t like brownies that much and this was yummmmmmmy.

The Well Watering Wall has a fun atmosphere and great food. They also have a wishing well where all monies donated are matched and given to a different local charity each month. We will definitely be going back for sure.

lovely laidback atmosphere. great for happy hour or after dinner drinks. Tried the fetta spread with blueberries and the eggplant bruschetta both yummy.

Great place! Menu looks great. Owner and staff are first class! Highly recommend. So cool to have a local place to go and have great healthy delicious food at reasonable prices in a warm and inviting atmosphere. A bonus is live music!

Great little bar I’ve been in it a few times and always treated very nice by the owner and all the staff. The beer is cold and the food and atmosphere is great I will for sure be a regular here

LOVE IT ! She also makes her own snacks. try the cheesecake brownie !