The Flying Iguana opened in Neptune Beach in 2013. With its inventive Latin-American menu, enormous selection of top shelf tequilas and house-made guacamole prepared table-side, the restaurant was an immediate hit. Well, if it works out at the beach, why not in town? So, earlier this year, its sister eatery Iguana on Park debuted in Avondale. There are subtle differences at each location, but the winning concept remains mostly intact.
Iguana on Park occupies a large stand-alone building (previously home to South Kitchen & Spirits), which closed in late 2019. Restaurateur Al Mansur revitalized the space, giving it a fresh, more vibrant exterior, and opened to guests earlier this summer. The interior layout is spread over a spacious main dining room, back bar space and second dining room that can be closed for private functions. When weather permits, many diners gravitate to the patio, a covered area that wanders around to another outdoor retreat with comfy seating and several gas fire pits.
The menu offers upscale versions of many Mexican favorites like tacos and quesadillas, as well as more unusual items such as Peruvian style ceviche—locally caught fish marinated in lime juice with sweet potato and red radish ($15). Tacos stuffed with blackened shrimp, beer-battered fried fish, fried green tomatoes, and crispy pork belly are served al a carte ($5-$6), one per order. Two with sides of cilantro rice and black beans are plenty enough for a meal.
The dinner entrées are where the kitchen really shines with sharable dishes such as whole, slow-roasted rotisserie chicken ($25), an order that comes with four sides (sweet potato fries and tostones are among our recommendations). The seafood paella ($30) is a thing of beauty with shrimp, mussels and scallops over saffron rice and fire-roasted pepper purée. There are a couple of steak options. The marinated chimichurri steak ($26) with crispy Brussel sprouts, sautéed mushrooms and truffle grits is wonderful.
The house signature cocktail is the aptly named “Iguana on Park,” a potent combination of Herradura reposado tequila, Agavero orange liqueur, Cointreau, Tres Agaves organic agave nectar, and fresh lime and lemon juice. Or perhaps try the 904 with Olmeca Altos blanco tequila, prickly pear purée, fresh lemon juice and sparkling wine. They’ll pour you a shot of Patron, too, if you prefer your spirits straight. More than 100 tequilas can be had at the bar. Live music is presented on weekend nights. Sunday brunch opens at 11 AM.
