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JACKSONVILLE, Fla.<\/strong> \u2013 Jacksonville\u2019s newest entertainment venue is turning heads in the Deerwood neighborhood.<\/p>\n Whether you want to catch the big game or take the family out for a night, The Block Jax, Jacksonville\u2019s first outdoor food hall, made its debut on Friday with a grand-opening celebration continuing through Sunday.<\/p>\n The location just off Gate Parkway on Jacksonville\u2019s Southside features a 10,000 sq. ft. covered pavilion space with food vendors and a stage for live entertainment.<\/p>\n Designed as a multi-use gathering space, the creators said the goal was to create a place where families can relax and stay awhile \u2014 without feeling rushed.<\/p>\n \u201cWith kids, young kids, if I go to a restaurant, it\u2019s like, all right, we\u2019ve got to get in. We\u2019ve got to order right away. We\u2019ve got to eat as fast as we can, because I know they\u2019re not staying seated for more than like 15 or 20 minutes,\u201d founder and co-owner Daniel Moffatt said. \u201cAnd I don\u2019t want to just stick an iPad in front of them, so that\u2019s why we have this kids\u2019 area. We can hang out here. Bar stools on the outside, kids can be running around being kids, going crazy, doing what they do, and we can have a beer.\u201d<\/p>\n Along with the kids play area, the venue features a dog park and a 30-foot wide LED wall for sports, movie nights, and special events.<\/p>\n There\u2019s also a stage for live music and eight food vendors on site.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are cashless, so everything is done through QR codes. You can come and order up the window, but we do encourage QR codes,\u201d said Cassie Romines, director of Culinary Operations at The Block Jax. \u201cIt\u2019s really super easy. It\u2019s a fun process. That means you can go sit and order your food, and then, when it\u2019s ready, come pick it up at the window.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryan Irish, co-owner of The Block Jax, said the idea started as an expansion of the Riverside location of Kanine Social, but grew from there with ideas for permanent food options and a community hang out area.<\/p>\n One of the food vendors on site is Chancho King. Owner Chason Spencer broke down what\u2019s available at the new location.<\/p>\n \u201cWe brought our staples. We brought our pork sandwich, shorty pan, chicken sandwich, rice bowls, plantain bowls, and then we added a couple things that we don\u2019t see on the menu at the Murray Hill location,\u201d Spencer said. \u201cWe got smothered French fries. We got smothered, sweet\u00a0plantains with cheese and pork. It\u2019s very delicious, and on the weekends, we\u2019re gonna push more seafood stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n Other food vendors include<\/p>\n\n\n\n