Blue Star Grill Celebrates Food Traditions

HIGH SPRINGS ‒ Like many other cities in Florida, High Springs, Alachua and Newberry are growing rapidly in population. While some growth can have negative impacts as far as infrastructure needs and government services, some of the upsides includes more businesses and a diversity of stores and restaurants as new people move to the area.

A new addition to the High Springs culinary scene is thanks to a recent transplant, former pizza chef and truck driver from Philadelphia, who goes by his first name of Bruce. He says that although he always enjoyed cooking, time he spent working as a truck driver and travelling the country gave him abundant opportunities to sample various regional foods, many of which he added to his collection of recipes.

Over time, driving the highways and byways of America and sampling different cuisines served to feed his dream of finding the right location for a restaurant, one that would offer a diverse menu of dishes while maintaining the culinary traditions that diners in the northeast are known for.

According to Blue Star Grill head waitress Jessie Harshberger, after considering several locations, Jim settled in High Springs. “He wanted to create a unique restaurant that reflected the diners he grew up with that are open every day with a diverse menu,” said Harshberger. “He took what recipes he came across in his travels as a trucker and then added some southern cuisine once he relocated here.”

Harshberger said when they opened the Blue Star Grill over a month ago, it was just her, Bruce, and one other server. Since then, they have added more staff for quicker service and to handle what Harshberger describes as “the wonderful response we have had in this short time.”

“He named it the Blue Star Grill, and we saw good crowds from the day we opened, especially with all day breakfast,” said Hashberger. “Other local restaurants that are open for breakfast, shut down their breakfast menus around 10:30 to gear up for lunch, which limits late risers or church goers. Our busiest day is Sunday after church lets out.”

In addition to an extensive all day breakfast menu, the Blue Star Grill also serves lunch and dinner items with a six-page menu, and for stay-at-home folks, they offer take-out orders.

The Blue Star Grill is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. The restaurant is located at 23352 W. U.S. Highway 27, High Springs. Take out orders can be placed at 386-454 1055.

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