OPEN MAP HERE by Kari Ruel On any given day you will find conversation happening at downtown Napa’s newest breakfast and lunch diner. Jax White Mule Diner opened this summer in the Dwight Murray Plaza off First Street and has become an instant hit with local businesspeople, city officials and tourists as well. The long table running down the center of the eatery is an inviting place to meet and mingle. “We want to be a place where people come to gather,” said General Manager Tony Morales. “It’s always exciting when a local politician or business owner comes in and talks about the day’s events.” Morales and local realtor J.B. Leamer opened the diner to be a gathering place for locals and serve good comfort food at affordable prices. Leamer, who has lived in the Napa Valley for thirteen years with his Napa native wife, was helping a client find a space for his business when he realized he himself wanted to be part of a restaurant business. “I wanted to create a community place that I was passionate about, similar to the small town I grew up in in Arizona,” said Leamer. “My wife is from Napa, this is now my home too, and I want to give back. “Jax is a conduit of what’s happening in downtown Napa,” said Leamer. “There is energy, movement and a sense of coming together, and that is all very exciting.” A painting of a white mule by Leamer’s dad welcomes customers into the rustic, but modern diner where American breakfast and lunch favorites are served with a twist. “We wanted to keep in the spirit of diner food, but that doesn’t mean low budget,” said Morales. “We’ve kept the prices down, but the quality high.” So where did the name come from? “We originally wanted to make a speakeasy, but the diner format really took off and was needed in downtown after Gillwood’s closed,” said Morales. “The story goes that Uncle Jack use to rob stagecoaches, and the White Mule is a prohibition term used to order a glass of hooch during the ’20s and early ’30s, so we put them together.” The menu has something for everyone: Jax’s J.B. Leamer and Tony Morales take on Eggs Benny, classic bacon and eggs, salads and burgers. Sausage, biscuits and gravy are all made from scratch, and their version of French toast is to die for, as are their famous tater tots. According to Morales, the Burrito Gringo is the most sought-after menu item and continues to grow in popularity. In the spirit of community, Jax Diner has also begun the Jax Club where members can name a charity of choice to donate a percentage of their bill to, and be members of their exclusive supper club. “We want to give back to our community on a continuous basis,” said Morales. “This gives our customers a say about where we donate our money.” Morales added that many customers have been asking about dinner service, so beginning this month the diner will be open for dinner until 9 pm on Wed-Fri, and open at 7 am every morning. Jax is making old school new again. 1122 A First St. Napa 707.812-6853; Jaxwhitemulediner.com Chicken-Fried Chicken Sandwich Jax Signature Beignets
NVLife_SeptOct_2014
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