The Sheik Sandwiches No 7

This is the Sheik I have such FOND memories drinking Limeades and devouring Cheeseburgers and Camel Riders with my father growing up!
The ONLY reason this location doesn’t get 5 stars is the fact they’re closed on Sunday’s and for dinner when I am especially craving them!
The greatness of their Cheeseburgers is a mystery to me especially since they are the most basic, no muss-​no fuss burgers. The patty is thin and there’s really no bells or whistles to make the burger stand out — it just does! It’s always a dilemma deciding whether to get a burger OR a Camel Rider when I go. It’s a VERY hard decision because I LOVE the burgers there!
The fries are absolutely P-​E-​R-​F-​E-​C-​T! The French Fry seasoning is a MUST! These are the only fries I love even «naked» without dipping sauce.
Did you know that Jacksonville has its very OWN famous sandwich called the Camel Rider? There’s even an article written about them in the New York Times!
This sandwich was developed in the 1970’s and while it is copied at lots of restaurants around town, the Sheik is the originator! A Camel Rider is a soft and chewy pita stuffed with Ham, Salami, Bologna, Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato, Mayo, Onions, and Italian Dressing. The ingredients are simple but the combined results are a REFRESHING, crisp sandwich that begins a lifelong addiction!
The interior looks like it was built in the 70’s and isn’t the prettiest, but the staff is always quick with a smile for you.
I have yet to try a Steak-​in-​a-​Sack from this location. My arm is definitely being twisted to come back ~_^

I like this place about as much as I can a chain place. Probably 3.5 for the food and extra star for convenience and the great service. Breakfast pita or steak and fries lunch– decent value tasty and quick.

First and foremost I did really enjoy my Camel Rider pita from The Sheik. I am not sure exactly why, because it seems like a straight forward pita but it was tasty.
They are not open for dinner and past 3 (during the week) it is drive thru only until 4 when they close.
FYI: I went to
to look at the menu and the camel rider pita and it’s coinciding meal were about two dollars more at the restaurant than what was listed on the website.

I’ve lived in orange park for 20 years and finally got to check this place out. They close early so it’s hard to catch them open. The restaurant it outdated from the 90s. The staff was nice service was quick. I had the steak pita and fries. It was delicious ! I think it will be a lot sooner than 20 years for me to come back! Me likey: P

My husband picked up lunch for me here on a whim. I recall The Sheik being a delicious eatery when I was a kid, so I wanted to revisit it as an adult. Needless to say, I was beyond pleased. I had the Camel Rider and fries for lunch. The ingredients were all very fresh and the fries were to die for! I’ll definitely be going back.

This restaurant has been open for as long as I can remember so I was excited to finally try it. Every time I have eaten here, I have ordered the chicken pita with fries. It’s grilled chicken, lettuce, tomato, etc. very basic but super tasty. Their fries are also very tasty and always hot and fresh (there is nothing worse than soggy, cold fries). The prices are good, the food is great, and the service is always awesome. My only real complaint is getting in and out of that parking lot, particularly at lunch time.

I’ve been driving past this place for eons and eons and have always been very curious about it. The fact that they’ve been open that long and have survived at this location really says something about them if anything. Just seems like I was always on my way to somewhere else in OP and never really got a chance to check them out.
Well, one day I was determined and just itching to try one of the signature foods of Jacksonville that they specialize in, the famous «Camel Rider Sandwich». This is a menu item native to Jacksonville thanks mainly to the city’s abundance of Mediterranean immigrants that settled here in the early 20^th century. These industrious folks integrated their native foods (mainly the pita) with staples already indigenous to the area (mainly the cold cut) and thus, the camel rider was born.
There were many wonderful sounding delicacies on the Sheik’s menu (
), but I had to try this illustrious part of Jacksonville’s history and I was not disappointed. A very fresh pita came out to me filled with various cold cuts, a slice of REAL American cheese (not the over possessed stuff), mayo, tomato, iceberg and a very tasty salad dressing. Tasted a lot like the pita sandwiches I often make at home except i didn’t have to make it ;-)
Their fries were hot, crispy and well cooked with a hearty potato flavor and the employees there seemed more mom & pop than minimum wage high schooler. I.E. they were personable and knew what they were doing.
I’m glad I went and as much as I enjoyed my camel rider, I’m looking forward to returning for a try at their steak-​in-​a-​sack and the multitude of subs they offer. They also serve traditional southern breakfast foods in the mornings.
Thumbs up, Sheik!