Not a lot has modified at O’Steen’s Restaurant because it first opened in 1965 on Anastasia Island in St. Augustine.
This eating sizzling spot was not too long ago named one of many 15 Best Seafood Restaurants in Florida by Journeys to Uncover. A number of others on the checklist embrace Flagler Fish Company in Flagler Beach; Protected Harbor Seafood Market & Restaurant in Atlantic Seashore; and Owen’s Fish Camp in Sarasota.
“Nothing has modified. If it ain’t broke, why repair it?” mentioned Timmy Colee, one of many restaurant’s three co-owners.
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Blissful company – which embrace a mixture of locals, returning guests and first-time vacationers – are all handled to dishes which were on the menu for 57 years. These recipes, such because the Well-known St. Augustine Fried Shrimp and Minorcan clam chowder, have been household recipes of Virginia and Robert O’Steen, the unique homeowners.
After a few years, the restaurant modified arms to Lawrence “Lonnie” Pomar, who ran it till January 2018. The brand new companions are Timmy Colee, Bobby Fales and John Cleary, all who’ve labored at O’Steen’s for greater than 40 years every.
O’Steen’s high menu merchandise: fried shrimp
In its rating, Journeys to Uncover mentioned, “O’Steen’s has discovered the right recipe with its scrumptious seafood choices and laid-back, enjoyable environment. A favourite for each locals and guests alike the place lengthy strains are a continuing, this over 50-year-old seafood joint is understood for its fried shrimp, whereas Minorcan clam chowder and a aspect of hush puppies additionally go down effectively.”
“Our most ordered merchandise has all the time been the fried shrimp,” Colee defined.
Colee mentioned they undergo 300 kilos of regionally caught shrimp per day. The kitchen additionally sources native produce for his or her sides, together with cabbage for his or her coleslaw and different greens, comparable to yellow squash and inexperienced beans.
And St. Augustine’s datil pepper, a regionally grown spicy staple that traces its heritage again to the Minorcans who settled right here within the 1700s, is featured in lots of recipes — from the crab desserts to the sauces.
The fried hen additionally grew to become well-known this previous yr when YouTube channel Mashed, with 1.19 million followers, named O’Steen’s as considered one of eight locations for “the very best fried hen within the South.”
Whereas strains will be lengthy ready for a desk at this common restaurant throughout peak season, orders will be made prematurely by telephone and company can use the handy pick-up window.
“We give our prospects a great product at a good worth,” Colee mentioned. “If we wouldn’t eat it, we wouldn’t serve it. We’re merely carrying on that custom.”
When company step inside, they step again in time to the nostalgic days of Florida. There’s a lunch counter to the proper the place locals and guests can saddle up and chat with the pleasant employees. At every place setting, silverware and napkins sit on a paper placemat that depicts St. Augustine landmarks just like the St. Augustine Lighthouse.
O’Steen’s Restaurant is positioned at 205 Anastasia Blvd., in St. Augustine on Anastasia Island. Hours are 11 a.m. to eight:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Arrive early to get in line. Reservations will not be accessible. Free parking is on web site, with a beneficiant parking zone behind the restaurant. Money or native checks are accepted — no debit or bank cards. Go to osteensrestaurant.com to view the menu. Name 904-829-6974 to position a carry-out order.
View the total checklist of winners on-line at tripstodiscover.com.
