O'Steen's Restaurant - St. Augustine, FL

Any time of day that O'Steen's is open you'll see people gathered outside, some sitting on benches, waiting for their turn at a table. The best shrimp in St. Augustine are served at O'Steen's. You'll also find the finest version of the local red Minorcan clam chowder, along with some fine Southern-styled side dishes.

90% Approval Rating (20 votes)

Overall: Worth driving from anyplace

Must Eats

Fried Shrimp (12) ($12.00)

Hush Puppies (N/A)

Biscuit & Cornbread (N/A)

Minorcan Clam Chowder ($3.00)

Fried Chicken ($10.00)

Banana Cream Pie ($3.00)

Datil Pepper Sauce (N/A)

Cole Slaw (N/A)

Rice With Gravy (N/A)

Written Reviews

Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle

"The northeast coast of Florida is one of the country's great shrimping regions, and it's said to be the birthplace of the commercial shrimping industry. The variety of shrimp pulled from the sea varies with the time of year, and we won't pretend to understand all the ..." [Read More].

Michael Stern

"I came to O'Steen's on an expedition to find St. Augustine's best Minorcan chowder; and sure enough, this is where it is. Similar in appearance to Manhattan clam chowder, it radiates the fruity potency of the locally-grown datil pepper which, like its botanical cousin ..." [Read More].

Susanne Hupfer

June 19, 2009

"O'Steen's -- a quick drive from St. Augustine's historic downtown, just past the Lion's Bridge and signaled by an illuminated shrimp sign -- was recommended by a native St. Augustinian, who proclaimed that it's "the best place in the world for fried shrimp, scallops, ..." [Read More].

Logbooks

No Logbook Entries

Map & Directions

205 Anastasia Boulevard, St. Augustine, FL
904-829-6974

Hours & Policies

Seasons:	Open Year Round
Meals Served:	Lunch, Dinner
Operational Hours:	Always Call Ahead!
Credit Cards Accepted:	No
Alcohol Served:	No
Outdoor Seating:	No
Reservations Accepted:	No
Delivery Available:	No
Takeout Counters:	Yes

"A culinary anthropologist could pinpoint the precise location of this dish. The hushpuppies and blackeyed peas are a sure sign of the South in general. The elegant shrimp say Florida's north coast. The pink dipping sauce with a datil pepper punch is St. Augustine's"
Michael Stern

"The menu warns of a 30 minute wait for O'Steen's fried chicken. It is cooked to order and very good, but still not good enough to dissuade me from getting the justly-famous fried shrimp."
Michael Stern

"The signature dish of St. Augustine: clam chowder supercharged with datil peppers."
Michael Stern

"O'steen's is the place in St. Augustine for fried shrimp."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle

"This style of butterflying a shrimp is typical of the Florida north coast."
Michael Stern

"You may have to wait in a long line at O'Steen's for your shrimp fix (and a delicious fix it is!), but here's a tip: ask for takeout, get your food in 10 minutes or so, and head for a picnic lunch at the gorgeous Anastasia State Park a few miles down the road."
Susanne Hupfer

"Here is the magic of St. Augustine, in the form of datil pepper. In the foreground: peppers in vinegar, well-suited for dressing vegetables. In the background: datil pepper sauce, a fiery potion that would make a piece of cardboard taste great."
Michael Stern

"A cool dessert after a hot meal: banana cream pie."
Michael Stern

"Meals are accompanied by a biscuit and a square of cornbread, both of which are excellent vehicles for conveying datil pepper sauce from plate to mouth."
Michael Stern

"This sign is posted on the door of the antiques store on the other side of O'Steen's parking lot. It is reassurance that you won't miss your name being called if you are inside browsing among the nick-nacks."
Michael Stern

"O'Steen's is not a large restaurant, and is very popular locally. Expect to wait (you might be able to shorten the wait if you're willing to sit at the counter)."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle

"A Florida landmark for fried shrimp - O'Steen's."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle

"The roadside sign is a good sign indeed of something special inside."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle

"Be sure to try the signature fried shrimp, coated in a light, crispy batter and butterflied in a unique way."
Susanne Hupfer