St. Augustine spot named one of the ‘15 Best Seafood Restaurants in Florida’

Renee Unsworth
·3 min read
Kathy Kent grabs two Famous St. Augustine Fried Shrimp plates from the kitchen to serve to guests at O’Steen’s Restaurant.
Kathy Kent grabs two Famous St. Augustine Fried Shrimp plates from the kitchen to serve to guests at O’Steen’s Restaurant.

Not much has changed at O’Steen’s Restaurant since it first opened in 1965 on Anastasia Island in St. Augustine.

This dining hot spot was recently named one of the 15 Best Seafood Restaurants in Florida by Trips to Discover. A few others on the list include Flagler Fish Company in Flagler Beach; Safe Harbor Seafood Market & Restaurant in Atlantic Beach; and Owen’s Fish Camp in Sarasota.

“Nothing has changed. If it ain’t broke, why fix it?” said Timmy Colee, one of the restaurant’s three co-owners.

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Happy guests – which include a mix of locals, returning visitors and first-time vacationers – are all treated to dishes that have been on the menu for 57 years. Those recipes, such as the Famous St. Augustine Fried Shrimp and Minorcan clam chowder, were family recipes of Virginia and Robert O’Steen, the original owners.

After many years, the restaurant changed hands to Lawrence “Lonnie” Pomar, who ran it until January 2018. The new partners are Timmy Colee, Bobby Fales and John Cleary, all who have worked at O’Steen's for more than 40 years each.

Staff and co-owner Johnny Cleary snap fresh green beans during a recent lunch shift at O’Steen’s Restaurant. The popular dining spot sources local vegetables for their homestyle menu.
Staff and co-owner Johnny Cleary snap fresh green beans during a recent lunch shift at O’Steen’s Restaurant. The popular dining spot sources local vegetables for their homestyle menu.

O'Steen's top menu item: fried shrimp

In its ranking, Trips to Discover said, “O’Steen's has found the perfect recipe with its delicious seafood offerings and laid-back, fun atmosphere. A favorite for both locals and visitors alike where long lines are a constant, this over 50-year-old seafood joint is known for its fried shrimp, while Minorcan clam chowder and a side of hush puppies also go down well.”

“Our most ordered item has always been the fried shrimp,” Colee explained.

Colee said they go through 300 pounds of locally caught shrimp per day. The kitchen also sources local produce for their sides, including cabbage for their coleslaw and other vegetables, such as yellow squash and green beans.

And St. Augustine’s datil pepper, a locally grown spicy staple that traces its heritage back to the Minorcans who settled here in the 1700s, is featured in many recipes — from the crab cakes to the sauces.

The fried chicken also became famous this past year when YouTube channel Mashed, with 1.19 million followers, named O’Steen’s as one of eight places for “the best fried chicken in the South.”

While lines can be long waiting for a table at this popular restaurant during peak season, orders can be made in advance by phone and guests can use the convenient pick-up window.

“We give our customers a good product at a fair price,” Colee said. “If we wouldn’t eat it, we wouldn’t serve it. We are simply carrying on that tradition.”

When guests step inside, they step back in time to the nostalgic days of Florida. There’s a lunch counter to the right where locals and visitors can saddle up and chat with the friendly staff. At each place setting, silverware and napkins sit on a paper placemat that depicts St. Augustine landmarks like the St. Augustine Lighthouse.

The famous O’Steen’s Restaurant sign on Anastasia Boulevard. O’Steen’s was recently named one of the 15 Best Seafood Restaurants in Florida by tripstodiscover.com.
The famous O’Steen’s Restaurant sign on Anastasia Boulevard. O’Steen’s was recently named one of the 15 Best Seafood Restaurants in Florida by tripstodiscover.com.

O’Steen’s Restaurant is located at 205 Anastasia Blvd., in St. Augustine on Anastasia Island. Hours are 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Arrive early to get in line. Reservations are not available. Free parking is on site, with a generous parking lot behind the restaurant. Cash or local checks are accepted  — no debit or credit cards. Visit osteensrestaurant.com to view the menu. Call 904-829-6974 to place a carry-out order.

View the full list of winners online at tripstodiscover.com.

This article originally appeared on St. Augustine Record: O'Steen's Restaurant ranked on 15 Best Seafood Restaurants in Florida