Let me tell you...I live in Georgia and anytime I am going to the Jacksonville area I make a point to make time to go to Osteen's. although it's like a 45 minute drive. The fried shrimp is amazing and even though I'm always stuffed I order extra. The people who work there are very sweet and accommodating. I have gone to this restaurant here and there for the last 15 years and they haven't failed me yet. read more

We went with some friends who love this place and it did not disappoint. The fried shrimp was so so good and the rest of the food was great too. read more

We have eaten here for many years when visiting family. Their fried shrimp are the best. Always expect to wait for a table.

I'm 46 and I have been enjoying this restaurant since I was in elementary school! If you want "frufru" then you probably won't be happy because this is old school dining at its finest! The seafood is fresh and fried to perfection in a light flour/cornmeal mix, flour, or sometimes just cornmeal depending on what you order. I always go with the classic fried shrimp, cole slaw, and French fries. The oil is always fresh, which makes for crispy and clean tasting fried food!!! The cole slaw is as it should be! And don't even get me started on the pies. I've met the lady that makes their pies, and even ordered whole pies from her. The flaky crust is the thing that pie bakers dream of!!! I always get the coconut cream pie. Order the pie upfront in case they run out. They are cash only as they have always been and are some of the sweetest, southern folks around. Every time I go home, I always want some O'Steen's!!! Thank y'all for being a consistent staple in this Southern girl's life!!! read more

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Best fried shrimp I've ever had and I've grown up in Florida. Worth the wait if there is a line. read more

O'Steen's Restaurant - Obsessed with their fried shrimp and datil pepper sauce! - Seafood Near Me - Saint Augustine, Florida

Busy spot. Good food. The to go line is as popular as the table service. Good choice of sides.

A friend recommended O'Steen's so my boyfriend and I decided to give it a try this past weekend. From the reviews, we were aware that there could be a long wait, so we decided to go very early (4:30). They said it would be a 40 minute wait, but I don't think we actually waited more than 20 minutes which was great! We both got the 9 pc fried shrimp (duh) and I got the picked cucumbers and coleslaw as my sides (would recommend both!). Don't let the pictures of the shrimp fool you, while they might look a bit bland, they taste great and work so well with the sauce they provide. Actually, for both the shrimp and hush puppies the fry was perfect leaving them not greasy at all. We also started with a bowl of the chowder which was more of a Manhattan style with a small kick to it. Overall, if you are in the area and fine with a wait, I'd say to stop by O'Steen's! read more

O'Steen's Restaurant - 9 Fried Shrimp with coleslaw and picked cucumbers - Seafood Near Me - Saint Augustine, Florida

Totally just stumbled onto this place driving by. It looked old and local and outside of the touristy areas, so we said "Honey, stop the car!" Parked and saw there was a huge line and the fact that they're cash only, we knew the 50 minute wait for lunch was with it. After strolling dow the street to a local brewery, which was pretty dang good, we and back for our seat. None of us strayed and just for the fired shrimp. They were hot and you could tell fresh shrimp. So so good. The sides were tasty. The hush puppies were killing it. Service was awesome. read more

O'Steen's Restaurant - Good eating. Shrimp all around - Seafood Near Me - Saint Augustine, Florida

Food was delicious and the service was outstanding!!. Such great spot for lunch and I can't wait to go back. Affordable!! Will be going back soon! read more

This is a st Augustine staple. The best fried shrimp. The sides remind me of country cooking my grandma would do. Make sure to bring cash. Credit cards aren't accepted. read more

WOW, so glad we made a plan to get a meal here. We ordered the classic fried shrimp that they are apparently famous for here, and we were super hungry so we each ordered the one-and-a-half sized order plate; this was 18 butterflied shrimp! Each! OK, that was way too big for me, even if extra hungry, unless you have a huge appetite, I'd only recommend the 12 shrimp plate, it is still ample. The batter on the shrimp is light so the shrimp don't end up tasting greasy at all. They are also big shrimp, and butterflied here means turned into a prong, which gives them a little more coating on each shrimp, and I am guessing makes for more even cooking. Each plate is served with two sides of your choice; I got pickled cucumbers which were a Southern-style quick pickle, I believe, and which I really loved. I also got the squash casserole, which was delicious and also a little unusual - it had an umami element, maybe some mushroom in there? I really enjoyed both. Each plate also came with two hush puppies which were HUGE - at least double the size I am used to getting at the South Carolina coast. Still found room to eat them both, LOL, because they were delicious like every thing else. This is a super old-school establishment that I think they may not have updated since they opened some decades ago, but it's very cute, diner-style, casual and comfortable. Service here was as friendly as it gets. I will definitely make a plan to return when we are back in the area! read more

The wait is well worth it. Shrimp are fresh and fried perfectly. Waitress was awesome and very friendly. Make sure have cash as that is the only way to pay for your meal. read more

O'Steen's Restaurant - Small shrimp platter. - Seafood Near Me - Saint Augustine, Florida

Osteen's needs no love from me but have to tell ya as a 62 yr old Florida fried shrimp eater and Yelp Gold Elite - THIS IS THE REAL DEAL. Every bite on our plates was outstanding from the Ur perfection of their astounding lightly fried butterflied shrimp (they got that all figured out) to a unique luscious umami dense squash casserole to a bright, cucumber/onion/tomato salad and...the hush puppies. This is what scratch-made traditional food is all about and as good as that gets. The crowds are very real. We arrived on a Saturday morning within a few minutes of their opening time. The restaurant was packed to the doors (I guess folks line up in advance?) but we managed to snag a seat at the counter - which I would highly recommend. Just go. Just go. read more

The food was good!!! Even though we came 30 minutes until closing everyone was amazingly nice!!!! The waitress was pleasant and helpful with the food choices...This is going to be a number one stop when I come back to St Augustine!!! read more

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THE BEST FRIED SHRIMP EVER!!! Been coming here for almost 30 years. All the food is good. Charlene and the team there are the nicest people. This is one of those special places. Get to meet a lot of nice people waiting on the line to get in. read more

O'Steen's Restaurant - Fried Shrimp with great sides. - Seafood Near Me - Saint Augustine, Florida

The best fried shrimp, very flavored grilled chicken. The sweet potatoe casserole was superb. Macaroni salad was yummy. Seems like they had rearranged the tables which was a good improvement. The biacuiys were exceptional today! read more

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Food was very bland. The batter was soggy and tasted like flour. Would not recommend or try again.

The best fried shrimp and hush puppies!! We have come here for years and there is nothing better!!

The restaurant is small, so expect to wait a bit for a table. The wait wasn't as long as they indicated, which was nice. There are many places to sit and wait which is also a plus. The food is great! Tons of side options to pick from as well. The staff are very friendly and attentive, but not overbearing. Just perfect! We met a couple that drives 40 minutes once a week just to eat here if that tells you anything! Definitely get the shrimp! It's amazing! We'll be back! read more

This place seems to be a favorite of the tourist. It took us days to get in without a long wait. I'm not sure what the fuss is all about. The dinners we ordered were fried shrimp. It seemed the shrimp was cooked with a batter one would fry catfish in back home. Nothing exquisite tasting. The shrimp was fresh and neatly prepared. The side dishes of green beans and coleslaw were excellent. They do have a dital sauce that was really good. It is house made and a bottle can be purchased at the counter. I mixed it with ketchup and it gave it the perfect amount of heat. I was hoping to order coconut shrimp but they didn't have it. Will not be returning here. There are other places in St Augustine with excellent shrimp dishes. Far better then O'Steens. read more

O'Steen's Restaurant - Fried Shrimp - Seafood Near Me - Saint Augustine, Florida

We just happened to walk by this restaurant after walking across the bridge. I have eaten fried shrimp all up and down the NC and SC coasts; nothing comes close to O'Steen's. The rest of the food was just as delicious and with great service and reasonable prices, I don't know how anyone could have any suggestions for them. I am sorry we're leaving tomorrow or I would go back. read more

A local asked us not to promote this place too much. Amazing fried shrimp and Minorcan clam chowder. Old school place that runs incredibly efficient but it's very popular with the locals so you may have a wait during peak hours. Fantastic datil pepper sauce sold in Mason jars for only $6.50 which is a bargain. read more

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A place to definitely visit when in St. Augustine. The shrimps are lightly battered and so juicy and good in size, their hush puppies are to die for and I loved their homemade hot sauce. Seriously, a must! Worth every penny read more

O'Steen's Restaurant - Fried shrimp, pickled cucumber,fries and hush puppies with a side of pink sauce that comes with every order - Seafood Near Me - Saint Augustine, Florida

We aren't fried food experts, but we enjoyed our meals at O'Steen's Restaurant. It is a mom-and-pop feel reminiscent of 70/80s country-type restaurants. Feels like you stepped back in time. CASH ONLY! We had an order of fried shrimp and fried fish with coleslaw, french fries, and pickled cucumbers. We also tried the key lime pie and banana cream pie. We arrived right at opening and didn't have to wait in line. However, we watched the place fill up fast. Our waitress was nice as can be. She was very attentive and quick to refill our drinks whenever needed. Their batter is light and crispy which lends to tasting the shrimp and fish more. I thought the shrimp was good. Not heavy or greasy. Good-sized shrimp, too. The fish was delicious. A huge portion of light flaky fish. The hush puppies were soft and fluffy. They had a lighter nondistinct taste. Their red datil pepper sauce was good. I preferred dipping my hush puppies in it vs. using it on my shrimp or fish. Their coleslaw was very good with a little bit of sweet taste to it. The pickled cucumbers were just like Grandma used to make-so good. The pies were good. More creamy, pudding-type fillings on both. We were glad we tried it and would recommend it to anyone who likes fried seafood. However, hard to justify the long wait times unless you really love fried food. read more

Place is okkkkk. Only because they lack seasoning in the batter they fry the shrimp, scallops and fish in. The hush puppies had no flavor but we did order the gizzards those were good with the hot sauce they make there. For the money and the amount of food you get is worth just need a little bit more flavoring. read more

Waited over an hour to get into this place. Also stocked up on cash ahead of time since they don't take credit cards. The verdict is that this place is well worth the wait. There is an antique shop and also a bar across the street to keep you entertained while you wait. They are known for their fried shrimp and they lived up to the hype. The fried shrimp was not overly salted or greasy - just light, fluffy and delicious. Their fried scallops were also very nice. They are also known for their Minorca clam chowder starter. This is red tomato based clam Chowder with a spicy kick. It was very tasty and had real clam pieces in it. Their hush puppies and sides were all excellent. The sweet potato casserole tasted especially good - almost like the filling of a freshly baked pumpkin pie. The staff are all extremely friendly and the service was great. Highly recommend trying this restaurant next time you are in St Augustine. Your stomach will thank you! read more

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This week I returned to O' Steen's for the first time since 1977! WOW, was I in for a WONDERFUL surprise! The fried shrimp and macaroni salad were both incredible. The only think as good as the food was the service! I do not recall having such an attentive and helpful server in a LONG time. The 30 minute wait was NO PROBLEM because I could see satisfied very happy customers coming out of the restaurant having just finished their meal. That was my first tip the food was as good as it was in 1977! Do be sure you have cash as they do not take plastic. read more

At first, I didn't know what to think. O'Steens looks like a hole-in-the-wall mixed with a mom & pop shop. When you arrive, it feels like you took a step back in time to a homey seaside diner; the waitresses know the locals by name, you can hear people ordering their 'usual's', and asking the cashier to put their meal "on their tab" that they'll pay at the end of the month. The vibe is very homey and nostalgic which, surprisingly, I truly enjoyed. Their menus are yellow sheets of paper tucked safely behind a laminated screen. It's one sided and offers a limited assortment of fried seafood, homemade clam chowder, broiled seafood, and good 'ole southern comfort chicken 'n steak chops. You're expected to know the sides - but seeing as I'm not a local, the waitress lent me a hand and recommended the creamed squash casserole and hush puppies. The food was INCREDIBLE. The shrimp are fresh and absolutely huge! They are not heavily fried and are very light and offer a melt-in-your-mouth texture that I have never experienced with shrimp before. The hush puppies are the best that I've had - not too sweet but offer a nice little snap of heat from some minced-in jalapenos. If you find yourself in St. Augustine, this is a hidden gem you will want to find. read more

O'Steen's Restaurant - Seafood Near Me - Saint Augustine, Florida

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Some of the best food I have consumed! The shrimp are absolutely delicious the shrimp sauce with the added hot sauce makes them amazing. Also enjoyed the pickled beets and the cucumber salad excellent. Let me just say the best hush puppies I have ever had. To top it off we had Keylime pie so so good. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone !! read more

O'Steen's Restaurant - 12 piece shrimp dinner with beets and cucumber salad. - Seafood Near Me - Saint Augustine, Florida

The best fried shrimp and fried flounder, excellent hush puppies, prices are really good and the minorcan clam chowder is great. Just had a great lunch soup, shrimp, two side and drink for $15 read more

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Service was just like I remember! We always stopped here for dinner when I came on vacation years ago and had to stop on my return to St. Augustine. Shrimp were perfect as always, vegetable choices are the best around, and the coconut cream pie was to die for! Great service for a party of eight in lunch rush! read more

Great food, wonderful service, this place ran like clockwork. Lots of locals and their home made hot sauce is fantastic.

Although highly recommended, and very crowded, we were not impressed. There were very few choices that weren't deep-fried and breaded. And I mean you put it it seems to be a local favorite and an institution in the town, but it was just not our cup of tea. They do seem to have a good system for moving effectively through carry out and dine in customers. read more

I guess they've given up on covid. It felt very uncomfortable with zero, yes zero staff compliance with covid precautions. Not even the ridiculous mask on chin technique. Same great shrimp. Would recommend take-out or vaccination + your best prayers lol. read more

One of our favorites in St. Augustine. Has been a staple in the area for years for a good reason. The SHRIMP is their specialty with their own house made sauce and I imagine everything else would he just as good. Save room for dessert, the coconut cream pie is divine. * Cash Only read more

For a tourist, Osteen's is a must visit place. The long line come dinner time is an indicator of what lies within- simple, quality seafood. The fried shrimp is some of the best you can buy and I'd recommend it as a long time customer over anything else they offer. The service is friendly and helpful. They also have delicious pies. read more

I love this place so much. My cousin use to live in St Aug and id visit and its one of the best in the entire area. Its like having the best homecooked meal centered around shrimp . read more

A favorite for many years. Probably the original fried shrimp that made us famous (St. Augustine)! After Clara Mier that is. Outdoor dining in 115 degree heat is not high on the list. With the long time goodies, entrees and sides, what more could we ask? A great favorite for our out of town guests too! Some sneak into town without us. And that's after our introduction. It doesn't get wired until we run into them there. Oh well. You can't beat the food. read more

Good grief - this place is awesome. Our favorite spot amongst a ton of great restaurants in the area. My husband and I agreed the fried shrimp was the best we've ever had & we also loved all of the sides! We were in & out quick and the service was great as well. read more

I decided to give this a try based on a recommendation. We did take out and it was very quick and efficient. The walk-up side window is something all restaurants should invest in. My order took about 15 minutes total for a 12pc fried shrimp and chicken tenders meal. The shrimp is the best fried shrimp I've ever eaten. I'm not sure how they get it so delicious, but it is! It came with 2 house dipping sauces. One was a regular and the other jabanero style. Both were delicious. My wife commented the chicken tenders are the best she's ever eaten. Overall, I'd eat here over and over. read more