As a quick note *they do not accept credit cards,* only cash and local checks, so make sure that you hit a bank machine before coming here. If you're coming as a member of a group, there will be a lengthy wait, but if you're coming alone (or possibly as a pair), you can usually get sitting at the counter right away. I was visiting Saint Augustine for a conference and was told that this is a place where all the locals eat, and that was already a draw for me. I also figured that, hey, I was visiting a coastal city and so I should go for seafood. O'Steen's did not disappoint. In the first place the service was fan*tas*tic. I'd just walked over the bridge and back to grab money from a bank machine in the early evening in late July and so I was hot and sweaty. Not only did the waitress have my water out quickly, but I didn't even need to signal that I was done with my first glass before it was refilled and another cold glass of water was in front of me. Once I'd ordered their lemonade, same thing. Her ability to read the minutest of cues made the experience even more enjoyable. I started with a cup of the Minorcan clam chowder. It was super good. It's a spicy tomato base, with just enough pepper to give it force, but not too much to overwhelm the other flavors. Throw in some potatoes and of course the clam and you've got a very nice starter (or possibly a meal if one goes for the bowl). I then went to the "For lighter appetites" section of the menu and ordered the fried shrimp. It came with a hush puppy as well as two sides (I opted for fries and green beans). The breading for the shrimp and the hush puppies is different than I'm used to: the initial mixture is much less coarse than your normal corn-based breading and it's a little bit sweeter than I'm used to. Surprisingly, once I'd adjusted to that, it complemented the shrimp really, really well. The green beans were likewise good, with just the right amount of flavor. This is actually important: sometimes restaurants in my beloved American south can go overboard on the amount of pig products in the green beans, and O'Steen's avoids this and so allows you to *taste* the green beans. I round it out by noting that not only is the service outstanding, but since the restaurant is closed on Sunday and Monday, all of the staff gets two sequential days off a week as well, which speaks highly of the management. So why do I give four instead of five stars? The main reason is that the fries and ketchup were something of a disappointment. The fries were very clearly grocery store freezer fries, and the ketchup was rather thin: I'm pretty sure it came from a generic supplier of "catsup." All told, I would highly recommend O'Steen's, but would suggest when ordering sides you go for something other than the fries. read more

O'Steen's Restaurant - The Minorcan clam chowder was just spicy enough. - Seafood Near Me - Saint Augustine, Florida

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We all got the fried shrimp and it was delicious! Service was friendly. Okra-tomato side dish was just so-so... won't get again. But loved the hush puppies, fries, and coleslaw. read more

O'Steen's is without a doubt my favorite seafood restaurant. My dad and grandfather probably found this place 40 years ago while on vacation. It's still a must stop for my family. We usually don't even vacation in St. Augustine and still drive miles out of our way to eat at O'Steen's. The only two recommendations I have is get the shrimp and get there early to avoid the wait. read more

Come early, come hungry, and most importantly, come with cash because it's a cash-only establishment and your credit card is useless here. O'Steen's is as Mom n' Pop as restaurants come. It boasts a straightforward no-frills menu that showcases comforting Southern delights such as deviled crab, gizzards, shrimp creole, and a dizzying variety of broiled or fried seafood accompanied by classic sides galore (cottage cheese, beets, sliced peaches to name a few). The dining area is humble and reminiscent of times gone by: an array of "no smoking" signs, a dining counter with stools, glass candy dispensers of chiclet gum by the door and peppermint patties by the cash register that is constantly singing its song of chimes and change. This place fills up very quickly and necessitates a walk-up window for to-go orders due to the popularity of the food. I started with the Minorcan clam chowder, which is a staple in the area. It was hearty, spicy, and probably the best I have ever had. I then opted for a platter of fried shrimp (their specialty) with a deviled crab patty. The shrimp was fresh, plump and perfectly cooked. The breading, albeit plain, was light and crunchy. The deviled crab patty was plentiful in both crab and flavor. I really enjoyed the hush puppies, which were hearty without being stodgy or overcooked. Everything went well with the house sauces that came with the platter. For my sides I chose fries (the standard crinkle-cut frozen style but cooked perfectly) and a PHENOMENAL cheesy squash casserole that I could eat every day. My partner also ordered the fried shrimp but paired his with scallops and boiled sugar carrots (yum). We could barely stand by the time we were done but couldn't leave without sharing a slice of homemade coconut cream pie (to die for). The prices are up there but the portions, quality, and exceptionally friendly service make the experience worth every penny. The staff knew many customers by name and were noticeably upbeat working alongside each other, which is refreshing to see and is definitely reflected in the food. Happy staff is synonymous with happy customers. O'Steen's is a 10/10 in my book and a gem of St. Augustine. read more

O'Steen's Restaurant - Fried shrimp, deviled crab patty, French fries, hush puppies, and squash casserole, served with house sauce, hot sauce, and remoulade. - Seafood Near Me - Saint Augustine, Florida

This is hands down the best fried shrimp I've ever eaten. The hush puppies and fresh sides are also top notch. Though it's not fancy, the food and the service is always the best. People will wait for hours to get in, so pack your patience, it's worth it. A great value for the price but cash only to keep their costs down. We visit St. Augustine several times each year and we always eat at O'steens at least once each trip. read more

Fantastic food and service. Always try to grab a meal here when visiting St Augustine.

Food is awesome! Cash only and the wait is long but you have a little gift shop next door to pass the time by.

Eating at O'Steen's has been a tradition in my family for as long as I can remember! We try to stop here for dinner on the way to visit my granddad in Florida. I have very fond memories of being here with both of my grandparents, so O'Steen's will always hold a piece of my heart for that reason. I didn't eat seafood when I was little, so I didn't try O'Steen's fried shrimp until I was a teenager. Upon first taste of the fried shrimp and pink sauce, all I remember thinking was, "Why have I wasted all these years eating chicken tenders??" O'Steen's is the only place I will eat fried shrimp if I can help it. Period. O'Steen's fried shrimp was my first fried shrimp ever, and nothing has lived up to it. I only get to have a meal here once or twice a year if I drive to Florida with my family, but it's always something I look forward to! read more

O'Steen's Restaurant - Fried shrimp with pink sauce, pickled cucumbers, and spinach. - Seafood Near Me - Saint Augustine, Florida

Frying is done to perfection Butterfly Shrimp is the best dish in town just bring cash and you will be fine

Drove to St Augustine for the weekend. We are staying at the hotel next door so we decided to have lunch at this restaurant. It's confusing because there is a window that says register here. There was a line so I asked and was told you give your name to be called. We started to leave but then discovered the line was one big group waiting for a bigger table. We were able to be seated right away. The waitress took our drink order and let us know they are famous for their St Augustine fried shrimp and told us about their daily specials. We both had the 6 piece shrimp dinner. For sides I had Lima beans and sweet potato casserole. Everything was delicious. Shrimp was perfectly fried, not greasy. Just remember they don't take credit cards! read more

Waited less than 5 mins. Service was ok nothing special. We ordered the grilled chicken Cesar salad and the 12 fried shrimp with the green beans and macaroni salad. Salad was excellent! It wasn't drenched in dressing and the chicken had a great flavor. The shrimp was also very good and was even better with the pepper sauce or the homemade dipping sauce. Green beans were country style and the macaroni salad had red peppers in it. Both very good. Will definitely come back if ever in the area. read more

Had a great family dinner here last night! Unsure why there are so many reviews complaining about lack of flavor- my family ordered a variety of dishes that were all jam packed with flavor. Shrimp and grits were delicious, the grits on their own were the perfect side dish! The fried shrimp was packed with flavor and a crowd favorite. My mom ordered the kaui fish with mahi-Mahi and she loved it. Don't think you can go wrong with an order here! Our water was also fantastic and super friendly! We will be back here next time we are in town! read more

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This place is known for their fried shrimp which is split open down center, breaded in flour. These weren't the largest shrimp I've had but tasty. You can order, 8 up to 24 pcs. that are piled high on Kringle cut fries, which were ok. Came with hush puppy. I had coleslaw that was creamy, cornbread was good. Very casual place. Waitress was a little short. Husband had mahi-mahi that was ok. Daughter had scallops that were not diver (small) and no flavor. Green beans are from can. Would choose another seafood place if I could only eat out once. read more

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Wow! My parents were skeptical of coming here since they say the line is always out the door, but 3:30pm on a rainy Thursday must be the sweet spot because we were seated at a table for 3 right away. Service was so quick and friendly! Our waitress gave recommendations and answered any questions we had. We settled in splitting the double fried shrimp, a bowl of chowder, and the two deviled crab cakes. It turned out to be more than enough food for 3 people! The chowder has a spicy tomato based broth and it was a bit too fishy for me, but my dad finished the bowl. The shrimp were amazing and definitely the highlight! I'd for sure come back and order again! Fries were served under the shrimp so a bit soggy but that's exactly the way I like them. Coleslaw was sweet, crisp, and creamy which was a refreshing contrast to the fried food. The hush puppies were crunchy on the outside and so soft on the inside, and wonderfully spiced. I can see why this place is so popular! With our crab cakes we got Lima beans and pickled beets. Two other really great choices! Overall we had such a great time and next time I visit I'd love to come back! read more

O'Steen's Restaurant - Double fries shrimp platter with hush puppies, fries, and coleslaw - Seafood Near Me - Saint Augustine, Florida

I still dream about this place..... Im so glad I didn't leave when the lady said it would be an hour and a half wait. I ordered the shrimp/scallops lunch with house salad, pickled beets, hush puppies and green beans. Yummmmy... Best fried shrimp I've ever had! To top it off I had a slice of their homemade coconut cream pie. I don't think anything in life should taste that good :) read more

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

O'Steen's has the best fried shrimp and the sides are awesome, too! It's well worth the possible slight annoyances of a long wait and it being cash-only. If you do have to wait, they've done a good job of working with the antique store next door and the British pub on the other side so that you can still be notified when your table is ready. Pretty much every time we go, we get extra shrimp for another meal later -- it's just that good. read more

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

Believe the hype! Fantastic service! The shrimp was really good and the homemade shrimp sauce just paired with it perfectly. The fried trigger fish was lightly battered and just melted in your mouth. Super delicious! Their house made hot sauce was also really good! My sister put it on everything! If you have time in St. Augustine this is definitely a must! read more

Nothing fancy about O'Steen's by man are the shrimp delicious! Paired with a variety of homemade sides, you don't want to miss this one. Bring cash as there are no cards accepted. Waiting room is outside but you can walk down the street to the pub and they will let you know when your table is ready! read more

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

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

O'Steen's is always a favorite and most definitely worth the hour drive for us. I don't think you can go wrong with anything on their menu honestly, but some of the best choices are their fried shrimp (with the pink sauce of course!) and squash casserole. It can be pretty busy later in the day and the place isn't huge so the waits can be a little longer, but totally worth the wait and you can kill time in the antique store next door. Once you're inside, the service is super friendly and very quick. Just don't forget to bring cash (there is an ATM outside though if you do). read more

We had lunch here on a Tuesday after visiting the Lighthouse Museum. We saw a line of people sitting outside when we pulled up and I hope it would be worth the wait. We waited about 20 minutes and got seated. The entire staff were friendly and speedy. We ordered the fried shrimp, fried flounder, and beef stew on rice. I loved the fried shrimp because it wasn't deep fried nor greasy and it was so good with the pink sauce. Their fries are great too also because it's not greasy or over fried. My husband enjoyed his flounder. My 7 yo thought his beef stew was too spicy for his liking. He did eat about half of it before stopping. I tried it and thought it was good but I can see how after eating half of it the spice level built up on his tongue. Overall it was a great meal. 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

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

Stopped here for lunch after a recommendation. Down home simple atmosphere with great food, service and fair prices. Minorcan Clam Chowder is really special and worth trying. read more

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

Fantastic service! The atmosphere was very welcoming, and the food was delicious. I definitely will be back.

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

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

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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We had the fried shrimp dinner with pickled cucumbers and beets. Everything was outstanding and the service was attentive. We also had the minorcan clam chowder which was very good - only Sunset Grille's is better. We sat at the counter which shortened our wait time to 15 minutes on a Tuesday at 6pm. The setting is diner-like, so not date night ambiance but clean. Fried shrimp is the best we've ever had! Worth the wait and cash only requirements - highest recommendation! 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 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.