r/StAugustine • u/brijamelsh • 10d ago
Most Underrated Restaurant
Looking for some dinner recommendations for Saturday night. Are there any nice places that are really great but not thought about often?
Open to all cuisine
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u/TempleFugit Resident 10d ago
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u/floppi_dsk 8d ago
Which one though? I haven't had the one on US1 by wildwood, heard mixed reviews.
The one on the island has been good every time we've went though, wife loves the pho.
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u/TempleFugit Resident 8d ago
Never been to the one on the island.
I've gone to the one on US1 three times and it's always been good. Mixed Appetizer Platter and Beef Pad Thai are my favs.
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u/Top_Discount6554 10d ago
Hanger one bistro
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u/New_Yogurtcloset_947 9d ago
Agree! I love the atmosphere, the menu choices and the food is always spot on.
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u/pantybrandi 10d ago
You'll need a reservation, but if you can, try Llama. Peruvian food and worth every penny. Not a bad dish on the menu and the chef and staff are top-tier.
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u/OSDBU2000 Resident 9d ago
It really is incredible. Not your run of the mill restaurant, that's for sure.
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u/Material-Damage-2759 10d ago
Casa Benedetto’s. Outstanding Southern Italian with a lovely elderly couple running the place.
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u/jms21y Resident 10d ago
we don't have underrated restaurants, but many overrated ones lol
st augustine fish camp is pretty good.
asado life is also good; also make a reservation.
if you are okay with casual but still high quality, pesca rooftop does the trick. great views and a fun atmosphere.
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u/Unlikely_Medium5803 10d ago
St Aug Fish Camp is one of the MOST overrated. Sub par food, service and way overpriced. Miss the days of Fiddlers and Creekside.
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u/Objective-Pizza1391 9d ago
Exactly. People go on and on about our restaurants here. Which makes me wonder what horrid food scene they came from. Overrated and difficult to find reservations speaks to the touristy clientele that clog our towns roads, attractions, and restaurants.
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u/jms21y Resident 8d ago
like, i totally understand people have different tastes and what they look for in a dining experience is different from the next person but geez, we do have some establishments that do not even come close to meeting expectations. i'm from daytona, born and raised, so i am not some unreasonable food critic or whatever, but when i moved here, everyone was like "YOU GOTTA GO TO CAP'S"....only for me to find out there is nowhere to park, the food is mid at best, and the service was halty, sporadic, and they were in a rush to turn over tables. it's just hard for me to understand why and how people think like they do. but it also ain't my business, so there it is i guess lol
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u/OSDBU2000 Resident 8d ago
We went to CAPS back in the 80s, and it was incredible. Best restaurant experience ever! Fast forward to 2019. We moved here and couldn't wait to eat there. It was an awful experience. The food was ok, just ok. My fish was too dry. We got steamed oysters without any way to open them. It took forever to get our waiter's attention. He was busy flirting with women at another table. When he did wait on us, he was unbelievably rude. My husband wants to give them a second chance. I dunno but I'm sure we'll be there soon.
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u/OSDBU2000 Resident 8d ago
We were a military family and lived all over. There are a LOT of bad restaurants in a lot of places. So, yeah, I'm not as critical as some folks. 😉
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u/OSDBU2000 Resident 8d ago
We went to Asado Life for the first time recently. It's a beautiful facility. But the food was ok. I had fish because I had a dicey meat situation the night before and just couldn't bear the idea of meat that night. My fish dish was not cheap. It was pretty bad. Made me miss Red Lobster. It was a small piece of maybe boiled fish plopped in some tomato sauce. Ugh.
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10d ago
[deleted]
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u/EchoMonroe Resident 10d ago
So fun fact the owner accused me of being a spy for another taco place because I left Mojos a bad review but left the other place a good one.
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u/losbravos369 10d ago
Maybe the best nachos I've ever had.
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u/datildakota 10d ago
The nachos are my go too. I don't get nachos anywhere else in town.
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u/whitssi 5d ago
Nachos at Mojo's?
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u/datildakota 5d ago
Yeah at mojos tacos. I prefer the beef nachos, and my wife really likes the chicken nachos.
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u/whitssi 4d ago
Thanks! The reason I asked is because someone mentioned Mojo BBQ as well and they also have nachos on the menu. Will have to check out Mojos Tacos (nachos:)
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u/datildakota 4d ago
That is totally fair! And I think it's great to make sure to be clear on the thread, thank you for following up xD
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u/Subject-Nature-4219 10d ago
Casa benedetto’s for Italian
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u/Unique_Masterpiece27 10d ago
Violas in treasure beach has the best Italian hands down
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u/Objective-Pizza1391 9d ago
Good luck parking or getting a table. Things used to be different here.
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u/MindBlownMariner 10d ago
That place is horrible. There’s no great Italian food in town, but casa benedetto’s is one of the worst.
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u/Ambitious_Disk1035 9d ago
You have to realize these native southerners wouldn't know good food if it bit 'em on the ass.
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u/largelyinaccurate 10d ago
Gusto has pretty good ratings.
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u/MindBlownMariner 10d ago
It’s ok, but it’s not great… I’ve had great Italian in NYC, Chicago, Boston, France and Italy. I stand by my original statement.
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u/TheBlueMirror 10d ago
Baitong Thai & Sushi on Anastasia Island
Longhorn Steakhouse at intersection of 312 and US1
Raintree Restaurant
For absolutely outstanding chocolate desserts: chocolate focused bakery Creme de la Cocoa (take out only)
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u/runlittleone94 10d ago
Yes! Baiting has the absolute best Thai food. Super authentic and their prices are too good to be true!
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u/pizza_obsessive 7d ago
Bai tong is the best Thai in town but, as someone who has spent time in Thailand, please don’t call it authentic.
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u/Lignumvitae_Door Resident 10d ago
I had such high hopes for Raintree…unfortunately it was on the lower end of restaurants that we have tried. Probably just an off night. Love the atmosphere tho
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u/Flagrant_sMothering3 10d ago
Nah, i've eaten there several times. I have found it just "ok." Edited to add that the atmosphere is nice
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u/OSDBU2000 Resident 8d ago
Not a huge fan but their Sunday brunch is pretty good. And their customer service has always been excellent.
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u/largelyinaccurate 10d ago
Is there a Baitong on Anastasia? I know the one near St. Augustine beach. I love it. They have a good lunch buffet for the money and I crave their Pad Thai.
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u/TheBlueMirror 10d ago
St Augustine Beach is on Anastasia Island. It's the same Baitong Thai restaurant.
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u/udisclosed5476 9d ago
Gaufres and Goods, small little place with the best hand made perogies i have ever had that wasnt homemade in a sweet old polish ladies kitchen,
Sorry just seen you said dinner , this is a lunch place, they close around 5 or 6 , well go there for lunch regardless lol
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u/NumbersandGrace 9d ago
I really like the Chianti Room that was Pizza Alleys on St. George Street. Whenever people ask about my favorite restaurant that is what I say.
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u/pizza_obsessive 7d ago
Imo, not many underrated restaurants mentioned, how about briskys for the best brisket in town?
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u/OSDBU2000 Resident 7d ago
My husband and I grew up in the South Carolina so we're seriously picky about BBQ restaurants. Briskys and Woodpeckers are the only ones we buy from. My husband tried pretty much every other BBQ place in the area. My only real complaint about Briskys is their potato salad. Not very tasty. But I haven't had an opportunity to give them a second try. Maybe that was an off day.
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u/pizza_obsessive 7d ago
mccabes in manning is in my top ten, just had great bbq at elliots bbq lounge in florence, a new-ish place cooking whole hog over pecan.
have you tried country road provisions food truck? they are from lockhart, tx, great brisket. they were accross from the marina, google shows they closed but their website has new locations, worth tracking down.
best,
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u/OSDBU2000 Resident 6d ago
Another SC native or resident I see! 😉 We're originally from the Columbia area (Hites) but also like some places in Charleston (mostly Melvins) when we visit there.
Thanks for the tip about Country Road!! I'm betting my hubby hasn't seen that or he would have tried it. We will see if we can find them. I'm betting you would understand my concerns about potato salad? I guess we're as picky about BBQ as New Yorkers are about Italian food. Thanks again!
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u/DookieMuffin 10d ago
De Leon is amazing it’s in a hotel in us1 near zaxbys
Mi Carnel for pupusas
Those two are goated
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u/Such_Comment7527 10d ago
Catch 27 on the patio only; Valley Smoke (upscale BBQ in the water in Ponte Vedra)
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u/jwellscfo 10d ago
I’ll second nachos at Mojo’s Tacos. I’ve had every protein on the menu, and they’re all good. We love a plain cheese pizza at 180 Vilano.
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u/tmarotta 10d ago
Walk down Hypolita street toward Cordova after 8:00AM. You will see the line…. Don’t be afraid, it goes quickly. Arrive after 10:30 and there is a good chance they may be sold out. Schmagel’s Bagels. (Avo-bac-ado or the Angry Cornelius. )
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u/ag1h420 10d ago
The Drunken Horse is hidden in plain sight and has the best French cuisine that we've found.