Any good restaurants in Jacksonville and St. Augustine

[Sugarsnap]

I am from Southern California (Santa Monica) and will be in Jacksonville and St. Augustine for the first week in May and would like to visit some of the great local restaurants. I have never been before and don't know what to look for. I will have a car and I love fresh seafood and key lime pie. What at the best areas to visit. I appreciate any suggestions.

[cavandre]

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/755498

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/753722

[prairieprincess]

There is an older review from january that lists some great St. Augustine restaurants. I tried several when i was there in feb.......all were wonderful.....good luck

[magwiech]

Osteen's has huge butterfly shrimp - order them fried with their absolutely fabulous "pink" sauce. By far the best I've ever tasted. It's an extremely casual, family style restaurant, but be prepared to WAIT in line (huge lines). But it will be worth the wait. They also have excellent southern sides - the pole beans were delicious. You can also order to go at the window.

[cavandre]

We hit O'Steens last fall & my recommendations are...
1. If you can go for a late (after 1:30) lunch instead of dinner, you'll avoid the long wait.
2. If your idea of perfect fried shrimp has a super crunchy coating, you won't find it here. This is a very light coating perfectly cooked version, but didn't hit a 10 on my scale. (I thought their fried chicken was more memorable.) Bottom line...I wouldn't wait 1+ hours to have them again.
3. This is a cash only, no credit card operation.