An Insider's Guide to St. Augustine: The Dining Scene
August 24, 2015 10 comments Print ArticleFrom EU Jacksonville: Jon Bosworth points to locally loved dining spots.
Article provided by EU Jacksonville
Around St. Augustine you’ll see bumper stickers that call us “a quaint little drinking village with a fishing problem.” That’s cute and all, but the truth is living in St. Augustine is not as charming as outsiders think. Trolleys are constantly in your way, the whole place smells like horse piss, and sometimes when you live here you feel like you live in Disney World. There are always more tourists than locals.
But a New St. Augustine is rising. The abandoned and forgotten Lincolnville neighborhood in Downtown’s back yard is being rejuvenated by hipsters, and it’s starting to look like a more tropical version of Brooklyn 10 years ago. And the millennials that grew up here have banded with some of the cool people Flagler College has brought here to start businesses that seem a lot less synthetic than the slogan tees and pirate themes of the rest of the city. St. Augustine is developing an authentic culture of its own, and it is making our city feel more like ours to locals.
Arnold’s – North St. Augustine
3912 N Ponce De Leon Blvd, St. Augustine, FL 32084 (904) 824-8738
When you first walk into this place, you will think we’ve made a mistake putting it on this list. First you have to understand that on most nights Arnold’s is a highly local bar where smoking is frequent and food is not available. But there is a secret: every Thursday is Steak Night, and steak night is magical.
Menu Highlights: The waitresses will ask you if you are eating tonight. YOU SAY YES! They will ask you one question: how do you want your steak cooked? They only serve one dish, and they only do it once a week, and it is worth it. The ribeye steak is grilled to perfection, delicious, and less than $15. It always comes with a baked potato, green beans and corn on the cob. Have a cocktail while they grill your steak. Hell, have a cigarette. You’ll get the second-hand smoke anyway.
Insider Tip: Bring your date right around 7:30. They will be surprised and delighted when Country Karaoke starts right around 8pm.
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