Our server, Claire, handles social media posts for the Beachcomber and made our beachside lunch even more enjoyable. (Beachcomber Photo)
It is not the fanciest restaurant on St. Augustine Beach but the Beachcomber is one of our favorite places to dine when we visit here.
We first stumbled on it by accident when I was out running one day and looking for a way to cut over from the street to the ocean and chanced cutting over on A Street. It did lead to the beach but it also took me by Beachcomber which is directly on the beach of Anastasia Island in St. Augustine, Fla.
One chat with the hostess convinced me we needed to come back to eat and we have now been going for about five years and did again this week when my son, daughter-in-law and two grandsons were with us for the first time.
Dress is casual and then more casual. You can wear a bathing suit, tank top. flip flops or just about anything else you want. Some tables are located in the sand next to the sand dune where kids — and adults — love to put their feet in the sand and play.
The restaurant has daily specials along with a terrific beach menu that features fish tacos, gigantic burgers of different kinds, wings, chowders, other seafood and more, not to mention the huge selection of craft and domestic beers along with tropical drinks.
We had Mahi nachos with melted monterey jack cheese, pineapple pico and sriracha mayo that our server Claire correctly predicted we would love.
My favorite burger is the “Shipwreck” , which is a 1/3 pound burger with fried shrimp and house made tartar sauce. Another winner for me are the blackened Baja fish tacos with shredded cabbage and Baja sauce. No matter which dish I have, my side choice is always red beans and rice — the best on the island.
My youngest grandson is a “wing” guy and really liked the classic wings.
But you can get everything from gator tail to Minorcan clam chowder to a Tampa Bay Cuban sandwich to a fish reuben sandwich to Maryland blue crab ravioli.
The staff is always great, including the chef, but our server was the best we’ve had. Claire is a recent University of South Carolina graduate and journalism major who handles social media posts for the restaurant. She had great advice on food choices and life at the beach in general.
If you are in the St. Augustine area, try Beachcomber for a casual but unique setting with great food. My guess is if you go once, you’ll be back.
Just remember parking is limited so bring your patience with you along with your appetite.
6 Responses
You find the best places (and people).
I try Karen
LV – food critic may be in your future.
That would be nice
Their conch fritters are the best anywhere!
I may have to go back for those Connie