Guest column: Give Barnacle Bills a try

By Amber J. Cabrera
St. Augustine

Growing up in St. Augustine, some of my favorite memories are of going out to eat with my mother and grandmother.

One of our favorite places to go was Barnacle Bills.

Having recently moved back to the Nation’s Oldest City, I was excited to visit Barnacle Bills again. My experience was just as I had remembered it.

Located on Castillo Drive, across from the Visitors Information Center and the parking garage in historic downtown St. Augustine, you can find the perfect spot to have lunch in between touring the sites. They are open seven days a week (11:00 a.m. – 9 p.m.) with two locations. The other location is beachside on A1A Beach Blvd.

The general ambiance is one of a casual dining atmosphere. The nautical décor plays up the seafood menu and the customer service is timely and engaging.

The menu is seafood mostly but also serves chicken and sirloin. They also have a varied kids menu which includes hamburgers and chicken strips. Beer and wine are also served.

I ordered the Shrimp Buster platter which includes 12 large shrimp, two sides (I got coleslaw and French fries), and a large hushpuppy. It was a tough decision as they also offer their Dat’l Do It shrimp platter. The Dat’l Do It sauce is an original staple in St. Augustine and definitely something to try when you get the opportunity.

I was unable to finish everything on my plate as they offer large portions. The shrimp and the hushpuppies are huge and overall I was very satisfied with the food.

This is a great place for group events and they even have group plan menus for seniors and students.

If you are looking for great seafood that is reasonably priced and conveniently located near all the major tourist attractions, you should give Barnacle Bills a try.

Amber J. Cabrera is an author, freelance writer, public relations specialist and Marine Corps veteran. She has written for several national and trade publications.