Santa Maria Restaurant, Saint Augustine

We ate at the Santa Maria on July. The prices are overly inflated, and the food is so-so. The scallops and shrimp platter didn't even taste fresh. But what really got me was the bubble gum stuck to the bottom of my son's plate when the food was brought to him. I can't believe no one in the kitchen noticed a big piece of bubble gum stuck to the plate. When we notified the waiter about it he said, "Someone was being a snot." What a comment to add to the already unappetizing atmosphere. He did bring him a new plate, but looking back, we should have insisted that our son's meal be free. Feeding the fish was not worth it!

The good things about the restaurant is that you have a beautiful view of the harbor and you can feed the catfish while you dine, but the problem is the dining itself! The service was abysmal, the prices high and the food quality pathetic. The fried food was grossly overcooked with some of the chewiest shrimp ever tasted, while the fish was clearly from the freezer with the outside hot and inside still partially frozen. When we asked for a customer comment card, we were informed they had none. We were not asked about how our experience was, probably for obvious reasons! The crowning insult was when we received our bill (over $100 for six) and saw that they had charged a gratuity of 20%! This is the worst restaurant experience I have ever had and I will not return here!

Favorite Dish: Nothing was very good. In fact, the bread they gave to feed the fish was actually better than the rolls provided for the people. That should have told us what was in store for the rest of our dining experience!

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We always see this restaurant when we come through town, but we never eat here because we've been told (by the people who live here) that

*the food isn't very good and
*neither is the service.

They say it is a tourist trap. The only good thing about it seems to be that the children will have fun feeding the fish.

Start with an ideal location overlooking scenic Matanzas Bay and the Bridge of Lions, add a menu specializing in a variety of seafood and steaks, a full service bar & lounge, and the novelty of feeding the fish or birds from your table...all this and the friendly staff make for a unique dining experience that should not be missed!

Favorite Dish: Catfish and several steak varities.

One of our favorites is the Santa Maria which is on the Intercoastal Waterway close to the fort and the bridge.
On a dock on the water. You can watch the boats go by and the bridge go up.

Favorite Dish: Grouper or lobster