St. Augustine has its own hot pepper, and most visitors have never heard of it. The datil is small, yellow-orange, and packs a fruity kick that shows up in sauces, sandwiches, shrimp, and even cornbread around town.
It is tied to the Minorcan families who settled here long ago, which makes it a true local flavor. These five restaurants put datil heat front and center, from a sandwich counter on San Marco Avenue to a barbecue joint up State Road 13.
1. Drake’s Bistro, St. Augustine, FL
A cheesesteak with datil sauce might be the most St. Augustine sandwich you can order. At Drake’s Bistro on San Marco Avenue, the datil cheesesteak comes with pepper jack, and you can ask for extra datil sauce and cherry peppers if you want to turn up the heat.
The family-owned shop builds its sandwiches on baguette bread, and portions run big for the price. Most meals land in the $10 to $20 range.
Datil is not the only reason to stop. The menu includes Lexi’s Muffeleta, a Turkey Reuben, The BLT Tower, The Pig and Cheesy, and breakfast plates like Eggs Benedict and Drakes Country Breakfast.
Hours are Monday through Saturday, 8 AM to 3 PM, and the shop is closed Sunday. Weekday mornings are the quietest, while Saturday afternoon gets busy.
There is a free parking lot, which is a nice perk on this busy stretch near the historic district. Reservations are not taken, but counter service keeps things moving.
2. Smokin’ D’s BBQ, St. Augustine, FL
Five homemade sauces sit on the table here, and the Datil Pepper BBQ Sauce is the one that sends first-timers back for a second sample. Plenty of visitors meet the datil for the first time at Smokin’ D’s.
The North Ponce de Leon Boulevard spot sells smoked meats by the pound, plus sandwiches and classic comfort sides. Turkey is a strong pick, especially paired with the datil sauce or the horseradish mayo.
Feeding a crew? The Brisket Lunch Bucket and the BBQ Picnic for 2 make sharing easy.
Seating is outdoors, and dogs are welcome outside. Parking is plentiful, with a free lot and free street spots.
Plan around the schedule, since the restaurant is closed Monday and Tuesday. It opens Wednesday from 11 AM to 6:30 PM and Thursday through Sunday from 11 AM to 7:30 PM, with weekend afternoons drawing the biggest crowds.
3. Candlelight South Restaurant, St. Augustine, FL
Wings are the headliner at Candlelight South, and the sweet datil sauce is the reason they belong on this list. The wings are large and meaty, and the datil coating brings sweetness first with a pepper finish.
Not into sweet heat? The Candlelight Dry Rub wings are another popular route, served with ranch or blue cheese.
The family-owned tavern sits at 1 Anastasia Blvd, right at the island end of the Bridge of Lions. It is a casual spot with sports on TV and outdoor seating.
Beyond wings, the fried banana peppers are a signature starter. The menu also covers calamari, a patty melt, a French dip, a smash burger, and shrimp baskets.
Late hours help too. It is open daily from 11 AM, until 11 PM most nights and midnight on Friday and Saturday, and there is a kids’ menu plus high chairs for families.
4. Sunset Grille, St Augustine Beach, FL
Datil and shrimp is a classic local pairing, and Sunset Grille leans right into it. The Minorcan Datil Shrimp can be served over pasta or with rice and beans.
The restaurant mixes its own blend of datil pepper sauce. It works well with almost anything on the menu, so ask for some on the side.
This A1A Beach Boulevard landmark has a beachy, laid-back setting with ocean views and rooftop seating. Seafood is the focus, including grouper, peel and eat shrimp, coconut shrimp, and macadamia crusted mahi.
Save room for dessert. Key lime pie and peanut butter pie are both on the menu, along with crab bisque and chowder fries.
It is closed Tuesday and open 11 AM to 9 PM most other days, with later hours on Friday and Saturday. Sundays get busy, and reservations are not accepted, so arriving early helps.
5. Woodpeckers Backyard BBQ, St. Augustine, FL
Datil cornbread sounds like a dare, but it is one of the smartest sides in the county. Woodpeckers Backyard BBQ serves it sweet and spicy, right next to plates of brisket and ribs.
The datil theme continues with datil sausage, a fun change from standard links. Brisket, pulled pork, turkey, and half racks of ribs fill out the meat options, sold by the plate or by the pound.
The sides deserve attention here. Baked beans come loaded with chunks of meat, the mac and cheese is creamy, and the Pulled Pork Baked Potato works as a full meal.
For dessert, choose between blackberry cobbler, banana pudding, and eclair cake. Picking only one is the hard part.
The restaurant sits on State Road 13 North, a scenic drive along the St. Johns River side of the county. It is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 AM to 7 PM, closed Monday, and there is usually a wait, so a weekday visit is the easier play.
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