The Columbia Restaurant in St. Augustine, FL | Famous 1905 Salad & Florida’s Best Cuban Sandwich

From Tampa all my life of 60 years... The Colombia has ALWAYS had terrible food.. we would neve suggest the place..never..they cant even make a good Cuban sandwich...trust me,

Enjoy your restaurant reviews. Keep it up! My wife and I live in The Villages and have been to the St Augustine Columbia a half dozen times or so. Every time was good. You might want to give the original in Ybor City (Tampa) a try as well, but do so when you can take in the Flamenco show.

One of our favorite restaurants. Paella, gaspacho, sangria.

They really need to update the uniforms the staff are required to wear. It is not realistic nor fun to wear that during a shift in the heat of Florida (even inside).

I got my first job here as a hostess when I was 16. I wa grateful and happy and at that age I was willing to wear whatever I was told without any thought about how ridiculous it was. I had to wear these long sleeve white shirts with a long skirt, tights and heeled shoes. Not high heels, just heeled. It was torture. It's hot as heck in Florida. At the very least, let the employee's arm breathe, damn!

I understand they want to give off a "classy" vibe but even though this isn't a cheap place to eat, its also not some Michelin star restaurant or upper class place for millionares only. They could absolutely allow more reasonable clothing while still withholding high standards, and I doubt patrons would even notice or care enough to be bothered by it anyway. I guarantee employees would have a morale boost if they were able to be more comforably dressed.

The service at Columbia is terrible at times and the food is not as good as other places in St Augustine.Worst experience I had there we decided to walk out after being sat at our table and not one of the staff greeted us or offered water. That was the longest 15 mins during a slow Monday at 6pm. If you read enough reviews this is a normal thing. You will either wait way too long to get your food or wait way too long to order. Take it from a local and skip this place..

Go there every trip to St. Aug. My standing order is sangria, half and half salad and bean soup. Always delish!

Does the young lady talk??

He runs 7 different names of restaurants! Waiters, waitresses and staff work a lifetime in Tampa and have a very high income too!!

Casey Gonzmart is the owner with his daughter. His great grand father started it ! Its the oldest restaurant in Florida!!

Take off your hat and stay awhile!

At burns. They have 9 dining rooms and are booked solid every night, so dont just show up and think you are going to dine there, you arent!!

Try Burn's restaurant in Tampa if u can afford it! Burns has the largest wine cellar in the world of any restaurant!!

There are 7 locations!!

An old one is in Ybor City (Tampa on 7th Avenue.
ST GEORGE'S STREET IN ST. AUGUSTINE.,FL.

Excellent video!

Were you there last week (Thanksgiving week) too? We stayed a few days in Vilano Beach. Still have not tried Columbia in St. Augustine but I have been to the one in Tampa. So many great food choices in St. Aug!

What a beautifully decorated restaurant! I would say a great place to take guests, for sure. Not just a typical run-of-the-mill place.

I love ropa vega. So good and the paella is great!! Glad u liked it

We have great memories with friends and family 👪 at this restaurant. La comida es riquisima! For the ambiance, history and their great employees it's a fantastic deal.

Some friends of ours from The Villages recently spent 4 or 5 days in Saint Augustine. We've planned to visit Saint Augustine, but whenever we visit The Villages, we're typically there for a week and want to soak it all in. Hopefully we'll move there in a few years and then we can get out and explore. My daughter had considered Flagler College for a while, the campus is just so beautiful. If I was at this restaurant, I would order the "half and half combo", cuban sandwich with a 1905 salad. Great minds... But I'm always a sucker for chicken croquettes, as my dad and I used to always order them at a certain restaurant in New Hampshire. Although that Shrimp and Crabmeat casserole does look very appetizing, as does the Scallops Casimiro... I also had my eye on the white chocolate bread pudding. Your chocolate dessert looked VERY good! Pretty busy for being 3:45 pm in the afternoon. Loved the gift shop!

We were going to have lunch at the Columbia in Celebration, but opted instead to make an impromptu visit to The Villages on that day. Went to a few Open Houses and had lunch at TooJays in LSL. Needed to get our Villages fix.

Thank you guys, we planning on going soon to San Augustine, maybe we can give this place a try, God bless

Nice Cuban restaurant! Cuban bread is the bomb. You have to try it with olive oiland fresh garlic and lightly toasted..yum! Thank you for sharing. Never heard of this restaurant/s. Im a Cuban living in Miami considering moving to the Central Florida area. I realize this is closer to Pan Handle but you mentioned there were other locations and a drive somewhere is always fun. Vaca Frita is one of my favorites with Moros and Yuca with garlic sauce. I like to put a little hot sauce and lime on my vaca frita but that a personal choice. Not everyone does. Usually most just put some lime. Glad you enjoyed it!! As an aside..Flan is the most traditional dessert and guava something too.

My husband and I live in Clermont and recently discovered your channel. We have been enjoying watching all your restaurant review videos! Your attention to detail is really what we love! I hope your channel continues to grow. You have become one of our faves!

Great restaurant! Thank you for sharing your experience with us.

If you are going to be in St Augustine for a few days, you should try Sarbez gourmet grilled cheese (I know you love grilled cheese). They are just cross the Lion bridge, at 115 Anastasia Blvd.They have a unique decor, with arcade games.

Everything looked wonderful. I have been to the Ybor City location as well as St Augustine and St Armand’s Circle. My favorites are the salad, Cuban sandwich and bean soup. The mojito looks great too! BTW, you should go to St Armand’s Circle if you haven’t been there. A lot of cool shops.

👍👍

Thank you loved the table service