Aunt Kate's Restaurant

Quality Family Dining on Florida's Tolomoto River

Menu
  • Welcome
  • Banquets & Catering
  • Menu
  • History
  • Directions
  • Contact Us

Over 100 Years Ago

While out sailing one day in February of 1900, Standard Oil and Railroad magnet, Henry Flagler stopped at North Beach and asked Catherine and Frank Usina if they could prepare a meal of roasted local oysters for himself and a group of friends. The Usina’s agreed. Afterwards, a hat was passed and they were presented with what was more than a weeks’ salary at that time.

That began a tradition of serving fresh, local seafood that survived the depression and spanned the transition from Usina’s Pavilion to Oscar’s Old Florida Restaurant through several operators until the restaurant burned in September 2001.

Frank Andreu Usina’s family was one of several indentured servants from the island of Menorca who fled the failed English Colony at New Smyrna to safety in St. Augustine in 1768.

In 1900, Frank was a carpenter working in Miami for Henry Flagler’s Florida East Coast Railroad when a yellow fever epidemic shut down all work. Not being able to return to work in Miami because of the quarantine he and his young bride, Catherine Evans, stayed in a small building remnant of the failed North Beach residential development circa 1890. The building stands today as the center structure of the Usina family home where Mary Louise Usina Brown and her husband lived.

Frank and Catherine decided to remain at North Beach and cater to St. Augustine’s winter guests who came in their own boats. Palmetto thatched structures were constructed to serve meals consisting often of oysters, clam chowder, potato salad, baked beans and biscuits. Sometimes chicken or shrimp pilau (a Menorcan rice dish) or fried fish were available.

Soon a boat was rented to transport guests from St. Augustine (less than five miles away). By 1910 a larger boat was purchased and a barn raising one weekend added the building that served many thousands over more than 90 years.

Pictures and artifacts line the walls of the charming waterside restaurant the Usina family opened March of 2009. Named “Aunt Kate’s” for Catherine Usina, as she was known by the extended family, you’ll find steamed oysters and crabs, pilau, and fried fish and shrimp as part of our extensive menu.

  • TripAdvisor

Welcome  |  Banquets & Catering  |  Menu  |  History  |  Contact Us  |  Directions

Phone: 904.829.1105     |     612 Euclid Ave. St. Augustine, FL 32084

Copyright ©2015-23 — Aunt Kate's Restaurant — All Rights Reserved.
website designed, hosted & maintained by strait web solutions

Privacy Policy — ADA Compliance Policy
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT