Places we'll miss. . .

© Copyright 2012 Lydia Hinshaw 

O'Steen's:  Small and always crowded

Hull's:  Just down the street

Rusty's:  All you can eat on the waterfront

 ORMOND BEACH, FL -- The seafood won't be fresh in Montana.

 This time of year, just before we leave for the summer, we make a point of eating a last meal at some of our favorite places, knowing it will be six months before we get another chance.

 Here are three, pictured in order of geography, north to south.

 O'Steen's is on A1A in St. Augustine, 50 miles north of home.  It's been there forever, but we only "discovered" it this past winter.  We'd passed by it many times before and always been put off either by the long line outside, or the "closed" sign the place sports on Sundays.  Last fall, we decided to brave the line and we learned why the place is so popular.

 The lightly breaded shrimp is the specialty and it's wonderful.  As a matter of fact, that's the only thing I've ever eaten at O'Steen's, although there are other tempting offerings.  Among side orders, the squash casserole and sweet potato casserole are also worth the half-hour we usually wait.

 Hull's Seafood Kitchen is on Granada Boulevard, the main east-west drag in our hometown.  It's four blocks from our house, an easy walk when we hanker for fresh seafood.  Hull's Seafood Market, next door has been there for decades.  The restaurant part of the business, just a few years old, has been a hit since the day it opened.

 There are outdoor tables in front, and picnic tables out back and indoor tables for those who prefer air conditioning.  You order at the counter and a server will bring your food to your chosen spot.

 Rusty's Seafood and Oyster Bar is in Port Canaveral, about 70 miles south of us.  The main attractions at Rusty's are the all-you-can-eat buffet for weekday lunches, and the vast deck overlooking the port.  The buffet is priced right at under $8 (can't remember the exact figure), and always has plenty of fried shrimp, fried fish, wings, pork roast, several vegetables, soup, salad fixings and a nice dessert.  You can order from the menu if you prefer.

 From the deck, depending on the day of the week, you can look across to a row of cruise ships in one direction, missile-tracking ships sprouting radar domes in the other and the usual pelicans, ospreys and seagulls passing by.

 All three will be places we'll often think about this summer.

 Right now, though, I'm looking forward to a greenhorn sandwich at McKenzie River Pizza, a Montana chain we frequented last summer.