Austons on 98 — Restaurant in Florida

I had an absolutely fantastic experience at this restaurant, and I’m thrilled to give it a well-deserved 5-star review! My waitress, Katiara, provided exceptional service that truly elevated the entire dining experience, and the chicken wings were nothing short of phenomenal. From the moment I arrived, Katiara greeted me with a warm, welcoming smile that immediately made me feel at home. Her professionalism and genuine enthusiasm for her job were evident throughout the evening. She was attentive without being intrusive, striking the perfect balance to ensure I felt well taken care of. Katiara took the time to explain the menu in detail, offering thoughtful recommendations that showed her deep knowledge of the offerings. When I asked for her input, she confidently suggested the chicken wings, and I’m so glad I listened! The chicken wings were, without exaggeration, some of the best I’ve ever had. Perfectly cooked, they were crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside, and coated in a sauce that was the ideal blend of tangy, spicy, and savory. Each bite was packed with flavor, and the portion size was generous, making it a satisfying highlight of the meal. The presentation was also spot-on, with the wings arranged neatly alongside fresh celery sticks and a creamy dipping sauce that complemented them perfectly. What stood out just as much as the food was Katiara’s impeccable service. She checked in at just the right moments, ensuring my drink was refilled and that everything was to my satisfaction without ever making me feel rushed. She anticipated my needs before I even had to ask, like bringing extra napkins right as I started to dig into the wings. Her friendly demeanor and attention to detail made the meal feel special, like I was a valued guest rather than just another customer. The atmosphere of the restaurant was inviting, with a clean and cozy dining area that added to the overall enjoyment. But it was Katiara’s dedication that truly made the experience memorable. She handled a busy dining room with ease, and I noticed her giving the same level of care to every table, which speaks volumes about her professionalism and work ethic. Even when I had a small question about the menu, she answered with patience and enthusiasm, making sure I had all the information I needed. The rest of the meal was equally delightful, with every dish arriving promptly and at the perfect temperature. The kitchen staff clearly knows what they’re doing, and paired with Katiara’s outstanding service, it made for a dining experience that I’ll be raving about for weeks. I left the restaurant feeling completely satisfied, both with the food and the exceptional care I received. If you’re looking for a place that combines delicious food with top-notch service, this is it. Ask for Katiara when you visit—you won’t be disappointed! I’m already looking forward to my next trip back to enjoy those incredible chicken wings and Katiara’s warm hospitality. Thank you for an...

My first trip to Auston's on 98. I don't live far from it so not sure why I had not visited earlier. It is right beside a large Winn-Dixie on Poinciana. It is not visible from Highway 98 despite the name of the restaurant. Not a big deal but if you are looking for it on the main highway, you won't find it.

Auston's has more TV screens (65-inch variety) than any restaurant I have ever been in. All it was missing was one really large screen to rival a movie house. No doubt, that would be very expensive and probably not available locally.

My reason for visiting was to try the oysters. This may not be the best time of the year for them. I have had them in several restaurants recently and they are always very small. This was no exception.

The fried oysters tasted good. There was a lot of breading and the oysters were served hot. They were pretty small ones so the breading kind of took over the oyster. The serving was quite large though. After the first couple, I started using the (hot) cocktail sauce and that flavor overtook the taste of the breading.

I also had broiled oysters. (I came here for the oysters; it made sense to try more than one kind—that was my logic anyway.)

I ordered them with garlic and butter sauce only instead of including the cheese. For anyone who likes the taste of oysters, the cheese flavor dominates the flavor so the dish ends up tasting more like a squishy cheese sandwich.

These oysters were also served very hot. There were a dozen of them and also quite small. Several of them were burned by the hot broiler. The flavor was good and I enjoyed them. There were several pieces of bread in the center (see photo). It looked good and had a pleasant appearance. The bread was stale which was disappointing.

The oysters can be ordered in several varieties, such as Oysters Rockefeller. These should be good, based on the order of oysters that I had, but would be better if larger ones were available.

My dining companion had fried scallops. They were small scallops with good flavor. They were not overdone which is a common problem with this dish in some restaurants.

The restaurant was clean and had plenty of seating. The service was good. The ambiance was friendly with a strong sports bar vibe.l Numerous TV broadcasts of sporting events were on with a large modern version of a pinball machine hugging the wall near our table. No doubt, a good location to watch an Alabama or Florida State football game with friends while drinking and eating.

Pricing is reasonable. Inflation is still biting and restaurant prices are going up everywhere. An oyster dish that may have been $18 a year or two ago is now closer to $28 or so.

For those in the area who are tired of sitting down at one of the local restaurants with similar menus, this may be a...

Awful customer service..AVOID at all costs. Manager doubles as bartender and is miserable and lacks any personality. Shows as open until 10 p.m. but Manager starts shutting bar down at 7:30....has staff mopping the floor while your eating at 7:45. When asked what time they close we were told 9.....when we mentioned web showing 10 we were dismissed and as he had his back turned he mumbled that is tor in season time???? Had to beg for each drink we wanted after 8... Group of 7 came in at 8:30 and Manager/bartender throws stuff around and looks at his girlfriend who barflys there and angrily says " I guess I won't be home until 12 again". Made that group so uncomfortable they asked at 9 what time was closing and despite the lie he told our group he told them 10??? They soon left, since atmosphere was so uncomfortable, sans 1 person. 8 minutes left in the football game Manager gets into it with the 1 person the group left behind because his girlfriend got into his convo and was told to stay out of it. Manager then snatches his drink and proceeded to tell everyone they are closed...not 10 yet....and runs everyone out. When ask if we can finish watching the game he snatches our drinks as well and says no.. we disagree with their policy, get into verbal jab and the 1 person who seemed halfway happy to be there comes out of the back..."claims" to be owner at which point we suggest she fire her Manager/bartender. They live off tourist season and dismiss locals during off season because of this Entitled attitude. Poor service because they know just because of location the can be horrible and...