Celestia's Coastal Cuisine — Restaurant in Jacksonville

The environment is great. Plenty of parking. Great location of the strip mall. The staff I encountered was very friendly, professional, very helpful and understanding. I was extremely impressed with the speed of service.They made my 1st time visiting a great experience. However I wasn't impressed with the food quantity to price ratio. When I think of the travel plus price and amount of food I'm losing. I can go to a closer restaurant and get more food for half the price. I want to give them another try. But I must admit what I ordered wasn't bad, but it was plain/basic. I've had Basa from other restaurants and all served larger portions and more flavorful. The hush puppies were good. The cole slaw was great in taste but you can see it had been refrigerated for a while due to the very light tint on top. And the fries are frozen crinkle fries which was fine. But again portion to price. The fried shrimps where great!!!! I think if I return I'll stick to the shell fish. That may be their specialty. Because everybody that brags ate the same thing. However to be fair, it could have just been my plate. That happens everywhere. And I happen to be that person that give reviews. I've heard great things about this place. All are true. However when it came to my plate of food I honestly was less then impressed. I don't know if I'll return. I really want to support them. And feel you should try them for yourself. I didn't go at a busy time which could've played a part in...

I wish I could say that it was a pleasant experience being that I strongly advocate support of African American businesses, but unfortunately I cannot. Let me just say, the ONLY reason for the 2 stars is solely due to the professionalism and kindness of the cashier. She was a cute little young lady that wore glasses. The owner/ cook however is a different story. It was near closing time and I ordered the crab cake meal which typically comes with ONE HUSHPUPPY ( so I was told). When I checked my box there was no hushpuppy...when I asked the owner/ cook told me they didn't have any more and made absolutely NO attempt to substitute. I then asked if I could have cornbread in place of the missing hushpuppy that typically comes with the meal. I overheard the lovely cashier say to the owner/ cook behind the counter say to her "YOU'RE WRONG FOR THAT" nor knowing what she was referring to as she took the cornbread from the cook. I soon discovered what she meant. The cornbread piece she gave me was a piece of cornbread the size of my PINKY finger. I addressed this with the cook since it was obvious customer service was not something she was interested in. I bet you think she gave me a better piece...Right? NOT! I understand people have bad days but when you have a business, you also have an obligation to your customers...TRY NOT TO FORGET THAT. Think I'll try Soulfood...

Unfortunately, the food was absolutely horrible and I was extremely disappointed, especially with it being my first time eating there. I got a seafood macaroni that was so gross and fishy that I couldn't even eat it. It definitely tasted off and it did not taste like any seafood macaroni I had ever had before. Also what really frustrated me is, I in conversation told the lady at the cash register that I was pescatarian and I only ate seafood. But when I proceeded to order a side of butter beans not one time did she tell me that it had ham pieces in it and unfortunately that is the one mistake I made being in a hurry I did not check the bag before I left. But with it being a new place and supposedly having won all these Awards, I thought I could give them the benefit of doubt of serving me a decent meal. That's my fault for thinking that. And that's an entire meal that was just completely wasted and I'm out $17 for. I mean it was bad enough that the butter beans cost $4 for literally the smallest 4 bites portion ever, on top of the fact that I couldn't eat any of my meal. I definitely will never be going back to this...