Crabby Joe’s
Located on the beach, just south of the Dunlawton Bridge, Crabby Joe’s is your basic “fish sandwich joint.” What sets Crabby Joe’s apart is the location.
The restaurant is on the Sunglow Fishing Pier meaning dining is over the ocean. The food is good, drinks are cold and service is quick giving time to enjoy the spectacular open-air (weather permitting) view of the ocean.
Other specials include pasta dishes, steak dinners as well as a breakfast menu. “Crabby’s Famous Fish Sandwich” for $7.95 is a good selection with the homemade chips or fries.
Address: 3701 South Atlantic Ave. Daytona Beach
Phone: (386) 788-3364
Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. – 7 days a week
Old Spanish Sugar Mill Grill
Located in DeLeon Springs State Park, this restaurant opened in 1961 and has been going strong since. It’s an old sugar mill, complete with grinding water wheel giving it a great atmosphere with many activities available at the state park to escape the hustle of Speedweeks.
Sandwiches made on whole grain bread and a complete breakfast menu is available; but, it’s the pancakes! From their website: Each of our tables are equipped with a griddle and we bring you pitchers of homemade pancake batters (both a stone ground mixture of five different flours and an unbleached white) and you pour them on and flip them over right at the table. You may order blueberries, bananas, peanut butter, pecans, chocolate chips, apples or apple sauce to create whatever sort of pancakes you choose.
Address: 601 Ponce DeLeon Blvd., DeLeon Spring Fla. (located inside DeLeon Springs State Park)
Phone: (386) 985-5644
Porto Fino
“If you like Italian cuisine, owner George will make sure you get your food and your racing fix. Drivers have been eating here for years – just ask George, he will tell you. This is a favorite Allison family hangout. The eggplant parmesan is to die for.”
n Liz Allison, The Ultimate NASCAR Insider’s Track Guide
Porto Fino is nothing fancy, just good Italian Food. Don’t go expecting an extensive wine list or a high-end atmosphere; it’s casual and very proud of that fact.
The restaurant opened in 1978 and serves pasta, pizza, veal, vegetarian dishes, chicken, Italian seafood and steaks.
Address: 3124 South Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores
Phone: (386) 767-9484
Hours: 4:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. – Monday through Saturday, Closed Sundays
Port Orange Steakhouse
Wood-fired steaks, ribs, chicken, seafood and chops headline the Port Orange Steakhouse. The comfortable atmosphere restaurant also has burgers, sandwiches, soups and salads as well as a full bar.
Freelance photographer David Griffin – not one to shy away from a good meal – suggests you: “must have vested shrimp for a starter”.
What is the vested shrimp? It is “large Gulf shrimp with fresh horseradish and wrapped with honey-peppered bacon, served with pineapple relish, honey mustard and BBQ sauce.”
Address: 3851 S. Nova Road, Port Orange, FL
Phone: (386) 756-2660
Hours: Sunday-Thursday: 11:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m
Friday-Saturday: 11:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
JB’s Fish Camp
You know you are close to the water when a restaurant sells bait and tackle, that’s the case with this favorite. JB’s has seating along the river -- where you can view a spectacular sunset -- or inside, live music and two fully stocked bars.
The attraction here is seafood though – all varieties done many different ways. Blue crabs, crab cakes, “pampered and petted” clams are some of the highlights as well as great fish meals and sandwiches. And, don’t forget their award winning chowder as well.
Address: 859 Pompano, New Smyrna Beach, Fla (corner of Pompano and A1A)
Phone: (386) 427-5747
Favorite Racing Theme’s Places
Racing’s North Turn Beach Bar and Grill
This favorite site is located where the north turn of the beach course took cars from the beach to A1A from 1936 through 1958. To this day, it’s not uncommon for a current driver or racing legend to stop in and look at the extensive photo library collection, many items donated by the legends themselves.
From the food perspective, this is a great beach bar with open air dinning and wonderful food – everything from seafood snacks to sandwiches to steaks and pasta. And with live music it’s a great place to spend a few hours with racing friends.
Address: 4511 S. Atlantic Ave., Ponce Inlet, Fla.
Phone: (386) 322-3258
The Brickyard Bar and Grill
Since 1992, “Renny” Miles has operated the favorite located just five minutes from the track. This A-framed restaurant is filled with racing memorabilia, some historic and others the current-day colors.
The burgers are outstanding and come highly recommended. Sandwiches, chicken wings and a large variety of other items are sure to fill you up as well.
Address: 747 International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach
Phone: (386) 253-2270
Other Suggestions:
The Chart House
This is the “seen” or “be seen” high-end restaurant in Daytona Beach. Located at 1110 Marina Point Drive, this is the spot where drivers, team owners and sponsors go for fine dining. Reservations are definitely needed and at times during “Speedweeks” can be very tough to come by.