Borillo’s Pizza & Subs in St. Augustine, FL

Borrillo’s Pizza & Subs

88 San Marco Ave
St. Augustine, FL 32084-3258
(904) 829-1133

Borillo's Pizz & Subs

This is a review in response to a question received from a follower of ours on Twitter. A couple from the Atlanta, GA area notified us that they would be visiting the First Coast area of Florida for a football game in late October. The location of their stay is just South of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida on A1A. There are little options when in this area of the coast. You can either drive north for 15 – 20 minutes or south to St. Augustine. St. Augustine has some good options BUT also has some really bad options as well. So on a sunny Florida afternoon I decided to make a stop near the intercoastal bridge in St. Augustine.

For a few years I have seen a little pizza place on A1A less than 5 minutes from the intercoastal bridge. As you drive into St Aug. you will see Borrillo’s on the right just before the tourist area starts. Do note that if you pass the parking lot for Borillo’s, you now have to drive almost 2 blocks south to turn right, then another 3 blocks to make the circle. You can go about a block south to turn left against the sightseeing trains and walking tourists in the area. So, try to make the lot the first time. The parking lot is small with more parking in the back of the restaurant.

Borillo's Store Front

As you walk by the front you will see the young guys in the kitchen window that faces the road, throwing pizza dough up in the air for preparation. The entrance is a glass door that is in the side of dining area. The place was very busy and congested when I walked in. I thought to myself that his would be a good time for me to wash my hands. So out the back door of the dining area to the restrooms I go. This door literally took me back outside. However it was a ‘fenced’ in area with plywood and lattice to keep the tourist from using the toilet. As I am looking to the path to the restroom I am wondering how they are able to have this area pass health code. This walkway outside the rear of the restaurant takes you by trash cans, rugs, mats that are drying, and an ice maker. Once I make it to the restroom I was kinda taken aback, due to the fact that it seems they do not have air conditioning in there. So as I wash my hands in this small and extremely hot bathroom, I am glad that I have nothing else that I need to do in there because I wanted out. So, I make my way past the mops, trash and other items to get back in the cafe.

Path to the Alleyway Bathroom

Once in the café, I noticed a very big challenge for me. For those of you who do not know, I am a very large man of over 300 lbs. Well, all of the booths are, let’s just say…not fat man friendly. The owner let me know that I could grab a resin chair that they had in the room and sit at the end of one of the tables. To me this was really not the option I was looking for. So I decided to order my slices to go. The owner and the girl behind the counter were very kind and tried to be as accommodating as they could.

2 Slices

Before I placed my order I looked to the wall at the menu. Everything on the menu was very reasonably priced. The most expensive item on the menu was a specialty pizza just over 18 bucks. Most of the items were under $7. Most of the subs (hot or cold) were under SIX dollars! This is for an 8 inch sub. This caught my attention. They even had garlic bread appetizers for $2.50 add cheese and it was still only 2.95. But on this stop I was craving some of their N.Y. style pizza. I went with 2 slices and an Arnold Palmer. As I waited to get my food to go I watched as the staff made sure the dine-in customers were taken care of. Even the owner was filling the drinks for some of the patrons. Oh, there we go. My food is ready.

Size of the Slice of Pizza

With it being such a nice day out, I decide to open the tailgate of my truck and hang out in the parking lot. As I open the bag I realize that I made a mistake with my order. That is right, I made the mistake. These pizza slices were the size of some people’s heads. In classic N.Y, fashion, you must fold this slice to eat it. The decision for me on this day was to get the sausage pizza. One of the things you notice inside is that they boast about the locals voting Borrillo’s as the best pizza in the area. Well, I have to say that this is a darn good slice. The Arnold Palmer wasn’t bad either and all for less than $6.50.

While I am standing there, the owner steps outside for a little break. I find out that his name is John and he and his wife are from Pittsburgh, Pa. Like many others he and his wife retired in Florida. They own and operate 2 Italian places. This one in St. Aug and Rocky’s in Flagler Beach, are about an hour south on A1A. John informs me that they have held the title of best pizza for several years running. He also tells me that he has been in the restaurant business for most of his life. The reason I tell you this is that it is good information. See if you find someone who on a whim decides to open a restaurant then be aware that they might not know what they are doing. I did not mention to him my displeasure with the bathroom area. But it will make me think twice about the next time I stop here.

As a matter of fact, I would recommend if you are visiting St. Augustine that you do make a stop here. But I would suggest you get the pie, calzone, sub or pasta to go. This would be a great meal to have back at the hotel or beach house that you are renting. Overall this is a great little place.

Review by Pie, email:  pie@piesplate.com