The quesadilla is the perfect hand-held meal. Sure, the little ones love the simple ones, but all ages can get on board when quesadillas are taken to another level. From modern twists on the authentic classics to a quesadilla stuffed with pulled bbq-pork, the chefs of St. Augustine have made the quesadilla their canvas. Seafood staples, jerk chicken, and ghost peppers abound! Grab a seat at one of these St. Augustine spots and dig in.
Sea-Style Quesadilla
A1A Burrito Works-Taco Shop
Even though Taco Shop is a local favorite because of their cheesy UFOs, all of their food is fresh, delicious, and filling. The Sea-style Quesadillas are filled with cheese, rice, shrimp, beans and come with sour cream and salsa. The seasonings are perfect, the wrap is grilled to just the right temperature so when you take a bite, get ready for a good cheese-pull. Pair it with any of their beers on tap and you have a quality dinner for a laid-back beach-side price!
www.burritoworks.com
Pesto Chicken Quesadilla
Cafe Eleven
Stepping it up a notch from the traditional quesadilla, the people over at Cafe Eleven have added a little bit of flair to the classic dish. They’ve got a typical contender, chicken, mixed into it but they add tons of basil and pesto as well as stretchy mozzarella which give the meal different flavors and textures that many are not so accustomed to! Served with salsa, avocado, and sour cream, all fresh, this inexpensive meal is anything but cheap. Enjoy one after a day of relaxing on the beach alongside any of the other delicious things on their menu.
www.originalcafe11.com
Jerk Chicken and Pineapple Quesadilla
The Back 40 Cafe
Jerk seasoning is THE seasoning of the beautiful island of Jamaica. It is spicy, filled with flavor and the perfect match for juicy and sweet pineapple. The Back 40 Cafe is combining those delicious flavors with chicken, shredded cheddar jack cheese, sour cream, fresh salsa, lettuce, and pickled jalapenos. The flavor combo is a trifecta of rich cheese and sweet fruit and that subtle kick from the seasonings. It is to-die-for!
www.back40cafe.com
Quesadilla de Milagro
Milagro on 12
Last but absolutely not least, the Quesadilla de Milagro. I’d recommend it with steak but every quesadilla is made with cheddar and queso fresco. Not many ingredients you may think, but when the flavors have meddled together so well, you are left lacking absolutely nothing. Grilled to perfection on a 10-inch tortilla, this is a modern take on a classic. Add a fresh squeeze of lime with every bite and you are in for a flavorful treat.
www.oddbirdsgroup.com
Pulled Pork Quesadilla
MOJO Old City BBQ
You read that right! A Pulled Pork Quesadilla can be found down on Cordova Street at MOJO Old City BBQ. Veering off the path of the traditional quesadilla stuffed with chicken or shrimp, this one is filled with a heaping amount of MOJO’s deliciously-tender pulled pork, coated in their signature sauce. To give it some more flavor, they add in jack and cheddar cheese, press it together and serve it piping hot! It’s on the appetizer side of the menu but does just perfect for a single dinner plate. Enjoy it with one of their many types of whiskey or a glass of Cheerwine!
www.mojobbq.com
Ghost Pepper and Braised Pork Quesadilla
Casa Maria
This one is not for the faint of heart. At Casa Maria, they kept the ingredients list for this quesadilla short, using only tender braised pork shoulder as the meat. The star of the show is the hot ghost pepper cheese that is smoked to perfection. All wrapped up with a huge flour tortilla and served with delicious Mexican rice and refried frijoles, this meal will soon become one of your favorites!
www.casamariastaugustine.com
Surf and Turf Quesadilla
Cantina Louie
Cantina Louie is a personal favorite of mine, the authentic flavors and decoration making for a zesty experience. Aside from the West Coast Burrito, the Surf and Turf Quesadilla is absolutely to-die-for. It is stuffed with grilled shrimp, steak, shredded cheese and a fantastic sriracha ranch that adds just a little bit of heat. Served with rice, lettuce, queso fresco, tomatoes and sour cream, this delicious little pouch of flavor will have you venturing back for more!
www.cantinalouie.com
Featured image via Cantina Louie