CASTAWAYS RESTAURANT

Is CASTAWAYS RESTAURANT clean? No — a D, 68/100, at its most recent inspection on May 1, 2026. That visit logged 3 high-priority, 1 intermediate, and 5 basic violations.

Inspectors cited 3 high-priority, 1 intermediate, and 5 basic violations. That leaves it safer than 15% of Lake County restaurants we grade. On the upside, the trend has been improving. Safer, higher-graded options nearby are listed below.

D grade · 68/100 · safer than 15% of Lake County restaurants we grade

Get directions Call (352) 759-2494

Safer options nearby

Higher-graded restaurants close to CASTAWAYS RESTAURANT, by Florida DBPR grade:

Restaurant details

Health grade
D (68/100)
Violations
9 total — 3 high-priority, 1 intermediate, 5 basic
Address
23525 SR 40, Astor, FL
Cuisine
Seafood
Categories
Seafood restaurant, Family restaurant, Hamburger restaurant, Restaurant
Price
$10–20
Rating
4.4 stars (1676 reviews)
Seats
150
Phone
(352) 759-2494
Website
Official website
Photo of CASTAWAYS RESTAURANT
Photo: Castaways Restaurant

Community Rating

Reviews via Google
4.4 Community-sourced rating 1,676 reviews
Read all reviews on Google →

What diners say — our read

The crowd and the kitchen disagree here, and the gap is wide. Where how guests are treated comes up, the rating that follows averages 4.5, so it reads as a strength.

5 stars is the modal score, given by 16 of the 19 reviewers who rated. Behind those, price is raised in 16% of reviews (4.0 average). Of the 19 rated reviews, 16 sit at four stars or better and 3 at two or below.

None of that is visible in a star rating: the most recent DBPR inspection graded this kitchen a D (68/100), citing 3 high-priority, 1 intermediate, and 5 basic violations. Diner sentiment and inspection result are measuring different things here, and only one of them is checked by the state. That inspection was on May 1, 2026. The trend across inspections is improvement. That puts it ahead of 15% of graded kitchens in Lake County. Among the items recorded were cross-contamination and in-use food dispensing utensils properly stored.

Taken together, this is a place diners like and inspectors do not. A good meal and a clean kitchen are different questions. Read the originals below and judge the pattern yourself.

Our own analysis of 19 reviews for this restaurant, set against its Florida DBPR inspection record. How we calculate grades →

  • June 19, 2026

    I have eaten here several times. The food is good , the service friendly. The atmosphere is more bar like than restaurant. I'll be back.

  • June 18, 2026

    Ordered a fish reuben sandwich. Toast bread was BURNT. Had to remove bread and eat remains as a plate dish. Fish was great, but sandwich was a disappointment, to say the least.

  • June 16, 2026

    Had their cheeseburger..it was delicious. Will definitely go back for another one. Ps..Been back a few times. Never disappointed. Pics are what wr had today😋😋

  • June 11, 2026

    Victoria was our server and she was amazing. Very friendly, informative and attentive. Our meals were delicious and cooked to perfection. 2 of us had the 1 lb double cheeseburger with fresh cut fries. Sheila had the shrimp and fish and she took 1/2 of the fish home and made a fish sandwich for dinner the next day. The atmosphere was very welcoming, festive and friendly. We really enjoyed the food here and we look forward to returning.

  • June 4, 2026

    Great food and atmosphere

  • May 19, 2026

    Brenda was an excellent waitress!!

  • May 18, 2026

    Brenda was our server and she made our first ever visit to Castaways memorable. So friendly and a pleasure to meet. The food was also amazing. From the Fried Green Tomatoes, Clam Chowder, Fried Shrimp meal and my Fish and Chips. Everything was so good. Thanks for a great lunch.

  • May 17, 2026

    Love the food and great service.

  • May 17, 2026

    Always good food

  • May 11, 2026

    Unfortunately we did not have a good food experience at Castaways in Astor. We spent around $220 on our meal and left really disappointed. The crab legs did not taste fresh, the chicken Alfredo tasted freezer burned like it had been frozen and reheated, and the shrimp were difficult to peel and lacked flavor. The butter tasted watered down, and even the Old Bay seasoning tasted mixed down with other seasonings. My sons also did not enjoy their burgers or fries because everything tasted under seasoned and watered down. Overall the food quality did not match the price at all. We really wanted to enjoy our experience, but sadly it was not worth the money. Our server was kind. We probably could’ve spoken up about the food but my wife didn’t want to complain on Mother’s Day. Needless to, we won’t be eating there again.

  • May 3, 2026

    Excellant food and service! Very clean and nice location as well... glad the old owners are back!!!

  • April 25, 2026

    Amazing Food and Amazing Place 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾 Kaley provided an excellent service, food was genuinely delicious, Bacon Wrapped Shrimp? Absolutely!!!! Will definitely be coming back and recommend it 1000%

  • April 21, 2026

    My wife and I stopped in while looking for a new restaurant. Our server Shara (I sure hope I got that right) was exceptional both in reception and recommendation. I ordered the crab stuffed flounder with collard greens and mashed potatoes and gravy while my wife ordered the Lobster Roll with cheesy grits. The only thing missing was a water view....the food was simply delicious and something I can't wait to return and enjoy again. We don't know how we missed this. My guess is we thought it was a bar, but the food and service prove it is much more than that. We are so glad we stopped, this place allows one to come in and enjoy a wonderful food experience comparable or better than anything you'll get at the more upscale places at twice the cost. We will definitely refer and return.... Guy and Elaine of Ocala Florida

  • April 18, 2026

    We stopped after a Men's Conference for lunch and it was about 18 men. The front area was full so the placed us all in the area that was destinated for large party. The server was older and should have had another person to help her. It took an hour just to get our drinks! The food came to use one, sometimes two plates at a time. I ordered the catfish basket and my fish didn't taste seasoned. I do not think I would visit this restaurant again.

  • April 15, 2026

    Food was great.

  • April 13, 2026

    Best fried fish I ever had

  • April 10, 2026

    This is a great hole in the wall place to eat and has great burgers!

  • April 3, 2026

    Was Good food, Good service, all around Good time.

  • April 2, 2026

    Old school restaurant with great food, service, & prices. It is clean with everything you want with out the tourist fancy news that tha chain cookie cutters add for which you must pay extra! 😉

Overall Score

54 / 100

  • Health inspection grade 10/40
    Grade D
  • Dietary transparency 20/20
    7 options listed
  • Community rating 18/20
    4.4★ average
  • Hidden-gem status 0/10
    Not flagged
  • Track record 6/10
    Improving, 0% clean

Composite score from health grade, dietary options, ratings, and inspection record — distinct from the state-derived health grade.

Opening hours

Monday
11 AM to 9 PM
Tuesday
11 AM to 9 PM
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
11 AM to 9 PM
Friday
11 AM to 10 PM
Saturday
11 AM to 10 PM
Sunday
11 AM to 8 PM

Inspection history

The following records are from Florida DBPR public inspection records, most recent first.

  1. May 1, 2026 · Routine - Food

    Inspection Completed - No Further Action

    3 high-priority · 1 intermediate · 5 basic

    • 08 — Cross-contamination: raw foods separated; food protected during prep/storage
    • 10 — In-use food dispensing utensils properly stored
    • 14 — Food-contact & nonfood-contact surfaces properly designed/maintained (×2)
    • 23 — Nonfood-contact surfaces clean
    • 31 — Handwash sinks accessible; handwashing supplies & sign provided
    • 35 — Insects/rodents/pests; outer openings protected against pests
    • 50 — Current license, properly displayed
    • 53 — Food manager certification; employee food-safety training
  2. October 30, 2025 · Routine - Food

    Inspection Completed - No Further Action

    2 high-priority · 2 intermediate · 8 basic

    • 01 — Food from approved source; safe, unadulterated, sound condition
    • 02 — Consumer advisory, date-marking & labeling of ready-to-eat foods (×2)
    • 03 — Temperature control of foods (cold/hot holding, cooking, cooling, reheating)
    • 06 — Potentially hazardous foods properly thawed
    • 10 — In-use food dispensing utensils properly stored
    • 14 — Food-contact & nonfood-contact surfaces properly designed/maintained
    • 31 — Handwash sinks accessible; handwashing supplies & sign provided
    • 32 — Bathrooms
    • 36 — Floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained; proper ventilation (×2)
    • 38 — Lighting provided; fixtures shielded or bulbs protected

This grade is calculated by us from Florida DBPR public inspection records — Florida does not issue official grades. How we calculate it →

Data last updated: May 1, 2026