So I’m back in good old St. Augustine, Florida… one of my very favorite places! Melis and I came down last week to celebrate her twin brothers 21st birthdays with the rest of her family and some of the boys’ friends. It’s been a house full of fun the past few days 
This afternoon we all decided to head downtown to St. George Street to grab some lunch at Pizzalley’s. Naturally, I got a slice of the Meat Lovers which had Canadian bacon, sausage, and pepperoni! Outside of Pizzalley’s they hand out samples which definitely draws in the crowds… it’s delicious and the crust is to die for. No wonder it was voted #1 pizza in St. Augustine!
After lunch we headed into Hot Stuff Mon to find some more Tobago Keys Peruvian Gold Grilling Sauce. Melis’ brother, Mark, had the genius idea of using the sauce on sandwiches for lunch the past few days and we ran out so we went to restock. This sauce is SO good. There’s a definite bite to it and also has a nice touch of sweet. Yum, yum, YUM.
Hot Stuff Mon is a family owned retail shop stalked full with spicy sauces, salsas, pickles, marinades, and anything heat related etc. It’s a decent sized space and every corner, wall, nook and cranny has something delicious sounding and HOT. Growing up I was never really into spicy things but it’s definitely grown on me. You just have to turn down wayyyyy too much good food if you can’t handle the heat… which is 100% lame to do.
We met the owner, Chanel, like the perfume 
, who greeted us with a smile. She chatted with us all about the Datil pepper, which is an extremely hot pepper that is a little sweeter and fruiter than habaneros, but is mostly cultivated in St. Augustine. For anyone visiting this part of Florida, it’s a great gift to bring back!
Some scenes from the shop:
While we were talking to Chanel I made sure to ask if customers were able to purchase goods from their website since I won’t be able to just swing by to refill whenever I want. They’re in the process of adding all of the products sold in store to their site (such as the Tobago Keys sauces), but there is still a very nice selection and also a great selection of the Datil pepper sauces. When I think of good gift baskets (which I think about more often than the average person, I think), I picture them overflowing with goodies from a store like this!
Hot Stuff Mon (along with Pizzalley’s!) are a must if you visit St. Augustine.
Hot Stuff Mon
34 1/2 Treasury Street
St. Augustine, Florida 32084
904.824.4944
More to come from the Sunshine State soon!
[Chels]
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holy hot sauces! i have a lot of people that in need to refer there. not just hot-sauce-lovers, but hot-sauce-obsessed-people-who-carry-it-in-their-purse types! lol. i bet florida is gorgeous compared to the old new england weather right now
hope the boys didn’t run you guys too ragged! sounds like a good time!
What a cute place!
I love their address and theme. So cute!
i’m sad i’m missing out on the st. augustine fun, but it sounds like you guys are having a great time! i’ll definitely be going for some pizza next time!
If you’re still in St. Augustine, there is a fabulous spice shop you should check out! It’s called The Spice and Tea Exchange – they are on Hypolita Street. They have EVERYTHING! It’s awesome. Highly Recommend!
This is where I grew up! I lived in St. Augustine until about 2 1/2 years ago when I moved to CA because my fiancee is stationed here. I miss it terribly, and one of the first places I go to when I’m home is Pizzalleys! They’re pizza is awesome, but their breadsticks are what I really go there for!! If you’re still there, you need to hit up the Spanish Bakery (just a little ways down on St. George Street, kind of in the back of the small Whetstones chocolate shop) for their wrapped sausage and cookies (the cookies were featured on the Food Network, btw) and Kilwins for their amazing rice krispie treats (they are covered in caramel and chocolate!). Now I want to go home even more!