ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. -- The King's Head British Pub was celebrating a milestone Saturday, and what timing.

The pub is celebrating being open 20 years in it's location about 6 miles north of St. Augustine on US 1. And the Olympics have been great for business. "We have been real busy," said owner Ann Dyke. 

The Olympics are on, they're being held in London and folks having been dropping in to take in the games in a place that makes them think they are right there in England.

"Fantastic , absolutely authentic, walked in and thought we were in England except for the thatched roof , which i believe was wrought here in Florida," said first-time visitor Claire Sheridan, who was down from Seattle visiting her parents. 

"It's just drawn in a lot of people , they have driven by here and said wow, I've been by here so many times and finally decided to stop," said Ellen Davern, a longtime server at the pub.  "They come in here and say it's like being in England."

Ken Cofield and his wife Susan drove down from Yulee to enjoy a meal and watch the Olympics right here  on a Saturday night .

"To take in the atmosphere and the festivities, we saw it on the news either opening day or the day after and decided to come down to take in the ambience," said Cofield.

Davern said "It has been phenomenal, it's been incredible, such a great turnout, unbelievable, so much fun, everyone happy to be here, a great atmosphere. We have been rooting for both the British and the US, the US has been doing a great job."

Pete Sheridan used to live in Wales a while ago,  and moved here just weeks ago from up north  and soon found this place.

"I saw the dart board and was addicted," said Sheridan, who along with his wife and daughter were enjoying a meal there. "There are not a lot of sports you can play with a beer in your hand, its fun, and a lot more to it than you think."

Jon Games runs the dart league at the pub, and wishes darts would be added to the Olympic games. Games has enjoyed watching the Olympics, mostly at home, but some at the pub. "Everybodys been rooting  for the home team, most of us, we have some British citizens here and they are rooting for them, everybody's had a great time."

Ellen Davern says the place went crazy when the Brits won the bronze medal in team gymnastics earlier in the week. "A lot of screaming, cheering and  cheering( lifting glass} and toasting, ha ha ha, that'swhat happens here at the pub.

Nolan Shiplet lives at the Julington Creek Plantation. His son was in town so he brought him to the pub for their fish and chips. "They're outstanding, it's the only place to get fish and chips, best of any place we have been to."

Proof that owner Ann Dyke could be right when she says she has the best fish and chips this side of the pond.

First Coast News