Best off-site Restaurants 2007/2008

[MattIL]

If people could list recommendations based on recent visits I think it would be helpful to a lot of us as we plan our visits for the upcoming year.

I know there is a huge thread that exists dating back to 2004. However as someone mentioned it would be great if we could get some more recent recommendations since restaurants close and service and quality can change over the years.

Maciec, this was a great idea, I am just trying to keep it going with more recent info.

 

[dgaston]

I will again vote for Sweet Tomatoes.

For those with teen appetites, I think Cici's Pizza fits the bill. I personally have been to the one on mile marker 11 on 192, and hear the one at Palm Parkway is better.

 

[tednvon]

HI, off site....
Best under 10.00 sandwiches and wraps....Beef O'Brady's Highway 27 and Ronald Parkway...take I-4 to 27 north and it a couple of miles...or 192 to 27south and it a couple miles on the left in a small strip mall at a stop light with Walgreens just south...or if staying off Old Lake Wilson take OLW to Ron Reagan PKway

Best Pizza...tough one...Giordono's off Formosa Garden's Blvd is pretty good...

Best BreaKfast Buffet..hands down...Golden Corral

Just a few...Ted

 

[GrumpyFamilyof5]

I second the best breakfast buffet as Golden Corral, but then again for the price you can't beat the buffet there at any time of day!
Also great breakfast that has my vote: Denny's
We have tried CiCi's, love their pizza buffet. Also we like Chili's, love the Awesome Blossom!!
We tried the Olive Garden, not to impressed ..IMO I prefer Macaroni Grill!

 

[browntrout]

Best we have found in 6 trips is Manny's Chophouse in Haines City. Little out of the way, but if you have kids go on a Mon or Tues (kids eat free) for the earlybird and you'll leave grinninng ear to ear. Also thumbs up fro Cafe Tu Tu Tango and Carraba's.

We drove past the Beef Obrady's 20 times this last trip, wish we would've stopped and tried it now.

 

[DaddyDon]

Orlando ale house...gets my vote.....

 

[junebug623]

Thank you, keep em coming. We are taking our first WDW family vacation the beginning of July and will be staying off site.

melissa

 

[winterman]

The Celebration Town Tavern.

 

[dioxide45]

I think the original thread should be linked in this one, even though some of it is old, there are some great recomendations in that thread, don't want it to be lost and burried.

 

[mauob]

Celebration Town Tavern--excellent seafood and american

CiCi's yuck..disgusting at all locations..sorry

Bahama Breeze --excellent, always great food and service, usually busy
worth the wait

Beef O'Bradys was mentioned, it is a chain, now with a location near Walmart
on 535 ... near 417/I drive intersection
I don't care for it .... but if you like it, this one is close to WDW

Black Angus Steakhouse ... on 192 and at Crossroads area ...great prices
good steak

IHOP on 192 and at Crossroads ..best breakfast!

 

[fisherm3]

I've seen Sweet Tomatoes listed as a favorite several times. Looking at their menu on line, I have a question. Do they have a build it yourself salad bar in addition to the prepared tossed salads?? I have a child with food allergies and would need to be able to pick and choose what to put on the salad. Also are there alot of fresh fruits?


I also wanted to bump this post up in hopes others will respond.

 

[amw]

With small kids on-hand ... my choices are CiCi's, Steak and Shake (cheaper version of Beaches and Cream), and Chevy's at the crossroads.

 

[NatalieMT]

At The Mall At Millenia there is Brio Tuscan Grille - awesome italian, really lovely restaurant and pretty good value too. I go there every trip!

 

[donaldduck352]

At The Mall At Millenia there is Brio Tuscan Grille - awesome italian, really lovely restaurant and pretty good value too. I go there every trip!

Did this 2months ago...No complaints @ all.Very good food and service

 

[Figaro]

I've seen Sweet Tomatoes listed as a favorite several times. Looking at their menu on line, I have a question. Do they have a build it yourself salad bar in addition to the prepared tossed salads?? I have a child with food allergies and would need to be able to pick and choose what to put on the salad. Also are there alot of fresh fruits?

There were lots of built your own salad bar veggies. More of those than there were prepared salads, so your child should be able to pick and choose pretty easily. I don't think there were a lot of fresh fruits. Mostly what I remember is that the salad bar had the largest selection of veggies that I have ever seen and the hot food was wonderful soups, breads, pastas and baked sweet potatoes. We always make it a point to try and eat at Sweet Tomatoes because the food is so good.

 

[PatriciaH]

Seasons 52 and Two Jays in Dr. Phillips-about 15 minutes from DD.
Seito and Columbia in Celebration
White Wolf Cafe in Winter Park-a bit far but WP is really nice-the Tiffany Museum is nice
Carrabba's and Bahama Breeze are good
Sweet Tomatoes is cheep
You don't want to hear what DH calls CiCi's Pizza (rhymes with CiCi's-)
BJ's at The Loop (Hunters Creek) is good-15 minutes up Osceola Parkway
Mimi's Cafe right near there is good too
There are some nice restaurants in Gaylord Palms but expensive. Good if you are going to Ice.
Everglades in the Rosen Center Hotel-a little quiet/romantic
I used to like Cafe Tu Tu Tango but they (on I-Drive) just had many health code violations so I am nervous about it
The Palm and Kitchen at Hard Rock (Universal)
Tschop Chop at Royal Pacific (US)
Margaritaville at City Walk

 

[PatriciaH]

oops...posted twice

 

[Figment22]

There were lots of built your own salad bar veggies. More of those than there were prepared salads, so your child should be able to pick and choose pretty easily. I don't think there were a lot of fresh fruits. Mostly what I remember is that the salad bar had the largest selection of veggies that I have ever seen and the hot food was wonderful soups, breads, pastas and baked sweet potatoes. We always make it a point to try and eat at Sweet Tomatoes because the food is so good.

Bolding mine. Fresh fruit is available at the dessert area.
When you first enter Sweet Tomatoes, you grab a tray and the first thing you come upon are the prepared salads. There are usually four prepared salads. (They are amazingly good, BTW.) Then you get the LONG salad bar area where you can pick and choose exactly what you want, followed by many salad dressings. At this point you pay. Then you go out into the dining area where you can get your beverages. After you find a seat, there is a separate area for soups (about 7 or 8 choices), breads, potatoes, and 3-4 pastas. The dessert bar, where you will find fresh fruit, is in this area.
Hope this helps.

Seasons 52 and Two Jays in Dr. Phillips-about 15 minutes from DD.
Mimi's Cafe right near there is good too
Tschop Chop at Royal Pacific (US)
Margaritaville at City Walk

I second the vote for these restaurants. They're all very good.

And, I'd like to add Roy's, which is in the same shopping area as Seasons52. Both of those restaurants are some of the best meals I've ever had, with service to match.

 

[ChrisKsAngel]

I was looking at the older posts and people had rec. Las Vegas Buffet, New York China Buffet, and Whistle Stop Junction. Has anyone ate at this recently?

We have a large party going in July and we are looking for some buffets that will make everyone happy and offset the cost of our 3 character meals onsite.

 

[dolphingirl47]

Whistle Stop Junction is no longer. There is now a Brazilian Steakhouse in that building. I don't know about the others.

My favourite restaurants are Sweet Tomatoes, Texas De Brazil (opposite Festival Bay), Bergamos (at Festival Bay) and Salt Island Fish Market and Chop House (near the intersection of International Drive and Sandlake Road).

Bergamos has fantastic Italian food and singing waiters. Salt Island does wonderful steaks and seafood. My favourite is their Fire Roasted Tenderloin. Texas de Brazil has a huge salad bar and as much meat as you can eat.

dolphingirl47