Best Off-Site Restaurant's Thread

[mickeyluv'r]

Riu girl - probably your best bet would be to get on 192. I can't really recommend any specific buffets there, but I know there are some. There's also a Publix there (you can get premade items there.) In that area, I've had food from the Middle Eastern restaurant next to the Publix (What I had was good.); food from Logan's Roadhouse (where 192 and S. International Dr. meet) - pretty good, and large portions. We also ate a t place that had ribs and a miniature train. It was very good for ribs, and inexpensive, but the rest of the food wasn't phenomenal.

 

[Del]

I didn't read all 17 pages, but our fav place last trip was Macaroni Grill. It was the best meal we had the whole trip (sad to say) except for Mama Melrose in MGM (that's our all time fav).

Del

 

[djreed]

I read this thread last year in preparation for our annual trip, thanks for all the postings, some great dining experiences and one bad

Sweet tomatoes
Wow, this place is great! We went back twice and look forward to visiting it again this year. We both enjoy the variety on the salad bar and the great pasta.

Bonefish Grill
Great service, outstanding food, very nice atmosphere

Chevys at crossroads
Good Mexican food, reasonable price.

Giordano’s (lake Buena Vista)
Bad & slow service, not at all impressed with the food

 

[edcopp]

All righty then - this is my first post on this board. Planning a trip in June with the family - 4 of us - my wife and I are mid 30s, 9 y.o. girl, 8 y.o. boy.

Been to Orlando a few time in the past, thought I'd chime in on the restaurant topic. Have to agree with those who eschew the chains while on vacation. Perhaps I'll try the breakfast buffet at Golden Corral while we're there. Quick in and out en route to the parks one day.

As for places I've been to, I have to agree with the positive reviews on the Orlando Ale House. We went to the ESPN place at the Boardwalk to try and watch the Jets game a few years ago - toooooo crowded. So we stayed until halftime and then jumped in the car with a couple of other Jets fans we met there and sped over to the Ale House. What a find!!! Great deal on drinks, good bar food and a ton of TVs. If only our beloved football team were as good....

My wife and I also enjoyed Bahama Breeze. We were going to get a table, and there was like a 45 minute wait, so we went to the bar/deck outside and had a couple of drinks. It was a beautiful night, there was live entertainment out there, and after about 15 minutes we gave the beeper back to the hostess and ordered off of the limited menu that you could order off of outside. Had a great night.

We've been to Emeril's @ City Walk twice. Loved it both times, tremendous food, good portions, unbelievable desserts. If you've never had the banana cream pie at Emeril's you don't know what you're missing.

Also enjoyed eating out on the deck at Margaritaville. Good drinks, good jumbalaya, fun atmosphere.

Looking for some new places to try on our coming vacation. Think that Sweet Tomatos will be on the agenda. Looking forward to seeing what other places get recommended in the next few months.

 

[tinkerbeth]

Being Brits we didn't complain, just won't go back.

My husband is British. (I imported him! ) I smiled to myself when I read that. Thanks!

Beth

 

[tinkerbeth]

Hello!

I've just read all 17 pages of this thread and taken notes. I now have a list of restaurants to try and those to stay away from. AWESOME!!!

We will definatly be checking out Sweet Tomatoes and The Ale House and BONANZA! for breakfast now that I have read all of this. I've ordered the Entertainment book, so I can *cross-reference* the favourites list with the coupons in the entertainment book! My husband rolled his eyes bigtime when I mentioned that plan! Never mind - he'll be happy when we're sitting at Bahama Breeze!

When I come back, I'll post my reviews as well.

Keep em coming!!!

Beth

 

[perdidobay]

I just got back from a trip with my friend and my friend introduced me to Orlando Ale House..we ended up eating there 3 times on a 6 day trip... Lunch specials for $4.95...with huge portions and daily drink specials for $1-2 dollars!
Great food and great service!

 

[alabamagirl]

I am so excited to try some of these places on our next trip! I lived there when I was a CM but being broke most of the time, if my roomates and I ate out it was at a chain restuarant. The only peice of advice I can give is to not go to Arabian Nights for the food. The ribeye steak there was so gross! Hardly edible. Of course, this was over three years ago and I must say the entertainment was great.

Gotta love Macaroni Grill, Steak and Shake, and Olive Garden!

 

[Ham Ham]

Any suggestions for good local eats just off DTD?
Other than Ale House, Chevy's, Bahama Breeze ect.

Any local places that are not part of huge chains.

 

[packetminnie]

Dixie Crossroads. They built one in Orlando last year or you can go to the original in Titusville.

 

[3princesses+aprince]

We Love Johnny Rockets in Point Orlando on International Drive

 

[Jason71]

Any suggestions for good local eats just off DTD?
Other than Ale House, Chevy's, Bahama Breeze ect.

Any local places that are not part of huge chains.

Pebbles Carribean Grill. Sort of a slightly more upscale Bahama Breeze--it's become my go-to "first date" restaurant down here. Located in Crossroads, toward the back. For a more family-friendly experience, there's also Jungle Jim's, tho it gets mixed reviews. (Personally, I like it, but service can be slow.)

 

[csmommy]

We are going to Orlando in April & happy to see some nice more upscale type chain restaurants listed here like Sweet Tomatoes, Bonefish Grill, & Ale House. I went to their websites, but do not see prices. Can anyone give me ballpark entre & kids menu prices?

Thanks

 

[csmommy]

Here is a site that has restaurant coupons:

http://www.orlandocouponsfree.com/restaurant_coupons.html

Can anyone recommend any of these? Being from NY we are very spoiled with food.

 

[DisneyFanatik]

Here is a site that has restaurant coupons:

http://www.orlandocouponsfree.com/restaurant_coupons.html

Can anyone recommend any of these? Being from NY we are very spoiled with food.

I can say that Kobe is great! We are also from NY. Our favorite Hibachi restaurant here is Arirang, but Kobe was even better!

 

[mickeymousemom]

Geographically, we usually stay near or onsite at Universal Studios, so my restaurant picks are closer to USF than to WDW.

I have to cast another vote for Sweet Tomatoes. It's always our first night dinner when we get into the area. Great value and the freshest food possible. The specialty salads right at the front of the buffet line are always outrageously good.

This is also our first day meal! We usually arrive in Orlando early afteernoon and we go here before we even get to WDW. We couldn't do an Orlando vacation without it. My whole family LOVES this place!

 

[2ofUs]

We have read so much about this place, but could someone share directions &/or an address so we can try it out on our next stay? Thanks.

 

[Jason71]

We have read so much about this place, but could someone share directions &/or an address so we can try it out on our next stay? Thanks.

The closest to WDW (and that is a relative term) is at the corner of Kirkman Road and I-Drive, in a shopping center. Take I-4 East to one of the Kirkman exits (now that I'm on the spot I can't remember which one; I think it says "International Drive" as well, tho, or at least "Wet n Wild"), turn right towards I-Drive, will be on your left.

I am shocked some enterprising individual has not opened up another one in Crossroads or at least near the Premium Outlets--it would easily be a huge moneymaker.

 

[Jason71]

We are going to Orlando in April & happy to see some nice more upscale type chain restaurants listed here like Sweet Tomatoes, Bonefish Grill, & Ale House. I went to their websites, but do not see prices. Can anyone give me ballpark entre & kids menu prices?

Thanks

Sweet Tomatoes runs right around $10 for an adult dinner, lunch is cheaper. I'm sure kids are cheaper, too, but I don't know an exact price.

Ale House is right in line with the more national chains (Chilli's, Bennigan's, et al). Around $8 for a burger or sandwich, up to the mid-teens for a "real" meal. They have amazing lunch specials, tho. Also have a kids menu.

Bonefish is pricey--figure entrees start around the low $20s--but worth it.

Re: the ones with coupons. Houlihans is very good, another "upscale chain." Excellent food, tho a bit more expensive than other chains. Tho the theme is nothing like Bahama Breeze, the two are comparable in quality/price. Jungle Jim's is great for kids, and as an overgrown kid I've always enjoyed it myself (I was back there with friends Saturday night), but you will also find a number of negative reviews. Service and cleanliness can be spotty.

Be aware that Dan Marino's was closed last time I checked, so you might want to call ahead before you go anywhere on the list you haven't heard about.

 

[csmommy]

Thanks for the help.

So what are the all you can eat lobster places like? I mean, I have done the all you can eat crab legs at Red Lobster when they used to have it & it was good. Are these places worse? Do they have menus for the kids who just eat burgers?