Best Off-Site Restaurant's Thread

[fisherm3]

Our family will be staying at the Residence Inn Sea World in late May, early June. Is there a good Golden Corral near by? I've read there are several locations in Orlando, but not all of them are good.

Also is there a Sweet Tomatoes near by? Sounds good from what I've read here.

Any other dining suggestions for a family of 5 on a budget?

Thanks.

 

[iloveokw]

The Golden Corral is near Crossroads and Sweet Tomatoes (we love it) is up on International Drive - I think it is a block north of Wet and Wild intersection.

 

[Figment22]

Sweet Tomatoes is at the intersection of International Drive and Kirkman Rd.

The Golden Corral on Vineland Ave. is fine but avoid the GC on International Drive at Sand Lake Road. It's one of the worst GCs I've ever eaten in. Never again. (And I do like Golden Corral overall.)

 

[dioxide45]

Sweet Tomatoes is at the intersection of International Drive and Kirkman Rd.

The Golden Corral on Vineland Ave. is fine but avoid the GC on International Drive at Sand Lake Road. It's one of the worst GCs I've ever eaten in. Never again. (And I do like Golden Corral overall.)

I agree, go to the GC near the Marriott Village, not the one on Sand Lake Rd. It was the worst one we have been to also.

 

[dioxide45]

I will list most of the places we have eaten at offsite and rank them with up to 5 stars. If these are chains and we have them localy I am comparing them in some way to my local restaurants.

Hard Rock Cafe ****
Bubba Gump Shrimp **
Nascar Cafe (Now Nascar Grill?) ***
Margaritaville ****
Giordano's *****
Vallarta Mexican Grill ****
Bahama Breeze * (probably ordered wrong choice for us)
Golden Coral off 535 ****
Golden Coral at Sand Lake Road and I Drive * (Yuck)
Nicks Grill *** (Just don't get the prime rib special on Wednesday's, rub tastes like hot dogs, salads were great)
House of Blues ***** (Not really offsite)
Pannullos *****
TGI Friday's at Crossroads ***
TGI Friday's on 192 west of WDW ***
Arabian Nights *
Rain Forest Cafe at DTD **
Rain Forest Cafe at AK ****
Mimi's Cafe (Visited on 5/18/08).. Food ****, Our server 0 Stars.

If I remember some others, I will add them.

 

[GrumpyFamilyof5]

We've ate at the Golden Corral on 192, it was pretty good, not as good as our one here at home, but good.
Also the past 2 times we've visited we've went to the Chili's on 192 as well, very good, it's right next door to Macaroni Grill. Two Thumbs way up!
We've ate at the Denny's the one farthest west on 192 as well, very clean,nice people and good food!!
Can't say to much about the Olive Garden though, which is also on 192, but can't remember if it's the only one, but the one we ate at, well let's just say, it's not like home......

 

[Jason71]

I agree, go to the GC near the Marriott Village, not the one on Sand Lake Rd. It was the worst one we have been to also.

The Vineland one is actually easier to get to, as well, in terms of traffic. Take a right out of Residence Inn, then a left onto International Drive at the 7-11, then a right onto Vineland (at the next 7-11, lol). GC is at the end of the road, in with Bahama Breeze (which is a bit of a splurge, but worth a visit).

 

[dioxide45]

The Vineland one is actually easier to get to, as well, in terms of traffic. Take a right out of Residence Inn, then a left onto International Drive at the 7-11, then a right onto Vineland (at the next 7-11, lol). GC is at the end of the road, in with Bahama Breeze (which is a bit of a splurge, but worth a visit).

Unless I am mistaken, are we not talking about the same Golden Coral?

 

[jasperess]

Since I will be going to Disney in a few months and this hasn't been posted in for a while, subscribing and... BUMP!

 

[Atotty]

hey, by chance has anyone ate at the McDonalds on Sand Lake Rd. It is suppose to be one of the largest McDonalds in the world and ranked #2 on the Travel channels most entertaining McDonalds.
I'm interested in taking the family the first day we're there for lunch, but am just wondering if it is worth driving to it from the hotel.
Any info on it would be appreciated!

I know the person asking this has prob already had his trip, but for others who've seen this McD's on the Travel Channel and Food Channel.......don't go. It is *not* like it appears on tv. It is just a large, regualr McD's.

We went in June and while we ate bfast 4 large rental trucks showed up and repossessed all the video games from upstairs and the few that were downstairs. It was quite an operation in the middle of bfast rush.

 

[mrzrich]

If any of you listen to the DIS podcast (The DIS Unplugged), Kevin often does reviews of off property restaurants and even gives ideas for cheap eats.

One of the places he highly reccomends is the Celebration Town Tavern.

Here's a reveiw from a listener who followed his advice and tried it:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2051638

If you don't listen to the show, you should. If you don't have an Ipod thats ok...you can listen on your computer as you surf the DIS.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-podcast/

 

[TheLuckiest]

I don't like waffles. My husband does so we tried them. A good restaurant would not have had stale cereal no matter how often people order it. There's shelf life on everything you buy and it shouldn't have happened. I did ask the waitress to bring me another, which she did, and it was stale also. Not all Waffle Houses are the same. We have eaten in others and it was very good, even the Frosted Flakes. This was a few years ago but when it comes to food, I tend not to try something a second time if my first time wasn't a good experience, especially in the Kissimmee area. This is just my opinion and if other people have had positive experiences, then I'm glad for them. Unfortunately, I did not.

ITA. A restaurant should not have stale food. I don't like Waffles either but DH does so I expect to order something else that is at least edible. It's not like you went to Olive Garden and expected decent waffles but at least you expect them to be fresh.

 

[GetGlowing]

I vote for Seasons 52. Best restaurant meal I think I've ever had. Last visit was a couple years ago, I'm hoping it hasn't changed.

I also like Sweet Tomatoes. My friend who lives in the area turned us on to it. And we like Bahama Breeze.

 

[lovindonald]

We Love the Orlando Ale House. My kids can't wait to go back to Disney just to go there. The food is very good, and the prices are great!

 

[quietgirll]

this is a great thread, and VERY helpful!! Thanks to everyone, and keep the suggestions coming!!

 

[Cyrano]

Awesome thread

 

[bentleygirl22]

*Bump*


Charley's Steakhouse on OBT has one of the best steaks I have ever tasted. It makes the Top 10 in steakhouses nationwide every year. It's pricey though.

 

[thepwa]

My .$12...

Emeril's
Bahama Breeze
Ming Court
PF Changs
Cheesecake Factory
Giordanos

 

[NeilD]

Love Cafe D'Antonio Ristorante in Celebrations.

Also Towne Tavern in Celebrations.

Haven't got a worst yet, which I guess is Good....

 

[HayGan]

Would love to here some more recent reviews