Best Offsite Restaurants!!!

[mx3man123]

I am looking for people that have eaten offsite alot and want to know the best restaurants to go too and why you liked them so much. Best Buffet's, best atmosphere, best prices....anything at all....

 

[Mackey Mouse]

I very rarely go offsite, but I am sure others will have lots of recommendations for you..

I have gone to church at the shrine and may hit the outlets next door, but that is about the most offsite I get..

 

[skbasnett]

My husband LOVES the Golden Corral. It is a buffet and is reasonably priced. It is just outside of the gates. We have also gone to Perkins which is a family restaurant and is pretty good. Ponderosa Steakhouse is buffet too. Our favorite fast foods off site are Checkers (mmmmmmmm) and Steak n Shake. If you go to Steak and shake though, make sure to actually have a shake with the burger. It is just so good!

200th post!!

 

[sweetpeakaris]

We liked Race Rock, I think it's on I-Drive. You can look up the menu on the net. My kids loved the theme and atmosphere.

 

[OrlandoMike]

IMO..........

Best Mexican - Garibalbi's - From Disney take 192 east, it's very near the intersection of John Young Parkway across the street from I-Hop.

Best Chinese Buffet - Bill Wong's - At the intersection of Kirkman and International Drive

Best Steakhouse - Charlie's The one on Orange Blossom Trail is the best, but the rest are good.

Best 'Ohana copycat - Texas de Brazil Far end of International Drive, near the Belz Factory Outlet. This place actually out does 'Ohana's!

Best place to drop a small fortune on a fine dinner - Sand Lake Road between I-4 and Apopka Vineland Road. Ruth's Chris, Christini's, Season's 52, Morton's, and at least 6 other fine dining establishments. All very good!

Best Place to see what Florida was like before Disney - Koffee Kup Kafe on 192 in St. Cloud. Yes folks, that's all K's! Do the math!

Best "Super Club" - Barney's On Colonial Drive in Downtown Orlando. We're talking pre-Disney, a piano player, and a relish tray on the table! Awsome Salad bar and great steaks and seafood! Great place to eat! Another place to catch a glimpse of what Orlando was like pre-Disney

Best Brunch - Tie Renaissance Seaworld and La Coquina at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress. The renaissance is a traditional brunch, La Coquina is more upscale, they actually take you in the kitchen so you can watch them prepare your meal.

Best Car Hop joint - Sonic, numerous locations, the closest that I am aware of is right off of the Landstar Exit on 417. Right between Disney and the airport. Chili dogs, burgers, shakes, all delivered to your car by a girl on roller skates!


That's all I can think of for now............I have lots of favorites in the area!

 

[ducklite]

I have to disagree with some of these:

Best Mexican - Garibalbi's - From Disney take 192 east, it very near the intersection of John Young Parkway across the street from I-Hop.

I'd say Santiago's, take 192 WEST to 27 North, go 15 miles it's on the right in the base of the Citrus Tower. Worth the trip.

Best Steakhouse - Charlie's The one on Orange Blossom Trail is the best, but the rest are good.

The Palm Restaurant up in Universal is probably the best in town outside WDW. Charlies is a run of the mill chain.


Best place to drop a small fortune on a fine dinner - Sand Lake Road between I-4 and Apopka Vineland Road. Ruth's Chris, Christini's, Season's 52, Morton's, and at least 6 other fine dining establishments. All very good!

There are some great restaurants in that area which is becoming known as Restaurant Row. They do not all cost a small fortune. Outside of WDW I really like Emeril's in City Walk quite a bit.

Best Brunch - Tie Renaissance Seaworld and La Coquina at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress

Capriccio at the Peabody wins this one, hands and feet down!

Also check out Colombia in Celebration, an offshoot of teh original in Ybor City, great authentic Cuban and Latin food.

 

[mjh8955]

We had a wonderful meal two weeks ago at Fish Bones on Sand Lake Road that satisfied 4 adults and 3 children (some really picky eaters in this group). I had the best steak I've ever had in my life, we had great service. It wasn't cheap but it was very nice and we were comfortable with our kids there.

The other great meal we had was at Bahama Breeze (the picky eaters went to Red Lobster). Had a great waiter who sat down and talked with our DD11 about the book she was reading. We enjoyed the whole experience. Except the lemonade made with real sugar cane. I guess that's an aquired taste

 

[OrlandoMike]

Quote from Ducklite "I have to disagree with some of these:"

That's what I like about these boards, I get new suggestions on what to do!''

I'll check all of your favorites out!

 

[Kae]

Cafe Tu Tu Tango it is right by the Vistors Center www.cafetututango.com

Kae

 

[ChrisAlli]

On the forum right below this Orlando Attractions and Other, there's a sticky or whatever that's called with all sorts of off site places. Used some last month.

I liked Orlando Ale House myself.

 

[DanaHesson]

but we really liked the Kobe Steakhouse (and we just sat at a table and ordered off the menu, we did not do the hibachi show thing), and I just LOVE PERKINS!! I wish they would build some Perkins in the Atlanta area.

 

[jlb]

I second the Orlando Ale House... I nice evening away from Disney.

 

[isla bonita]

We enjoy Carabbas, Outback and Giordanos on 192 west.

 

[ufgator]

Seasons 52 - I haven't been to the Orlando one, only Ft. Lauderdale one, but it's great. It's all healthy food (but not all tofu, etc.) and I think everything is 475 calories or less. The atmosphere and service were great. The menu changes 4 times a year. The desserts come in shot glasses and are small; they cost $2.

 

[Belle5]

What is that great pizza place I have seen mentioned here?

 

[SylviaL]

DH and I had a fabulous dinner at Emeril's Tchoup Chop in Universal's Royal Pacific Resort. We may get a sitter for our next trip so we can go there again. Both food and service were excellent.

 

[wdwfan1]

Red Lobster is always a good choice.

 

[ducklite]

DH and I had a fabulous dinner at Emeril's Tchoup Chop in Universal's Royal Pacific Resort. We may get a sitter for our next trip so we can go there again. Both food and service were excellent.

Interesting because it keeps getting panned by local critics (who rave about Emerils, so itls nothing "personal").

Anne

 

[ducklite]

Red Lobster is always a good choice.

Red Lobster is a run of the mill national chain, basically table service fast food. I just don't see what people see in this place.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

My husband LOVES the Golden Corral. It is a buffet and is reasonably priced. It is just outside of the gates. We have also gone to Perkins which is a family restaurant and is pretty good. Ponderosa Steakhouse is buffet too. Our favorite fast foods off site are Checkers (mmmmmmmm) and Steak n Shake. If you go to Steak and shake though, make sure to actually have a shake with the burger. It is just so good!

200th post!!

Golden Corral is OK, more for lunch than dinner--we eat there for lunch at work every couple weeks. It's pretty inexpensive if you've got big eaters, not really worth it if you don't. Checkers is good for fast food.

Perkins, Ponderosa, and Steak N Shake are all pretty gross IMHO.

All of these are just more chains. With so many "local" chains and locally owned and operated places that offer better food and prices, IMHO you're better off staying away from teh national chains.

Another locally owned and operated chain with decent fast food is Tijuana Flats. I eat there for lunch at least once a week. MUCH better than Taco Bell, albeit a bit more expensive.

Anne