I need CHEAP restaurant advice.....

[sherry7]

Hello all. Me, DH, and DS (18) are planning our vacation for Jan 16 - Jan 25. We will probably be staying in a condo at Windsor Hills (still working on that part).

We will definitely eat breakfast in the condo each day. And we'll eat lunch in the parks, of course. But, I absolutely do NOT want to cook dinner on my vacation. So, for those meals we'll definitely be eating out.

I'm trying to make this a "budget trip"....if that's humanly possible. So, can anyone recommend some decent, CHEAP restaurants for dinner?

If you can remember an approximate price range, that would be awesome.

Thanks for your help!

 

[firsttimer2007]

posted twice...Sorry!

 

[firsttimer2007]

I know this is a lot but I hope this helps. Most of these you can find menus online and coupons to some. I took these from other post.$3.99 breakfast buffet at Ponderosa Steakhouse

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Palm parkway is the best one and is only a few minutes from Downtown Disney...(CiCi's pizza)

The best way to get there is when you exit the parking lot at downtown disney near Disney experience side... turn left on E. Buena Vista Drive... then go right on Hotel Plaza Blvd... Hotel Plaza Blvd dead ends at 535 (S. Apopka Vineland Rd)... at that light turn left and be ready to turn right... the next intersection is Palm Parkway... turn right there (you'll see an olive garden)... in that little strip center is the Cici's.
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I understand there is a new one on 192 closer to Windsor Hills and Formosa Gardens.
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There's lots. Golden Coral, Ponderosa, Shoney's, Sizzler : buffets
CrackerBarrel, IHOP, Denny's, Perkins, Waffle House and on and on. All of these are within 3 minutes.
Here's a list of restaurants that one of the Windsor Hills owner's has on his website:
All right nearby Windsor Hills! Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy = 192

Red Lobster 7780 W Irlo Bronson Meml Hwy Kissimmee 321-677-0191 1.5 Miles
Friday’s ** 7798 W Irlo Bronson Meml Hwy Kissimmee 407-397-4300 1.5 Miles
Key W Kool’s Very Good a Bit Expensive 7725 W Irlo Bronson Meml Hwy Kissimmee 407-396-1166 1.5 Miles
Outback Steak House ** 7804 W Irlo Bronson Meml Hwy Kissimmee 407-396-0017 1.5 Miles
Giordano’s ** 7866 W Irlo Bronson Meml Hwy Kissimmee 407-397-0044 1.5 Miles
Cracker Barrel Restaurant** 7878 W Irlo Bronson Meml Hwy Kissimmee 407-390-1190 1.6 Miles
Dairy Queen 7868 W Irlo Bronson Meml Hwy Kissimmee 407-390-8175 1.6 Miles
Subway Sandwiches 7856 W Irlo Bronson Meml Hwy Kissimmee 407-397-7119 1.6 Miles
Taste of China 7832 W Irlo Bronson Meml Hwy Kissimmee 407-397-9911 1.5 Miles
Magic Mining Co 7763 W Irlo Bronson Meml Hwy Kissimmee 407-396-8986 1.5 Miles
Taco Bell 7784 W Irlo Bronson Meml Hwy Kissimmee 407-390-0385 1.5 Miles
Burger King 7757 W Irlo Bronson Meml Hwy Kissimmee 407-239-4363 1.5 Miles
Mc Donald’s 7627 W Irlo Bronson Meml Hwy Kissimmee 407-396-1536 1.5 Miles
Passage to India 7618 W Irlo Bronson Meml Hwy Kissimmee 407-396-6957 1.5 Miles
Waffle House 7696 W Irlo Bronson Meml Hwy Kissimmee 407-397-9550 1.5 Miles
Sizzler 7602 W Irlo Bronson Meml Hwy Kissimmee 407-397-0997 1.5 Miles
Golden Corral 7702 W Irlo Bronson Meml Hwy Kissimmee 407-390-9615 1.5 Miles
Dunkin Donuts 7646 W Irlo Bronson Meml Hwy Kissimmee 407-397-7060 1.5 Miles
Ponderosa Steak House 7598 W Irlo Bronson Meml Hwy Kissimmee 407-396-7721 1.5 Miles
Denny’s 7631 W Irlo Bronson Meml Hwy Kissimmee 407-396-0757 1.5 Miles
Fiorino New York Pizza 7531 W Irlo Bronson Meml Hwy Kissimmee 407-390-9664 1.5 Miles
Ihop Restaurant 7529 W Irlo Bronson Meml Hwy Kissimmee 407-396-2033 1.5 Miles
Black Angus 7516 W Irlo Bronson Meml Hwy Kissimmee 407-390-4548 1.5 Miles
Take Japanese Restaurant 7818 W Irlo Bronson Meml Hwy Kissimmee 407-390-0333 1.5 Miles
Perkins Family Restaurant 7451 W Irlo Bronson Meml Hwy Kissimmee 407-396-0845 1.6 Miles
Chick-Fil-A 7891 W Irlo Bronson Meml Hwy Kissimmee 407-787-4001 1.6 Miles
Bob Evans Restaurant 7411 W Irlo Bronson Meml Hwy Kissimmee 407-396-8599 1.7 Miles
Angel’s Diner Lobster Feast Good but go Early! 7300 W Irlo Bronson Meml Hwy Kissimmee 407-397-1960 1.7 Miles
Pizza Hut 8557 W Irlo Bronson Meml Hwy Kissimmee 407-239-4456 2.2 Miles
Beef O’ Brady’s ** 8687 W Irlo Bronson Meml Hwy Kissimmee 407-239-7710 2.4 Miles
Ace Plus Chinese Buffet 8620 W Irlo Bronson Meml Hwy Kissimmee 407-390-7588 2.2 Miles
Domino’s Pizza 8687 W Irlo Bronson Meml Hwy Kissimmee 407-239-7710 2.4 Miles
Moe’s Southwest Grill 19 Blake Blvd Kissimmee 321-939-2455 5.1 Miles
Smokey Bones BBQ Grill 2911 Vineland Road Kissimmee 407-397-7102 9.5 Miles
Cold Stone Creamery 15 Blake Blvd Kissimmee 321-939-2897 5.1 Miles
Carrabba’s ** 7890 W. Irlo Bronson Hwy., Kissimmee, (407) 390-9600 1.5 Miles
Celebration Tavern ** 721 Front St (407) 390-9600 7.5 Miles

The Golden Corral
at 2701 W.Vine Street in downtown Kissimmee offers one of the better
budget buffets near Disneyworld, Florida.
This all you can eat restaurant caters to groups as large as 365 people.
Busses and large groups are welcome email us for advance reservations
Breakfast Bar:
Omelette Station Toppings-
*Ham *Cheese *Onions *Mushrooms *Olives *Green Peppers *Tomato *Turkey *Pepporoni *Jalepeno *Radish *Carrots *Raisins *Broccoli *+
*Scrambled Eggs *French Toast *Sausage Links *Sausage Patties *Hash Browns *Grits *Bacon *French Fries *Cereal *Belgian Waffles *Ham *Stewed Tomato *South Western Eggs *+
Brass Bell Bakery:
*Muffins(Blueberry-Cherry) *Coffee Cake *Toast *Rolls *Breakfast Pizza *Egg & Cheese Pizza *Ham & Cheese Pizza *Cookies
Fruit Bar Varies & Includes:
*Watermelon *Cantalope *Peaches *Pears Melons *Grapefruit *Pineapple *Fruit Cocktail *Oranges *Grapes

Lunch Buffet:
Hot Stuff-
*Fried Chicken *Rotisserie Chicken *Breaded Fish * Meatloaf *Pot Roast *Burgers *Franks *Rice *Corn Bread Stuffing *Hush Puppies *Poultry Gravy *Broccoli & Cheese *Onion Rings *Mac & Cheese *Spaghetti & Meatballs *Mash Patato & Gravy *Rice Pilaf *Cooked Onions & Peppers *Cooked Squash & Zucchini *+
Salad Bar:
*Macaroni *Bean Salad *Patato *Seafood *Tuna *Egg
Salad Toppings:
*Beets *Pickles *Peppers *Peppers *Mushrooms *Ham *Cheese *Onions *Radish *Carrots *Raisins *Broccoli *Tomato
Dressings:
*House *Ranch * Catalina *Blue Cheese *Italian *Thousand Islands *Thousand Islands Fat Free
Sauces:
*Cranberry *Cocktail *Tarter
Brass Bell Bakery:
*Muffins(Blueberry-Cherry) *Cake *Cookies *Rolls *Rolls
Pies:
*Cherry *Cheese *Lemon Meringue
Pizza's:
*Cheese *Veggie *Mushroom *Pepporoni
Brass Bell Bakery Soups:
*Clam Chowder *Chicken Noodle *Chicken Gumbo(Cajun) *Broccoli &Cheese *Vegatable Beef *Chili
Fruit Bar Varies & Includes:
*Watermelon *Cantalope *Peaches *Pears *Melons *Grapefruit *Pineapple *Fruit Cocktail*Oranges *Grapes
Dessert Bar:
*Puddings-Bread *Chocalate *Rice *Raisen *Ice Cream- Chocalate, Vanilla, Sherbett With Mixed Toppings
Dinner Bufett(4 PM - !0 PM):-All you can eat Steaks!!
*+Hot Stuff- *Fried Chicken *Rotisserie Chicken *Bourbon Street Chicken *Shrimp *Roast Beef * Carving Ham *Pot Roast *Beef Stew *Breaded Fish *Meatloaf *Stuffing *Spaghetti & Meatballs *Mash Patato & Gravy *Corn Bread *Corn on The Cob *GreenPeas *Black Eyed Peas *Lima Beans *Turnip Greens *Spinach *Carrots *Stewed Tomato *Mac & Cheese *Spaghetti & Meatballs *Broc & Cheese*
Salad Bar:
*Macaroni *Bean Salad *Patato *Seafood *Tuna *Egg
Salad Toppings:
*Beets *Pickles *Peppers *Peppers *Mushrooms *Ham *Cheese *Onions *Radish *Carrots *Raisins *Broccoli *Tomato

Dressings:
*House *Ranch * Catalina *Blue Cheese *Italian *Thousand Islands *Thousand Islands Fat Free
Sauces:
*Cranberry *Cocktail *Tarter
Brass Bell Bakery:
*Muffins(Blueberry-Cherry) *Cake *Cookies *Rolls *Rolls
Pies:
*Cherry *Cheese *Lemon Meringue
Pizza's:
*Cheese *Veggie *Mushroom *Pepporoni
Brass Bell Bakery Soups:
*Clam Chowder *Chicken Noodle *Chicken Gumbo(Cajun) *Broccoli &Cheese *Vegatable Beef *Chili
Fruit Bar Varies & Includes:
*Watermelon *Cantalope *Peaches *Pears *Melons *Grapefruit *Pineapple *Fruit Cocktail *Oranges *Grapes
Dessert Bar:
*Puddings-Bread *Chocalate *Rice*Raisen *Ice Cream- Chocalate, Vanilla, Sherbett With Mixed Toppings
Prices
Buffet Price Beverage
Breakfast (8AM-11AM) Adult $6.49
includes
Child $4.99 includes
Senior $5.99 includes
Lunch (11 AM-4 PM) Adult $6.99 beverage
$1.79
Child $4.99 beverage $1.79
Senior $6.49 includes
Dinner(4 PM -10 PM) Adult $10.99
$1.79
Child $4.99 $1.79
Senior $10.99 includes

http://www.captainds.com/files/specials.aspx

3 in orlando area

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Total Estimated Time: 27 minutes
Total Estimated Distance: 22.31 miles
Haines City
35496 Hwy. 27 .N
Haines City. Fl 33844

Ph.: 863-422-3910
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Orlando 6275 Westwood Blvd,
Orlando, FL 32821-8016

Looks like it is up Hwy 4

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P.F. Changs
Orlando
4200 Conroy Road
Orlando, FL 32839
Phone: (407) 345-2888

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California Pizza Kitchen
The Mall at Millenia
4200 Conroy Road, Sp. 1590
Orlando, FL 32839 (407) 248-7887
View

Florida Mall
8001 South Orange Blossom Trail, # 1302
Orlando, FL 32809 (407) 854-5741
View

Waterford Lakes
695 North Alafaya Trail, Sp. 474
Orlando, FL 32828 (407) 384-5689
Curbside Service Available!


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Shell's -- Seafood

http://www.shellsseafood.com/process.cfm?pageID=4
Shells Kissimmee Location:
3615 WEST VINE STREET
KISSIMMEE FL 34741
Telephone: 407-933-7757
Fax: 407-933-8933

Location Hours:
Sunday to Thursday: 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Friday and Saturday: 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
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Kobes Steakhouse

Kobe by Celebration is actually in a strip mall, not literally next door to Arabian Nights. It can be easy to miss if you don't know what you're looking for because it's set back. If you get off I-4 and make it to the Shoney's/Starbucks, you've gone a little too far.

I-4 Exit 64A: Across from Celebration, next to Arabian Nights, near the Radisson & Hyatt Hotels at mile marker 8.

kids $9-10 Adults $20-40

 

[ah1126]

If you know what resturants you might want to eat at, can you start collecting gift cards for them? If you pick one up every payday or month till then you would be set to go.

 

[sherry7]

Wow, thanks for all of that info FirstTimer. I'll have to sort through that, and see if I can find out some prices.

ah1126, thanks for the suggestions on the gift cards. But, I'm pretty good with saving "real" money, so I'll probably just go that route instead.

 

[Crystal0608]

I stayed at Windsor Hills b4 & Giordano's Pizza delivered to us. A large stuffed pepperoni pizza & 4 sodas was about $30 & I think I used a coupon. The website is www.giordanos.com . The pizza was awesome & my tiny ds ate 2 big slices.
KISSIMMEE
(407) 397-0044
7866 W. IRLO BRONSON HWY.

 

[cndij]

I'll second the Giordanos recommendation. They delivered to us at the Nick Hotel. The stuffed crust pizza is more expensive, but you don't need as much as it is very filling. It was every bit as good as the stuffed crust pizza we got in Chicago.

I also recommend Sweet Tomatoes, but a very reasonable priced meal. We just came back from a budget trip and 2 of our 3 nieces don't qualify for kids meals any more. I think Sweet Tomatoes is like $8 a person (drinks extra, we drink water though), and HUGE salad buffet, plus a pasta station, soup station, potato bar etc. We also did Sizzler for breakfast one morning instead of cereal. $2.89 ea + drinks. Not fantastic, but decent for a changeup.

 

[dougsmom98]

Here are two maps of 192 West, so you can see what is in the general vicinity of Windsor Hills. I always stay off site and I don't want to cook dinner either. I don't mind breakfast or lunch, but dinner is a pain. The cooking isn't as bad as doing dishes.

http://www.kissimmee-us192.com/map/map2/kiss192map2.htm
http://www.kissimmee-us192.com/map/map1/kiss192map1.htm#1btm

There are discount coupon booklets at a lot of the lobbies of various establishments on 192. Be sure to pick one up. They have a bunch of coupon booklets in the lobby of Golden Corral and in it, there is even a coupon (10% off, I think) for that restaurant.

 

[mjhd]

We like Cici's Pizza Buffet - there is one about 5 miles from WDW. It is around $5 pp.

 

[jrsmom]

If you see any chain restaurants listed abouve that you frequent, you might be able to purchase gift cards ahead of time. My sister used points that she had from her bank to get gift cards for places like Hard Rock Cafe for her most recent trip.

 

[firsttimer2007]

Just found this link in my emails. Hope this helps with coupons.

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

This is for all kinds of orlando stuff. Just look to the left of the page and coupons for everything. Happy Printing!!!

 

[suprgrlx]

It might be worth looking through restaurant.com and seeing if there are any restaurants in the area that appeal to you, since they sell discounted gift certificates. I haven't used the service myself, but they're recommended by Mousesavers:

http://www.mousesavers.com/meals.html#restcom

Mousesavers also has a code good until the end of the month (Aug 31) for 60% off. So you buy a $25 gift certificate for $10 and then get 60% off, paying a total of $4 for a $25 gc.

I know one of the rules is that you can only use one gc per restaurant, per month. But you could get 5 ones for 5 different restaurants, pay $20 total and then have $125 in gc. Like I said, I haven't used them, so you might want to read to make sure there are no other conditions.

Good luck!

 

[sherry7]

Thanks for the good advice everyone!

I didn't even think about using restaurant.com....and we use that quite frequently here at home. There's some limitations on use, but that's definitely worth checking out too.

 

[Mickey527]

My favorite coupon on Restaraunt.com for the WDW area is for the Friday's on Sandlake road. It is hard to get that coupon though, they sell out fast so you have to get it early in the month. Look for Friday's not TGIF, same chain but no TGI. there is also one on International Drive but I try to avoid that road because of the traffic.
I got the $25 off $35 or more. You are not supposed to use more than 1 per month, but last trip I went with two different groups and we had no problem, even with the same waitress. I did ask and they told me no problem.
If you eat in the bar they have happy hour specials. When I was there it was Frozen Margaritas (bar shelf liquor but in a frozen drink who cares) for $2, and they put the drinks on the meal tab. We wound up paying about $15 for three great meals, 2 drinks each and dessert to take home.
I found the service to be better at the bar too. I tipped really well because of it.
I am going with family this trip so I got two of the coupons and some gift certificates from My Points.
I also am going to try a steak place called Barney's this trip. I did ask about it and got some great revues here. That coupon is $75 off
4150 or more but we are going with 7 people so I shouldn't have a problem with that.
ANd I just got some gift certificates from My Points for Landry's so we can try the new Dino Restaraunt in DTD.

 

[mbethel]

My favorite thing to do at the end of a park day is make a call to my restaurant of choice and pick up the food to go. It saves a little on tips and drinks since we always have something to drink at our condo plus my kids never want to sit and wait at a restaurant when they're tired. We always check out what's around and put the Phone numbers in our cell ahead of time. Giordannos and Outback are our favorites for carry out there!

 

[swilshire]

I haven't read the other responses, but cooking doesn't have to be that big a deal on vacation and it's MUCH cheaper (and simpler) to eat in.

Go by Sams or Costco and buy a few heat and eat things. One of those big Stouffers Lasagnas will feed our family for a couple of days and all you need to add is bread and salad. We usually cook a couple of times early in the week and reheat leftovers the other nights. We might bake a bunch of chicken.

Sometimes we'll pick up already prepared chicken tenders at the grocery to eat on salads or with potato salad. The local Publix stores have lots of good deli stuff.

If you're driving, stick a few things in the freezer when you're cooking before the trip and bring them along. We stuck a gallon bag of chili in the cooler once that was a big hit. You could bring along prepared spaghetti or just put a few extra ingredients into a jar of sauce.

I just hate to go out and wait in restaurants after a long day of having fun, even beyond the cost factor.

Sheila

 

[dougsmom98]

My favorite thing to do at the end of a park day is make a call to my restaurant of choice and pick up the food to go. It saves a little on tips and drinks since we always have something to drink at our condo plus my kids never want to sit and wait at a restaurant when they're tired. We always check out what's around and put the Phone numbers in our cell ahead of time. Giordannos and Outback are our favorites for carry out there!

We do this too! Even on non park days. I love getting take out while on vacation. It is so much more relaxed to eat at the villa DH and I can have a few drinks and not worry about driving and the kids get to go in the pool quicker.

 

[estherhead]

We do this too! Even on non park days. I love getting take out while on vacation. It is so much more relaxed to eat at the villa DH and I can have a few drinks and not worry about driving and the kids get to go in the pool quicker.

Us too! We do this exact thing. Maybe 3 times or so during a week trip we'll call in the parking lot of WDW and pick it up as we go. We also do frozen pizzas, frozen french fries (with cheese & bacon on top) and hotdogs, and KFC one night. It so cheap and so easy & I love laying on my bed reading or typing up my trip report while the kids play in our own pool (we're staying at Windsor Hills this time too.) LOVE IT!