I need help with off property dining gems!!

[Trullclan]

It would be easy to eat off property at all the standard places: Red Lobster, Black Angus, Chevy's or any of the myriad of fast-food joints. What I'm wondering is if there are any hidden gems in the Kissimmee area -- off Disney property.
You know, that great chinese place, that awesome barbecue or that little Italian place with the amazing lasagna. We love foods from different countries and trying new things.
Please, while I love Disney, do not offer up on-property locations. I am looking for food adventures that will expand our knowledge of Kissimmee and the surrounding area.
Any help you can give me would be much appreciated.

 

[Trullclan]

Sorry, didnt mean to post twice.

 

[ducklite]

Most of the best off-site dining is up on restaurant row on Sand Lake. There are about 20 fantastic restaurants, a few are chains like Roy's, the Melting Pot, and Bonefish Grill, but there are also some amazing non-chains like Seasons 52, the Samba Room, and Carrino's. The caveat is that most of them aren't inexpensive, and many aren't younger kid friendly if you've got little ones with you. You'll need a reservation for most if not all, and sometimes you need to make that reservations more than a few days in advance.

 

[englishteacha]

Maybe it's because I'm from Maine and we don't have them up here, but my DH and I really enjoy Cracker Barrel. We've eaten at several up and down the east coast and have always had a delicious meal and great service. The prices are very reasonable as well. When choosing a restaurant for our anniversary dinner (off site) we picked Cracker Barrel.

It may not be the type of "gem" you're looking for but we highly recommend it!

 

[KayR]

Have a look at http://www.stayatemeraldisland.com/GuestInfo/RestReviews.php for a few reviews.

Mannies Chop House on the 27 gets rave reviews from lots of people I know. I haven't tried it yet.

We like Kobe - not a "wow" place, but the kids love the show and the food is OK.

Near to Kobe is a Charley's Steak House. My mouth is watering just thinking of the steaks.

On the 192 towards the 27 is a small Chinese - Mr Wongs. We enjoyed ourselves there - great owners, very helpful and nice food too.

Another place that we have yet to visit is Texas de Brazil. Not a place for vegetarians, but good reviews. Also heard good things about The Melting Pot.

Up near one of the Malls is California Pizza Kitchen and a Cheesecake Factory. Both nice places to eat. If you go to the Cheesecake Factory, the portions are HUGE, so share meals and save room for desert

Also some nice places in Celebration.

Hope that helps.

-Kay

 

[Trullclan]

Thanks for all the help so far, lots of great ideas, please keep them coming. Now the trick will be actually finding them.

 

[mandy200587]

I love the Uno's that's down in Kissimmee. It's chicago style pizza but there's more than just that.

5350 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy
Rte 192
Kissimmee, FL

That's the one we go to

 

[Topper]

there are also some amazing non-chains like Seasons 52, the Samba Room

Seasons 52 and the Samba Room are both chain restaurants. FYI

 

[BetsyinFL]

Celebration has some great restaurants. Sherlocks is an English tea room with great quiche, The Town Tavern is a Boston seafood place, The Market Cafe is a terrific upscale diner, D'Antonios for Italian, Columbia for Cuban, and Seito for Japanese. Just follow Celebration Ave. into town and make a left at Front St.

 

[kylara]

I haven't lived in Kissimmee for a while, but when I did, there was a great Italian place called Tarantino's. I believe it is still open...it was family run and very good.

 

[LindaBabe]

Any more? I too, am going in January and seeking some off property adventures.

 

[Keacc]

We stayed at Orange Lake last week and went to Manny's Chop House on 27 one night. It took us about 20 minutes to get there but it was well worth it. Great food, great service, very reasonable prices and 2 for 1 drinks from 4pm-7pm. We also went to Logan's Road house which is always a must on every trip. It was excellent as usual. Carrabba's on 192 is also very good.

 

[tednvon]

Hi, not fancy but one our regular stops when we are there all winter is THE PUB out on 27 south just a mile south of the exit off I-4 west toward Tampa...4-5 British entrees including Shepherd' Pie which will feed two easily and some great beer selections...
Enjoy...Ted

 

[Trullclan]

bump

 

[diznee princess]

Hi,
We eat at Bahama Breeze, but you should go early as locals fill this place up as well at happy hour! expect a 2 hour wait if entering near typical dinner hour They have live music outside on the patio and a firepit, food is delish! Island style flair to food. 2 locations one on 535 right down the road from downtown disney just past I-4 and one on the busy side of Int. Drive and convention center. If you want good italian that is easy on the wallet go to Carabbas. It is a chain that is owned by the outback parent family. The food is cooked fresh to order and yummy. Get the pitcher of sangria or italian blend wine. There is one on International Dr., RT. 192 and the newest near the outlets on Lake Bryan near the Bahama Breeze on 535. In fact you pass the Bahama Breeze to get to Carabbas on left. Hit the websites for directions and maps. The kids love Cracker Barrel can't go wrong with homestyle southern cooking. If you love biscuits and gravy and fruit cobbler, this is it. The kids love the country store we always hit on the way out. You'll see old time candy and toys we knew as a kid. They have the best coca cola chocolate cake when in season. Great for a hearty breakfast served all day! Its like you just had mom make you a plate of home cooking.
These are our haunts every visit.

 

[Detailor]

We've enjoyed the Celebration Town Tavern in Celebration, particularly if the weather allows for outside seating in the Boston Garden area (we're from the northeast so almost any Florida weather is outside weather for us).
For seafood, try Straub's Seafood on East Colonial Drive in Orlando. It is, though, a bit of a trip from Kissimmee - go east on I-4 to exit 83B, follow the signs to E. Colonial Dr. (routes 50/92/17), turn right onto E. Colonial and continue on route 50/E. Colonial for about 3 1/2 miles, Straub's is on the left. The place, a local restaurant not a tourist place, doesn't look like much from the outside, but the portions are generous, the food is very good and prices are reasonable.
I also agree that Bahama Breeze is good. Just expect a leisurely paced dining experience - it is an island-based theme, after all. This is just off SR 535 on Vineland Ave near exit 68 of I-4 east.
There's also a Landry's Seafood at that same intersection. Landry's is part of a chain that also runs the Rainforest Cafe, The Crab House, and a bunch of other restaurants.

Dick Taylor