In Orlando-which are best restaurants near hotel

[2Relax]

We are not from the U.S. and do not recognize most of the restaurants near our hotel. Please tell which you would recommend and why, and tell me what type of restaurant that it is for me. Thanks. (lost my last msg, hope this is not a duplicate)

Olive Garden
Giordana
Cracker Barrel
Golden Corral
Wildside BBQ
IHop
Outback
TGI Friday
Carrabba

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

all of these should have websites where you can check the menus!

Carrabba's is amazing food for a chain, but pricey.

Cracker Barrel is very good, down home American food with very good breakfasts.

we have never been to Giordana or the BBQ place - the rest are restaurants we don't care much for....Olive Garden is just OK Italian food prices are too high for mediocre Italian.

 

[soccerchick]

IHOP is known for its breakfast food (pancakes, waffles, omlettes, etc.) with some other types of American comfort food (meatloaf, chicken).

Outback is steak with some chicken, ribs and shrimp too. It is an Australian "theme" with some healthy and not so healthy options.

Golden Corral is a buffet. Not sure exactly what they will have - but a wide variety. Usually a salad bar, rice, veggies, chicken, maybe tacos and fixings, soups, and a dessert bar.

TGIFriday is somewhat like a Ruby Tuesdays IMHO- burgers, chicken, pasta, - a variety of typical American fare. I'm not a big fan of TGIF.

Most of those are chains, so you can see the menus and probably pictures online.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

here also is a link to a discussion of restaurants at Crossroads Plaza - also close.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2500142

hope this helps as well!!!!

 

[snowy76]

Outback is steak with some chicken, ribs and shrimp too. It is an Australian "theme" with some healthy and not so healthy options.

Not sure if the OP meant Outback Steakhouse, or another restaurant in the DTD area called The Outback. A couple of DISers have been surprised to find they went to eat at one, expecting the other.

This is the chain: http://www.outback.com/
This is the restaurant in the Buena Vista Palace in DTD (on that page, scroll down and click the link to bring up their menu): http://www.buenavistapalace.com/services_and_activities/dining.cfm

 

[nboicepardee]

Not sure if the OP meant Outback Steakhouse, or another restaurant in the DTD area called The Outback. A couple of DISers have been surprised to find they went to eat at one, expecting the other.

This is the chain: http://www.outback.com/
This is the restaurant in the Buena Vista Palace in DTD (on that page, scroll down and click the link to bring up their menu): http://www.buenavistapalace.com/services_and_activities/dining.cfm

Thank you for posting this! I actually bought a restaurant.com gc thinking it was Outback Steakhouse! I don't mind, but I am glad to know before I go.

 

[i*heart*minniemouse]

We are not from the U.S. and do not recognize most of the restaurants near our hotel. Please tell which you would recommend and why, and tell me what type of restaurant that it is for me. Thanks. (lost my last msg, hope this is not a duplicate)

Olive Garden
Giordana
Cracker Barrel
Golden Corral
Wildside BBQ
IHop
Outback
TGI Friday
Carrabba

Giordano's....YUMMMMM

 

[eliza61]

We love cracker barrel. great place for breakfast.

Also wanted to say that even though these are popular chain restaurant, they are locally operated. So you do stand the chance that your local Olive Garden is ok while another one may be not so good.

 

[vicki_c]

Love IHOP (International House of Pancakes) for breakfast!

I'd personally steer clear of Golden Corral and Cracker Barrel, though they have their fans as well.

Carabba's is excellent for a chain.

TGI Friday's is fine -nothing special - typical casual American food - burgers, ribs, a few chicken and pasta dishes.

 

[polkadotminnie]

Our favorite is Bahama Breeze. I have loved everything that I have ordered there. It is very convenient too.

 

[Kay1]

It sounds like you're staying near Formosa Gardens. We sometimes stay there and always choose Carraba's for Italian. Cracker Barrel is more of a family restaurant. I don't think they serve alcohol so if you're looking for an evening out with a fine glass of wine, look elsewhere.

I see IHOP as a breakfast plate though they do serve other things. If you are staying near Formosa Gardens, I can recommend a little Chinese restaurant named Taste of China. Cozy and good.

 

[soccerchick]

Not sure if the OP meant Outback Steakhouse, or another restaurant in the DTD area called The Outback. A couple of DISers have been surprised to find they went to eat at one, expecting the other.

This is the chain: http://www.outback.com/
This is the restaurant in the Buena Vista Palace in DTD (on that page, scroll down and click the link to bring up their menu): http://www.buenavistapalace.com/services_and_activities/dining.cfm

Good to know ~ thanks for clarifying.

 

[thelobstershanty]

Orlando Ale House is great, no farther off of WDW property than Crossroads but with way less tourists and better food for better prices! It is a sports bar atomosphere but with good food that goes from burgers and wings to sea food--all at reasonable prices!!

 

[debsays]

I second Orlando Ale House. Great food, great prices and generous servings. Also Sweet Tomatoes is also a great place to eat. Self service buffet style great for the money and what a variety. It's in the back of TGI's at the CrossRoads.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

If you google each restaurant name you will be able to see a menu. see my comments following each name.

Two other places I would like to mention are
Fuddruckers - Serves hamburger with a large array of toppings
Joe's Crab Shack- is a sea food place, but also has chicken on the menu. Prices are not that bad either.
Both of these places are within a mile of downtown disney.

To save money on food try go to restaurants for lunch because the lunch menues are cheaper. Some places serve lunch as late at 3:00 so you could actually have an early dinner then grab a snack later on.

We are not from the U.S. and do not recognize most of the restaurants near our hotel. Please tell which you would recommend and why, and tell me what type of restaurant that it is for me. Thanks. (lost my last msg, hope this is not a duplicate)

Olive Garden - is an italian eatery, good food but can have a long wait time to be seated.
Giordana- is an italian eatery
Cracker Barrel - is a great place for breakfast, has great comfort food for dinner such as meatloaf, baked chicken - they also serve breakfast all day.
Golden Corral - is a buffet place
Wildside BBQ
IHop - is a cheaper place that serves breakfast lunch and dinner
Outback - is a steak restaurant that opens at 3:00 daily. Can be a little pricey.
TGI Friday - is good place, Has hamburger, chicken, steak and good salads.
Carrabba

 

[Scurvy]

Giordano's is one of our favorites. We love the Chicago style deep dish pizza there. OP, Cracker Barrel is a great place to try comfort food popular in the southern US (like Chicken and Dumplings, Chicken Fried Chicken, biscuits and corn bread, meatloaf, sweet tea and lots of vegetables), if you're interested in that sort of thing.

 

[Kat77]

OP, Cracker Barrel is a great place to try comfort food popular in the southern US (like Chicken and Dumplings, Chicken Fried Chicken, biscuits and corn bread, meatloaf, sweet tea and lots of vegetables), if you're interested in that sort of thing.

I agree!
If you go, have some Chicken and Dumplings! Plus the attached country store is great to browse with lots of classic american toys and candy.

Adding- TGI Fridays has a bar and is good for drinks with appetizers/desserts... comparable to a pub.

 

[2Relax]

This is the OP; and thanks for all your respones so far. Last night we tried the Golden Corral as it was one of the closest and I did not have many responses yet. I must say I am not a fan, now that I have tried it. Great for big, buffet eaters but not that tasty. The Cracker Barrel sounds interesting to try some southern U.S. offerings.

 

[mhsjax]

This is the OP; and thanks for all your respones so far. Last night we tried the Golden Corral as it was one of the closest and I did not have many responses yet. I must say I am not a fan, now that I have tried it. Great for big, buffet eaters but not that tasty. The Cracker Barrel sounds interesting to try some southern U.S. offerings.

Cracker barrel has the bast pancakes. I also like Perkins for breakfast. WE finally went to Chevy's Mexican, I loved it. I am not sure any of these are close to where you are staying. I personally would stay away from Olive Garden, think canned spaghetti and ravioli. These is a Macaroni Grill that is pretty good, definitely better than Olive Garden. Most Italians that I know consider this restaurant a slap in the face.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

There is a Chevy's at the Crossroad Plaza which is 1 mile from DTD. It gets pretty busy at 5:00 so be prepared to wait or try to go at 4:30.

Cracker barrel has the bast pancakes. I also like Perkins for breakfast. WE finally went to Chevy's Mexican, I loved it. I am not sure any of these are close to where you are staying. I personally would stay away from Olive Garden, think canned spaghetti and ravioli. These is a Macaroni Grill that is pretty good, definitely better than Olive Garden. Most Italians that I know consider this restaurant a slap in the face.