ISO Local Restaurants NO CHAINS

[jmjdisneydad]

It seems absurd to me that Red Lobster is mentioned over and over again as one of the better seafood restaurants in Orlando. I will eat at a chain restaurant, I really like Carrabas but come on!

I would like to start a thread listing local restaurants, all types of food welcome. Please tell me a little something about what the WDW area has to offer, including approximate pricing and whether it is good for families or more for adults.

Calling all critics and people who like to eat food. I would appreciate all your responses.

 

[Tink522]

Try Linda's La Cantina Steakhouse. Unbelievable food and service! Here's the website:


www.lindaslacantina.com

 

[rosiep]

6707 Sand Lake Rd..the biggest lobster tails I have ever seen in my life!
My mother told me about this place but she exaggerates and when she said the lobster tails where huge I dismissed it as just another one of her embellishments. Imagine my surprise when we go and they truly were the best, largest lobster tails I'd ever seen!

 

[Figment22]

There are many very good restaurants in the West Sand Lake Road enclave east of WDW heading toward Universal Studios. Several of these restaurants are actually part of a chain but not large chains like Carrabba's, Outback, Red Lobster, etc.

Here are some of them:
Seasons 52 www.seasons52.com
Samba Room www.sambaroom.net
Roy's www.roysrestaurant.com
Timpano Italian Chophouse www.timpanochophouse.net
Moonfish www.talkofthetownrestaurants.com/moonfish.html

Not right on West Sand Lake Road but in the same area is Christini's for excellent Italian food. www.christinis.com

For great barbecue, the best around is Bubbalou's Bodacious Barbecue. It's in the Universal Studios area but is WELL worth the trip.
www.bubbalous.com

 

[jmjdisneydad]

I saw vallarta restaurant got really good mexican reviews too.
Moonfish for sushi sounds like something I have to try.

We will be dining out like 25-30 meals during our next trip as I hate to cook in someone elses kitchen. Big or small, keep the suggestions coming.

Are there any good breakfast places?

 

[cherylp3]

Seasons is owned by Darden and Roy's is owned by Outback

 

[jmjdisneydad]

There have to be some local treasures. Something small maybe off the main road. Year round residents would probably know, but don't want to give up their favorite spots.

I have a couple of months before our trip so I intend to find some of them.

 

[Chrisinroch]

Primo for a special occasion/nice meal is a great bet. I heard good things about the orlando ale house from the podcast and will try that next week. I like Giordano's for chicago style pizza, but that is technically a chain. Check out chowhound.com

 

[gqchicago]

On Sand Lake Road I like Moonfish for seafood, and the Vine for steak/jazz. Also last week, we ate at a really cool place on I-Drive called Cafe Tu Tu Tango.

Now, arguably, several WDW are some of my absolute favorites in the Orlando area, including California Grill (one of my favorite in the whole country!), Jiko, and Narcoosee's. (and I suppose Victoria and Albert's which is 5*, but I haven't personally eaten there).

 

[jmjdisneydad]

I was under the impression that WDW restaurants were overpriced and really not that good. I had intended on doing some character dining but not expecting to find great food. Was I wrong?

 

[katiee511]

I was under the impression that WDW restaurants were overpriced and really not that good. I had intended on doing some character dining but not expecting to find great food. Was I wrong?

Our last trip we went to BOMA in AKL for their breakfast buffet. Very good food, excellent service.
We also had some not so great food at resort high prices, but really thought BOMA was well worth it. Would like to try it for dinner sometime.
The french pastry shop in Epcot was also worth a stop. Of course we were there during the Food & Wine Festival so there were lots of things to try. Also the Cheddar Soup from Canada maybe (?) was excellent.
If you are in DTD and looking for something casual, I recommend Earl of Sandwich.

 

[JB2K]

Several of these restaurants are actually part of a chain but not large chains like Carrabba's, Outback, Red Lobster, etc.

Here are some of them:
Seasons 52 www.seasons52.com
Roy's www.roysrestaurant.com

Ahem!

Roy's is very much owned by Florida-based Outback Steakhouses, Inc. (OSI) as Seasons 52 is owned by Darden, owner of Red Lobster, among others...

But then again, I see someone already caught that

 

[JB2K]

There have to be some local treasures. Something small maybe off the main road.

Not as many as you might think...

Unlike a lot of our hometowns around the U.S., prior to the rise of WDW and other mega-parks, there just wasn't a whole lot happening in the Orlando area.

As a child, I recall the drive from Brevard County to WDW being long, and mainly though undeveloped areas (which, today, is the Kissimmee you know that has everything but the kitchen sink).

There may be a "few" local restaraunts out there in the area, but alas, they are few and far-between.

It seems developers prefer to offer "familiarity" to visitors from up north in the form of chains like Perkins and Friendly's.

 

[Darcy03231]

We ate at Barney's Steak House and thought it was one of the best meals we had while we were there. www.barneyssteakhouse.com

 

[Figment22]

Ahem!

Roy's is very much owned by Florida-based Outback Steakhouses, Inc. (OSI) as Seasons 52 is owned by Darden, owner of Red Lobster, among others...

But then again, I see someone already caught that

I said that they were part of chains but they're not the typical chains that you'd have in your local neighborhood. They are, however, excellent restaurants that most will not have eaten in prior to an Orlando visit.

No need for snark.

 

[KayR]

Manny's Chophouse has come highly recommended to me from several people. I have not yet had the chance to try them out. A bit of a trek down the 27, but from all accounts, well worth it.

http://www.mannyschophouse.com/


For Chinese, I have enjoyed a couple of meals from Mr Kong's on 192. Again, came recommended to us and was great.

http://kongrestaurant.com/

Better still, they deliver!

Several restaurants in Celebration have been recommended by various friends. The only one I have tried is Market Street Cafe and that was good.

 

[safetymom]

Manny's is great!!!!

 

[OlderMan]

Thai Thani on I-Drive near Seaworld.

Del Frisco's on Lee Rd (west of I-4) in Winter Park.

 

[happymickey464]

Angel's Lobster & Seafood Buffet 29.99 pp The last time we were there May 07 it was very good for a buffet and the seafood was hot & fresh!

 

[lakoda]

I'd love to hear more about Manny's Chophouse!