Off Property Favorite Restaurants

[Disney_Mama]

This is a great thread.

 

[JimMIA]

Does Friendly's count? We used to have one where we lived previously, and we really miss it, so we try to go to the one in Orlando whenever we're there.

Actually, I almost mentioned some of the "long-gone from our neighborhood" restaurants as well. There seem to be a lot of those around WDW. I guess just about any reasonably-priced restaurant will do well if it's close to WDW.

Someone mentioned Tu Tu Tango; they used to have a place in Miami, but they closed. We will try that next trip. Last trip, we had a great casual meal at Pizzaria Uno - another restaurant we used to enjoy here that went under. It was like visiting an old friend!

 

[DisneyDreamers2007]

We like Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville at Universal City Walk.

 

[rentayenta]

I'm a cheap pig so we go for the all you can eat seafood places. The one we like the best is Boston Lobster Feast. http://www.dvcwishes.com/ads/blf/blf.htm

 

[dgaston]

I like Sweet Tomatoes, and now there's a new location at the Crossroads. I also like Bahama Breeze (chain, but not available here in New England)

Is Orlando Ale House still operating? I thought I had read they closed some restaurants.

Smoky Bones and Bubbalue's Bodacious Barbecue for barbecue.

Last summer Charley's had a 2 for 1 special so it wasn't quite as pricy. Excellent steak.

 

[skelooch]

Celebration Town Tavern, Front St. in Celebration.
Great menu including New England seafood, indoor or outdoor dining.
Where all the locals go.
I do it at least once every trip.
I'll be there this Fri or Sat nite

 

[DVCSAMNH]

Another vote for Seasons 52 in Dr. Phillips. My daughter and I had a terrific lunch there in May. Can't wait to go back for dinner.

We also had dinner at Celebration Town Tavern. Menu is New England Tavern style. Lobster rolls, seafood, burgers. Good stick to your ribs food and you get to enjoy Celebration as an extra bonus. Celebration also has an Italian restaurant and a Japanese restaurant that get really good reviews that we would like to check out on future trips.

If we're in the mood to dress up a little and spend a little extra money we really like the Tommy Bahama Cafe across from the Convention Center. The food has an island flair and is very well prepared. They are located at 9101 I-Drive.

 

[nickspace]

Good Info!

 

[Chuck S]

We like the Bob Evan's restaurants, and even Perkin's is pretty good. We don't have any of 'those types" of restaurant's here in Seguin...you know like Denny's...places that have fairly good food, nothing fancy, with a comprehensive menu. Everything is specialized here in Seguin...Italian, barbecue, pizza, Tex-Mex or fast food here. Nothing that has a good general menu

 

[chalee94]

Celebration Town Tavern, Front St. in Celebration.
Great menu including New England seafood, indoor or outdoor dining.
Where all the locals go.
I do it at least once every trip.

loved this place. (parking was a mess, though.)

 

[Claire L]

We really enjoy Cafe D'Antonio in Celebration.

As we are from the UK and we don't have the following chains we do like to visit them when in the US

Red Lobster
Outback Steakhouse
Olive Garden
Tony Romas
TGI Fridays
Bahama Breeze

All the above chains are in the Crossroads area of LBV except Tony Romas which is now only at I Drive

Claire

 

[Chim Chiminy]

We like Bahama Breeze and Chevy's, since they are pretty close by to Disney property.
But we have a lot of the above mentioned restaurants on our "to try" list.

 

[phyllisnnj]

Additional Sources for Restaurant Recommendations

Orlando Sentinel's Foodie Award winners for 2009 - http://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/restaurants/orl-foodies-2009,0,3642824.htmlpage
Orlando Magazine's Dining Awards winners for 2009 - http://orlandomagazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6706&Itemid=1
Gayot - http://www.gayot.com/restaurants/best-orlando-fl_19or.html
Tripadvisor - http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g34515-Orlando_Florida.html

 

[Mouse511]

This is a great thread - keep the resturants coming as we are making our list for our October trip.

I do have give a for Chevy's - we went there on our last trip and the Mexican was fantastic. We also went during happy hour and the Margarita's were tasty and cheap too !!!

 

[Sammie]

Thanks for the Celebration suggestions, I always forget about it and it is very easy to get to esepcially from SSR.

I know many try to avoid chain restaurants but the Chili's near the Winn Dixie on Apopoka Vineland is one of the best.

Right now Chili's is running a special 2 for $20, share an appetizer, two entrees and one dessert, pretty good bargain and their appetizers and desserts are plenty for 2.

 

[JoEllen]

We always enjoy Romano's Macaroni Grill which is close by. This is a decent chain restaurant that we don't have in our area and the prices are reasonable.

 

[JasonDVC]

If you are looking for fast food, I reccomend Sonic!

We don't have any in New England so every trip to Florida requires a stop at Sonic.

http://www.sonicdrivein.com/locator/

 

[Sammie]

If you are looking for fast food, I reccomend Sonic!

We don't have any in New England so every trip to Florida requires a stop at Sonic.

http://www.sonicdrivein.com/locator/

isn't it funny how special something so many of us take for granted can be to someone that does not have it. I love thier cherry limeade drinks.

 

[JasonDVC]

isn't it funny how special something so many of us take for granted can be to someone that does not have it. I love thier cherry limeade drinks.

The strange thing is they show Sonic commericals here everyday but the closest one to us is about a 3 1/2 hour drive

 

[JimC]

A place we would always go when visiting my brother in Orlando is Seasons 52 - it's a chain, but with only a few restaurants in FL and GA so far. The food is so good and it's a refreshing change - the menu changes weekly to take advantage of market-fresh foods. Portions are not supersized for a change and all the entrees are no more than 475 calories....

It is a very good pick. Seasons 52 also has an excellent wine list. It is an easy 15 minute drive from Old Key West up Apopka-Vineland Road to Sand Lake Road.