Off-property restaurants that you love??

[jennypenny]

We go to disney a couple of times a year but we never rent a car. We'll have our car with us this summer and I was wondering if there are any great restaurants outside of the World. We have 3 small kids, so I'm not talking about Cal Grill type restaurants.

We're so funny. We've been to disney many times, but we've never actually *seen* orlando . We've never even gone to Universal. We are going to venture out to Seaworld though this time because we have free passes.

So, does anyone actually leave the World to eat??

Jenny

 

[mom 2 3]

Two years ago we did leave to eat at Pacino's (Italian) which had been recommended by our friends. We had 3 kids but went at 4:30 and there was hardly anyone there. The food was excellent!!! We also ate in Downtown Disney at Planet Hollywood, but didn't have ADR's and waited 2 hours on a table. After dinner my kids thought that the wait was worth it because it was my youngest birthday and he got this HUGE choclate dessert that he shared with his brother and sister. I would recommend that you call ahead to see if you can get reservations for dinner even outside Disney or at least your name on the list so you don't have to wait so long.

 

[Amyrlin]

Texas de brazil on international drive yummmmm

 

[Kae]

Cafe Tu Tu Tango, Nascar Cafe at City Walk, Both Emeril's Places, Jungle Jim's, Bahama Breeze.

Kae

 

[Dizneydaz]

We ate there in Jan. for the first time. We have relatives in the area and they met us there. It's not very far from WDW. We will definitely go back-it's a fun atmosphere and the food was very good. I had a rare tuna that was the best I ever ate! But no, it's not like CG at all-they have regular food, fair pricing. My DD6 had the chicken strips and loved them!

Hopefully, we'll go back this Sept. but with the Dining Plan we might not be able to squeeze it in.

We have always had our own rental car, you're going to love the freedom it gives you. There is even a (regular) McDonalds not fair from AKL. Regular meaning regular menu-even the $1 one. The two on property have a dif menu.

The Bahama Breeze (owned by Olive Garden) is the best we've found off site-it's the only one we've been to that we would re-visit. Of course, International drive has all the normal chains-Chilis, Outback, etc. I hope they build a BB in So Cal soon.

Have a great time!

 

[MyGoofy26]

Orlando Alehouse!! Used to live there when I did my college program - we were too broke and the portions of chicken nachos could feed the whole table and still have leftovers, LOL.

They're famous for their "zingers" which are boneless buffalo strips - lots of places have them now, but NO ONE compares to Ale House zingers. Their cheese fries are oh so good too. Definitely not the place to go if you're on a diet but somehow easier to justify after walking mile after mile in the parks, LOL.

There are a few of them - the two easiest to get to are the one of 535, if you take Hotel Plaza Boulevard from Downtown Disney to 535 - make a left and head up a block or two and it's on your left. There is another right by Universal - if you take the Kirkman Rd exit and go past the back entrance to Universal, it's on your right in a little strip mall sort of area just a couple blocks from that entrance.

 

[jennypenny]

Where is Bahama Breeze?

Is CityWalk worth going to for dinner and walking around?

jenny

 

[JMD]

These 2 restaurants are top notch. Although both are a bit pricey, you will probably not find food in WDW that is as good as these 2 places.

Roy's: http://www.roysrestaurant.com/

&

Christini's http://www.christinis.com/

 

[JMD]

They're famous for their "zingers" which are boneless buffalo strips - lots of places have them now, but NO ONE compares to Ale House zingers.

I agree, Alehouse Zingers are the best.

 

[Valentine]

Bahama Breeze!!! Ah the ribs.. I can taste them now!!!! and a great casual island atmosphere.. Noisy and VERY kid friendly!


Kathy

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

We love Bahama Breeze, too! We also like to go to Giordano's if we want some pizza. DH loves to go to Mall at Millenia and eat at Brio or Cheesecake Factory.

 

[powellrj]

Texas de brazil on international drive yummmmm

That was the first one I thought of, We loved it!!!

 

[majortom]

Where is Bahama Breeze?

Is CityWalk worth going to for dinner and walking around?

jenny

Closest Bahama Breeze is 8735 Vineland Ave., Orlando, FL 32821, just across I4 from Disney.

There are a few restaurants at City Walk worth visiting, but if you are over at/near Universal, make sure to visit Emeril's Tchoup Chop (pronounced Chop Chop). It is a unique pan-Asian restaurant and is mid-priced (certainly cheaper than his other restaurants). Food is great and service is usually good as well.

I also like Ale House at 535/436 (ok food, but great service), Girodano's Pizza (great food) and the Indian place in Crossroads (two doors from TGI Friday's). If you want a casual Thai place, try Thai City on Sandlake.

Darden Restaurants (Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Bahama Breeze, Smokey Bones Barbeque & Grill and Seasons 52) own a great new restaurant called Seasons 52, run by California Grill's open chef and general manager (from when that restaurant was world class).

/carmi

 

[AllyBri]

These 2 restaurants are top notch. Although both are a bit pricey, you will probably not find food in WDW that is as good as these 2 places.

Roy's: http://www.roysrestaurant.com/

&

Christini's http://www.christinis.com/

These are two of our favorites also.

 

[oogieboogie]

Seito in Celebration is a great Japanese restaurant and my personal favorite. Go during lunch and get their bento box special - the portions are huge and the prices pretty reasonable.

Also in Celebration, the Market Street Cafe and the Town Tavern are great places to eat too, with plenty of outdoor seating. At the Town Tavern, their onion rings are piled high and just fantastic.

 

[Toulouse]

Anyone ever been to Jockamos (Cajun - on Sand Lake Rd - more of a takeout than a restaurant) or Bubbalou's BBQ? Considering both.... (well, Jockamos is a given ).

 

[Minniespal]

Cafe Tu Tu Tango, Emeril's, Cheescake Factory, Outback and Sweet Tomatoes.

 

[luciloo]

Another vote for Orlando Alehouse, also my DH loves Race Rock, he is a motorsports fanatic, i also like it though it is a great atmosphere.

 

[pjupton]

We also like to go to Giordano's if we want some pizza.

We love Giordano's! Back in 1997, we only knew of the location on 192 and drove all the way out there instead of going to the one on 535. Now we know better!

 

[Kath2003]

We always stay off-site, American food is SO much better than food in the UK! Some of our favourite places are:

Hard Rock Cafe
Longhorn Steakhouse
Outback Steakhouse
TGI Fridays!!!
Bennigans
Giordanos
Cheesecake Factory (Oh my goodness their cheesecake is better than...well...this is a family forum... )