Off-property restaurants that you love??

[scoolover]

I like the Hooters in LBV and the Hooters in Kissimmee and the Hooters in Orlando and the Hooters in Daytona. The Hooters in Tampa is alright.

 

[maggiew]

I like the Hooters in LBV and the Hooters in Kissimmee and the Hooters in Orlando and the Hooters in Daytona. The Hooters in Tampa is alright.

Boy, they must have good food.

Maggie

 

[maggiew]

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.

We ate at Orlando Ale house last trip when we stayed at Sheraton Safari Hotel. It is basically right across the street.

It is typical bar type food. My DD got the zingers, but they weren't buffalo style that I recall. Although DD likes spicy things so maybe she didn't even think to comment. These were on the kids menu, so maybe thats different.

But I got the shrimp meal. It was something like 36 shrimp for around $9.99. (I don't know if those numbers are exactly right, but pretty close.) The shrimps weren't the best I have ever had (love the coconut ones at Rainforest Cafe), but they were good and PLENTIFUL!! Three of us ate off of my plate. My mom didn't order food because she knew we had plenty and my other DD didn't care much for her fish and chips so she picked off of my plate too.

I am going to try and fit in a meal here on our trip this summer. Maybe on our arrival day!

Maggie

 

[princesspwrhr]

We normally drive down and always start our vacation (and usually end as well)with lunch at Chevy's Fresh Mex in the Crossroads. We love their salsa. They fire roas the tomatos and peppers first and mmmmmmm yum. We'd go just for chips and salsa so the fact that the rest of the food is yum also seals the deal. It's 'Americanized' Tex Mex food but it's very good. (on an aside, their 'cheese' dip has the definate velveeta meets salsa meets microwave quality to it, my only complaint)

 

[Kycha]

The Crab House and Pebble's are two of our new favorites. The Crab House has an all you can eat seafood buffet(no lobster). Some of the freshest and tastiest seafood I have ever had. Also, the cream of crab soup was "to die" for.

Pebble's was another fantastic choice with delicious seafood and steaks. The real high point is that they serve Yuengling beer on tap. Not something that is easily found that far from Pennsylvania.

Both of these restaurants are moderately priced and located in the Lake Buena Vista area. I haven't had a better meal on site.

 

[jennypenny]

This is a great list of places. I think we'll definitely try a couple of off-site places this trip.

We are taking the autotrain (boys have condition--can't fly). Are any good restaurants *on the way* from the sanford station t WDW? It might be nice to stop coming and going for lunch.

Jenny

 

[princesspwrhr]

We just took the Autotrain in Dec 05. They are doing a LOT of construction on that exit and entire depot area at Lorton and there is virtually *nothing* to eat at the Lorton exit so plan on eating before you get there, or packing in a picnic lunch. If you stop before you get there and are ehading North to Lorton, do NOT stop at the Cracker Barrel in Fredricksburg. It is the s l o w e s t in CB history. We've stopped there a few times on our way to/from DC from the southern part of the state. You would think we learned our lesson, but apperantly not and everyone else complains about how slow it is also. Everything else is fine but you won't spend under 2 hours there.

Once you get off the train in Sanford and claim your vehicle (30 min to 2 hours ) you're only about 30 min from Lake Buena Vista and pass 2 outlet malls and numerous large exits on your way so you'll have your choice of eateries. (We go to Chevy's)

Another word of caution about the train station. Either pack a snack for when you get off the train or grab lots of muffins from morning breakfast. There is a small convience store onsite (and I mean small) but the prices are absolutely outrageous. It cost me just over $6 for a bottle of water and a pack of those cheap peanut butter and cheese cracker sandwich things. (the ones you get for .50 out of a snack machine) The girls had already run through all the snacks I had.

 

[MrsMud]

Bahama Breeze, Macaroni Grill and Rainforest Cafe are our favorites in the WDW area. If you want to venture over to Citywalk (which is a GREAT place on its own), Margaritaville is our family favorite. Stiltwalkers and balloon hats for the kids, and Bahama Mamas for...mama!