Ponderosa

[JohnnySharp2]

Like most restaurant chains they are franchised so depending on who owns the branch you will get differing standards although the prerequisite is to provide good food in a clean environment this is clearly not adhered to.

I stopped using buffet style restaurants a few years ago because of the lower standards offered and also for some disgusting things I saw from the patrons which put me off using them ever again. I much prefer to use waitress service restaurants such as Friendly's or IHOP where the food is freshly cooked.

Sure that is true - we only went to Ponderosa once this year and only went more frequently several years ago when we stayed on I-drive..we were considering maybe trying Golden Corral next year as Joshua really doesn't have the patience for a more formal restaurant - hence buffet style may have been a better option.

Having said that from what you have said, we may just stick to the Outback/chik-fil-a and KFC when we are not cooking ourselves at our rented villa.

 

[ERICS MUM]

Just got back and can confirm Ponderosa breakfast is $3.99 each, excluding juice/coffee. The one on I/Drive near the Mercado is fine, we prefer it to Sizzler or Golden Corral. For a change we like Friendly's. Its tradition that at least once on our holiday we have their stack of pancakes with the fruit and whipped cream toppings with a side of bacon - yum!!

Linda

 

[disneyholic family]

anyone ever seen those chevy chase vacation movies?
the one set in las vegas has a brilliantly funny scene with Chevy and Randy Quaid eating in a ponderosa-like restaurant....
i laughed so hard my sides split...
but if you like ponderosa (which boggles my mind that you would) you probably won't see the humor in it...

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Just got back and can confirm Ponderosa breakfast is $3.99 each, excluding juice/coffee. The one on I/Drive near the Mercado is fine, we prefer it to Sizzler or Golden Corral. For a change we like Friendly's. Its tradition that at least once on our holiday we have their stack of pancakes with the fruit and whipped cream toppings with a side of bacon - yum!!

Linda

This is one I referred to earlier which is the nicest Ponderosa we have been to.

 

[Goofyish]

Whenever we have stayed on IDrive we have been to the one near the Mercado, just up from Tony Romas.

We have always found it clean and efficient and the food is fine for what you pay for it

 

[sandshal]

Three years ago - two got our vote - Sizzler and Golden Coral were excellent - although by the end of 14 nights you can have enough of buffet grub !!!!!

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

The Golden Corral on the 192 near to the WDW entrance, (between the I4 and Black lake road, is one of their trademark restarants, breakfast is around $4.99
Went there onm friday for dinner as we wanteed to get something quick.
very busy

Why not also look at getting some cereals, milk, toast etc and eatinmg breakfast in?

 

[Amyrlin]

I would also say that Sizzler and Golden Corral are better than Ponderosa.

 

[SimonV]

A new one to watch out for is the Whistle Junction Grill & Buffet on the northern stretch of I-Drive (just south of Festival Bay). It is a touch more expensive than the others (and is also train-themed) and only offers breakfast at the weekends, but their food variety is definitely superior, IMHO, and they also offer more fresh meat and vegetables for a change. A much cleaner (and newer) environment, and it is a fast-expanding chain, so they must be doing something right

Also, don't forget Sweet Tomatoes at the junction of I-Drive and Kirkman for some of the best lunch and dinner buffets with a more health-conscious approach (great salads, soups and pasta in particular).

 

[ERICS MUM]

........Also, don't forget Sweet Tomatoes at the junction of I-Drive and Kirkman for some of the best lunch and dinner buffets with a more health-conscious approach (great salads, soups and pasta in particular).

We just got back from Orlando, and must say Sweet Tomatoes is still our favourite. When we were there, they were promoting their new Sunday morning breakfast buffet, which would have started yesterday (boo hoo, we missed it by 3 days!).

Linda aw:

 

[Cochise]

We stayed on the block next to the Ponderosa by the Mercado, it was very suitable when you felt like the buffet meal.

But mmmm Tony Romas. Only 10 months to wait till Monday night all u can eat Ribs..

 

[PaulaSB12]

I liked everything at ponderosa but BLUE jelly!!!!! could not bring myself to eat that.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

We stayed on the block next to the Ponderosa by the Mercado, it was very suitable when you felt like the buffet meal.

But mmmm Tony Romas. Only 10 months to wait till Monday night all u can eat Ribs..

We used to go to the same one when we stayed nearby also - it was convenient and probably the best Ponderosa in Orlando/Kissimmee.

 

[sandshal]

My DS(10) wants to go back to the Ponderossa purely for the blue jelly !!!!!! he says its the best jelly he's ever tasted !! I agree though it doesn't look good

 

[Cochise]

I thought that Ponderosa was better than the Golden Corral near the Sandlake/I drive intersection.

 

[Soprano]

Last year we ate at Ponderosa almost every day. (which was way too much!) I don't know which one it was. A bit up from Wet 'N Wild, between a Sports Dominator and a store with a Space Shuttle on the side of a building.

It was fine. You get what you pay for. The coffee was good, so that's me happy. My son was 18 months at that time and quite impatient then. It was easier just to go in grab some food and leave before he got bored and looked to escape. Being waited on made things much slower for us which caused a few problems. Should be fine in Feb.

I did enjoy their breakfast, although my wife could never understand how I could eat those apple cakey things with my bacon and scrambled eggs. A

Looking forward to trying Golden Corral and Sweet Toms. There were a few days when we just craved a simple salad or yogurt for the kids. Something without fries. thanks to this site, we are armed with new knowledge!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Last year we ate at Ponderosa almost every day. (which was way too much!) I don't know which one it was. A bit up from Wet 'N Wild, between a Sports Dominator and a store with a Space Shuttle on the side of a building.

It was fine. You get what you pay for. The coffee was good, so that's me happy. My son was 18 months at that time and quite impatient then. It was easier just to go in grab some food and leave before he got bored and looked to escape. Being waited on made things much slower for us which caused a few problems. Should be fine in Feb.

I did enjoy their breakfast, although my wife could never understand how I could eat those apple cakey things with my bacon and scrambled eggs. A

Looking forward to trying Golden Corral and Sweet Toms. There were a few days when we just craved a simple salad or yogurt for the kids. Something without fries. thanks to this site, we are armed with new knowledge!

This is the same one me and Rob refer to - the nicest one.
We used to eat there fairly regularly when we stayed on I-drive but have not been back for a while, the one I referred to earlier on the 192 is not very pleasant at all...our son hasn't the patience for a more formal restaurant so when we do eat out (which is very rare), buffet style suits us best.

 

[champagnegirl26]

I would never go to ponderosa again after our experience at the one on the 192 it was disgusting! Sizzler was 100 times better!
Claire

 

[JohnnySharp2]

I would never go to ponderosa again after our experience at the one on the 192 it was disgusting! Sizzler was 100 times better!
Claire

Well we would certainly not go to that one again that's for sure..the I-drive one is much better though.

Just noticed, I am on 999 posts, dear me I feel really old now

 

[mushumadness]

we paid 3.99 this morning at ponderosa