Restaurants on 192 - Recommendations please

[seagulls]

Hi everyone,

1st ever message to this excellent site - so nervous excitement!!!

We're 5 weeks from Orlando, staying in a villa behind Splendid China.

I'm interested in any recommendations for restaurants in the immediate area (Simon's book rates Key W Kool's Open Pit Grill - so that's in the frame).

Especially interested in a chinese one. Simon's book is fairly dismissive of many chinese food outlets so we'd only go to a local one with good reports. Must cater for kids aged 8 and 12.

Many thanks

Seagulls

 

[UKDEB]

Hi, Seagulls and welcome to the DIS!

We've stayed in villas behind Splendid China several times - it's an excellent location. Do you know about the shortcut to Disney?

The closest restaurants are in the Formosa Gardens shopping center on the US192 right next to Splendid China. There is an Outback Steakhouse which we tried for the first time last October. It gets rave reviews, but we were unimpressed. There's a TGIs there too and a couple more, including Giordano's, and Taste of China. Straight across, on the other side of the 192 is Golden China, an all-you-can-eat buffet. I've not eaten at either of the Chinese places, so I can't tell you what they're like.

A few hundred yards further west along the 192 beyond TGIs is Carrabba's Italian Grill. It's a chain and it's a few years since we went there, but we did enjoy it and I know it's very popular.

Heading the other way, you will find Golden Corral and Ponderosa (all-you-can-eat buffets). I haven't eaten at one since our first trip back in 1992, but they are very popular with Brits. Friends of ours reckon Golden Corral is better quality than Ponderosa and Sizzlers. And there's a Shoney's and Key W Kools. All of these are within a few minutes drive - there are plenty more if you want to travel further east along the 192.

You're only a 5 minute drive from Animal Kingdon Lodge, so Boma and Jiko are also options. And there are literally hundreds of fast food places - McD's, Taco Bell, Burger King, Chick-Fil-A, Dairy Queen, Dunkin Donuts, all in the immediate vicintiy. They're not our thing, but you certainly won't go hungry!

 

[Elle]

We have a home behind Splendid China and spend a lot of time eating out around that area.

Outback and Carrabas are both owned by the same chain so you will have a similar dining experience at them, although obviously the menus will be different, we enjoy both on a regular basis.
Red lobster is right there too, we tried this in April and did not enjoy!!

The chinese next to Wynn Dixie at Formosa does a really good takeaway and the buffet over the road Golden China is good, you see a lot of Chinese eating there which is always a good sign.

The Golden Corral in our opinion is not as good as the Ponderosa for a cheap and filling meal, although both are OK.
IHOP is another place for a different meal although non of the last 3 would win any awards apart from value for money.

Our favorites on-site at Disney are, Khona Cafe, Crystal Palace and Boatwrights, have not tried the ones at AK yet.

A good tip for eating is watch for "locals" cars in the car park, if it is popular with them it's usually good and cheap.

Elle

 

[JayneL]

Hi Seagulls welcome to the boards you'll get loads of help here.

In May we ate at Kobe a japanese restaurant and thoughly enjoyed it. You can sit around the cooking area and the chef cooks your food in frount of you. You get loads, its very nice and I think good value for money. Ther's one a bit further down the 192 from where you are staying just before you get to water mania but I'm sure there are others dotted all over the place.
We also liked ponderosa, shoneys (saturday night was all you could eat BBQ and it was delicious)

Jayne

 

[stubb]

hello

we went to an all you can eat chinese place and it was good although i cant remember which one. we also went to a ponderosa for breakfast which we did not like but maybe we just had a bad exeriance, the one we went to had an awful lot of um lets just say really lasrge people and i didnt like the frazzled bacon but i will give it another go

 

[seagulls]

Many thanks to you all - we're certainly not going to be hungry.
(the only restaurant we won't visit is Crystal Palace for pathetic football reasons!!)

Short cut to Disney is not known - the only time we've been before was at Davenport Lakes which is further along to the West.

This time we're at Sunset Lakes which sounds great. Can anyone advise whether local restaurants deliver - and would they be able to get into a gated community?

Totally separate subject - as we did Disney last time, this time we only want to revisit our two favourites. Can anyone advise if the only place to get day tickets is at the gate, or can you get discounted tickets in Orlando for 2 parks?


Trevor

 

[we*luv*orlando!!]

Hi Seagulls!

You sure are lucky staying in Sunset Lakes, we were there two years ago and we had a beautiful villa. We had Pizza delivery, the first time I rang they took my order and they were going to put the phone down when I said"Oh, its a gated community how will you get in?" They replied "NO problem, we know all the numbers around here"!! So presumably its not as secure as you may think but at least the takeaway gets delivered!!

Have a great time!

 

[UKDEB]

All the local delivery guys, cab drivers, pool maintenance people, landscape gardeners, refuse collectors, etc., etc., will know the gate code. And it's not that difficult to figure out, either - it'll be a combination of the four digits which have completely worn off!

Sunset Lakes is a great community. To get to WDW property via the shortcut, you need to turn right as you exit Sunset Lakes onto the Funie Steed Road. Follow it until you reach the four-ways stop sign (give way in turn - first to arrive has priority) and turn left onto Formosa Gardens Boulevard. This takes you up to the 192 where you need to turn right.

At the next set of lights (Entry Point/Sherberth Road), turn left onto Sherberth Road and follow it for a mile or so until you hit the lights. Turn left at the lights for Animal Kingdom Lodge and right for everywhere else on Disney. If your destination is Animal Kingdom, you need to do a u-turn after a few hundred yards. You will see the toll-booths on your left and shortly afterwards, a gap in the central reservation where you can turn back. For everywhere else, just follow the signs. Heading back, you need to follow the signs for AK and AKL. As you approach AK, the road splits - right hand lane for AK and left hand land for AKL. The left lane takes you back down to the lights and it's a left onto Sherberth Road.

 

[reflex2806]

Hi Are these restaurants also convenient to Hampton Lakes, Davenport? If not i would sure apreciate the same information,
Thanks

 

[Sue F UK]

Sunset Lakes is a wonderful place to stay. Mind you, I am biased as we have a home there!!

Don't worry about getting takeaways delivered. As mentioned most of the delivery guys know our gate codes. If you get one who is unsure though he can dial your house number into the gate entry system and it will ring the telephone in your villa - you just press the # key and it opens the gate (I have never yet had to test this system though!)

There is a handy shortcut to Disney as described by UKDeb by turning right out onto Funnie Steed Road. Be warned though, this takes you down a 'dirt track' and is NOT to be tried if it is raining heaviley. If you do, it beats Test Track hands down!!

For another shortcut follow the road back through Lindfields and turn right onto 192. Turn left onto Black Lake Road and this joins Entry Point Boulevard. Turn left and follow the road up to Animal Kingdom Lodge and then into Disney. We use this all the time and it only takes about 10 minutes. (BTW this route can be used by anyone travelling down from the 27 on the 192 - it cuts out alot of traffic)

With regard to restaurants Outback is a faviourite of ours (they also do takeaway) The Japanese restaurant on the corner of Formosa Boulevard was recommended by a friend of ours who was over last week. For breakfast Perkins is good for a'la Carte and Ponderosa/Golden Corral are great for a fast, cheap breakfast to fill you up on the way to the parks. Golden Corral also to an 'all you can eat' steak buffet for $9.99 which is good value and not bad.

One to avoid - Black Angus Steakhouse just up the 192. Bad food and a 45 minute wait. You have been warned!

You really are close enough to Disney to enjoy some of the fantastic restaurants they have. Don't forget the restaurants in the resort hotels. We love 'Ohana at the Polynesian and also Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary. Going for a meal to these also means you get to have a good nosey around the Hotels and even watch the fireworks over the lake at MK.

The only problem is there's too much choice !!

 

[MalcolmC]

Originally posted by reflex2806
Hi Are these restaurants also convenient to Hampton Lakes, Davenport? If not i would sure apreciate the same information,
Thanks

Yes, we use the Outback at Formosa Gardens all the time, from our house at Hampton Lakes. Three times in the last fortnight.

There's also the Red Lobster which we think offers great value. We also went to Carrabba's last Tuesday - excellent meal, I ate far too much as usual!!!! I don't think any of these deliver but certainly Outback and Carrabbas, amongst others, do take away.

Formosa Gardens also has a TGI Friday which is also pretty good and an Olive Garden which I think is part of the Outback Steakhouse group, not Carrabba's but I could be wrong.

Most first timers visit the Ponderosa and Sizzler Steakhouses (very good value) but you tend to grow out of them!!!

Another good place to visit is Celebration which has some great restaurants and is only about 10 minutes drive away (using a secret shortcut through Champions Gate).

If you want more info on the Hampton Lakes area, PM me.

 

[allyjack]

Let us in on the shortcut to Celebration please!!!!
Alison

 

[MalcolmC]

Originally posted by allyjack
Let us in on the shortcut to Celebration please!!!!
Alison

From the northern sub-divisions on US27 between 192 and I-4 (Westridge, Hampton Lakes, Davenport Lakes, Calabay Parc, Florida Pines et al!) it is quicker to go to WDW and I-4 by this route.

Go south on US-27 to Walgreens drugstore. Turn left at the lights there on to county road 54 (a.k.a. Ronald Reagan Parkway); drive down there until you reach Championsgate Dr. (presently you have to turn left here anyway. The road is closed due to a bridge replacement over I-4). Go through Champions Gate and turn left past the overpass, on to I-4 North (this is exit 58) come off at the next exit (64); take the first ramp (marked Celebration). Turn left at the flashing red stop lights; drive along here for about a mile until you see a turning on your right which has signs for models, town center; go down here until you come to a T junction; turn left and this takes to past the school and Stetson University to the top of the main street. turn right down Market steet and the lake and all the town facilities are around you. On street parking plus large car parks behind the stores.

It is easier to get there than to describe - honestly!!!!! Very little traffic uses this route so just take your time and admire the huge homes.

 

[seagulls]

Once again, thank you for all the information.

One final question on the subject of restaurants. Is it wise - or indeed possible - to make a reservation at most restaurants on the 192? I'm mostly thinking of early evening food. The kids won't want to be kept hanging around when there's a swimming pool waiting for them !!!!!


Trevor

 

[MalcolmC]

Trevor,

As far as I know most, if not all, restaurants are turn up and take your chance.

Usually if there's a queue, they give you a sort of pager device to alert you when you are next for seating. The alternative as stated above is the many available carry out services.

 

[Mr Ed]

Our family favourite has too be Tony Roma's. You'll find one approx 1 mile East of Walmart on the 192. Great food and great service.

Ed

 

[vernon]

The " Key W Cool" place you mention serves some great steaks, but it is at the higher end of the cost of many of the offerings in the area. You're looking at $30 for a REALLY GOOD steak here. I've been there a couple of times and would certainly use it again, but not every night (I'm not sure which would give out first my Credit card or my tummy LOL). In the area I would agree on The Outback Steakhouse and also Carrabas both are good restaurants at reasonable prices. I ate at Boma's last week and it was ( as always) outstanding, IMHO the best buffet on WDW (Cape May Cafe comes a close 2nd). There is a takeout Chinese a couple of doors from the Outback that I have always found to be nice food and a very reasonable cost. I think the drive (15 minutes) to Bahama Breeze near Crossroads is one that's worthwhile and we had a couple of good meals at a very good price at the Olive Garden.

 

[MalcolmC]

Originally posted by reflex2806
Hi Are these restaurants also convenient to Hampton Lakes, Davenport? If not i would sure apreciate the same information,
Thanks

Reflex,

There are also other restaurants in the Hampton Lakes area. Baseball City (I4 exit 55) has Macdonalds, Burger King. Wendys for the kids plus Perkins, Bob Evans, a chinese and others.

The other way there is Pizza Hut, MacDonalds plus a few others long before you reach Formosa Gardens.

So you won't starve

 

[tony64]

Hi seagull
i don't know if it is still there but the Las Vegas buffet which was near the big orange(a good land mark) was a bit more exspensive but had a really good range of food including japanese,chinese and italian.
My families favourite has to be the golden corral.

have a good trip