Restaurants on I-Drive

[snoopygirl79]

We're staying off-site on I-Drive and I was wondering whether anyone could recommend any really good restaurants there as it's been a while since I was last there. We're staying at the Quality Inn and like all sorts of different foods.

Any suggestions would be gratefully received

Vick

 

[gismo1554]

Cafe TuTu Tango is good if you like Tapas (not too badly priced either). Its near the Mercardo on IDrive. Also Olive Garden is good for italian and has great prices (used to and hopefully still does the never ending pasta bowl for around $10 and you have a choice of 5 types of pasta and 7 sauces). If you like chicken wings Buffallo Wild Wings on IDrive is fantastic. They do boneless ones that are less messy. Portions are a great size too.

Also the usual Denny's/Ihop for breakfast/snack meal. Fridays Sports grill on Idrive I was disappointed with but might have been an off day. Race Rock is meant to be quite nice but never been there.

Also I think there's an Outback on Idrive (if anyone can confirm please do) and if so they are fab. Great steak and blooming onions!

 

[Deedee]

quality inn or quality inn plaza? depends what end you are staying.

 

[Groovee]

We always head to perkins.

 

[powerranger]

Bahama Breeze is a must fantastic food on a Carribean theme, very busy though (obvious sign of good food) get there early and enjoy some live music whilst having a relaxing drink, wouldn't miss it.

 

[gismo1554]

Oh yeah bahama breeze cocktails are fantastic

Also Bennigans isn't too bad (cheap and cheerful Irish themed pub with resturant area)

 

[clairelovesorlando]

We also like Bennigans,Tony Romas great ribs,Outback Steakhouse beside Premium Outlets you can get the I-Drive trolley to it.
Claire

 

[andip1967]

You have to go to Steak and Ale, its at the beginning of I Drive just after Sea World, its fantastic, however dont get caught into the wine of the day, it can be quite expensive. Enjoy!

 

[UKDEB]

Phew! Where to start? I guess close to your hotel is as good a place as any.

In the immediate vicinity (either side and opposite), you have a Denny's, IHoP, Perkins, Olive Garden, Wild Jack's Steakhouse, Ronnie's Steakhouse; plus the obligatory fast food outlets - McD's BK, Popeye's Fried Chicken, Chuck E Cheese, Dunkin' Donuts... I haven't actually eaten at any of them, though! In Carrier Drive, there is a Friday's Bar, which I can recommend.

You are very close to one of our current favourites in Orlando - Salt Island Chophouse and Fish Market. It's a beautiful restaurant and the food is scrummy. Upscale without being intimidating. A fine dining establishment, so not cheap, but not over-priced for what it is.

You are a stone's throw away from restaurant row on Sand Lake Road. There are loads of options there. We particularly like Ruth's Chris Steakhouse Be warned, though, that its unassuming exterior belies a very upscale interior. We turned up in park attire the first time we ate there and felt a tad underdressed (not that anyone there did anything to make us feel uncomfortable). Again, this is a place to splash out - not cheap. The only other place we've tried there is The Samba Room, which was very nice, but I probably wouldn't rush back. Seasons 52, Moonfish, Antonio's, The Melting Pot and Bonefish Grill also all get good reviews.

Travelling south on I-Drive you have Uno Pizzeria and Darryl's. I haven't eaten at either for a while and not at these locations, but I've enjoyed meals at both in the past.

The new Festival Bay mall right at the top of I-Drive has some new places which look interesting, particularly Dixie Crossroads. According to Simon Veness, it's a 'proper' seafood joint, so I'd like to give it a go sometime.

At the other end of I-Drive, Pointe Orlando is having a makeover and I'm really excited about some of the choices coming there, especially the Tommy Bahama cafe. I think the Capital Grille is open now. We've enjoyed meals at Dan Marino's Town Tavern a couple of times, but I don't know that I'd go out of my way to eat there.

People rave about Bahama Breeze, but I was disappointed (cool to hang out on the porch, but it was packed - couldn't move - and I thought the food was poor); Sweet Tomatoes which I haven't tried, but which sounds good; China Garden, ditto; Tony Romas (haven't eaten there for years, but liked it when we did). Race Rock was an old favourite, but we seemed to outgrow it.

I could go on (and on and on ), but I'm conscious of the fact that you're asking for recommendations, rather than just a list of what's there.

 

[giggler]

mmmmmmmmmmm, my favourite subject

Tony Romas (5 min walk from Qulaity Inn Plaza): Great ribs and for great combos if you can't make u your mind.
Chicken, Shrimp, Steaks and Ribs .

Chillis (opposite Quality Inn International): Don't let the name put you off, they do a real mix of meals (my favourite are the fajitas) really good value for money and you usualy get buy1 get one free on beer!!!!!!

Outback (Next to the premuim Outlet Mall): This is the place in Orlando to get the Best Steaks, my mouth is watering thinking about it. they also do the famous bloomin onion which is one of the best starters i have ever had anywhere!!! Good Kids menu to.

buffalo sports and wing bar (or something like that) 5 min walk from Quality Inn International: if you love buffalo wings, then this is an absoloute must, they have a picture wall were if you can eat 12 wings of there hottest sauce in under 6 mins (i think) they take your picture and you go on the wall, with all the other crazy fools who have completed it.

Cafe Uno: opposite The Mercardo: they do a real mix of everything, great if you have kids, and good all round joint.

If you want to make a little extra journey then i suggest going to Celebration (off the 192) to a place called the Celebration Town Tavern. its a bit more like a British type Resturant/ Pub, you get the extra bit of care and attention, the food is fantastic and just wandering around Celebration Village is a great way to work off the Full feeling you will have. they specialise in Seafood but do great burgers, steaks e.t.c.

Hope that helps.

regards


giggler

 

[Graeme]

My favourite subject too!!!

A lot depends on who you're with as to which ones I'd recommend. Charley's Steakhouse was excellent but I wouldn't take kids.

Race Rock . Go there just for the loaded fries. About ten dollars for the biggest plate of fries smothered in mayo and bacon, topped with melted cheese. The restaurant itself looks a bit tatty during the day but it's reasonably priced.

Go to Wendy's for burgers. They knock spots off the rest. (must be followed with half a pint of Ben and Jerry's Chunky Monkey ice cream.

The onsite restaurants are fabulous. You don't need to be a Disney guest, just book a table at the Guest Services desk in Downtown Disney. Boma at Animal Kingdom Lodge , for a fantastic experience, Cape May Cafe for the dinner buffet, Whispering Canyon Cafe for a skillet full of cowboy chow!

I'm going to have to go and cook my tea now!

 

[Verity Chambers]

We like chilli's, Tony roma's and bahama Breeze. Oh and Kobe steak house is great, a japanese steak house, where they cook the food in front of you, delicious and great fun!

 

[wendy_uk]

We have stayed off site at the Travel Lodge for our past two visits.

We ate at Golden Chorral which is an all you can eat buffett.

Chillies, my favourite, lots of choice and not just chilli either.

Bill Wongs Chinese buffett

Sweet Tomatoes Buffett

Bennigans Service restaurant - Very nice but prefere Chillies

There are many more, but can't remember them now.


we leave on Saturday for wdw ASMu

 

[AndRu]

Sizzler / Ponderosa for Breakfast
Perkins / Sweet Tomatoes for lunch
Ming Court for an evening meal

I've only ever been to one onsite restaurant (RFC) and I wasn't impressed with the food or the cost. I like 192 / I-Drive restaurants; great choice even better value.

 

[Headzila]

You stole my thoughts Snoopygirl!!!! It's always nice when someone asks the question you were going to ask before you ask it......you know something, that actually made sense. Keep it comming guys, food is a good thing to discuss

 

[Lizzybear]

iHop (breakfast centred menu but we loved it for dinner too)
Sizzler (picky eaters like my sister can have a good meal just on the buffet offerings)

Sorry I don't have many suggestions: we weren't very adventurous, some places we didn't like, or we tended to visit the same ones several times.

AndRu: RFC isn't strictly a Disney restaurant they're a chain, there are some better places onsite

 

[Scottish_Maleficent]

On I-Drive we like Friendlys, Race Rock and Sweet Tomatoes.

 

[AndRu]

On I-Drive we like Friendlys, Race Rock and Sweet Tomatoes.

I forgot Friendlys! Their Steak & Shrimp is awesome!

 

[Lisash]

Another vote for Bennigans their burgers are great and we love the Olive Garden their food is delicious

 

[snoopygirl79]

Thanks guys for all your suggestions!! I haven't been able to log on all day as internet was down at work - don't you hate it when that happens?!

I'd have to stay for a month to be able to try all those restaurants but I'll definitely write them all down and take them with me!! I think we're staying at the Quality Inn International.

A huge thanks to everyone but you made me really hungry!!

Vick