Restaurants outside universal property?

[andychris14]

Hi, we are renting a car for a 4 night stay onsite. What restaurants would you recommend for dinner offsite that will not break the bank that is not too far away?
Thank you so much

 

[Metro West]

I posted this on the food sticky...hope it helps.

Here are some of my favorites spots to eat in particular order:

1. RusTeak - located in Ocoee but easy to get to. Prices are reasonable and the restaurant is usually busy. http://www.rusteakwinebar.com

2. Four Rivers BBQ - located in Winter Park. Very good BBQ and is usually very crowded for dinner. http://4rsmokehouse.com

3. Teak Neighborhood Grill - located in MetroWest. Sports bar type of atmosphere with live music most nights. http://www.teakorlando.com

4. Bubbalou's Bodacious BBQ - located five minutes from Universal. Excellent BBQ. http://bubbalous.com

5. Toojay's - located in Ocoee. Family style restaurant serving comfort food. The desserts are heavenly. http://www.toojays.com

6. Polonia Polish - located in Longwood. Very good food and friendly atmosphere. http://www.polonia-restaurant.com

 

[Herbie]

You can also try PEI WEI, or Sweet Tomatoes...both of them are down turkey lake road behind the park.

 

[atricks]

Agave Azul just over the bridge on Kirkman from Universal is a great Mexican place, same shopping center as the Bubbalou's BBW one.

There is a Toojays closer to Universal in Dr. Phillips on Sand Lake Rd., O'Charley's is just south of Sand Lake on Turkey Lake Rd. near Universal.

Across the Street from Universal is a Kobe's steakhouse, a Millers Ale House (plenty of selection, is usually the go to place whenever nobody can decide where to go), TGI Fridays, and a Golden Corral buffet,.

 

[Herbie]

Chevys mexican is excellent too.

 

[Kogo Shuko]

As a non American, I love the Waffle House, even though that's more of a chain in your parts, I guess.
They're all over Orlando, and pretty cheap. But great waffles.

 

[DOOM1001]

International drive and Sand Lake rd north of I-4 are basically full of places,way too many options to list.One new place I want to try is Hash House a Go Go,seems like an upscale Cracker Barrel.Other places to consider are Bahama Breeze,Sweet Tomatoes,Millers Ale House,WhichWich is a cool sandwich place I tried a couple of months ago located on Sand Lake.BB Kings blues club at Pointe Orlando,Texas de Brazil,Melting Pot,Giordanos Pizza,Joes Crab Shack,Wood Grill Buffet and a bunch of other typical chains like Carrabas.If you want some entertainment with your food there's a Dave and Busters as well.

 

[Planogirl]

We like Bahama Breeze but allow a lot of time for the traffic on International Drive. International Drive is interesting with its own attractions but it can get very backed up in spots!

 

[Herbie]

I also need to add FLIPPERS pizza.....try the bacon double cheeseburger pizza! its awesome!

 

[snoopboop]

I can't wait to try Hash House A Go Go next time I'm there.....!

 

[DryCreek]

Since you mentioned about not breaking the bank, there is a new Golden Corral in the strip center just across the street from USO - right next door to Walgreen's. Not much further down is a Carrabba's Grill, and a Starbucks next door to the GC, along with a Kobe Japanese Steakhouse (may be pricey, didn't try it) and then a Burger King behind the Walgreen's that anchors the strip center. Also, the Border Grill is highly rated on Yelp and others for Mexican food. They are next to Carrabba's in that small strip center.

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

As a local, my favorite restaurants nearby are Yellow Dog Eats (located off the beaten path in Gotha about 10 minutes from Universal.. SO worth it!), Bento Cafe, Hot Krust, TooJay's, Which Wich, and Le Cafe de Paris.

I personally try to avoid national chains, especially for sit down dinners. Everyone can like what they like, I just find it depressing when a tourist's view of Orlando dining consists of Bahama Breeze and Golden Corral.

 

[ky07]

There is a restaurant on Kirkman that is called if not mistaking is called millers steak and ale that we ate at several times last year and prices are very reasonable and has some of the best fall of the bone BBQ ribs

 

[DOOM1001]

As a local, my favorite restaurants nearby are Yellow Dog Eats (located off the beaten path in Gotha about 10 minutes from Universal.. SO worth it!), Bento Cafe, Hot Krust, TooJay's, Which Wich, and Le Cafe de Paris.

I personally try to avoid national chains, especially for sit down dinners. Everyone can like what they like, I just find it depressing when a tourist's view of Orlando dining consists of Bahama Breeze and Golden Corral.

I've heard of and looked up the website of Yellow Dog Eats and I wanted to try it ever since then.Is it really only like 10 minutes from Universal,what streets do you take to get there?

 

[Metro West]

I've heard of and looked up the website of Yellow Dog Eats and I wanted to try it ever since then.Is it really only like 10 minutes from Universal,what streets do you take to get there?

Kirkman Road or Turkey Lake Road to Conroy Windermere Road to Apopka Vineland Road to Westover Roberts Road to Hempel Avenue. There's not a really easy way to get there.

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

I've heard of and looked up the website of Yellow Dog Eats and I wanted to try it ever since then.Is it really only like 10 minutes from Universal,what streets do you take to get there?

Actually probably more like 15 (10 from my place, which is very close to Universal). If starting off on Turkey Lake Rd., go down to Conroy-Windermere Rd. and take a left. Make a right on Apopka-Vineland Rd. Left on Westover Roberts Rd. Right on Hempel Ave., and it's a little ways down on the left

 

[Planogirl]

As a local, my favorite restaurants nearby are Yellow Dog Eats (located off the beaten path in Gotha about 10 minutes from Universal.. SO worth it!), Bento Cafe, Hot Krust, TooJay's, Which Wich, and Le Cafe de Paris.

I personally try to avoid national chains, especially for sit down dinners. Everyone can like what they like, I just find it depressing when a tourist's view of Orlando dining consists of Bahama Breeze and Golden Corral.

We had Bahama Breeze in our area only briefly and really liked it. We haven't had one in years so it's not like a chain for us.

I understand what you mean though. Except that I thought that Which Wich was a chain too?

I must look up Yellow Dog Eats...

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

We had Bahama Breeze in our area only briefly and really liked it. We haven't had one in years so it's not like a chain for us.

I understand what you mean though. Except that I thought that Which Wich was a chain too?

I must look up Yellow Dog Eats...

Ah, I see that Which Wich a chain. The Dr. Phillips location was just the only one I'd ever seen. Bento and TooJay's are both Florida-only chains. I'm not totally above chains, but I strive to eat at local places. Unfortunately a lot of local places near Universal are high end and I didn't think that's what the OP had wanted.

Yellow Dog Eats is great and the area around it is very scenic!

 

[andychris14]

Thank you thank you thank you!!!!
You all gave me some great restaurants to go to.
I really appreciate all of your help!!!