Review: 4 Rivers Smokehouse
$$ Barbecue, American
Address: 11764 University Boulevard / Orlando, FL 32817
4 Rivers is my go-to Barbecue restaurant! I know exactly what I want and I am never disappointed! And if I didn't already love the food... I also respect this Barbecue Ministry and applaud that 4 Rivers is closed on Sundays.
This barbeque place offers up the classics, such as brisket, ribs, chicken, smoked turkey and pork. The menu also includes BBQ quesadilla, BBQ street tacos, and sandwiches.
You are going to happily devour everything you order from 4 Rivers! But let me go ahead and tell you the SUNSHINE SELECTION!
SUNSHINE SELECTION: Side Sampler. 4R baked beans with brisket and pork. Classic, creamy mac & cheese. Mashed sweet potatoes with butter, brown sugar, and spices. Traditional cornbread with cheddar cheese and jalapeños. And one giant large southern sweet tea!
4 Rivers also has a small bakery where you can purchase baked goods such as cake slices, gourmet cupcakes or giant cookies.
Writing this blog is making me want to eat at 4 Rivers tonight!! The food is not only perfect and oh-so-delicious... it's also addictive! I want to keep going back for more!
To view the menu, go to their website!
Review of: Aussie Grill by Outback
$ - Hand-Crafted Chicken & Burgers
Location: 12305 E. Colonial Dr. / Orlando FL
"Have an Aussie Day!" a worker shouts while serving food to hungry guests. The line is out the door and there are barely any tables available - all to commemorate the new eatery, Aussie Grill by Outback, the first standalone location in Orlando a few miles from the Waterford Lakes Town Center.
I order the cheeseburger sliders, fries and coleslaw and immediately what I notice are the bold flavors! The smoky mayo, the meat cooked to perfection, the sides offering a different flair... I can see why Aussie Grill is the home of Award-Winning sandwich, burger and fries! This is restaurant-like quality in a quick amount of time as Aussie Grill does offer a drive-through option.
Aussie Grill's menu consists mostly of chicken, burgers, and salads, though you can also order a BBQ Brisket Sandwich, a Center-Cut Sirloin and of course premium sides like Mac and Cheese, Crispy Cajun Shrimp and Sweet Heat Fries (to name a few!).
I definitely recommend Aussie Grill! The wait staff is so friendly and helpful. Though we waited in the long line, it moved rather quickly. And for those who want to try the adventurous spirit of Australia with indulgent flavors of the outback, this is the place for you!
To view the menu, go to their website!
Review: Se7en Bites
$$ - Modern bakery serving breakfast & lunch with Southern flair
Address: 617 Primrose Dr, Orlando, FL 32803
I saw Se7en Bites in a local Magazine and knew I had to check it out! And I was not disappointed!
First of all, there is so many delicious items to choose from on the menu!! Breakfast and lunch are served “all day” (the restaurant closes at 3:30pm). I was back and forth and finally decided on an egg salad sandwich with sides of: 5 Cheese Mac N Cheese and cheesy hash brown casserole. And yes, my meal was just as delicious as it sounds!
I will note that this place did not have my usual sweet tea. Instead, I ordered the “equivalent” drink: orange blossom sweet tea which reminded me of the beach.
What I appreciated the most about Se7en Bites was the dessert counter! Some of their homemade sweets include: Oatmeal Crème Pie, Cheesecake, Nighttime SkyPie, mini pies and more!
It’s fun to point out that Se7en Bites appeared on a recent Food Network episode of “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives” plus a visit from Guy Fieri!
Before you go, make sure to check out the schedule. Se7en Bites is not open Monday – Wed and has differing hours on the weekends. Also, I thought the eatery was a tad pricier than most breakfast places.
I would definitely recommend Se7en Bites as a trendy place to relax and dine in the Orlando’s Milk District!
To view their menu, go to their website!
Review: Pizzeria Valdiano
$ Italian
Location: 421 N Alafaya Trail Orlando FL 32825
The perfect way to end my evening is eating a slice of pizza from Pizzeria Valdiano!
This italian spot has so much to choose from! The menu showcases the classic cuisine we all know and love: baked ziti, meatballs and cheese ravioli.
I choose the Bianca Pizza and the bread knots and my husband orders the Greek Salad and the Sicilian Pizza.The meal instantly brings such smiles to our faces as we share and try each others' choices to compare what is best on our plates.
You can buy the pizza by the slice or the entire pie and you can pick out your favorites from the display: Pizza Hawaiian, Pizza Fiorentina, Pizza San Cono and Pizza Primavera to name a few.
I will say... the bread knots were so soft and doughey and a delicious addition to the meal, almost serving as a guilty-pleasure side dish.
When you are done with your shopping at the Waterford Lakes Plaza, stop by at this good eatery! Try Pizzeria Valdiano and allow the best pizza dishes to be a celebratory meal to add to the holiday season!
To view their menu, go to their website!
Review: Celebration Town Tavern
$$ American Dining
Address: 721 Front St./ Celebration, FL 34747
I was recommended from a local to try Celebration Town Tavern. I’m not familiar with Celebration, FL but I was ready to eat at this new restaurant.
In this quaint city, Town Tavern is definitely a restaurant that has a vast array of menu items, including fish tacos, lobster roll and chicken and ribs. I ordered the Frank and Beans which is served under the ‘Boston Favorites’ part of the menu. As you can see from the picture, there was a lot of hot dog meat on my plate.
The vibe was very relaxed as people ate outside with their pet dogs tied to leashes. The servers were very friendly, and the décor was like I stepped through Boston, Massachusetts, forgetting for a second I was in Central Florida.
It was a nice afternoon and I would certainly recommend Town Taven to anyone wanting a good place to eat with a 'by Land and by Sea' menu.
Town Tavern was a perfect starting point as we toured the rest of the beautiful city of Celebration and found the food, the sights and the views by the lake so picturesque and it all felt just so right.
To view their menu, go to their website!
Review: McAlister's Deli
$$ Sandwiches
Address: 7730 Palm Parkway Bld F, 150 / Orlando, FL 32836
McAlister's Deli is one of my all-time favorite places to eat! I was so excited to attend the Grand Opening of the new Orlando location. I was one of the first to arrive and was rewarded with FREE Sweet Tea for a YEAR! Score!
McAlister's is a Deli, so think sandwiches. Think wraps. Think salads and soups. Also, this eatery does have an entire section of the menu devoted to giant spuds, like the Black Angus Roast Beef Spud and the Chipotle Chicken & Bacon Spud.
Now, anything you order from McAlister's is going to be mouth-watering and delicious! But let me go ahead and tell you the SUNSHINE SELECTION (Fact: At one location, the server had my name and order memorized because I ordered this meal so often!)
SUNSHINE SELECTION: Turkey and cheese wrap with the honey mustard sauce (the special ingredient!). Toasted (so that everything is melted together). Potato Salad. Better make that... two potato salads. One large Famous Sweet Tea. One gooey "fresh from the oven" chocolate chip cookie.
I close my eyes while enjoying every bite! Eating at McAlister's Deli is a true experience for the tastebuds!
To view the menu, go to their website
Review of: Chef Art Smith's Homecomin'
$$ American Restaurant
Location: Disney Springs
"Welcome Home" said the host of Homecomin' as we took our seats in the southern-style eatery in the heart of Disney Springs, located in the middle of the Town Center.
Though it was a Friday night, the wait for a table was only 20minutes and we were ready to look at the delicious menu for dinner. Right away I noticed a theme: chicken! Chicken salad, Chicken sandwich, Chicken and doughnuts seem to be their most popular items. Scrolling though the one page menu, I finally decided on a starter: Church Lady deviled eggs made with the perfect amount of mustard and mayo. Scrumptious!
The sweet tea was highly flavorable and the never ending refills were not enough as I kept requesting more of this refreshing beverage.
I ordered the kitchen plate which consisted of:
cheddar cheese biscuits which is even better than it sounds!
roasted sweet potatoes which I wasn't a huge fan of
Mamma's Mac and Cheese which was oozing with flavor. I put my fork in the creamy pasta and the hot cheese bubbled over, attaching its goodness to my fork.
Homecomin' provides comfort food surrounded by a classy charm ambience for the entire family to enjoy, perfect after a full day of shopping at Disney Springs!
To view their menu, go to their website!
Review of: Toojay's Deli • Bakery • Restaurant
$$ American (traditional)
Location: 2624 E Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32803
I absolutely love Toojay's Deli and my husband and I have enjoyed many a Date Night at this amazing place!!
Toojay's is known for their classic comfort foods like Traditional Turkey Dinner, Shepherd’s Pie, Salmon and Chicken. This restaurant also offers piled-high sandwiches loaded with meats... and of course the Bakery selections: Cheesecake, Carrot Cake, Mini Black and White Cookies, Brownies (and so much more!). I recommend the Banana Dream Cake!
Toojay's also offers an entire Breakfast menu until 11:00 a.m. Mon- Fri and until 2:00 p.m. Sat & Sun! With a create your own Omelet, a wide variety of Bagels, Danishes and Muffins... it is the perfect place to score a delicious breakfast with sizable portions!
I also want to note that in 2023, Toojay's Deli won 'The Best Diner in Orlando' according to the Orlando Weekly!
To view their menu, go to their website!
Review of: Fred’s Market
$$ Southern Restaurant
Location: 2120 Harden Blvd, Lakeland, FL 33803
Travis and I literally drove an hour and a half to eat at Fred’s Market! THAT’S HOW GOOD THIS RESTAURANT IS!!!
The only way I can describe Fred’s Market is….you are HOME. I feel like every dish is delectable, every dessert homemade, every pick from the salad bar is fresh, every soft roll and cornbread is hot, the meat is succulent. Oh-so-divine!
Fred’s Market serves as a buffet. Though you can order JUST a ONE TRIP to the buffet, or JUST the Salad Bar, I would recommend arriving super hungry and order the full experience! I ate 4 plates of food including the desserts: pecan pie, banana pudding, red velvet cake, chocolate cake (to name a few!).
The rolls didn’t need butter, it was already moist and delicious. The potato salad was supreme, the macaroni and cheese was covered in extra cheese, the mashed potatoes, sweet potato souffle, corn casserole – all perfectly done - and Travis said the Rainbow Trout was one of the best he’s ever tasted!
We ate during lunch/dinner so we plan on going back sometime soon for their breakfast buffet.
This is a MUST-TRY, MUST-GO, MUST-EAT restaurant and one of the places we absolutely love in this state!!
To view their menu, go to their website!
Review: The Original Christo’s
$$ - American
Address: 107 W 1st St, Sanford, FL 32771
Travis and I found this spot by accident. The restaurant we intended to eat at had a long wait time. So, we decided to peruse the local eateries located on the strip of Downtown Sanford and walked right into Christo’s. And now... we are addicted! This is our new go-to place in Sanford and we cannot get enough!
The menu ranges from Greek with its gyros, to American with its burgers and wings, to Italian with its pizza and pasta bowls and really, everything in between. I recommend the White personal pizza with ricotta and mozzarella… but my husband prefers the Grilled Chicken Gyro or the Grilled Chicken Spinach Stromboli which tastes just as delicious as it sounds!
But wait! I haven’t even gotten to the best part about Christo’s: The Bakery! Travis and I have been to Christo’s numerous times and we are still mesmerized by the various and often differing cakes and pies, cookies and brownies, cheesecake and dessert bread literally pouring out from the bakery! From fudge brownie bars, to cannoli cheesecake, to banana nut bread and apple pie – Christo’s has it all!
Come hungry! Come often! And come ready to try their delicious menu that will be sure to please any local foodie (like me!).
To view their menu, go to their website!
Review of: Colt's Pig Stand
$$ - American, BBQ
Location: 1340 Saxon Blvd / Orange City, FL 32763
We see this billboard sign right off the highway! The Best Barbecue in Florida, it says. Florida's Family-Owned Fine Southern BBQ, we read. It is a 'stop what we are doing - we have to eat there!' kind of moment!
Stepping into Colt's Pig Stand, I immediately take pictures of the signage and cute decor. There is this impressive metal masterpiece displayed on the wall, something I continually comment on - it is perfectly constructed to show-off the exterior of the facility!
I look at the menu and it's a *YES!* to everything! The menu offers pork and turkey and beef brisket sandwiches with a branded bun. Wings and tenders take up a section of the menu and the sauces are available at the table. Dinner entrées include baby back ribs, smoked sausage, fried fish and chicken.
I want to focus on the Awesome Sides! The mac and cheese (filled with melted cheesy goodness) pairs well with the BBQ Beans. I eat the cornbread - which reminds me of a small muffin and the corn pudding is so flavorful (is that a hint of vanilla I taste?). With the divine southern sweet tea, I am left wanting more!
Banana pudding is a must-have for dessert, but it is so hard to choose since there are also choices of cakes and pies!
If you are in Volusia County, I definitely recommend you stop by Colt's Pig Stand! You might even spot a billboard or two off the highway to excite your taste buds!
To view the menu, go to their website!
Sunshine's Sweets and Eats Food Blog
Review: Honeysuckle
$ - Southern Style Home Cooking
Address: 2203 N US, US-1, Titusville, FL 32796
Any time a restaurant has Deviled Eggs on the menu, I am ordering it!
Sometimes, this appetizer can have too much flavor, seasoning or an unnecessary spicy flavor to the dish, but at Honeysuckle…as with everything I ordered…the Deviled Eggs was made “just like Grandma’s” (as quoted off the menu).
I wanted to try the Potato Board (homemade fried potatoes, sweet potato tots, chips, fries and Cajun ranch fries) AND the Dijon Pasta Salad meal…and though everything on the menu looked absolutely appealing…I eventually decided on a veggie plate with homemade corn bread.
I live in the bustling metropolis, so to sit down at a quaint and easy-going eatery with country music playing in the background and delectable made-from-scratch sides like coleslaw, sweet potato tots and Mac N Cheese being served in front of me…it’s like I stepped back into the carefree days of my childhood.
I immediately felt relaxed at Honeysuckle as I dived into the plate of homemade deliciousness, a meal that satisfied me bite after bite!
To view their menu, go to their website!
Review: The Salty Donut
$ - Donut, Cafe, Coffee House
Address: 3025 Corrine Dr, Orlando, FL 32803
When you first arrive at The Salty Donut, you may need a minute to take it all in! The donuts just look so appealing, colorful, decorated, glazed... different shapes and sizes!... and oh-so- gloriously perfect! This is not a donut shop - it is an experience!
I am tempted to tell the worker, "I'll take them all!"
But instead, I point to the special ones that catch my eye, knowing full well that any donut at this facility is a wonderful choice!
🍩 GUAVA & CHEESE: 24hr brioche filled with swirled guava + cream cheese, cream cheese glaze, topped with a homemade pastelito puff pastry streusel.
🍩 STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE: 24 hr brioche filled with layers of strawberry jam, lemon cake & vanilla mousse, fresh strawberry glaze, topped with chunks of mascarpone whipped cream & lemon cake.
🍩 COOKIE MONSTER: 24 hr brioche ring filled with whipped edible cookie dough, vanilla glaze dyed with natural blue majik, topped with chunks of homemade chocolate chips & oreo cookie crumbs.
🍩 TOASTED COQUITO: 24 hr brioche soaked in a homemade coquito, bottom crusted with valrhona carmelia chocolate + finished with torched cinnamon-infused meringue.
To quote The Salty Donut website: "With artful attention to detail and using nothing but the finest ingredients..." Each donut is a mouth-watering, sure-to-satisfy masterpiece!
To view their menu, go to their website!
Review: Mimi's Cafe
$$ - Brunch, Cafe, American
Location: 4414 SW College Rd, Ocala, FL 34474
I remember eating at a Mimi's Cafe when I lived in Knoxville, TN years ago. So, imagine my surprise when I encounter one in Florida! The *only* Mimi's Cafe in Florida! I try to hold my excitement as I walk inside the familiar restaurant. The promo screens show Mimi's Pumpkin Favorites (the seasonal delicacies - I went in October) like the pumpkin spice muffin, the pumpkin loaf, pumpkin griddlecakes and the pumpkin latte.
Mimi's Cafe offers All Day Breakfast. Read that again and slowly this time. Now I am hungry!
I cannot say enough about Mimi's® Muffins. This is the first thing you need to order! Buttermilk-Spice. Blueberry Crumble. Carrot Raisin Nut. The muffins are so delicious that Mimi's Cafe offers them as a dessert!
(taken from the menu) Pumpkin Spice Sundae: Fresh-baked Pumpkin Spice Muffin topped with vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce and whipped cream.
Mimi's Cafe has a Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner menu. Such items on the menu include: crêpes, eggs benedicts, quiches, sandwiches, burgers, chicken, steak, pasta (to name a few!). This picture displays the Mimi’s® Meatloaf with Potatoes au Gratin, Mashed Potatoes and Garlic Spinach.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐I highly recommend Mimi's Cafe! The location in Ocala is over an hour's drive from me.... but oh! The commute was so worth it! Yummmm!
To view their menu, go to their website!
Review: Chicken Salad Chick
$ Sandwiches
Address: 9470 Narcoossee Rd, Orlando, FL 32827
I absolutely love Chicken Salad Chick! I have been eating sandwiches at this eatery more times than I can count! There are two locations near me, one in Oviedo and one in Lake Nona.
This place is clearly known for their various chicken salad options like:
Olivia’s Old South: A southern tradition combining sweet pickles & egg
Fancy Nancy: Dress it up with Fuji apples, seedless grapes, & pecans
Kickin’ Kay Lynne: This flavor powerhouse is a combination of buffalo sauce, ranch, bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, jalapeños, & Sriracha!
To name a few! You can get it as a sandwich or just a scoop. There are spicy options, more traditional or fruity and nutty. And if you love your chicken salad (or egg salad.... yum!!) so much - and you will! - there is a refrigerated section to purchase more to go.
The sides are fantastic, but my personal favorite is the grape salad. I promise you, I am licking the bowl after I am finished! Soo good!
Even though your meal will come with a complimentary frosted buttercream sugar cookie, be sure to purchase the green flower sugar cookie by the counter! And for those sweet tea lovers like me, you will certainly enjoy the watermelon sweet tea!
Next time you go to Chicken Salad Chick in the Central Florida area, look out for me. This is one of my go-to places in the city!
To view their menu, go to their website!
Review: The Hampton Social
$$$ American
Address: 9101 International Dr Suite 1200 / Orlando, FL 32819
Go to The Hampton Social! Now! Sprint! Run!
My goodness gracious! My tastebuds were in for a treat! I had to try everything on the menu - it all looked so good!
The IRRESISTIBLE SIDES were truly mouthwatering! These are the three I chose:
ROASTED SWEET POTATOES : carrots, dill , feta
ROASTED BRUSSELS SPROUTS : herb goat cheese, chili honey, almonds
HAMPTON MAC + CHEESE : 4 cheese sauce
Everything was soo good but the roasted Brussels sprouts were incredible!! It was so delectable...I was about to order another round of vegetables!
Though it's only a one page menu (the other side is alcoholic drinks), every single item just screamed out with flavor and delicious-ness! I will warn you, the price tag for the meal was on the higher end. Even though I ate several plates of food, I didn't feel overly full which was nice.
With the modern decor, the friendly waitstaff and the "what goodness did I just eat?!" ....Oooh! I need to go again!
To view their menu, go to their website!
Review: Giovanni's Pizzeria & Kitchen
$$ Pizza
Location: 4250 Alafaya Trail, Suite 132 / Oviedo, FL 32765
My husband and I have been eating out at Giovanni's for years, a special treat for us - and many a date night spent in the Oviedo location, though there are Giovanni's restaurants in Lake Nona, Lake Mary and Orlando.
When you first walk inside, you immediately get the sense that this is going to be a perfect dine-in experience. The garlic knots are seen through the glass case. Yum! We meander past the bar and sit in a cozy booth. The waiter is pleasant and hospitable. The atmosphere makes me feel right at home.
I order the pizza, made from scratch! And a cheese calzone stuffed with anything I want - an entire list of options to choose from, like peppers, olives, vegetables and meat. And the aforementioned garlic knots! Oh, and the garlic bread! Any and all pastas are simply divine. Giovanni's signature sauces are made in-house daily. And I cannot forget to mention the desserts: limoncello cake, tiramisu, cannoli, cheesecake and chocolate corruption cake!
When you go to Giovanni's, look out for us. We will be sitting at our usual booth!
To view the menu, go to their website!
Review: Baldwin Perk
$ Café
Address: 4833 New Broad St, Orlando, FL 32814
Baldwin Perk is a café, inspired by the TV Show: Friends. This place has the big orange couch, pillows that say, “Pivot!,” and “the one where we became friends” and even the Baldwin Perk logo looks strangely familiar. The television repeats the sitcom’s beloved episodes. And even the menu showcases the loveable characters: Monica’s Breakfast, Chandler’s Crepe, Famous Friends Breakfast and I ordered Ross’s Breakfast from their Brunch menu. Even the cappuccino has the Friends Logo made with chocolate powder.
Other items on the menu are: Panini’s, Frittata’s, Crepes, Waffles (and Bubble Waffles) but what impressed me the most is the homemade pastries! I order the Lemon Bundt Cake and my husband insists on the Apple Pastry. Wow! So good! Other options to choose: brownies, cakes, cupcakes, tiramisu and muffins!
Baldwin Perk is a specialty café and this place is the perfect stop for a bite and to sit down on the iconic orange couch to relive your favorite Friends Moment.
To view their menu, go to their website!
Review of: Ford's Garage
$$ American restaurant
location: 8201 Vineland Avenue, Suite 1801 / Orlando, FL 32821
"We are known for three things: BEERS. BURGERS. BATHROOMS," says our server as we take a seat at the table.
I'm sorry. Maybe I didn't hear correctly. Did he say... Bathrooms?!?
I immediately check out the restroom and never before have I been so impressed by a ladies' room! The sinks are two huge tires and the water spicket is a gas pump!
The entire restaurant is fantastically themed with the servers dressed as mechanics, a car part and rag covering the utensils and even a full-sized Ford Model car placed on top of the bar that every so often honks and steams out of the back. The kitchen is labeled "Assembly Line", there are car engines as decor and no surprise, NBC sports is playing on the TV screen of professional drivers.
And the Food was three things: Tasty. Delectable. Delicious!
Try out Ford's Garage! I know you'll love it!
To view their menu, go to their website!
Review of: Giordano's
$$ Pizza
location: 6203 W Sand Lake Rd, Orlando, FL 32819
"The pizza will take 45 minutes to make," the waitress informs us. I had never waited that long for a pizza before, and I was starving. Not even the share-able Caesar salad was able to ease my appetite.
The waitress (and the menu) assured us it was worth the wait. Having never been to Giordano's before, I was a bit hesitant. The place itself didn't impress me. It was a rather small dining area with no customers sitting at the booth. Just me and Travis and our rumbling bellies.
Of course, we ordered the deep dish pizza which is what the place was known for and let me tell you...it was worth the wait and then some!
The gooey cheese.
The flaky crust.
The toppings all baked to perfection.
I'm writing this and I need to go back just to take another bite of this...pizza on steroids.
(Just a note: If you don't want to wait 45-minutes for the deep dish, you can wait a little over half an hour for the thin crust.)
This is a must-try especially for the pizza lovers like me! And come hungry!!
To view their menu, go to their website!
Review: Peach Valley Cafe
$$ Breakfast
Address: 2849 S. Orange Ave. Orlando, FL 32806
Whether you are craving something sweet or something healthy ...from omelets, to oatmeal, salads and an impressive selection of sides...this breakfast eatery has it all!
This cute restaurant is decked out in the signiature color with the Peach-theme running through the menu with options such as: Peaches & Cream Muffin, Peach Valley Picker's Skillet and Peach jelly for the toast.
Though Peach Valley Cafe has a very impressive breakfast menu with a YOU PICK TWO option of eggs, pancakes, muffins and yogurt (etc.)...I chose something from the lunch menu.
It was a simple enough dish. GRIDDLED HAM & BRIE SANDWICH: Ham, hot melted Brie Cheese & Honey Mustard on Griddled sour dough bread...
I was on cloud 9 biting into that delectable meal with their housemade potato salad! It was perfect; a meal I would order again and again!!
I would recommend Peach Valley Cafe as the sweet choice to fulfill any breakfast and lunch cravings! Just get there before 2:30PM!!
To view their menu, go to their website!
Review of: The Fox and Hounds Public House
$ - Pub
Location: 3514 W Vine St, Kissimmee, FL 34741
I loved this 1984 Tudor-style Old English Pub, a perfect place to truly relax as I stepped into a time of Fish and Chips, of majesty and splendor, of clinking glasses to a "Cheerio!" .
Now, I’ve eaten at the Leaky Cauldron at Universal’s The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, so I was familiar with this British menu as the two places are similar with their food items.
Of course, the comparison stops there. Where one is known for the broomsticks, dark Magic and a Sirius Black Wanted Poster, the Fox and Hounds Public House is an authentic eatery with timely artifacts, old-fashioned signage and rustic decor, surrounding me in a comforting presence.
This bar has about 10 tables and though people were eating lunch, it was as if the Regulars were content to chat and linger around, the true sign of a pleasant and home-y atmosphere.
I ordered the Scotch Egg : a boiled egg wrapped in sausage, breaded and deep fried
And the Ploughman’s Plate : a wedge of cheese, Branston pickle, pickled onions, lettuce, fresh tomato, and bread and butter
Both these dishes I enjoyed at Universal, but the difference being, I felt like The Fox and Hounds Public House offered a lot more authenticity in their cuisine as I could noticeably taste the difference from its theme park counterpart.
Though this is a bar, this place does serve a full menu with such delicacies as: Famous Fish and Chips, Bangers and Mash, Yorkshire pudding, Beans on Toast, and so much more!
This was a real treat to experience and I would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking to enjoy a real British treasure!
To view their menu, go to their website!
Review: The Town House Restaurant
$ American
Address: 139 N Central Avenue/ Oviedo, FL 32765
Whenever Travis and I are visiting Oviedo, we always have to stop and eat at The Town House Restaurant! It's a must!
The very first time we ate at this feel-good eatery, we watched chickens from our view by the back table, running around and enjoying the sunshine. And those chickens in the back of the building must have inspired the decor of the place which is covered in cute chick images and larger than life chicken statues.
But what really drew us into this place was the menu. I ordered the egg salad sandwich, cole slaw and cottage cheese. But some of the more unique items on the menu are:
State Fair Pretzels
Stuffed Vine Leaves
Sweet Tator Tots
and of course, breakfast is served all day!
This restaurant offers salads, sandwiches, burgers and delicious desserts!
I can tell this is a family-owned business because the servers are always so personable, the owners' contact information is on the table and the place offers a delightful environment for the entire community!
I definitely recommend The Town House for it's warmth, it's food and it's living mascots of chickens running around outside the restaurant!
To view their menu, go to their website!
Review: Jeff’s Bagel Run
$ - hand-crafted New York style bagels
Address: 1351 Alafaya Trl, Unit 1013, Oviedo, FL 32765
I saw Jeff's Bagel Run advertised in The Orlando Weekly and featured on the local news. But I never tasted their bagels... until now.
My husband and I went to the Oviedo location and the space was just big enough to order and to sit at the counter to eat. Even though we arrived late-ish, (12:30 p.m. and the place closes at 2:00 p.m.) there were still plenty of bagels and cream cheese options to choose from.
I asked if my bagel could be toasted which was the wrong question to ask when the large slogan on the wall says: Always Boiled. Never Toasted.
Options for the bagels are: cinnamon raisin, jalapeno cheddar, onion, rosemary salt, blueberry...among others. I ordered the asiago.
The workers will allow you to try the different cream cheese flavors. The dessert blends like: Cake Batter, Cookies and Cream, Orange Creamsicle and Cannoli
were quite decadent... but I went with the more traditional Chive and Onion... though the Strawberry cream cheese was also delicious!
The meal overall was incredibly cheap. $2+ a bagel. $2+ cream cheese. A perfect breakfast to eat in or on the go! New York Style Bagels... in Central Florida?
Yes, please! 🥯
To view their menu, go to their website!
(Disclaimer: Though we got our bagels for free, I am leaving an honest review of Jeff's Bagel Run!)
Review: Bubbalou's Bodacious Bar-B-Que
$$ Barbecue restaurant
Address: 5818 Conroy Rd, Orlando, FL 32835
I absolutely and wholeheartedly LOVE Bubbalou's Bodacious Bar-B-Que!!!
I need to tell you what to order:
Sides: Potato Salad, Baked Beans, Macaroni & Cheese, Mashed Potatoes
Which comes with cornbread (but you can replace with garlic bread)
The menu is fully stocked with options of meat: pork, ribs, turkey, chicken...
Just writing this is making me salivate!
The smell of the homemade food just wafts through the lobby.
The waiters are incredibly friendly and every time I pass by a Bubbalou's Bodacious Bar-B-Que, I HAVE to go in! The mashed potato is creamier, the homestyle potato salad has more mustard, the butter is dripping on the fresh hot cornbread!
Do yourself a favor and head on over to Bubbalou's Bodacious Bar-B-Que! The best BBQ ever!!!
To view their menu, go to their website!
Review of: Giordano's
$$ Pizza
location: 6203 W Sand Lake Rd, Orlando, FL 32819
"The pizza will take 45 minutes to make," the waitress informs us. I had never waited that long for a pizza before and I was starving. Not even the share-able ceasar salad was able to ease my appetite.
The waitress (and the menu) assured us it was worth the wait. Having never been to Giordano's before, I was a bit hesitant. The place itself didn't impress me. It was a rather small dining area with no customers sitting at the booth. Just me and Travis and our rumbling bellies.
Of course, we ordered the deep dish pizza which is what the place was known for and let me tell you...it was worth the wait and then some!
The gooey cheese.
The flaky crust.
The toppings all baked to perfection.
I'm writing this and I need to go back just to take another bite of this...pizza on steriods.
(Just a note: If you don't want to wait 45minutes for the deep dish, you can wait a little over half an hour for the thin crust)
This is a must-try especially for the pizza lovers like me! And come hungry!!
To view their menu, go to their website!
Review: Dustin’s Bar-B-Q
$$ - American/barbeque Restaurant
Address: 14516 E. Colonial Dr., Orlando FL 32826
Travis and I actually found Dustin’s Bar-B-Q by accident. The place we wanted to eat at was closed and we looked for an alternative and
Dustin’s was right down the road. We gave this barbeque eatery a
chance... and we were so impressed by the food, the menu and the
endless salad bar that Dustin’s has now become our regular go-to
place!
There are several locations for Dustin’s throughout the Florida area
and this picture-perfect country-esque restaurant prides itself on
homemade, fresh flavors.
Now, Dustin’s menu comprises of the usual barbeque delicacies we all know and love: pulled pork, chargrilled chicken, smoked sliced turkey, slow-smoked brisket and St. Louis-style ribs with sides that are just as appealing and just as delicious!
But let me tell you what I think truly separates Dustin’s from their
barbeque counterparts. The Endless Salad Bar. (Don’t scoff. It truly
is exceptional!)
I am a three-plater when it comes to the endless salad bar and I will
fill my plates up to the brim (which ends up being a large mountain)
of cole slaw, potato salad, macaroni salad, cheese cubes, tiny
muffins, hard-boiled beet eggs, cottage cheese, cherry jello (and so
much more!) and all of that is on top of the greens, tomatoes,
croutons, dressings (and such) to make a personal salad.
My mouth is watering as I type this and now I want to get in the car
and drive there right now! You are in for a massive treat when you try
Dustin’s Bar-B-Q!! I’ll bet you’ll make this place part of your regular go-to as well!
To view their menu, go to their website!
Review: Chevys Fresh Mex
$$ - Mexican
---> Unfortunately, the Orlando location is permanently closed. Go to their website for Chevys Fresh Mex locations.
I’m going to be honest…I’m not a huge fan of Mexican food so I expected the usual service and the same food as I sat down at Chevys.
Let me tell you, when I bit down into my cheese quesadilla…I was truly blown away! I was unable to speak about this deliciousness because not only was my mouth full of food, but I looked over at my husband who was devouring his meal as well. My theory on this amazing dish is….I believe multiple cheeses and blends are used, forming this quesadilla into something quite unique!
The discussion my husband and I had went something like this: “Never before has there been such a delicacy …such a taste, a flavor, a freshness, a Mexican meal as this!”
I ordered the Queso Dip and this appetizer had a can’t-quite-explain cheesiness to it that left the bowl empty within minutes! I don’t like tomatoes, but at Chevys, their salsa dip is divine and super addicting! The salsa has a darker texture as if the tomatoes were smoked using charred vegetables! Mmm…Mmmm!
If you haven’t been to Chevys, make this your next Friday Night outing. You won’t regret it! “Can I have some more chips, please!”
To view their menu, go to their website!