What could be more important than a little something to eat?
Winnie the Pooh
I was having a conversation with a good friend over the last week about places they ate when they were last on holiday in Walt Disney World. Like us this year, they stayed offsite in a privately rented villa/holiday home with a pool which allowed maximum freedom in terms of daily activity and where they had their family meals.
I was actually a bit shocked and felt really sad for her when she told me where they had been eating. There are some really great restaurants in the areas surrounding WDW (and Universal Orlando) but somehow it seems that they had gravitated to the places I don’t think I would go. I’m not being snobby, more that I would like my food to be fresh, flavourful, and I’m not sure there is ever reasonable justification for a chocolate-fountain at breakfast (whether you are on holiday or not).
She explained that they were on a tight budget, and other people had told her these were the best places to go, so that’s where they went. Occasionally they were able to make use of coupons to reduce the price more, and due to this they ate at the same places repeatedly and possibly didn’t really experience the incredible variety of restaurants on offer away from the attractions.
I think the saying is “they didn’t know what they didn’t know”. If you aren’t aware of the varied options and choices, then you aren’t able to make best use of your freedom away from Disney dining plans etc.
I thought it would be fun for me to make a little countdown of my favourite offsite eateries, with a few “honourable mentions” at the end, to quote the infamous Lou Mongello.
Warning – don’t read this hungry.
Number 10 – Perkins
Perkins can be spotted all over the USA – always marked by the side of the road by an enormous US Flag. I have eaten in this chain all over Florida and have not yet been disappointed. Saying that, I have only eaten here at breakfast, so I am completely unqualified to rate their lunch or dinner offerings. The branch on the US192 just outside of WDW property is our “local” when we stay near WDW and we have been here on every trip for the last 5 years. Breakfast for kids is great with Perky Bear choc-chip pancakes in the shape of a “bear” (or Mouse-head without having to pay the copyright royalties) being on the menu, but my thumbs up goes to the pancake dippers which is a rasher of crispy bacon cooked into a strip of pancake served with maple syrup. The potato-hash skillets, and freshly made omelettes are great, and just once my other half tried the “southern fried chicken biscuit breakfast” which even at 7.30am was surprisingly good! But – as a general rule, it’s all huge. Every plate is enormous. Coffee is great and non-stop refills certainly help to get your caffeination up to the required levels in the early starts. We also signed up online to their “Perks” club and received a couple of emails with vouchers to use when we visited. If you do this about 5 days before you travel, you will get the best use from them as they tend to have a 2-week usage window.
Perkins also has a bakery section by the cash register – muffins, pies, cookies are all freshly baked and very tasty. We have bought a couple of cookies to stash for hungry children in attraction queues later in the day, which can only be considered a resounding parenting-win.
Number 9 – Yard House
Yard House was a new location for us last year, having been introduced to it in New York when visiting family. The restaurant at the base of the Orlando Eye in Icon Park (International Drive) is pretty huge and when we visited on a midweek lunch time it was quiet. The menu us also huge and it took us ages to decide what we were ordering, although that gave the non-drivers in the party the chance to try out some of the 40+ beer offerings they have on draft. If you are a beer connoisseur, this is the place to visit.
The kids menu here is a little more varied that other nearby places, with teriyaki chicken and fish options joining the usual suspects of burgers, Mac’n’cheese and chicken tenders. I chose the street taco combo and was able to mix and match my personal choices as well as removing any trace of avocado from the dish. Rice and beans were great accompaniments and I would happily eat here again just for them.
If you are down in the WDW area, this may be a bit of a pain to trek to after a long day riding attractions, but it is close enough to Universal, the outlet shopping areas and some of the I-drive hotels to make it a justifiable recommendation.
Number 8 – Longhorn Steakhouse
Longhorn has long been one of our favourites, but over the last year or two, we have noticed the queue to get a table for dinner anytime between 6-8pm just getting longer and longer. Clearly that means a lot of other people have also worked out that the quality and price point make it worth a punt.
Every meal starts with some great warm bread and if you have any sense, you will order the “Texas Tonion” petals to enjoy whilst you consider the variety of meat cuts and preparation options available.
Unfortunately, the offerings for small people here are really rather naff. It’s not exciting or inventive in any way, so don’t expect your kids to be enthralled by their menu options. For the big ones though, the cuts of meat are varied and there is something for everyone – in my eyes the Outlaw Ribeye (bone-in) is the super-steak on the menu. Paired with the most perfectly prepared baked sweet potato with butter and cinnamon sugar (yes, I know that sounds weird, but trust me on this one) it’s a meal that may bring on the meat sweats as well as a big smile. The price tag won’t hurt too much here, and the food is generally reliable and fresh.
Number 7 – Miller’s Ale House
Miller’s is a place that we had been to outside of Orlando until last summer and honestly, we thought it was a bit seedy and grim (sorry Naples, Fl). We took a chance last year on the new(ish) location on the US192 and we were very pleasantly surprised. I am 100% certain we will return there later this year, and have another great meal. A bit like Yard House, they have a cracking selection of beers, with several special offers and this means more beer for your buck! The kids menu is a bit on the “meh” side, same as many places – mac, chicken fingers, hot dog etc, definitely not the best.
Adults get to choose from another enormous variety of dishes – the chicken Zingers are not to be missed on the appetiser menu. We chose 3 different sauces and they were all very very tasty. The meals here are as giant as the menu, so absolutely suitable for sharing between 2. This makes this restaurant quite budget-friendly too. The atmosphere is definitely good for the sports fans among you – for me watching the pre-season college “football” (and I don’t mean actual football, I mean American football) was a bit confusing, but there was an abundance of activity and a buzz of excitement throughout. Lots of different seating is available at this location – booths, tables and also an outdoor patio area, although in Florida summer heat, the inside A/C may be preferable to the sweaty outside.
Number 6 – Red Lobster
Ah, the family favourite. This is one of the first restaurants I recall visiting when we first arrived in Orlando all those years ago – it has remained one of our go-to places ever since. Possibly for the sentimentality rather than the food?
The one thing everyone knows about Red Lobster (or “The Lobbo” as our family affectionately know it) is the biscuits. Cheddar Bay Biscuits – food from heaven.
Excuse me whilst I dream and drool for a moment.
So these little balls of cheesy, garlicky deliciousness are probably the best thing available, so we always ask for a refill which invariably ends up getting boxed up to take home with the remainder of the food we can’t possibly eat. The kids meals are a little different – good seafood options if your small person likes fish. My smallest small likes the wood grilled Tilapia, and it’s a really healthy option with broccoli to counteract the fries, mac and chicken tenders that she ingests non-stop for 2 weeks. My favourite item on this menu is the Parrot Isle Jumbo Coconut Shrimp with Pina Colada dipping sauce.. I always order them, sometimes as part of a combo main course. The good news is that they reheat the following day brilliantly, and if you ask your server they will give you extra sauce to take home too! My brother always, always, always chooses the Admiral’s feast, but only manages about half of it, so again – plenty of opportunity to split a meal between 2 if you are someone who is OK with sharing.
There are loads and loads of Lobbos around, but we do like the one at Formosa Gardens, and have always had good service there.
Number 5 – Cracker Barrel
Another breakfast winner for our family – and I know lots of other people who swear by this place. There is just one thing I need to say right at the very beginning though – don’t be in a rush. Especially on a Sunday morning. Wow – we have been in here in excess of an hour just for breakfast, which is not ideal if you have fast passes burning a hole in your theoretical pocket. The menu at Cracker Barrel never changes, although they do occasionally add some seasonal specials. The “Old Timers Special” or the “Sunrise Sampler” are favourites for the hungry in our house. I prefer a combo of the traditional oatmeal or Fresh Start Sampler (I don’t really like pancakes), but with a side added.
And this is the most important thing about Cracker Barrel… The buttermilk Biscuits.
There is no question in my mind, these are the best biscuits anywhere. Hot, soft, doughy with a little crispy base from the oven.. paired with the fried apples I am in my happy place. Other restaurants try with the biscuits, but they just don’t succeed in hitting the mark in the same way Cracker Barrel do. If you haven’t tried them, or are a little suspicious of these strange, savoury scone things, then go here and order a side of them with everything. One will not be enough, and as they are freshly baked, they can take a few minutes to prepare.
The other thing about Cracker Barrel is the shop. “Exit through the gift shop” has never been so aptly applied. Except in this shop you will find traditional American candy and sweets which make amazing, low cost, gifts for those back home – many times my work colleagues have found themselves testing out Saltwater Taffy, Tootsie Rolls (my favourite), Charleston Chews, Laffy Taffy, and Smarties – which believe me are nothing like the classic UK candy-shelled chocolate beans. The rest of the shop is seasonal and in August we will often pick up a couple of nice Christmas tree decorations.
Yes, in August.
I can only imagine they pair their seasons with the Haute Couture community and display and sell everything around 6-9 months in advance of when it may be considered appropriate. But, get your credit card at the ready because you will come out of there brandishing a traditional brown paper bag full of stuff you didn’t know you needed or wanted. It’s a ritual.
Number 4 – Olive Garden
There are those who think that Olive Garden is a bit of a boring choice for number 4, but sometimes you want reliable, predictable, tasty food that will just hit the carb-needing spot after a long day at the attractions. If that’s how you are feeling, then this is place for you.
They have a good wine and beverage menu, and every main course is accompanied by freshly baked breadsticks (similar approach to the Lobbo biscuits here – over order and take them with you for the next day), and the house salad which is incredible. Filled with leaves, olives, tomatoes, onion and croutons tossed in a light italian dressing, it’s really refreshing and nice to have actual real fresh veg (sometimes meals get rather “brown”). The kids menu is mainly pasta, but there are lots of variations, and they will also make a smaller version of the adult menu if there is something your little person really wants. Main courses are carby, saucy and well seasoned, with the ability to build your own choice of pasta dish to suit your own taste. After a pile of breadsticks and salad however, you may find that there is more left on the plate than eaten. We like Olive Garden – it’s comfortable, friendly and easy-going. No need to make any effort other than choosing from the menu and enjoying the food – exactly as an Italian restaurant should be.
Number 3 – Cheesecake Factory
For fans of the hit sit-com The Big Bang Theory, this restaurant is the Mecca of cult-eating. Penny doesn’t work here anymore, but you can pretend that she does, regardless of which branch of this highly successful chain you visit. Sadly, in Orlando, there aren’t many and I’m surprised one hasn’t popped up towards the I-Drive/ US192 area yet, but fingers crossed it will soon. The nearest location is up at the Mall at Millenia, with another a bit further north at Winter Park. The question is- is it worth the drive to get there? In my opinion, yes it absolutely is. Quite apart from the actual cheesecake offerings, which have to be seen to be believed, the rest of the menu is insanely good. There really is something for everyone, and regardless of what we have chosen in any branch in the US (and one in Dubai!) it has been unequivocally good.
For a restaurant menu of this scale, the kids menu is a little duller that one might expect, but the appetisers would also be a good call for a child meal – they are pretty generous and my small one has certainly had the calimari as her meal then stolen fries/rice etc from others around the table. The one thing to say about Cheesecake Factory is go hungry. Main courses come in 2 sizes – lunch and dinner, and honestly, the lunch size is enough for a standard family of 4, so unless you are planning to box 75% up and take it home to have for the rest of the week, don’t pick the dinner size. I love the salad selection here, with lots of great flavours you don’t find in other restaurants. I particularly like the chicken, mango (and avocado, but I have that removed) salad, and the asian chicken salad. Do not be fooled though – these are not the healthy options you may think at first glance – take a look at the calorie count on them.. wowsers! For this reason alone, I think one of the best things at Cheesecake Factory is their Skinnylicious menu – lower calorie, lower fat and lots of flavour. Lots of their standard menu items are available with a healthier nod, and so this is great if you feel the need to be conscious of what you are ingesting.
The cheesecake is just another level of craziness, with over 30 flavours to choose from. Hint here – buy some to share, but get it boxed up and take it away for later (or breakfast tomorrow) because you simply won’t do it justice after a full meal there. My top choices are the Key Lime, Caramel Pecan Turtle, or the Ghiardelli Very Cherry. I can usually manage to eat about 3 mouthfuls then put it back in the fridge again.
Number 2 – Ruth’s Chris
OK, so every other location on this list is reasonably priced for the majority of visitors to the Orlando area.
Spoiler warning – Ruth’s Chris is not.
Ruth’s Chris is high-end priced and a little bit up-itself because of it. But believe me, the food is incredible.
I’ve dined here a few times and the atmosphere is definitely not like many of the other restaurants around. This is a place to dress smartly (smart/casual), collared shirt, no flip-flops and expect to pay at least the full 20% in gratuity. But, for that you will get starched white table linen, fantastically attentive service, a wonderful wine list and pretty much anything you want- for a price. We have taken my smallest one here when she was a baby, and again when she was around 2, and whilst we weren’t turned away, we were certainly viewed with a slightly unusual look. Most diners are adult, perhaps tables of 2, or intense business dinners looking to impress. Don’t let that put you off – the effort is worth it if you appreciate good steak, and can tell the difference between a prime USDA cut and the great steak you will be served in the Longhorn, Outback or similar chains. If you can’t, then don’t waste your hard earned cash – you will come away wondering what the fuss was about any why you need to re-mortgage your house to pay for dinner.
They don’t have a kid’s menu unsurprisingly, but they will do whatever they can to cater to the tastes and choices of small people – mac and cheese is a winner and their sides can be added to create a meal. For the grown ups, my favourite is the Cowboy Ribeye or the Tomahawk Ribeye if you fancy a bit of drama on your plate. Others in my family swear by the filet (I prefer the flavour of a ribeye). They will cook your steak perfectly and serve it on a dish festering around the same temperature as the sun, so don’t touch it, and be aware that your meat may continue to cook slightly. I know that this is the one restaurant that will manage my frankly rediculous and slightly pretentious request to have my meat cooked “Pittsburgh” (Blackened on the outside and very rare in the middle) correctly. In order to manage this, the chef needs to be experienced, skilled and have balls of steel to raise the grill temperature to the heat needed to achieve this effect – in other locations many have tried and failed. It seems that Ruth’s Chris employ some of the best chefs around who know how to handle prime steak cuts. But the pricetag for this – steaks running to around $60+ each. But paired with the shoestring fries and roasted brussels sprouts – that is truly a magnificent meal.
Number 1 – Chuy’s
In a complete change to number 2, Chuy’s is a very budget-friendly location and is probably one of the places we will repeat visit during a 2 week holiday. It can be found on the US 192 west-bound from WDW, just after the Formosa Gardens area near Miller’s Ale House.
Great Tex-Mex food with a tag line of “Burritos as Big as Yo’ Face” gives this restaurant chain a bit of a personality, as well as offering incredible food. The walls in the bar area (with some booth seating for diners) are adorned by donated photos of guest’s own pet dogs. It’s certainly quirky, but is a great talking point and fun to look at whilst you peruse the menu. The main dining area is brightly clad in colour and fun with a ceiling display of car hub caps and wheels, and happy hour on Friday and Saturday evenings will involve free freshly made tortilla chips and salsa available in the open bonnet of a Cadillac in the bar.
Flour tortillas are cooked fresh to order in an open kitchen area, and the menu is so varied it’s almost impossible to choose. Because of this, some of the best items are the combo platters, with the Comida Deluxe proving popular, and the artery-killing Elvis Presley Memorial Combo being a favourite. You will be served never-ending warm tortilla chips and salsa as you decide but do yourself a favour and order the Chile con Queso to go with it too, you will not regret it. Kids can choose enchiladas tortillas, quesedillas or standard chicken fingers and fries – all are tasty and fresh.
We love visiting Chuy’s in August for the Green Chile Festival where a variety of green chile sauces are offered – we usually order all of them and share them round depending on our ability to cope with the strength and heat. But they are all made fresh, and you really can tell the difference between them and something out of a can or a jar- there really is no comparison.
You will be full. You may have enjoyed a few of their amazing margaritas or other adult beverages (they are good).. but leave room to share a piece of the Tres Leches dessert. Once eaten, never forgotten and always desired, this is the dessert to end all desserts. A 3-4″ high slab of cake soaked in 3 different sweetened milks and served with a humourously ironic fresh strawberry on the top. It’s one to share, and you can spend the rest of the evening discussing it.
On your way out after paying your rather reasonably priced bill (a meal for 3 adults, 1 child with 2 beers, mains and a dessert cost us $72 incl. tax) take a moment to admire their array of ingenious t-shirts and merchandise. Often with sale items, 2 for $20 offers and slogans such as “Hakuna MaTaco” on a Lion King Backdrop, you may find yourself coming away with a new favourite restaurant and a shirt that will tell everyone else about it.
Honourable mentions-
There are a few other places we probably should mention in case none of these options float your boat.
Bahama Breeze – Tropical, Caribbean style food and drinks, I have experienced good meals and really rather dire meals, which is why it didn’t make the Top 10. We have found the location at Lake Buena Vista to be the best, with a nice covered patio area for drinks if it’s not too hot.
Denny’s – who doesn’t love Eggs over My Hammy for breakfast? Denny’s have branches everywhere, in fact you can’t drive for more than about 800metres without seeing another one. There is a reason they are so successful – hot, tasty, low priced food which is served relatively quickly. You can get some great discounts if you sign up online before you travel and you will see that it’s always busy at Denny’s. My advice- go early. If you leave it past 8am you will be there much longer than you really want to be.
IHOP – the classic. I am a bit dismissive of IHOP, mainly because I have been to a few that are a bit dirty and the food hasn’t been very hot by the time it was served. It’s cheap, quick and there are lots of them around, so perhaps try one and see what you think.
I could go on and on with restaurants that we like, but don’t love. There are infinite places to grab food in the Orlando area, and if you have a car, the world is your oyster, quite literally.
One of the key questions I asked myself is “would I travel off site (drive or Uber etc) to go to any of these restaurants if I was staying on Disney (or Universal) property?”. The answer is yes – yes to Chuy’s, yes to Cracker Barrel, and yes to the Cheesecake Factory.
Did I miss your favourite location? Have I been missing the best restaurant in the Orlando area for years? Please let me know in the comments for this blog.
In the mean time, I’m counting down the days until I can have another Burrito as big as my face.
Claire's Disney Life 