mountdorahound's Profile
Orlando - Best Mexican Restaurant
Mexican is a very broad culinary spectrum and most what you get here in florida is americanized to the point it's not mexican. To get real mexican you have to go to a tortilloria(i think that is the splling) or a taquria. I know there is small tortilloria chain run by a mexican family that has mexican groceries and a restaurants in the same place Its called tortilloria la mexicana . One is in Winter Garden and one is in Eustis and there is another one because the eustis location is #3. You want "authentic"? lets talk about torta's (mexican sandwich) and fried whole fish with a side of pork rind or cow tounge taco's with no lettuce and tomato and just onions, fresh cilantro and slices of lime. This place has traditional taco's and burritos and the quesodilla's are the bomb. the menus also has grilled steaks and sizzling mixed grill platters that are really good and lets not forget som good ole mexican steamed cactus on the side..they have a meat counter as well where you can buy pre-marinated steaks and chicken to take home and THE BEST tortillas I have ever had! I can taste the hint of lard now;)
Best Hamburger in Midwest
If you are in northern ark. or southwest mo. you will want to visit WF Cody's in Springfield Missouri. This place has ONE POUND burgers! and they are good! They will easily feed two people and the fries are just as good. They actally retain some of the beef fat and cook the fries in it. This place is a bar and not a place you want to take the inlaws unless they are really hip.
Best Steakhouse in Orlando?
I had a decent steak at shula's 347 in lake mary. especially for the money, , we went early during the week and had a very pleasant experience. The service was great and the the side orders were no extra charge. I can see how this place might be a bit uncomfortable when crowded,, the table are too close together. If you go early this isn't an issue. The steak was bone in ribeye that was cooked perfectly and had a nice marble texture.
Visiting The Villages, FL and looking for good restaurants
I wonder if that is the same Giovanni's in winter park and oveido?? If so they aren't bad. leesburg also has some good places to eat. As far as Mount Dora is concerned bring a full wallet if you make the trip!! If you come here wanting to spend less there are four options,, The lost parrot(mediocre bar food), Jerrimiah's(think a country style bennigans),, Copa cabbanna cuban( average to good cuban ) and fiesta grande (americanized mexican). Most of the other places here in the Mount Dora are upscale. If money is not an issue you will want to make reservations at the goblin market. but before you do you will want to have happy our on the deck at piecies rising. Its the place to be seen in in mt.dora and has a beautiful lake view with a jimmy buffet impersonator on hand to make you feel like your in the keys. If the goblin is closed try the palm tree grill or the frog and monkey gastro pub. I have also heard there is a new german place opening here within the next year,,stay tuned!
Florida-Style BBQ?
so true sarge,,I see sonny's packed and wonder what those people are thinking! Speaking of regions,, I love the bbq in st.louis and kc and its very simple,, soak the ribs in beer over night then use hickory wood with a light dry rub,,mmm!! kind of a bolder flavor without the sweetness. They use a sweet molasses sauce. KC bbq is also cooked with hickory only they don't soak in beer or use a sweet sauce. The kc method is to use a dry rub and baste the ribs in a hot, vinegar mustard tomato sauce mixture while cooking.
Need Daytona Beach Recs
Ocean deck is always descent,,not great but descent! Daytona has quite a few good pizza and burger joints,,I like the brickyard for burgers. For steak there is a good place about a mile west of the track called Gene's. Been there for years!!
Orlando, WP, Mt Dora - Easter lunch?
Well Ms Bnbbiz my mother has a bnb but not in mount dora,,she come here to "get ideas' ,wink,wink, she also doesn't like buffets. I would highly reccomend the Goblin Market for a nice place to dine but if you want Easter fare I would give pieces rising a shot. The have a very upscale atomosphere and it overlooks the lake for scenery. I must warn you that the prices are higher than what you might expect but it will probably fill the bill. Both places have outdoor dining. If you don't want to spend as much money,,the frosty mug servers holiday meals but the food and service can be hit or miss. If you go to sandford hollerbachs willow tree is the place! call ahead whatever you do!!
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Goblin Market
331 N Donnelly St, Mount Dora, FL 32757
Best restaurant in the Orlando area?
Everyone i talk to says the venitian room at cabre royal is the bomb and totally under rated. This resturaunt always wins the awards and has critics raving nationwide for formal elegance, service, and food. I never hear anyone talk about it here so if you have been there recently,,chime in!
Fishcamps around Orlando
my fav is in deland on the st johns river. The shady oak fish camp! havent found better catfish!
food around Eustis, Mt. Dora or anywhere north of Orlando
well you came to the right place jay,, But be prepared to have some new experiences as far as local food is concerned. Local lake county is sometimes backwoods and not for your froofy types. However what is reccommended will be good to the tounge and stomach!
If you really want local and don't want to dive too far Try Zellies in Mt. Dora on hwy 19. If you eat local in central florida be prepared for some grease as in greasy fried pickles, zellies also has fried catfish but I would stick to their homemade soups and fried chicken wings. This place is pretty real they also serve fresh roasted peanuts where you just throw the shells on the floor.
As far as ethnic,,tavares seems to be gaining traction,,,I tried Basil cafe a month ago,, This place is authentic jamaican in a nice freindly CLEAN setting. It's on main street and be sure and try the homemade saffron beef and chicken patties, they are some of the best I have tasted. Tavares also has the only authentic cuban joint on hwy 488 called pichy's. they used to be on lee rd next to delfriscos. they recently moved to lake county,,,I just wish this placed served roast pork. If you want REAL mexican as in carnita's and fried whole fish you'll have to go to eustis to Tortillaria La Mexicana. Be prepaired for AUTHENTIC mexican.
As far as Asian is concernd I like Thai Jasmine in Tavares. This place is also authentic compared to the other thai places. If you want sushi Mt. Dora Sushi seems to get the most votes. Chinese seems to the same wherever you go but china wok in eustis gets quite a few votes as well.
Last but certainly not least BBQ! Lake county has some of the best bbq joints in florida. Where is the best q? Depends on what type of sauce and seasoning you like. Since i am in Mt dora I tend to go to sugarboos quite a bit. dry rub seasoned Meat cooked perfectly everytime!! The sauce however is a vinigar based and very tart. If you like the sweet hot flavor try Mikes at the corner of 441 and wolfbranch/ limit ave. in Mt. Dora. This is the same only the sauce is molasses sweeter and cooked on the meat. it tends to create a crispy burnt coating.
King's in eustis also has a large following. The meat is not seasoned but cooked right and the sauce is a mustard base sauce you can buy in lke county grocery stores. There is also the damn smoker north of eustis. This place is hit or miss on cooking tenderness but usually hits,,they also have a variety of sauces. I still have yet to try bc's general store in yalaha but it comes highley reccomended. I also like Jacks bbq in clermont. It has indoor seating which none of the places I have mentioned do. The cue I had was great with a sweet mollasses based sauce.
Hope this helps,,,,let me know if i was off!
Is Paco's in Orlando/Winter Park any good?
hey max is Garibaldis in apopka still open. I have wanted to try the place,, Seems when i drive by the place is always empty. I 'll check into it and report back. I have a good reason to stop now.
Disney Must haves?
Most of the places mentioned above are good but very pricey,,especially victoria and alberts although if you want an unforgetable experience I would recommend the chef's table there. I have dined at several disney spots over the years and found epcot to be very foodie freindly. I would second the morrocan if you have never had that type of food. I also like the german pavilion and the Le celiar steak house at canada. My favorite has to be at the norway pavilion. Its a buffet with smoked fish and scandinavian fare.
Outside of epcot there is downtown disney. If youre on a budget wolfgang puck has a walkup cafe next to his place and they have excellent roast chicken. I would also recommend ranglin road and planet hollywood. Planet hollywood not so much for the food but definitley for the scenery.
I still have yet to try the brown derby at disney/mgm studios. I have heard it is a pleasurable dining experience. Please share your experiences there.
Best Pizza in Orlando?
I have to agree with sister on anthony's coal fired,, OVERRATED!! But I always like the place in casselberry on 17-92 ,,I think its called Buffalo pizza and wings. These guys are from buffalo and the pizza is good for the price so are the wings. It's take out only. I Like Del Dio's as well
Florida food trucks/street food?
There is one here in Mount dora on the corner of limit and 441. MIKES BBQ!! Very good sweet sauce and to die for cinamon baked beans. A few more have opened on old hwy 441,, Bizzles BBQ serves good chicken and they have a couple more that i need to on old 441 between Mt. Dora and Tavares. I think I saw a jamacan jerk wagon,,film at 11!!
Volusia County Dining
Yes,, It is a classic greasy spoon.. Complete with mis-matched table ware. My experiences there wern't too greasy of course I didn't order the hamburger and fries. But for three dollars and fifty cents ,,I will put up with a little grease.
Volusia County Dining
Deland has some good home cookin places,, I drive by that place alot ,, I will stop next time.
There' is also another good home cookin place on the other side of town on hwy 44. Grams Kitchen is also known by bikers to be the place for a good cheap breakfeast. And it is Both. I had two eggs hashbrowns with biscuts and gravy with iced tea for $3.50! and It was good!
Volusia County Dining
Volusia's main dining destinations are in NSB! I rarely get to go over there so I will write about the ones i do get to visit. Shady Oaks fish camp on the st johns river in deland is one of those places. Fried to order catfish fingerlings that melt in your mouth. Have the potato salad and you'll know it's real. Drive up the road a couple miles and turn right on new york ave and youll be at emmys time out tavern,,Volusia's only REal German place owned by A german Emmy who knows how to treat people right! I might have to go there tonight. I like the rouladen and pork shank on a bed of saur kraut. Her specialty is steak and prime rib and every meal comes with a salad,soup and a whole loaf of homemade bread. You'll need a wheel chair after dinner!
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Shady Oaks Cafe
132 Avenue B SW, Winter Haven, FL 33880
TOP BURGERS IN FLA
Mount Dora has quite the burger selection as well and with 20 eating places within 4 square blocks of eachother the rivalries run high! I have yet to try the burger at pisces rising and sidelines but I have heard plenty and here is the list using bear's grading scale.
1. zellies pub burger only gets a 1 because it is a frozen
2. palm tree grill isn't frozen but it is flavorless and over cooked.
3. NY style diner is a fried burger and also a frozen patty
4. Lisa's kitchen serves fried burgers but good meat.
5. Chili's is always consistant but not the best
6. Highland street cafe has a famous nell burger. fried but thick and seasoned well.
7. Jerimiahs has flame grilled a wide but wont cook to order
8.The frosty mug has flame grilled burgers and usually good depending on the cook.
9. The chew chew express has a fried burger with a big size and seasoned perfectly
10. the frog and monkey has top quality beef(lots of fat) and flame grilled to perfection!
Real Cuban in Mount Dora, Florida
Don't get too excited and don't drive from orlando or apopka to go to this place. Portions are small and the price is high! For real cuban,,drive to orlando!
I don't usually bash mount dora resturaunts unless they deserve it. I actually bought a cuban sandwich at black bean deli in winter park, brought it back to mount dora and showed my neighbor. I didn't tell him where it came from. His first comment was,,"this didn't come from copa cabana!" A real cuban is packed with meat and is pressed with real cuban bread. The bread at copa cabana does not taste close to cuban. Maybe it is because the owner is from mexico. Their roast pork is good however,,,they just dont give you very much. I really wanted this place to be authentic and good,,it 's just not.
Looking for Orlando: classic, famous, institutions, unusual specials, best kept secret
2nd johnsons! I always like the classics too but they are becomming more rare! Like The cattle ranch in sanford. good priced no frills and it takes ya back! Another good steak place just south is colorado's in Lake mary. The smoked prime rib is to be tried once in your life and it rocks!
If you dont want steak go down to shells on lee road or on 436. This chain is dying but I always loved their pasta dishes.
For chinese I always take visitors to Lams on hwy 50,, Not the cleanest place but really authentic!! Pick out the fish you want to eat while it swims in the big fish tank at th entrance. Then have them put it in the bamboosteamer with soy sauce, scalions and ginger!
If you want a good choice head down orange avenue till ya get to blackwater bbq. across the street is a killer peruvian chicken joint reccommended to me by the late great Bob Mervine(RIP)
Driving Across Florida: Need Lunch ~ Tallahassee, Other Ideas
There is some decent bbq at the micanopy exit off I-75. Pearls BBQ!! just look for the signs between lake city and gainesville. It is THE ONLY place on the interstate that is not a chain and you wont have to worry about getting lost. Right at the 106 exit! get the pulled pork with macaroni and cheese!
TOP BURGERS IN FLA
OK from central florida the Mount Dora hound found another REALLY OUT OF THE WAY great buger place. Its on the banks of the okalawaha river on Hwy 42 North of Eustis Florida about 15 miles. Its a bar that sits in the campground next to the boat ramp called the Blue Heron Bar. BIG burgers cooked on an open flame and Very Good think 1.5 inches thick cooked to requested doneness. Mushrooms and swiss as well as the traditionals. No store bought patties here! If burgers arent your thing nelsons fish camp is across the bridge!
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Blue Heron Restaurant
387 Capri Blvd, Naples, FL 34113
Route 46 in Sanford
Imagine sonny's, bennigans, and bubba gumps in one spot. The only plus is live entertainment!
Breakfast Sunday Morning in Orlando
This one is a streach but I have heard Whole foods market on Idrive has THE BEST breakfeast buffet in the area. My overly picky sister that insists on staying on disney property will ma a special drive to this place.
The most interesting breakfeast on property in at the Mya Grill at the coronato spring resort.
Soul food/country cookin' in Orlando
I'll second Johnson's ,, The only bad thing about Johnsons is they close early and i think they are closed on weekends. The best time to go to johnsons is between 11:00 and 11:30am. Any later and you will be in a long line. You can try after lunch but they run out of the good specials quick! There are a few other spots around for home cookin,,Juniors diner on corrine is also good.
North Florida/Georgia "Real" Barbecue
I will second BKhuna's suggestion. however i think the quality varries depending on the visit. I have been when they are great and the next time not cooked long enough. If they are cooked right,,its heavenly. There are several places in lake county that have great bbq! I will list my top 5.
1. The Damn Smoker norh of eustis on 19 (this is my personal favorite open weekends only)
2. Kings in eustis
3. sugarboos in mount dora (I usually end up here because its close) Consistatant quality
4. Mikes ( a roadside stand at the corner of limit and 441) good sauce!
5.Bc's general store in yalaha
6. Jack benny's or "jacks" in clermont on hwy 441 ( good sauce and cooked perfectly)
7. Grandaddy's bbq on old 441 in tavares (comes highly reccommended)
8. The old crow on north hwy 19 north of umatilla (just like eating at grandmas with no beer)
9.holy smokes on 19 in eustis. nicley done with doctored store bought sauce.
10. Roadside BBQ (hommade sauce) on 527 and 46 behind the church of god.
Any New Homestyle / Mom and Pop places in Orlando Attractions Area?
Well I'll go out on a limb here and just give you the local version of cracker barrel and that is Randy's resturaunt on hwy 27 just two miles north of 192. take 192 to 27 go North for two miles. Is a local spot serving catfish frog legs, prime rib,,etc. good ole down south home cookin at a fair price. If you stay closer to the attractions you might take them to ranglin road or planet hollywood. Food at planet hollywood could be better but it is a cool place to dine.
cajun or NOLA type food in the Orlando area
Funny you should ask,,I met this guy at a food wagon at rennigars flea market here in mount dora. He said his wife was from NOLA and they had the best red beans and rice I have had outside north FLA. They were also doing shrimp in a big deepfryer. kind of expensive for what you got though.
Disney World Dining Review
I would love to see more of these posts. People always want to know whats good at disney and it keeps disney on their feet. Maybe some more folks could share. I would also like to know if anyone has been to the brown derby at mgm and would shere their experience.
Orlando: Cheap Eats 10 dollars and under a plate
Lil anthonys pizza on hwy 50. Hot dog hevean on hwy 50. Old dixie fried chicken,,Orange avenue. Taste of jamaica, hwy 441 and claracona -ocoee. China club university and alafaya. Backyard burgers and whataburger on university.
