posted by orlandovacationhome on Feb 17
Dr. Christopher Muller, Ph. D and Director of the University of Central Florida’s Center for Multi-Unit Restaurant Management, reviews some of the best Disney Epcot® restaurants.
Dr. Muller has lectured on the topic of chain restaurant management in Europe, Asia and The Americas, and is one the culinary industry’s foremost experts. He was recently a featured speaker at the European Foodservice Summit and writes a regular blogspot for the Restaurants and Institutions Magazine. Click here for a review of Dr. Muller’s distinguished professional biography at UCF.
In this VLOG Dr. Muller briefly reviews his favorite Epcot restaurants concepts and the latest Disney World food options you don’t want to miss.
All of the Walt Disney World® restaurants mentioned are located in close proximity to most vacation home communities in Kissimmee, Davenport and Orlando. Each of these premiere casual dining options are highly acclaimed. Some of the more notable Epcot® food and beverage concepts Dr. Muller reviews include:
- The Rose & Crown English Pub (United Kingdom Pavilion)
- La Cantina De San Angel and San Angel Inn Restaurante (Mexico Pavilion)
- Sommerfest and Biergarten Restaurant (Germany Pavilion)
- Le Cellier Steakhouse (Canada Pavilion)
- Nine Dragons Restaurant (China Pavilion)
See The Epcot Restaurant Video Review HERE
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posted by orlandovacationhome on Aug 15
Fat Boy’s Bar-B-Q, Kissimmee FL
1606 West Vine Street
Kissimmee, FL
(407) 847-7098
Rating: Best BBQ Barbecue Restaurant in Kissimmee
Vacation home renters around Disney are always looking for good BBQ, and often want to know where to get fast and efficient service.
Fat Boys has been locally owned and operated since 1971. This is down home style old-fashioned BBQ. A large flag adorns the walls of this cafe’. This is honest to goodness middle America food and ambience. Great ribs, giant onion rings and fast counter service.
The restaurant is open 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Lunch is packed on weekdays with a variety of folks stopping in. From cops to construction workers, and with businesspeople to families, the restaurant attracts a wide variety of people to enjoy the food. Our only complaint was that the pie selections were below expectations. Everything else was great.
A BBQ plate with soda will run you about $14 a person. This is for a choice of chicken, ribs, beef or pork. A small salad bar is $2.20 extra. Fat boys can give it their best with the “all you can eat” special prices.
The restaurant is in central Kissimmee, so it is around a 20-25 minute drive from many vacation home area subdivisions depending upon the time of day. If you want a genuine local experience, Fat Boys is a great casual dining option.
Fat Boys BBQ Kissimmee
Fat Boys Orlando
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posted by orlandovacationhome on Mar 29
Jerusalem Restaurant - Kissimmee FL
2920 Vineland Rd.
Kissimmee, FL 34746
407-397-2230
Rating: Jerusalem Restaurant- Best Middle Eastern Restaurant in Kissimmee / Orlando
Jerusalem Restaurant is a well done family owned casual restaurant serving fresh and high quality Lebanese,Syrian and Moroccan food. Some of the restuarant’s most popular dishes include gyros, steaks, Basterma, Kibbeh Nayyeh and rice pudding. The restuarant is open for both lunch and dinner and is a nice change of pace from many of the large franchised eateries in the area.
On a recent visit, the author found the staff to be very pleasant and friendly, and the food to be very tasty. The interior of the restaurant is inviting and very clean. Adults only or families will be pleased with this restaurant if you have the opportunity to visit.
Dinner will run you about $12 - $15 (more with alcohol) per person and less for lunch. Please consult other blog posts for some of the best restaurants in the area. This restaurant is conveniently located near Disney and most Orlando vacation home rentals on State Road 535/Vineland Road and Highway 192.
Jerusalem Restaurant is close to many of the Orlando vacation home communities we write about, so be sure to check out thier location on our interactive map below.
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posted by orlandovacationhome on Jan 6
NYPD Pizza, Orlando FL
294 Vineland Rd.
Kissimmee, FL 34746
407-390-0710
Rating: NYPD Pizza - Best Pizza Restaurant in Central Florida
Pizza restaurants abound the Central Florida area. Having tried nearly all of them, we believe that NYPD consistently delivers the best product. NYPD is consistently rated the best pizza by locals in the various Orlando food rating publications, and for good reason.
This is New York style pizza. NYPD pizza just tastes good - the pies are well crafted works of art stuffed with tasty fresh toppings.
By the way, if you are visiting Orlando on vacation, never order a pizza from a flyer delivered to your vacation home door or hotel room by an independent unknown vendor. We have heard horror stories of people that have ordered pizza in this manner. Always order from a reliable pizza company. If you order from NYPD, we believe you cannot go wrong.
Stick to NYPD. They have various locations throughout the Central Florida area, so call the above location for a location near you.
Large pizza with toppings will run you about $20.
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posted by orlandovacationhome on Jan 4
Bubbalou’s Bodacious Barbecue, Orlando FL
5818 Conroy Rd
Orlando, FL 32835
(407) 295-1212
Rating: Best BBQ Barbecue Restaurant in Orlando
We have tried pretty much every BBQ joint in Central Florida. We did like Smokey Bones, but since it was closed down it has pretty much left Bubbalou’s on its own in terms of better BBQ in Central Florida.
Fast and efficient service the concept is locally owned and operated with only a handful of stores around central Florida.
The store we listed above is closer to Universal Studios as there are currently none around the Walt Disney World or Kissimmee area in which many of the vacation homes we write about cater to. Call them at the above phone number if you want to find out the closest location to you.
Great ribs, giant onion rings and fast at the counter service. This is a no frills restaurant that relies on wait for it – good food to keep it busy. Great garlic bread and we love their sweet sauce. If you have room, order one of the little pecan pies.
We have had discussions with local BBQ aficionados if Bubbalou’s really is the best BBQ in town, once in while an obscure restaurant will be thrown out there, but consistently Bubbalou’s is the best. Many major corporations (some with thier own catering operations) use Bubbalou’s just for their BBQ product for catering certain events.
Rib dinner with soda will run you about $14 a person. View on our map link below.
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posted by orlandovacationhome on Dec 23
Five Guys Burgers
1310 W Osceola Pkwy
Kissimmee, FL 34741
(407) 201-3929
Rating: Best Burger in Orlando
When you have been around Orlando Florida long enough, you get to try every burger joint in town. In our opinion, Five Guys is head and shoulders above the rest. They actually use real fresh meat. The burgers are very simple and offered with a selection of toppings. Other menu items include kosher hot dogs and grilled cheese sandwiches. A classic case of less is more.
Five Guys Orlando Kissimmee
Five Guys tell you where their potatoes are from on a daily basis. These are then used for their hand cut fries. The fries are cooked in peanut oil and not the chemical type oils used by many establishments today.
Oh, and grab some free peanuts while you are there.
Burger and fries will run you about $6 a person+/-
There are various Five Guy locations around Orlando and Kissimmee. The one we listed above is closer to many of the Orlando vacation homes we write about. For a location nearest you call the phone number listed above.
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posted by orlandovacationhome on Dec 19
Boston Lobster Feast
6071 W Irlo Bronson Meml Hwy
Kissimmee, FL 34747
(407) 396-2606
Rating: Best Seafood Restaurant in Orlando
This choice is a little controversial. If you are looking for gourmet seafood, Boston Lobster is not the restaurant for you. If you are looking for good quality seafood on a gargantuan scale, this restaurant is the one.
Our UK friends love this restaurant. In Europe, seafood tends to be very expensive, so to get a restaurant with a buffet with all kinds of seafood, from lobster to oysters for around $40-$50 a head, this is a great deal. However, be warned, our overseas friends can get a little startled observing both the portion and person size of fellow diners.
The restaurant has a limited deserts buffet and is definitely not an experience for everyone (i.e. looking for a light snack or a romantic dinner for two). If you are hungry, eat a lot and love seafood, it’s a great place.
Boston Lobster has been operating in Orlando for years and has several locations. The Kissimmee location is close to many of the vacation home communities we write about. For a location nearest you, call the number listed above.
For four adults with a few drinks your bill will be $170-$220+/-. Go before 6.00 PM for their “early bird” special.
Additional reviews are on our google maps below.
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posted by orlandovacationhome on Dec 16
Outback Steakhouse Restaurant Kissimmee, FL
7804 W Irlo Bronson Mem Hwy
Kissimmee, FL 34747
(407) 396-0017
Rating: Best Steakhouse in Central Florida
For steak we had many choices. We have never understood the appeal of some of the “upscale” steak restaurants that give you half a cow on a plate with little else. If you do order vegetables, they cost a fortune and you get enough to feed a small village.
We picked our best steakhouse based on consistency of food product, service and value for money. Outback just does it better than all the others.
Outback Steakhouse has various locations throughout Florida, so if you need a restaurant closer to you just call the above store and they will be able to help you. The one we selected is in close proximity to many of the metro Orlando vacation homes located mainly in the south toward Kissimmee.
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posted by orlandovacationhome on Dec 8
Rice Paper Vietnamese Restaurant Orlando, FL
7637 Turkey Lake Rd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 352-4700
Rating: Best Vietnamese Restaurant in Central Florida
This family run restaurant is very popular with locals at lunch. The restaurant is a little hidden from view in the Kmart shopping center, and is really a word of mouth affair.
Vietnamese Restaurant Orlando
Perhaps the most appealing and pure thing about this restaurant is the quality of food produced. Simple Items such as mint or lettuce are always of the freshest and highest quality. Service is casual and relaxed. Very popular for take-out orders in the evening.
Although not close to the Kissimmee/Disney park area where most vacation home renters and owners stay, it is close to Universal Studios and SeaWorld. A good way to end the day when visiting the area.
Dinner runs about $10-12 a person. Lunch $7-11.
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posted by orlandovacationhome on Dec 7
Memories of India Restaurant Orlando, FL
7625 Turkey Lake Rd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 370-3277
Rating: Best Indian Restaurant in Central Florida
So you are visiting Orlando and want a good Indian restaurant? Well, don’t waste your time or money anywhere else and visit this one. Indian food can be hit or miss in Orlando, but this restaurant is consistently rated the best Indian restaurant in Orlando, and for good reason.
Indian Restaurant Orlando
This restaurant is popular with the local Indian community including our British friends and locals as well. Our favorite is the buffet on Sundays (champagne brunch) which runs around $12+/- a person. We have tried every Indian restaurant around town and this has been the always best over the last 10 years.
Food quality is the high, service is superb and efficient, and the restaurant is small and cozy. Although geographically far from most of our vacation home renters and owners in Kissimmee, this restaurant is close to both Universal Studios and Sea world. A great way to end the day.
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