The 10 Restaurants that Represent Orlando (Winter Garden, Goldenrod: homes, school, college)

[Soup Not See]

Originally Posted by Crane's Rooster

Not necessarily because of their food but more for their identity I think these are the places that represent Orlando/Central Florida.

4Rivers
Graffiti Junktion
Anthonys Pizza
Pho 88
Kobes Japanese Steakhouse
Ravenous Pig
Del Friscos
Pratos
Shari Sushi
Pio Pio
Texas de Brazil
Sunshine Carribean Bakery

You forgot Linda's La Cantina ...

I was never impressed with Anthony's or Pio Pio.

[Crane's Rooster]

Originally Posted by leftee

You forgot Linda's La Cantina ...

I was never impressed with Anthony's or Pio Pio.

I don't think Anthony's is that great either but people love it. Pio Pio on the other hand...I love that place.

[chopchop0]

Originally Posted by Crane's Rooster

Not necessarily because of their food but more for their identity I think these are the places that represent Orlando/Central Florida.

4Rivers
Graffiti Junktion
Anthonys Pizza
Pho 88
Kobes Japanese Steakhouse
Ravenous Pig
Del Friscos
Pratos
Shari Sushi
Pio Pio
Texas de Brazil
Sunshine Carribean Bakery

I'd add Dexter's to that list. I think it's an Orlando chain. Great brunch

[PDF]

Has anyone been to Chicago's Stuffed Pizza on Church St? Yelp has some mixed reviews, but seems mostly positive. I would have ate there, but I had to enter Amway for the game so I only managed to chat up the waitress. I love deep dish pizza, but I've been to two deep dish/Chicago places here in Tampa and I haven't been too impressed. Giordano's has always wowed me, though.

[Crane's Rooster]

So Food's Network's Alton Brown was in Orlando for a show. While here he visitied Beefy King, Ravenous Pig, Kappo East End Market and Pho 88. Pretty good choices for Orlando cuisine I think.

[0nyxStation]

What are the best restaurants that are NOT chains?? What places do the locals refer visitors to often??

[Pete C]

Originally Posted by 0nyxStation

What are the best restaurants that are NOT chains?? What places do the locals refer visitors to often??

I don't see any problem with local chains that started here like 4 Rivers. At one point just a few years ago, it was a local gem that had only 1 tiny location on Fairbanks (before they moved down the street). It was the toast of the town, but now some people would say oh its a chain and write it off since they expanded. To me it is still a local place. That is how a lot of places are in Orlando though. Many people start a restaurant here in hopes that they can expand in the future.

Anyway, that's really a thing in the lower end of the dining spectrum. In the upper end here are a few local places I would recommend to out of towners: Prato, Luma, Ravenous Pig, and K Restaurant. Those are established, consistent, modern "casual fine dining" places that would appeal to most people.

[tinytrump]

Pollo Tropical is Cuban- although I have been to Tampa stores and some are way off on the taste- they change stuff-my take is many "Cuban : restaurants are Puerto Rican flavors and style of cooking - Que Bueno--( Columbian) I die for - very good- I drive past PIO-PIO and one day- had breakfast at Café Caobana - its good but Padrinos in Hunters Creek gets my vote-- still checking places out - Anthony's in Miami was awesome not sure here yet-

[Cmedwards87]

I like Backyard Burger- fast food- I haven't found it anywhere on the west coast at least.

Black Bean Deli also a good, quick eat.

Fine dining in Orlando would be Christini's for me. Maybe- Enzo's on the Lake- I think it may not be as good as it used to be.

[bmw335xi]

My favorite restaurant in Orlando that isn't fine dining is PIO PIO. It's an AMAZINGLY good Peruvian restaurant with good prices. I recommend getting the whole rotisserie chicken along with the chaufa rice... if you want even more food, the whole fried red snapper is pretty good too.