Dining outside Disney World
Walt Disney World: Looking for dining options outside Disney World
We decided it was cheaper to stay outside Disneyworld in a nice sweet then inside, its really close to Disney World too. The hotel we are staying out has an awesome breakfast, which leaves lunch and dinner for us to buy.
We are eating mostly lunch at the park and a few times for dinner, but two days of our stay we will be outside disney any suggestions on good food not that expensive. No fast foods please.
Samantha, there are many, many restaurants outside Disney in Lake Buena Vista and on Route 192, south of Disney's maingate. Like Olive Garden, Shoney's, Bonanza, and other sit down restaurants. Just check the yellow pages of the phone book in your room.
Go to this website and there is A LOT of information on restaurants in the Orlando area:
http://www.orlandoinfo.com/
I ordered their book (which is free) and there is tons of information in there about restaurants, theme parks and other attractions in the entire Orlando area.
Definitely try Texas de Brazil! While kind of pricy, definitely worth it! Brazilian Steakhouse! www.texasdebrazil.com
As mentioned, there are some really good places right outside of Disney World, but one of the best is in the Crosswalks: Giordanos! As a person from Chicago, thats where to get the authentic pizza in a state which, sorry, has some pretty weak pizza.
Also, near there is the Alehouse which has some good american type bar food. Rarely crowded during the weekdays, it stays open pretty late.
If you want something a little more exciting or a bit of adventure, try Cafe Tu Tu Tango. American Tapas with artists around you. Felt like I was being kidnapped by the cast of rent :)
Cafe Tu Tu Tangos on International Drive.
Bahama Breeze near LBV and on International Drive.
HUUUUUUUUUUUGE UPS for Jam-Master A. Murphy on the Giordanos nod!
If you get the thin crust request the Chicago cut -- sez this North Shore veteran (as in Shermer, Illinois-esque favorite son).
In fact, one wonders what the Northwestern University alum that frequents (or rather, propogated) this site would think of your rec.
The choices for Chicago Pizza are kinda slim down in FL so Giordano's has to do, but I still love its stuffed Pizza. My favorite is Lou Malinati's, but its different.
I am happy not to get attacked by Floridians for their weak pizza. Perhaps its Disney, but the Pizza I have had down there has been so so (except Wolfgang Puck)
From Don Neal
Posted May 8, 2009 at 5:43 AM
We stay in a condo off of 192 when we go so we hit the Outback, Giordano's, and others in that area. There is a huge selection from fast food to Cracker Barrell to Bob Evans to whatever you are looking for. Stay away from the Sizzler down there though. It was pretty nasty last time we went. Sizzler used to be a highlight 5-10 years ago. Just seems like it's gone downhill more and more every year.
Please know that Orlando has a lot of wonderful restaurants and your choices needn't be confined to chains. You'll find an array of dining selections at Scott Joseph's Orlando Restaurant Guide -- www.scottjosephorlando.com.
The problem, of course, is that, as with any major tourist destination, there are some restaurants that don't care about quality. They figure another busload of unsuspecting tourists will come next week. This site will help you avoid those places. I promise.
Best wishes,
Scott Joseph
From Don Neal
Posted May 8, 2009 at 7:46 AM
Yeah, I would like to venture out more beyond the chains in the future. It's been tough with kids to not go for the familiar brands and menus to cut down on the risks of the place not having kid friendly menus. Don't get me wrong, not everyone needs to carry PBJ or whatever but some places just aren't kid oriented. I need to pick one of those guides and branch out a little more next time we are down there.
We try to make it a rule to not eat at places on vacation that we have at home. But it's tough to do sometimes.
Well let's say you want good pizza in Central Florida, mostly you're out of luck. Coming from North Jersey we know pizza. Here's my advice. Pizza window at Spoodles Disney Boardwalk. You park free at the Boardwalk and it's such a pleasant environment there. Dave at Spoodles makes the finest pizza in Florida and one of the best pizzas I have ever had anywhere. It is also the only place on Disney property that makes the dough by hand. Hot, fresh and delicious. Open from Noon to Midnight. Personally I walk over there from either Epcot or the Studios just for the pizza. The walkway from Hollywood Studios to Epcot is quiet and serene. Walking in the hot Florida sun not your thing? Take the nice air conditioned boat. Drops you off right next to Spoodles. $4 for a pepperoni slice $18 for the large cheese pizza. My highest recomendation for pizza in Central Florida.
Now if only I could find a Carnegie Deli style loaded Hot Pastrami.
Sigh.
If you like seafood then definitely try to hit Fishbones (not to be confused with Bonefish). It is on Sand Lake Drive and moderately priced. Has a great menu with steaks and chicken as well if everyone doesn't like fish. the butterfly shrimp are to die for.
Also agree that Texas de Brazil is great - but definitely on the pricey side.
Also make sure to go to Universal to the Hard Rock hotel for ice cream at Emack and Bolio's - you won't regret it!
I have found that many of the restaurants on City Walk are also good and moderately prices - in particular Jimmy Buffett's and the NASCAR cafe.
Naw, the best pizza you can get comes from a little chain called "Broadway Pizza" which is the best stuff I've found in Central Florida.
There is also Benihana's for wonderful hibatchi, Perkins for your typical american food types, There is an amazing little chinese place in the plaza above where Splendid China was on 192! I can't recall the name of it now though :/
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