Not going to lie, I didn't get out much during my Disney College Program. You don't really understand the strength of the 'Disney Bubble' unless you're in it and it seems like there is nothing else in the outside world. Don't worry, I have more Disney food to talk about but it is not about Disney today. That being said there were some moments outside of getting Chipotle for the hundredth time or eating in the parks on my days off, when I did actually eat in Orlando and its surrounding area. I have a great amount of blog posts about dining within Disney property and all of the best spots to go to but here are some of the places that I hit up when I was off property. Disclaimer that not all of these places are only inside of Orlando, there are also some chain restaurants that I went to that I haven't tried in either New York (where I was born) or Arizona (where I live).
Tijuana Flats
This is one of the chain restaurants that I was talking about above but this chain is a bit smaller. There are locations for this restaurant in Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia, and Indiana. This Tex-Mex spot was founded in Winter Park, FL by a broke college student and it is now a chain restaurant that has impressively grown to 120 locations in the six different states that I listed above. As for the food, start off with the chips and queso, which are definitely delicious. For their entrees, pictured above is what I ordered, which is the beef flautas. This dish is two lightly fried flour or wheat tortillas, I chose flour, with a choice of fillings or toppings. The flautas entree also comes with a side of queso and guacamole. If you want to garnish your flautas even more then it also comes with pico de gallo, onions, and jalapeños on the side. There are a large variety of other Tex-Mex options to choose from on the menu including burritos, tacos, enchiladas, chimichangas, quesadillas and more. One of their signature items is the hot sauce, and if you enjoy their sauce a lot then you can pick up a bottle (or several) from their three different hot sauce options.
Tijuana Flats: 8085 W Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway., Kissimmee, FL 34747
Wonderland Cookie Dough Co.
Down the street from the Chipotle that I visited frequently in the fascinating little town of Celebration is this cute Alice in Wonderland themed edible cookie dough shop. Wonderland Cookie Dough Co., was started by a married couple looking to snowbird away from the hectic winters in New Hampshire by living close to Magic Kingdom in Disney World. Their edible cookie dough is preservative free as well as egg free, making the cookie dough a hundred percent edible. Pictured above is the celebration flavored cookie dough which is pretty much sugar cookie batter with rainbow sprinkles in it. I thought that this dough flavor was a little too sweet for my taste buds but another favorite of mine that I got afterwards is the chocolate chip cookie dough. There are many other daily flavors to choose from off the menu as well as other delicious specialty items. Sizes are pretty typical for ice cream but you can also order your cookie dough in a waffle cone if you're feeling adventurous.
Wonderland Cookie Dough Co.: 606 Market St., Celebration, FL 34747
Chuy's
This spot definitely isn't a local restaurant but alike Tijuana Flats, there isn't one in either Arizona or New York and it is one of my best friend and I's favorite spots to go to. Chuy's started in 1982 in an old, abandoned Texas BBQ joint in Austin. Since then they have expanded pretty exponentially and have open many doors across the country (just sadly not in either NY or AZ). They serve Tex-Mex similarly to Tijuana Flats but I would have to say that their appetizer portion of queso (pictured on the right) is hands down the more supreme queso. It is definitely a must try if you're into melty cheeses, which of course how could you not be, and pairs quite nicely with their complementary chips and salsa. They also have their signature drink menu if you're 21 and older. Pictured in the middle is their Chuy's famous rita frozen which is just a classic frozen margarita but they also have margaritas on the rocks, strawberry flavor or a combination of both the frozen classic and strawberry. As for entrees, pictured above are the soft tacos. These are flour tortillas served with either fajita chicken, seasoned ground beef, or guacamole. All tacos are served with lettuce, cheese, pico de gallo, and guacamole.
Chuy's: 7913 W. Irlo Bronson Highway., Kissimmee, FL 34747
310 Lakeside
I went here when my family came to visit me in Orlando before we went to an Orlando Magic basketball game but this is a great dinner spot. 310 Lakeside is apart of local group, 310 Restaurants, which the group is focused on 'New American Cuisine'. In 2008, this 310 location opened its doors in downtown Orlando overlooking Lake Eola and has been there ever since. As for the food, pictured on the left is the 310 fried chicken sandwich. This dish is fried chicken, cucumber, radish, field greens, pickled fennel, duo peppercorn ranch, all in between two brioche buns. All sandwich options come with a side and so this pictured side dish is the caesar salad. Next in line in the 'my Italian hero'. This sandwich comes with genoa salami, capiola, ham, pepperoni, sliced tomato, provolone cheese, pepper relish, all in between a hoagie. As for the side dish, pictured are the crinkled fries. Other side dish options include a house salad, their starch or vegetable of the day, sweet potato tots, coleslaw, or their daily house made soup option. On the right side is one of my personal favorite dishes, linguini with clams. This beautiful dish is comprised of roasted garlic, basil, extra virgin olive oil, white wine, and hard-shell clams all over linguini. Super delicious and the pasta wasn't even drowning in the white wine sauce. There are also some very delicious dessert options from their menu. One great option is the oreo delight which is a warm brownie with crumbled Oreo cookies served a la mode with whipped cream with chocolate and caramel sauce drizzled on top.
310 Lakeside: 301 E. Pine St., Orlando, FL 32801
Kumo Japanese
I went here with my best friend and her then boyfriend because we were feeling adventurous beyond our typical food outings to Applebees or Chipotle, so I'd say this is was Google searching win. Located in Davenport is this small spot with the hibachi style of food preparation as it's focal point. Little fact for your day but the word kumo means both cloud and spider in Japanese. Other than that, their menu focuses on the classic sushi and hibachi menu items that can normally be found at a hibachi restaurant. Pictured on the top left is the kumo deluxe, hibachi plate. This includes one lobster tail, shrimp, filet mignon, and sea scallops. It also comes with the traditional hibachi medley of vegetables including onion, broccoli, zucchini, and more. Pictured in the middle is the evan roll which is spicy tuna with a whole piece of eel on top and special sauce. Also served with pickled ginger and wasabi on the side. Lastly is my dish on the right side which unsurprisingly from my steak houses of Tucson blog post is the filet mignon with shrimp, hibachi dish. This includes the same hibachi vegetable medley similarly to the kumo deluxe menu item. Just like the other dish it also includes fried rice on the side, a house salad, and miso soup. This place was definitely a great find via the World Wide Web.
Kumo: 207 Ambersweet Way, Davenport, FL 33897
Saltgrass
I think that it is abundantly clear from Kumo and my steak houses of Tucson article that I really love a great piece of steak. I know that Saltgrass, alike other spots on this list is a chain restaurant but this one is mostly in the Southern states and there are none in either New York or Arizona. Saltgrass was started in Texas and embodies the spirit of the wild west in its cooking. It is also named after the first Saltgrass location which sits on the Salt Grass Trail, known for having the best beef in the state. As for the food, I strangely didn't get my typical and conventional filet mignon. I strayed away from my meaty comfort zone for something different, something unique. I got the 12 oz. New York strip. Madness, I understand. Regardless of the craziness I pushed through that comfort zone and the cut was very delicious. All of the steaks are served with an appetizer portion of house, caesar salad or soup. Soup options are either chicken tortilla or baked potato soup. Pictured below the steak is my appetizer portion of caesar salad which was your average appetizer caesar salad but was still delicious. The salad dressing was just enough and not too overpowering. Steak dishes also come with a side so of course I got my favorite starch option, garlic mashed potatoes. Other than that some other side dish option they have are french or steak fries, green beans, french fried onions, seasonal veggies, baked potato, or a mac and cheese. All super tasty choices and the perfect accompaniment to a steak dish.
Saltgrass: 8440 International Dr., Orlando, FL 32819
*Honorable Mention*
I Love NY Pizza
Why does this get an honorable mention, you may ask yourself. Good question. If I couldn't convince my roommate to get Chipotle with me or go out then I would most likely Uber Eats my meal. I know, I know please cease your booing and or judgement, I understand why that is such a waste of money. When you share a kitchen with three other girls then you'll realize how small kitchens and shared spaces can be. Anyway back to this Italian spot, I ordered the penne vodka. This dish is penne sauteed with shallots, tomatoes, onions, basil, and flamed with vodka, heavy cream, and marinara sauce. I also got some mozzarella sticks alongside this entree. Overall I'd like to say that this Uber Eats spot was a strong 7/10, would order delivery from them again. If you don't want that type of carb then they do also serve your typical pizzeria fares such as pizza, wings, subs, calzones, and other chicken and pasta dishes.
I Love NY Pizza: 532 Cagan Park Ave., Clermont, FL 34714
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