This is a nice new Gators with a very friendly staff. I love the way that Gator’s menu has gotten so creative lately, with lots of temporary specials. This is a great venue for watching sports, but also just a good place for traditional bar food plus some creative variations on same.
***** (5 stars)
Shakers recently won a people’s choice award for best breakfast in Orlando, and I can see why. My Western Omelet was overflowing with fresh vegetables and savory ham. Hash browns were extra crispy, just like I ordered them. And my server’s suggestion to grill my biscuit was pure genius.
I also loved the decor, with unique salt and pepper shakers on every table, and many more lining the walls.
Service was excellent, and all the servers I encountered were very friendly. Indeed, this was the best breakfast I’ve had in a long, long time.
UPDATE, MAY 9, 2024
Shakers still makes the best breakfasts in town! My new favorite is the breakfast quesadilla. It’s perfect!
Shakers American Café
1308 Edgewater Dr
Orlando, FL 32804
(407) 422-3534
https://www.yelp.com/biz/shakers-american-caf%C3%A9-orlando-2
4 Stars
This is a nice local public house serving elevated pub food. We went for Sunday and ordered off the regular and brunch menus.
The BLT dip was primarily creamed spinach, topped with some diced tomato and bacon crumbles, and served with excellent seasoned crostinis. Not a very large serving, but a nice starter.
My wife enjoyed the Odd Bird, a tender chicken breast sandwich with a fairly spicy buffalo sauce.
I had the Smoked Ham and Sausage Benedict, which was exactly as you’d expect from the name. Perfectly cooked poached eggs, and a good Hollandaise sauce, but I didn’t care for the flavor of what the English muffins had been grilled in or spread with. The accompanying home fries were delicious.
Service was superb.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/general-public-house-winter-springs-2
***** (5 stars)
Charming service and ambiance are the highlights of this space right in the center of St. Helena. The brunch menu also offers lunch dishes such as fried chicken, and smaller plates such as tuna two ways. Both were good. But the highlights were the two soups, on creamay and one a curry broth base, both of which were superb.Market
1347 Main St
Saint Helena, CA
94574
(707) 963-3799
https://www.yelp.com/biz/market-saint-helena-3
*** (3 stars)
This is a nice remodel of the Bar Louie space, and it’s sure more popular! The vibe is excellent, and the servers are really good. Food is just okay, and at tourist area prices.American Social
7335 W Sand Lake RdSte 101
Orlando, FL
32819
(407) 454-9992
https://www.yelp.com/biz/american-social-orlando
**** (4 stars)
This nicely themed restaurant is near the Lake Buena Vista outlet stores. It offers both indoor and outdoor seating. The menu emphasizes burgers, with some other sports bar type food.Ford’s Garage- Orlando
8201 Vineland AveSte 1801
Orlando, FL
32821
(407) 602-3673
https://www.yelp.com/biz/fords-garage-orlando-orlando
**** (4 stars)
This is an authentic diner in the time-honored tradition of roadside eateries. While it may not have the nostalgic decor of a movie-set diner, the menu has all the right items, and the staff is friendly and welcoming, which keeps the regulars coming back.Linda’s Winter Park Diner
1700 W Fairbanks Ave
Winter Park, FL
32789
(407) 775-2288
https://www.yelp.com/biz/lindas-winter-park-diner-winter-park
**** (4 stars)
There aren’t many genuine delis in Orlando, for whatever reason, so it’s nice to have this Toojay’s as an option. I’ve never been a fan of the other location, but they seem a lot friendlier here.TooJay’s
10185 W Colonial DriveShoppes of Ocoee
Ocoee, FL
34761
(407) 798-2000
https://www.yelp.com/biz/toojays-ocoee
**** (4 stars)
This fairly large sports bar in Dellagio offers decent food and lots of screens. The last time I went here there was a very noisy basketball game. I’m pleased to say the place has been rearranged and is much more conducive to an enjoyable meal now.Craig Miller’s Field House Best Sports Bar & Restaurant
7958 Via Dellagio WaySte 100
Orlando, FL
32819
(407) 248-3474
https://www.yelp.com/biz/craig-millers-field-house-best-sports-bar-and-restaurant-orlando-2
***** (5 stars)
This has got to be one of the best outdoor dining places in Orlando. The restaurant is barely visible from the road, and looks like a dive, but once inside you realize it opens out into a couple of great patios that really are on the water.The Waterfront
4201 S Orange Ave
Orlando, FL
32806
(407) 866-0468
https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-waterfront-orlando-3