**** (4 stars)
This place makes a good Vietnamese Bún chả Hà Nội bowl, although their fish sauce is a bit sweet for my taste. They have the advantage of being open Wednesday, when the other place in this plaza isn't. Note that they no longer offer Bánh mì.
Nam Giao Deli
5274 W Colonial Dr
Orlando, FL 32808
***** (5 stars)
This is a great place for Caribbean and soul food. You order at a counter, and then there are two long tables inside, or you can get your food to go.
The menu is very extensive. It's remarkable about all the different items coming out of the small kitchen.
We tried three different types of chicken, and they were all good: fried chicken, jerk chicken, and lemon pepper chicken. My favorite was the jerk chicken, which was unusual in that in addition to the jerk seasoning it also had a spicy sort of barbecue sauce.
Each dish comes with your choice of rice (the rice and peas was great) and two sides. Excellent potato salad.
I'm looking forward to returning and exploring more of the menu.
Seana’s
719 Good Homes Rd
Orlando, FL 32818
* (1 stars)
I like Taco Bell. This is the only Taco Bell near us. Unfortunately, this is the worst Taco Bell on the planet.
I think it's really unfair when people have a bad experience at a restaurant one time and leave a one-star review. But when you have a bad experience at a restaurant literally dozens of times, it means… well, it means you like Taco Bell, it's the only Taco Bell near you, and it is the worst Taco Bell on the planet.
Of course there are the expected staffing issues when you don't pay a decent wage, and the resulting not being open when you say you are. I can give them a pass on that.
But how can the tortilla chips be rancid 20% of the time? Do they have a special process for aging them to imperfection?
How can they be out of major ingredients like onions, or lettuce, or–get this–taco shells?
Oh, and here's a helpful note: if you want Diet Mountain Dew, be sure to order MTN DEW® Baja Blast™ Zero Sugar, because they've been out of the latter for years and never updated the menu.
Taco Bell
7970 Winter Garden Vineland Rd
Windermere, FL 34786
**** (4 stars)
Yeoman's is a good pub serving traditional English pub food. Note that there are two spaces, both offering the same menus and drinks: the smaller, pub space entry is at the corner, while the double glass doors around the side lead to the larger, airy dining room. There are bars in both parts.
The menu is extensive, with traditional and creative appetizers, traditional pub dishes, and a variety of sandwiches and burgers. They are well known for their fish and chips, which have a delicate crispy brown batter.
We particularly liked the fish spread, which came with delicious crispy pitas.
Service was friendly and efficient.
Yeoman’s
3220 Margaritaville Blvd
Kissimmee, FL 34747
**** (4 stars)
Yeoman's is a good pub serving traditional English pub food. Note that there are two spaces, both offering the same menus and drinks: the smaller, pub space entry is at the corner, while the double glass doors around the side lead to the larger, airy dining room. There are bars in both parts.
The menu is extensive, with traditional and creative appetizers, traditional pub dishes, and a variety of sandwiches and burgers. They are well known for their fish and chips, which have a delicate crispy brown batter.
We particularly liked the fish spread, which came with delicious crispy pitas.
Service was friendly and efficient.
Yeoman’s Cask and Lion
3220 Margaritaville Blvd
Kissimmee, FL 34747
**** (4 stars)
Yeoman's is a good pub serving traditional English pub food. Note that there are two spaces, both offering the same menus and drinks: the smaller, pub space entry is at the corner, while the double glass doors around the side lead to the larger, airy dining room. There are bars in both parts.
The menu is extensive, with traditional and creative appetizers, traditional pub dishes, and a variety of sandwiches and burgers. They are well known for their fish and chips, which have a delicate crispy brown batter.
We particularly liked the fish spread, which came with delicious crispy pitas.
Service was friendly and efficient.
Yeoman’s – Temp. CLOSED
3220 Margaritaville Blvd
Kissimmee, FL 34747
**** (4 stars)
This seems like a particularly large Ford's location. As with the others, the decor theming is neat if you're into antique cars.
The menu focus is on elaborate burgers, but I like their barbecue. The ribs are tender, and the burnt ends moist and tasty.
The tuna appetizer is also surprisingly good.
Avoid the fried pickles, as they aren't the usual slices, but are instead spears, and the layer of skin makes them unappealing.
Also avoid the booths near the back of the main room, as the air handler is both cold and LOUD.
Service was good.
Ford’s Garage – Winter Garden
5375 Hamlin Groves Trl
Winter Garden, FL 34787
https://www.yelp.com/biz/ford-s-garage-winter-garden-winter-garden
***** (5 stars)
I love burger places that make it easy to create just the combination you want, and the Strand offers every conceivable option. My favorite is a beef patty on a brioche bun with American cheese, bacon, sliced onion and tomato, mustard, mayo, ketchup, and pickle relish. Perfect!
Onion rings were nice and lightly battered with a crisp crust. Eat these first as they have a short shelf life.
Hot fries were the only miss. They're just fries made soggy by being drenched in hot sauce. Better to dip.
There's a spacious outside dining area overlooking the lawn.
The Stand
2000 Ave of the Stars
Los Angeles, CA 90067
**** (4 stars)
If you're looking for the authentic Chicago dog experience, look no further. I've been to the Portillo's in Chicago many times, and this place has exactly the same food. It's even better, because the interior is stunning–spacious, bright, and trendy, with an efficient layout.
That said, I'm not quite sure what all the fuss is about. Yes, the Chicago dog is exactly a Chicago dog, but there are more interesting types of hot dogs. And the Italian Beef is fine, but it's not the most interesting sandwich; it's sort of a low-brow French dip.
The best sandwich here is actually the new spicy chicken, which is almost as good as the one from Popeye's that everybody is trying to copy.
And the very best item I had here was my order of fries, which I asked for well done. They were crinkle cut, spectacularly crispy on the outside, and light and fluffy in the middle, served hot and with the perfect amount of salt.
I was also very impressed by the staff bussing tables. They kept checking that I was enjoying my meal, brought extra napkins without my asking for them, and were just really into the whole customer service role. Well done!
Portillo’s Hot Dogs
7715 Palm Pkwy
Orlando, FL 32836
**** (4 stars)
If you're looking for the authentic Chicago dog experience, look no further. I've been to the Portillo's in Chicago many times, and this place has exactly the same food. It's even better, because the interior is stunning–spacious, bright, and trendy, with an efficient layout.
That said, I'm not quite sure what all the fuss is about. Yes, the Chicago dog is exactly a Chicago dog, but there are more interesting types of hot dogs. And the Italian Beef is fine, but it's not the most interesting sandwich; it's sort of a low-brow French dip.
The best sandwich here is actually the new spicy chicken, which is almost as good as the one from Popeye's that everybody is trying to copy.
And the very best item I had here was my order of fries, which I asked for well done. They were crinkle cut, spectacularly crispy on the outside, and light and fluffy in the middle, served hot and with the perfect amount of salt.
I was also very impressed by the staff bussing tables. They kept checking that I was enjoying my meal, brought extra napkins without my asking for them, and were just really into the whole customer service role. Well done!
Portillos – Orlando
7715 Palm Pkwy
Orlando, FL 32836