American Social

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Exterior
Bar
Interior

*** (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.

We went for brunch, but the menu had many non-breakfast items, which was nice. The Nashville hot chicken was good, with a nice crispy crust (that could have been spicier). It was served as sliders on biscuits, but couldn’t possibly have been eaten that way.

Buffalo chicken wings were large, but otherwise not noteworthy.

The Crispy Potatoes in sourcream onion dip were a disaster, with many ladlefuls too much of the white glop burying the otherwise nicely roasted potatoes.

There’s an extensive cocktail list, and some interesting beers on tap, too.

American Social
7335 W Sand Lake RdSte 101
Orlando, FL
32819
(407) 454-9992
https://www.yelp.com/biz/american-social-orlando

Ford’s Garage- Orlando

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Exterior
Pickles
Interior

**** (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.

I tried the house specialty burger, and it was excellent. The included potato wedges are just okay, so I upgraded to onion rings. The rings were better, but not as good as the fried pickle appetizer, which is battered rather than breaded.

There’s a nice selection of beers including a lot of dark beers, which are my favorites.

Ford’s Garage- Orlando
8201 Vineland AveSte 1801
Orlando, FL
32821
(407) 602-3673
https://www.yelp.com/biz/fords-garage-orlando-orlando

KFC

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A photo at KFC

* (1 stars)

KFC food is tasty and usually good for a solid three stars, as it was here. But this place wins the award for most inefficient KFC in the world. The staff were sleep walking, and obviously would rather have been anywhere else.

Here’s how they set the record:

People in line: 10
Minutes to order: 30
Minutes to fill order: 30

Someone contact Guinness!

KFC
Mile Marker 184Fort Drum Service Plaza
Okeechobee, FL
34972
(863) 216-5743
https://www.yelp.com/biz/kfc-okeechobee-2

La Bamba Mexican and Spanish Restaurant

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Lunch quesadilla

***** (5 stars)

This place was a delightful surprise. The interior decor is colorful and festive, and the food is top notch.

We started with cheese nachos, a simple preparation with lots of jalapenos that was just what we were looking for.

I had the La Bamba combination, which included a beef taco, chicken enchilada, and chile relleno, plus rice and beans. The standout was the taco, which was deep fried with the beef in, then stuffed with cheese and lettuce. This is a fairly rare style, and is my favorite. The rice was also quite good.

The perfect margarita was, indeed perfect, with plenty of lime to offset the sweetness.

Service was attentive and friendly.

La Bamba Mexican and Spanish Restaurant
730 US Hwy 1
North Palm Beach, FL
33408
(561) 882-1718
https://www.yelp.com/biz/la-bamba-mexican-and-spanish-restaurant-north-palm-beach-3

La Mar by Gaston Acurio

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Scallops
Pisco Sour
Bar
Interior
Exterior

*** (3 stars)

What a beautiful setting, with a lovely outdoor patio overlooking the Miami skyline across the water.

The best dishes were the ones that were the most traditional, including some of the ceviches, and elements of the causa. The scallops were also very good. A combination of cold noodles, seaweed, a Korean style beef and vinegary kimchi didn’t really work.

I’ve found that when celebrity chefs take a classic cuisine and try to “celebrityfy” it, it’s rarely an improvement, and that’s the case here. I love Peruvian cuisines, and all the favorites are represented here, but few if any have been improved by unconventional treatment.

This extended to the Pisco Sour, which had so much egg foam the drink was unrecognizable.

To really know Peruvian food I suggest starting with a family run Peruvian restaurant in a strip mall!

Service was top notch.

La Mar by Gaston Acurio
500 Brickell Key Dr
Miami, FL
33131
(305) 913-8358
https://www.yelp.com/biz/la-mar-by-gaston-acurio-miami-5

China Panda

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Pork lo mein
Exterior
Interior

**** (4 stars)

This is a very modest counter service restaurant with limited seating. The proprietor was friendly, and the food was prepared to order, served hot, and generously portioned. The pork lo mein was excellent, with crispy vegetables and noodles that weren’t overcooked, and very succulent pork strips. Very good!

China Panda
5 S Dillard St
Winter Garden, FL
34787
(407) 877-9968
https://www.yelp.com/biz/china-panda-winter-garden

Winter Garden Restaurant

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Bacon skillet
Exterior
Interior

*** (3 stars)

This unprepossessing diner service traditional coffee shop breakfasts and entrees.  Service was friendly and quick. There was nothing particularly special about the potatoes, bacon and eggs, but nothing wrong with them either. The biscuit was served more like a square of corn bread, and was pretty good. Coffee was just OK.

Winter Garden Restaurant
7 S Dillard St
Winter Garden, FL
34787
(407) 656-7052
https://www.yelp.com/biz/winter-garden-restaurant-winter-garden

Nessas Food Co BBQ Restaurant

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1/2 rack ribs
Exterior
Interior

***** (5 stars)

Wow! I’ve been to every BBQ place in Orlando (most of them more times than I care to admit!) and this one blows them away.

What amazing ribs! Obviously slowly smoked to perfection over hours, with a slight crust, but incredibly succulent center, with oodles of meat. The half-rack portion is very generous and well-priced. The BBQ sauce, served on the side, is a perfect balance of sweet, tangy and spicy.

Pulled pork is also tender and tasty. The baked beans have a rich sauce and tender chunks of meat, and just a hint of spice. Usually I add BBQ sauces to baked beans, but these didn’t need it.

It’s counter service, and friendly service at that.

There’s just one table inside, and one on the lawn out front, but there’s also parking in the rear. This is a cozy little downtown area of Ocoee, so a pleasant place to eat outside.

Nessas Food Co BBQ Restaurant
14 West McKey St
Ocoee, FL
34761
(321) 370-8172
https://www.yelp.com/biz/nessas-food-co-bbq-restaurant-ocoee

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen

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Chicken sandwich

*** (3 stars)

I’ve been coming to this Popeyes for over twenty years, and have always been completely satisfied with the food. My go to meal was always spicy three piece with red beans and rice, and mashed potatoes. But I have to say the new chicken sandwich is amazing, and I may have to change my allegiance!

The place was remodeled sometime in the past twenty years, but it’s still pretty much the same, which is just fine with me.

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
5245 W Colonial Dr
Orlando, FL
32808
(407) 299-6150
https://www.yelp.com/biz/popeyes-louisiana-kitchen-orlando-7