Places to eat In Orlando

**mrteatime** · 19th August 2012, 18:25

The wife Is in ultra-planning mode as its 8 weeks and counting to we go.....she wants to plan everything.....all the passes for the parks are booked and paid for, the trip to Kennedy and lunch with an astronaut is booked (my 40th present

) and now looking at places to eat.....So, Apart from The Ponderosa, CiCi's and chillis, can anyone recommend places for a family to eat reasonably cheaply? Ideally would like to have a chinese take-away (so we can eat out of the cartons)

Any ideas guys??

**catflem** · 19th August 2012, 18:35

Its been 10 years since I was there, so most of the places have probably been closed down by the local health authority since then.

Whilst you're wandering along International drive, you should spot loads of free papers (in boxes a la the Superman films), they have loads of discount coupons in them......... and the savings are significant. One coupon we picked up was for a Chinese eat as much as you like buffet, it was pretty good so we made more than one trip and sat stuffing ourselves with crab on many a night.

Belz factory outlet is well worth a visit for discount clobber, watches etc.

**Phil Lee** · 19th August 2012, 18:47

Whereabouts are you staying?

**mrteatime** · 19th August 2012, 18:52

We're staying at 'The Quality Inn' at the top of Int Drive

**Skyman** · 19th August 2012, 19:22

We always enjoyed Houlihan's, who are a cut above the average joints in the area.

**will852** · 19th August 2012, 19:35

Logans Roadhouse is a top choice for a steak!

Really good quality lean meat (remember to order it slightly more cooked than you would over here). Good atmosphere and very reasonable prices (or at least they were when I was last there).
Also a nice touch is that they have big barrels of peanuts around the place and everyone discards the shells on the floor.
http://www.logansroadhouse.com/Default.aspx

You won't get the cartons, but if your in any of the big shopping malls around the place then there will be a chinese restaurant in the food court, which are very cheap. I remember $3 per dish being the going rate (plus tax of course), and it being perfectly reasonable quality for a bite to eat at lunch time.

Another cool place is one of the Disney restaurant's called Boma.
It's a large African inspired buffet with tonnes of choice. Very unique atmosphere and styling. Worth a trip especially if your with kids.
I think booking is probably advised.
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/din...ors-of-africa/

**MFB Scotland** · 19th August 2012, 20:31

Lots of choices in Int Drive.

My favourite is the Olive Garden.

Plenty of take aways will deliver.....ask in your reception.(ming court is good for a chinese but I thought it was expensive)

A number of bar/grills-

Try Applebees, TGI's, Bahama Breeze etc etc etc

Not my favourite but plenty of steakhouses in Int Drive

Denny's and Friendly's are diner's and offer good value and BIG portions.

If you go 5 mins in a car or taxi you could eat in Universal City Walk (good cinema as well)

Try Bubba Gumps or Jimmy Buffets....

**taz417** · 19th August 2012, 20:34

Olive garden and Bahama Breeze (if it's still there)

Both are on Int. Drive.

**Gurmot** · 19th August 2012, 20:50

Originally Posted by Skyman

We always enjoyed Houlihan's, who are a cut above the average joints in the area.

Another vote for Houlihans. There's no shortage of food in Orlando, but the quest for quality of quantity may make the list a little shorter.

**demer03** · 20th August 2012, 01:01

Fishbones on I drive. Nice.

**jk103** · 20th August 2012, 02:00

Originally Posted by will852

Logans Roadhouse is a top choice for a steak!

Really good quality lean meat (remember to order it slightly more cooked than you would over here). Good atmosphere and very reasonable prices (or at least they were when I was last there).
Also a nice touch is that they have big barrels of peanuts around the place and everyone discards the shells on the floor.
http://www.logansroadhouse.com/Default.aspx

Been awhile since I've been to Logans but throwing the peanut shells brought back memories. When I was kid we had Ground Rounds here that allowed that but I think someone slipping on them ended it. Fun place if you have young kids.

**Soot1e** · 20th August 2012, 06:03

Cracker Barrel I seem to remember we're family friendly, great places for country"fixings" and the "Friday Fried Fish" used to be exceptional.

**toastie** · 20th August 2012, 11:03

IHOP for breakfast and red lobster for the evening meal happy days

**bigvic** · 20th August 2012, 11:57

Whenever I take the wife with me across the pond, no matter where, the first thing she does is look through the yellow pages for the closest IHoP!
My current favourite is RubyTuesdays and their blue cheese burger!!!

**PWatch** · 20th August 2012, 13:03

If you like ribs larger than life and true American style, check out Tony Romas on int drive. The beef ribs are huge! My personal recommendation would BR the baby back runs and the onion loaf (which is to die for....literally in many cases I imagine)

Bubba gump is also pretty cool in the universal complex for a forest gump themed meal

Olive garden on int drive is a nice Italian if you want a real from all the fried food

**Kris** · 20th August 2012, 13:48

Black Angus Steakhouses are pretty good as was the outback steakhouse as well.

**Jamessh** · 20th August 2012, 14:27

Dennys I hear caters for all...

**allaninspain** · 20th August 2012, 15:35

denny's, sizzlers definately ponderosa for breakfast

**Nugget** · 20th August 2012, 20:46

I remember when we last visited Florida - Orlando and Clearwater - we ate in a restaurant called the Kapok Tree which was fantastic value and a really special experience - lots of classical statues and a really great atmosphere!

Sorry, I have just googled it and apparently it closed 20 years ago but you would have had a great time there!

**sevvy** · 20th August 2012, 22:05

My wife and I ate at Maggiano's on I drive. Good food, big portion sizes and very reasonably priced

**TheFlyingBanana** · 20th August 2012, 22:59

Las Vegas Buffet.

You'll never have seen anything like it, and astonishingly cheap.

**jimmerjammer** · 21st August 2012, 07:23

Try red lobster the Alaskan king crab is the best you will get also the olive garden which sells very good Italian grub (there are a few in the area) and if you like a steak go to outback and ask for prime rib there is (or was ) a very nice place right next to where you are staying i think its called Ryans and its on the left as you walk out of the quality inn but beware its a very expensive one .

**bernie eccle** · 21st August 2012, 12:32

Another for Bahama Breeze here

. Good quality and excellent value.

I also like Chillis and Applebees although service and quality does vary between locations.

**Ron Jr** · 21st August 2012, 18:16

Heading down there on Friday evening for Celebration VI. I would check oput the restuarants in Downtown Disney and Pleasure Island. My garrison is meeting at the BrickHouse Tavern on International drive Saturday night.

**thegoat** · 21st August 2012, 20:20

Red Lobster is excellent for good seafood and all the other usual staples.
Go to Denny's for breakfast and it's unlikely you'll be hungry again until late in the day.
Is there a Cheesecake Factory in Orlando now? Another popular place for huge portions and amazing desserts. The cocktails in here are fairly potent too.
You'll actually struggle to eat in poor places although I've no doubt they exist.

**bernie eccle** · 21st August 2012, 20:45