May 1, 20187 yr I have to make a quick trip to Orlando next week. I'll be at the Orange County Convention Center Tue/Wed. It appears to be about 13 miles west of the airport. I've been to Orlando a few times but only for Disney World. Any recs on a good part of town for hotels/food, preferably within a 20-30 minute drive of both the convention center and airport? I don't need much in the way of a hotel, a Courtyard or similar is fine. I'd just like to be able to go get some good local food & drink and hopefully avoid the standard chains.
May 1, 20187 yr [LOL] pm Mr. Phlegm [/LOL]. Please. Go hang out with him and report back. Pretty please.
May 1, 20187 yr The convention center is on the hell that is I-Drive. There is an Ale House nearby though. Edited May 1, 20187 yr by SimonBolivar
May 1, 20187 yr Author I didn't realize the convention center was so close to Disney/Universal etc. Ugh.
May 1, 20187 yr 10 minutes ago, jimmyjazz said: I didn't realize the convention center was so close to Disney/Universal etc. Ugh. Oh yeah it's definitely in the tourist mecca. The building itself is pretty impressive though.
May 1, 20187 yr Author Is staying in downtown Orlando worth exploring or should I just bite the bullet and stay somewhat near the convention center?
May 1, 20187 yr 24 minutes ago, SimonBolivar said: The convention center is on the hell that is I-Drive. There is an Ale House nearby though. That's cold bro... If on expense account... Charley's https://www.charleyssteakhouse.com/ Nice dinner Sushi http://seitosushi.com/ (actually the Bulgolgi is what I get) Cheap easy decent Urban Hibachi - 3042 W Sand Lake Rd, Orlando, FL 32819 World of Beer... 7800 Dr. Phillips Blvd https://worldofbeer.com/Locations/DrPhillips been a while since I've done time in Orlando, All I've got for you...
May 1, 20187 yr 3 minutes ago, Loco said: That's cold bro... If on expense account... Charley's https://www.charleyssteakhouse.com/ Nice dinner Sushi http://seitosushi.com/ (actually the Bulgolgi is what I get) Cheap easy decent Urban Hibachi - 3042 W Sand Lake Rd, Orlando, FL 32819 World of Beer... 7800 Dr. Phillips Blvd https://worldofbeer.com/Locations/DrPhillips been a while since I've done time in Orlando, All I've got for you... World of Beer (Downtown) is the right answer. Downtown Orlando is underrated and a nice break from the tourist hell. If you want to catch a movie then go to the Cobb downtown that feels as nice as the nicest Alamo with $5 ticket prices.
May 2, 20187 yr Author Thanks . . . while Charley's looks good, I'm with a startup, so I'll probably be aiming more towards burgers and pizza. World Of Beer sounds great. I hesitate to ask, but is there any legit (southern) BBQ in Orlando?
May 2, 20187 yr 3 hours ago, jimmyjazz said: I hesitate to ask, but is there any legit (southern) BBQ in Orlando? No. If you ask locals, many will rave about a place called Four Rivers. The guy came to Texas to study bbq and then opened up a place in Orlando. He’s done so well that he’s got got like 12 (?) locations. He’s a really nice dude but it’s not worth going to, especially coming from Austin. i wouldn’t make an effort to stay downtown Orlando unless you wanted to go crazy with bars and nightlife. Traffic is pretty awful in Orlando so I’d stay close to your meetings and then explore elsewhere if you had time. Sand Lake road is sort of a restaurant row, with plenty of nice choices but sort of on the upper scale. I could recommend some nice places up in Winter Park.
May 2, 20187 yr If you're not there for Disney, Orlando is pretty useless. It's like God put a bunch of chain restaurants, malls, and subdivisions in a box, shook them all up and dumped them over a swamp in Central Florida.
May 2, 20187 yr Author OK, I appreciate the help. I've been there a few times but always for Disney. I found an airfare/hotel/car package on CostCo that puts me within 15-20 minutes of both the airport and the convention center. Hotel has plenty on grounds, I'll probably just eat and drink there.
May 2, 20187 yr The world is your oyster in Orlando...the metro area is a hub for culinary dining options from around the globe. Craving seafood? Just so happens there is a Red Lobster on International Drive. Even the name of the thoroughfare screams global inclusion. Looking for some good authentic Southern cooking? Waffle Houses are aplenty. If it's good ol' Midwestern fare you seek, look no further than Pizza Uno or Giordano's. If you're missing the eats of home and some Tex-Mex, you can find plenty of options - from On the Border to Taco Bell. If you're looking for more ethnic type of flair, say Asian, simply type in Panda Express on your Google Maps app and you should be able to find one within 25 feet. And for the truly International experience, nothing hits the spot more than the one and only International House of Pancakes. Enjoy your stay, and be sure to leave positive reviews on Yelp.
May 2, 20187 yr 2 minutes ago, Baboontyme said: If you're missing the eats of home and some Tex-Mex, you can find plenty of options - from On the Border to Taco Bell. Chevy's
May 5, 20187 yr Disney Springs is legit. Try the Edison Bar or Homecomin'. The Boathouse is also an excellent choice. The shopping is pretty unique and tons of live free street performers. The last time I went, we listened in on chamber music, bluegrass, contemporary music, and the obligatory Buffett cover dude.
May 8, 20187 yr On 5/2/2018 at 4:31 PM, jimmyjazz said: Shit, they have Tommy Bahama's? This changes everything! On 5/2/2018 at 4:24 PM, OatmealRaisinCookie said: I enjoyed the Tommy Bahama's restaurant. If you are really slinging around the corporate expense account AMEX, there is a Capital Grille next door. The Tommy Bahamas next to convention center has closed. That was my go to happy hour place. RIP. Edited May 8, 20187 yr by CrownKing
September 24, 20205 yr BUMP I'm also having to go out to Orlando in a couple weeks for work. Never gone without the family. Anyone been somewhat recently and have any good recs in the midst of COVID?
September 24, 20205 yr He was pretty good his first year here but was shitty afterwards. Glad we canned his ass tbh
September 25, 20205 yr On 5/1/2018 at 3:22 PM, Hank_Hill said: He needs to be paid more this aged like a fine wine.
September 25, 20205 yr 3 minutes ago, futureman said: this aged like a fine wine. You got me all wrong. Really respect his work.
September 25, 20205 yr BUMP I'm also having to go out to Orlando in a couple weeks for work. Never gone without the family. Anyone been somewhat recently and have any good recs in the midst of COVID?If you have a car and some schedule flexibility, reserve a sitting at Kadence Sushi in winter park. It ain’t cheap but damn it was incredible.
February 8, 20241 yr PSA for anyone who travels to Orlando for work or family trips. I was there last week and wanted to escape the Disney industrial complex for a great dinner with my wife. I wanted something outside of Orlando and searched for seafood restaurants in surrounding towns. One place popped up, Gary’s Oyster Bar, that is in a small town called Lake Alfred, FL. We made the 45 minute drive (less than 30 minutes without traffic but I-4 is a bitch almost 24/7) southwest of Orlando to Lake Alfred. Luck was on our side as this place was spectacular - true oyster bar with fresh shucked local oysters from Yankeetown, FL, great appetizers and sides, perfectly grilled fish, and $3.50 draft beers. Grilled Red Snapper over a bed of Cajun cheese grits and perfectly cooked fresh hushpuppies. Couch fritters and crab cakes were outstanding as well. Great folks at the bar with an older couple of Kentucky who’d been on a month long fishing trip to Lake Okeechobee and were returning home. They said they discovered this place twenty years ago and have been stopping on their return trip every year. Breath of fresh air from Orlando… To sum things up, this is the kind of place Mike Leach would have loved. Edited February 8, 20241 yr by MalibuSheriff
February 8, 20241 yr 1 hour ago, MalibuSheriff said: PSA for anyone who travels to Orlando for work or family trips. I was there last week and wanted to escape the Disney industrial complex for a great dinner with my wife. I wanted something outside of Orlando and searched for seafood restaurants in surrounding towns. One place popped up, Gary’s Oyster Bar, that is in a small town called Lake Alfred, FL. We made the 45 minute drive (less than 30 minutes without traffic but I-4 is a bitch almost 24/7) southwest of Orlando to Lake Alfred. Luck was on our side as this place was spectacular - true oyster bar with fresh shucked local oysters from Yankeetown, FL, great appetizers and sides, perfectly grilled fish, and $3.50 draft beers. Grilled Red Snapper over a bed of Cajun cheese grits and perfectly cooked fresh hushpuppies. Couch fritters and crab cakes were outstanding as well. Great folks at the bar with an older couple of Kentucky who’d been on a month long fishing trip to Lake Okeechobee and were returning home. They said they discovered this place twenty years ago and have been stopping on their return trip every year. Breath of fresh air from Orlando… To sum things up, this is the kind of place Mike Leach would have loved. Are their couch fritters made from real couches?
February 8, 20241 yr 1 hour ago, MalibuSheriff said: PSA for anyone who travels to Orlando for work or family trips. I was there last week and wanted to escape the Disney industrial complex for a great dinner with my wife. I wanted something outside of Orlando and searched for seafood restaurants in surrounding towns. One place popped up, Gary’s Oyster Bar, that is in a small town called Lake Alfred, FL. We made the 45 minute drive (less than 30 minutes without traffic but I-4 is a bitch almost 24/7) southwest of Orlando to Lake Alfred. Luck was on our side as this place was spectacular - true oyster bar with fresh shucked local oysters from Yankeetown, FL, great appetizers and sides, perfectly grilled fish, and $3.50 draft beers. Grilled Red Snapper over a bed of Cajun cheese grits and perfectly cooked fresh hushpuppies. Couch fritters and crab cakes were outstanding as well. Great folks at the bar with an older couple of Kentucky who’d been on a month long fishing trip to Lake Okeechobee and were returning home. They said they discovered this place twenty years ago and have been stopping on their return trip every year. Breath of fresh air from Orlando… To sum things up, this is the kind of place Mike Leach would have loved.
February 8, 20241 yr 1 hour ago, rage-a-holic said: Are their couch fritters made from real couches? Only in West Virginia. Damn Apple spellcheck….
February 8, 20241 yr sorry, wrong Orlando. He was pretty good in these movies and also in those Pirate movies he was in haven't really noticed him in anything else
February 9, 20241 yr 3 hours ago, zlavydra said: Baseball series there in May. How's the area around UCF? It’s not bad but it’s a generic college suburb area. Not much unique going on. It is close to Winter Park. I would just go there. Michelin Rated Restaurants Ava for high end Mediterranean food Prato for Italian Kadence, Kabooki, Edoboy or Soseki for sushi. Kadence and Soseki are Omakase and expensive Ravenous Pig is a brewery and has good food Other good spots: The Porch- nice open air sports bar Swine and Sons/ Courtesy Bar - nice cocktails with a great fried chicken sandwich and smash burger Park Ave Tavern -great burger - Wall Street Journal claims it’s the best burger Black Bean Deli- great Cuban sandwich Briarpatch- good breakfast/ brunch spot but is counter service and the line can be long
February 9, 20241 yr 18 hours ago, Rimbo said: sorry, wrong Orlando. He was pretty good in these movies and also in those Pirate movies he was in haven't really noticed him in anything else He's the main protagonist in Carnival Row on Prime. Very good show and he does a great job
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