My Bad: Orlando is Home to the World's Largest "Entertainment" McDonald's (Whatever that Means)

I've been corrected. Orlando is not, repeat not, home to the world's largest McDonalds. That monstrosity on International Drive with the giant order of fries on the side of the building is the world's largest "entertainment" McDonalds. My apologies for the mistake. I stand corrected. What was I thinking?

Local Vegan and Performance Artist Brian Feldman to Spend 24 Hours Inside World's Largest McDonalds

Always seeking new ways to top Combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell as the worst project he’s ever done, Brian Feldman, “Everybody’s favorite monotony monk”, returns to International Drive for the first time since May’s ill-fated Miniature project.

For World Vegan Day (November 1), and as self-imposed penance for missing this year’s Central Florida Veg Fest (it’s not like he was doing anything), Brian channels Morgan Spurlock by remaining inside of the least likely place for a vegan to be - McDonald’s® for, yes, 24 hours.

What will Brian, as a vegan, be able eat? The answer, of course, is anything he wants. Being vegan is a choice, and one that Brian has gladly made. So... dollar salads. And water.

Brian’s chosen McDonald’s® location (one of 31,000+ worldwide) alternately bills itself as “The World’s Largest Entertainment McDonald’s® & Playplace” and “The Most Unique McDonald’s® in the World”. It’s certainly the craziest in Orlando, with “gourmet” meal items (ice cream, cakes, pizza, pasta, wraps and paninis), a wishing well, video games (including miniature bowling), McDonald’s® character murals, side-by-side miniature busts of George Washington, Martin Luther King, Jr., George W. Bush, Rudy Giuliani, Abraham Lincoln and a “hula shark”, CNN, Elvises and Monroes, a second floor caged gift shop with the Statue of Liberty, cutouts of Bill Cosby, Clint Eastwood and Tom Cruise, and, according to MANNETRON, one of only four Mac Tonight animatronics in the world (it’s broken).

This independent project is not sanctioned, endorsed or sponsored by McDonald’s Corporation, Oerther Foods, Inc. or The Vegan Society.

Brian Feldman Projects is Central Florida’s premiere experimental time-based art. Dinners on stage with real life families, leaping off ladders for 24 hours, group tours in Google translated Swedish through IKEA, observin’ why people be lovin’ it® - this is what we do.

Who: Brian Feldman Projects (The Feldman Dynamic, Cracker Barrel® Old Country Chanukah, Brian Feldman Eats Everything Off The Menu At Loving Hut)What: 24 Hour Vegan McDonald’s®

When: Sunday November 1, 2009: 12am-11:59pm (24 hours)

Where: McDonald’s® Restaurant #3896
6875 Sand Lake Rd
Orlando FL 32819
(Sand Lake Rd & International Dr)
http://bit.ly/McDmap [Google Maps]

Cost: Free to observe

Why: Why not?

Eating Orlando Road Trip: Tampa Bay's Best Burger?

In this month’s poll, we’re searching for Orlando’s best burger. As a control, I thought it would be a good idea to head over to the bay area to try Tampa’s best burger. I’ve heard a lot about Square One Burgers, a upscale, gourmet burger restaurant that opened in 2008. Having heard that it was a cool place, and having heard nothing but praise for its lineup of burgers, I had to give it a try. Tampa’s a long way to drive for a burger, so luckily there was also a U2 concert involved as motivation for the trip.

The U2 show was awesome. Square One Burgers, not so much.

I really liked the restaurant. I really liked our server. I really liked the menu. I really wanted to like my burger. Unfortunately, it was served a sloppy mess, and accompanied by greasy, cold fries.

Our server recommended the Buffalo Bob ($1.99), ground buffalo meat topped with applewood-smoked bacon, onion rings and spicy beer cheese sauce served on a sesame seed bun. It sounded great, but I find buffalo meat to sometimes be dry. I asked if it could be served with ground beef instead of buffalo. I would think so, since ground beef is cheaper than ground buffalo. Our server said it was not okay, but that I could order a regular burger and add toppings (at $1.25 a piece) to make a similar burger. Okay…

Well, the burger I was served was big, and boy was it juicy. And sloppy. And messy. And impossible to eat but with a knife and fork. After a few minutes of struggling to eat it, I was left with a mound of soggy buns, onion rings and cheese sauce covering an excellent patty of medium-cooked ground Angus beef. Had this been an actual “burger,” it would have been pretty darn good.

Not to be outdone, the fries were just as soggy, but also cold.

My fellow U2 fanatic, and dining companion, ordered the Decadent Burger ($13.99), a Kobe beef burger with caramelized onions, curly leaf lettuce, brie and sundried tomato mayonnaise on a Kaiser bun. Although smaller than my burger, the Kobe burger was an actual eat-with-your-hands burger. My companion noted that, while the burger was good, there were immediately at least three or four superior burgers in Orlando that came to mind.

The Fried Jalapenos Chips that started the meal were excellent, and a real bargain at $1.99 for a tall cone of them. I liked the peppercorn ranch sauce for dipping.

For dessert, the Three Mini Cupcake Sampler ($3.50) was a disappointment. You can get the same cupcakes at Sam’s Club (and maybe they did).

The dining room had a great feel: roomy, modern and comfortable. There was a mixed crowd, with a few families, but it was mostly twenty and thirty somethings grabbing a burger before the U2 show. With a nice beer and wine selection, the bar area was packed.

Our server was very friendly and quick to make suggestions, but could have used a little more training on the menu. We felt very welcomed, however, and that went a long way.

I would give Square One Burgers another shot. I like the idea of an upscale burger bistro. Wish we had one in Orlando. Maybe I’d stick to a plain old burger next time. Or maybe I wouldn’t. That burger was quite a mess. But the meat was good. Maybe I would. Square One Burgers, I can’t live with our without you.

Note: The burgers aren’t square, but the plates are (cute, huh?)

2 ½ Beefs (the grievance, not the meat) out of 5

Square One Burgers
3701 Henderson Blvd.
Tampa, FL 336098
813-414-0101

Bodacious, Indeed: Bubbalou's Bodacious Bar-B-Que Review

Eating Orlando readers picked Bubbalou’s Bodacious Bar-B-Que as the best in Orlando. A safe, easy choice, but not a bad one. Bubbalou’s has to be my favorite place to eat barbecue in the Orlando area. You can’t beat the location, the service, or the food. And you surely can’t beat the name.

Yes, Bubbalou’s has expanded from its mom-and-pop origins to giant, chain-like restaurants across the area. Yes, their catering vans are everywhere. But yes, the Winter Park location is still small and still on Lee Road. Yes, the employees are still grease stained and smell of hickory smoke and Marlboros. And yes, the barbecue is still delicious.

Normally, I stop at Bubbalou’s for a quick, lunchtime pork sandwich. The sandwich is big, tasty, and served fast. The place is always packed, but if you do find a seat, it’s great fun to eat on the old picnic tables right along with used car salesmen, blue collar types, and quite a few members of Winter Park’s finest. It seems everyone loves their Q.

On my most recent visit, however, I decided to have dinner and order the Baby Back Ribs ($13.99). I’ve had them before, but I couldn’t remember if they were good or not. After my dinner tonight, I can’t get the ribs out of my mind.

A light rub, a slight smokiness, more than a hint of sweetness, and a divine tendency to fall right off the bones, the ribs at Bubbalou’s were close to perfection.

I’m a sauce guy. Everything is better with hot sauce or barbecue sauce (or gravy for that matter). I love to sauce just about anything. But tonight, I couldn’t bring myself to even dabble my ribs in sauce. They were just too moist and delicious without it. If you ask any of my regular dining companions, they will surely tell you what a high compliment that is from me.

Oh, and the sides were almost as good as the ribs.

Fries: Crinkly. Golden. Crispy. Perfect.
Slaw: Chopped. Sweet. Runny. Perfect.
Beans: Saucy. Meaty. Syrupy. Perfect.
Bread: Garlicky. Buttery. Plentiful. Perfect.

What can I say? Bubbalou’s hit it out of the park tonight. Readers, you know good BBQ.

5 Bodacious Bones out of 5

Bubbalou’s Bodacious Bar-B-Que1471 Lee Road
Winter Park, FL 32789
(407) 628-1212

Well I'll Be: Bubbalou's Bodacious Bar-B-Que Wins Best BBQ in Orlando Poll

Yeehaw! Bubbalou’s Bodacious Bar-B-Que serves the best doggone bar-b-que in Orlando, according to a recent Eating Orlando poll. Readers chose the local, five-unit BBQ joint by a slim margin over second place Keller’s Real Smoked Bar-B-Q. Blackwater Bar-B-Q was third, and Cecil’s Texas Style Bar-B-Q was fourth. Judging from the top two vote getters, it seems readers prefer small, local chains over one-of-a-kind institutions. Or maybe they just really love their smoky meat and sweet sauces.

In one of the closest polls in Eating Orlando history, readers were all over the board in their choice for best ‘Q. I’m the same way myself. I’d eat at any one of these spots any day of the week. But I do love one particular spot more than the others. More about that later…

The results:

First Place: Bubbalou’s Bodacious Bar-B-Q 26%
Second Place: Keller’s Real Smoked Bar-B-Q 19%
Third Place: Blackwater Bar-B-Q 14%
Fourth Place: Cecil’s Texas Style Bar-B-Q 13%
Fifth Place: Porkie’s Original BBQ 8%
Sixth Place (Tie): O’Boys Bar-B-Q 7%
Sixth Place (Tie): Wildside BBQ Bar & Grill 7%
Seventh Place: Jack Benny’s Barbeque 4%
Eighth Place: Dickey’s Barbecue Pit 2%

Congratulations to Bubbalou’s. I have a review of the Winter Park location in the pipeline, and I’ll tell you about my favorite soon.

Nominees for the poll were gathered from suggestions sent in by Eating Orlando followers on Twitter.

Best Burger in Orlando Poll

This is it. This is the one poll everybody’s been asking for. No more guessing. No more debating. It’s time to find out, once and for all, who serves the best burger in Orlando?

I've reviewed several of the nominated restaurants previously. Some burgers I liked more than others, but there's not a bad burger on the list. No one can say Orlando doesn't have some great burger joints! (Click on a name below to visit a prior Eating Orlando review or the restauran't website)

The nominees based on suggestions from @eatingorlando followers on Twitter:

Cheeburger Cheeburger (Orlando, Sanford)
Hamburger Mary’s (Downtown Orlando)
Johnny’s Fillin’ Station (SoDo)
Tap Room at Dubsdread (College Park)
Five Guys Burgers and Fries (10 area locations)
Graffiti Junktion (Thornton Park)
Ravenous Pig (Winter Park)
Sam Snead’s Tavern (Maitland)
Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville (Universal CityWalk)
Morgan’s Burger Bistro (Sanford)

There’s a whole lot of beef between these 10 nominees. And I’m not talking meat - I’m talking bragging rights. Somebody on this list serves the best hamburger in Orlando and the Central Florida area. It’s time to find out who. See the side bar to vote, and let’s settle this once and for all.

The Best Burger in Orlando Poll closes November 30th. As always, the winner will be reviewed on the blog, and I’ll let you know if I agree with the results or not.

Top 5 Must Eats at the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival

It’s fall in Central Florida and time once again for the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. The once-a-year celebration features regional cuisine and wine pairings from more than 25 countries, as well as culinary demonstrations, cooking seminars, book signings, wine tastings and concerts from nationally known artists.

The event runs through November 8th, and is included with an Epcot admission. But remember, the food and wine isn’t free, and can be pricey for just a “sampling.” To make sure you don’t miss out on some of the best dishes, and don’t waste your well-earned dining dollars, here’s my list of the top five “must eats” at the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival:

Number 5: Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup from Montreal, Canada

The Canadian kiosk is one of the first stops for attendees as they make a right at World Showcase Lagoon (hint: go left), and, therefore, one of the most popular. The soup ($3.75) is good, with a very creamy texture and a fragile cheddar flavor, but if the line is more than 20 deep, keep walking and come back for the perennial favorite later in the day when the line is shorter, and the shadows longer. The Cheddar Soup is paired with Moosehead Beer ($6).

You may also want to try the Glazed Salmon with Lentil Salad ($4.50) or the Spicy Chicken Sausage with Sweet Corn Polenta ($3.75).

Number 4: Leblon Frozen Caipirinha from Rio De Janiero, Brazil

You’re hot. You’re thirsty. You must have a frozen drink. Don’t miss the Leblon Frozen Caipirinha ($7.25) from Rio. Yes, it’s very pricey for such a small cup, but it’s incredibly cool and refreshing with the unique taste of cachaça. The caipirinha is Brazil’s national cocktail (think a Brazilian Mojito). Once nearly unknown outside Brazil, the drink is gaining popularity in the United States with the import of finer brands of sugar-cane derived cachaça.

While you’re enjoying your frozen beverage, and imagining yourself on Copacabana Beach, you may also want to try the Shrimp Stew with Coconut and Lime ($4.25) or Grilled Pork Skewer with Farofa ($4).

Number 3: Taste of Spain – Serrano Ham, Chorizo, Manchego, Olives, and Tomato Bread from Barcelona, Spain

You get quiet a plate full of Spanish delicacies with the Taste of Spain for a mere $4.25. It’s one of the better bargains at the festival. The dry-cured Serrano Ham (think Spanish Prosciutto), is sliced thin and dissolves in your mouth, leaving a salty/sweet taste to linger on the tongue. The semi-spicy Chorizo is good too, and the olives are enjoyable. Pass on the Tomato Bread, however.

The egg yolk and cream Crema Catalana ($3) was the perfectly sweet ending to the tour of Spain (think a crème brûlée/flan cross). Another relative bargain.

Number 2: Seared Barramundi with Blistered Cherry Tomatoes, Arugula, and Lemon Oil from Melbourne, Australia

Another popular booth with festivalgoers is the Melbourne, Australia kiosk. Most everyone chooses to go with the lamb chops, but try the Seared Barramundi ($4.50) instead. The flaky, white fish is singularly mild and is the quintessential dish of the land down under – a favorite of both Australians and the saltwater crocodile. Paired with the tart arugula salad and the sweet Rosemount Traminer Riesling ($2.50), it’s the perfect dish for a very hot October day in Florida’s sun.

Not into fish? You can’t go wrong with the Grilled Lamb Chop with Red Wine Sauce and Murray River Sea Salt ($5.50). Hint: plop down in the lush grass and shade behind the kiosk and go ahead and gnaw on the bone – nobody’s looking.

Number 1: Lobster and Scallop Fisherman’s Pie from Cork, Ireland

The Lobster and Scallop Fisherman’s Pie ($5.50) was the favorite dish of everyone in my party. It’s simply superb. The baked pie (think a seafood version of shepherd ’s pie) contained wanton chunks of lobster and scallops, and was topped with a significant swirl of mashed potatoes.

I wish more restaurants in the Orlando area would serve variations of meat pies. Sure, we’ve got the potpie and the occasional Shepherd’s pie, but where are all the wonderfully hearty variations that could be served here? In this economy, we could all use more comforting meat pies. Someone please get on that!

The fisherman’s pie was paired perfectly with a Bunratty Meade Honey Wine ($4.25). Not everyone’s taste, but I loved the honey-sweet burn of the wine.

Epcot International Food and Wine Festival
Now through November 8th
Free with Epcot Admission
Festival Map

Festival Guide

Side Note: On the day I visited, TV personality Paula Deen and her two sons were at the festival, and I caught a bit of her talk with an enraptured audience of sunburned tourists as she munched on a fried chicken leg. Where’s that Savannah booth Paula?