Best Sandwich in OrlandoReader's Pick: Beefy King
Eating Orlando's Pick: Brianto's Original Hoagies
This was a close call for me. I love everything about Beefy King. But for sheer sandwich enjoyment, I had to choose Brianto's. Their cheese steak sandwich is just so over the top good. It’s so decadent. So unhealthy. So wrong. But so good.
Reader's Pick: Mellow Mushroom
Eating Orlando's Pick: Mellow Mushroom
Mellow Mushroom is fun place to enjoy a pizza, and the pizza served is the best pizza in Central Florida. To say I like the pizza at Mellow Mushroom is an understatement. Here's what I had to say about the Hawaiian in my review: "The ham and pineapple toppings were sprinkled judiciously across the pie, and the mounds of ham were baked perfectly, attaining crispiness on the edges. This browning brought out the salty ham flavor to balance the sweetness of the pineapple. The sauce was nearly perfect: a little tang, a little sweetness, a little tomato bite. The whole wheat crust was perfectly handmade and baked perfectly throughout. The perimeter of the crust was so gooey thick, so soft and fluffy; it was as if the pie were ringed with bread sticks. Delicious bread sticks. We wished for a side of sauce to dip them in. The crust could have been an appetizer."
Best Fish and Chips in OrlandoReader's Pick: Boston's Fish House
Eating Orlando's Pick: Fish and Chips Restaurant
I hate disagreeing with readers, but to me the best fish and chips means the best fish and chips like you'd get rolled in a newspaper in London. If the category was best fried fish in Orlando, then it might be a different story. With that in mind, I had to go with Fish and Chips Restaurant in Forest City. Oh, and if there was a best fried oysters in Orlando category, hands down, Fish and Chips Restaurant.
Reader's Pick: Bubbalou's Bodacious Bar-B-Que
Eating Orlando's Pick: Bubbalou's Bodacious Bar-B-Que
Right on readers! Couldn't agree more. Bubbalou's delivers quality barbecue every time. And oh boy, are the baby back ribs good! Here's what I had to say about the ribs in my Bubbalou's review: "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."
Best Ice Cream (Frozen Dessert) in OrlandoReader's Pick: Jeremiah's Italian Ice
Eating Orlando's Pick: Jeremiah's Italian Ice
Readers overwhelmingly chose Jeremiah's as the best ice cream in Central Florida. Some other readers, however, noted that Jeremiah's doesn't even serve ice cream. Truth to be told, I don't care what it's called. The ice cream, er, frozen dessert, gelati, Italian Ice, whatever is heavenly.
Reader's Pick: Five Guys Burgers and Fries
Eating Orlando's Pick: Graffiti Junktion
I agree that Five Guys serves arguably the best fast food/fast casual burger in Orlando, but we're talking the best of the best, and fast just can't compete with the incredible selection of burgers on the menu at more elaborate restaurants around Central Florida. Hamburger Mary's and Ravenous Pig were very close runners up for me, but in end, even though I dislike the ambiance and the overbearing music, Graffiti Junktion's burgers are simply the best of the best in Orlando.
Reader's Pick: Texas de Brazil
Eating Orlando's Pick: Texas de Brazil
We agree. Texas de Brazil serves no instant mashed potatoes, meatloaf or canned green beans found on your typical buffet. There's no sweet and sour pork or orange chicken either. There is open-flame grilled meat. And lots of it. Beef. Pork. Lamb. Chicken. Sausage. All grilled on sword-like skewers and sliced right onto your plate by gauchos who roam about the restaurant. This is no typical buffet but it is the best buffet in all of Central Florida.
Reader's Pick: Hot Dog Heaven
Eating Orlando's Pick: Hot Dog Heaven
Reader's and I both picked Hot Dog Heaven for the best hot dogs in Orlando. To be honest, there's not a lot of competition for the honor. In the reader's poll, the hot dog cart at Home Depot came in second. What does that tell you? You can't go wrong with any hot dog at Hot Dog Heaven, but do yourself a favor and try the Chicago Hot Dog. It's my favorite by far.
Reader's Pick: First Watch
Eating Orlando's Pick: Peach Valley Cafe
First Watch and Peach Valley Cafe both serve a great breakfast in a typical homestyle setting with above average service (for a "greasy spoon"). Not much seperates the two. You really can't go wrong. But I'm such a fan of the pancakes at Peach Valley Cafe, I had to go with them for the best breakfast in Orlando.