Food Lately: 8 Dishes I’ve Ordered (and LOVED) in Orlando Recently
Orlando is the City Beautiful. And also, it would seem, it’s the City of Beautiful Food.
From Disney Springs to local restaurants, Orlando is full of places to get delicious meals, small plates, and desserts. I know—I’ve been ordering them. Savory snacks and sweets. Brunch, lunch, and dinner—you get it. There’s a wide range of food, and it’s all good.
Of course this is just a small sample of all the great Orlando restaurants and dishes, but these are my highlights on my favorites so far this year:
Banana and Brown Sugar Pancake from Hash House A Go Go in Winter Garden
Holy mother, this was a good pancake. As you can see, it was gigantic—actually spilling off the plate—and when you decide to turn the dish into a Tractor Driver Combo with eggs and bacon, eating becomes a strategic operation. The banana and brown sugar pancake is a “twisted” flapjack, and it’s not a flavor you can go wrong with, but other twisted options do include blueberry lemon glaze, cinnamon roll, and—gasp—Snickers.
Banana and Brown Sugar Pancake from Hash House A Go Go in Winter Garden
Oven-roasted Shrimp Scampi from Tony's Town Square Restaurant in Magic Kingdom
I’m usually a chicken Alfredo girl when I go to Tony’s, but since I visited for lunch this time around I went with something a little lighter. The shrimp scampi with spaghetti on the side was the perfect thing, a balance of lemon, garlic, and butter flavors. I wasn’t overly full by the end, which was good because I still had a full—hot—park day ahead of me.
Oven-roasted Shrimp Scampi from Tony's Town Square Restaurant in Magic Kingdom
Pennette Al Salmone from Simply Capri in Winter Garden
Speaking of pasta, this salmon penne is one of the best I’ve ever had. Parmesan cream sauce can never go wrong in my book, and while I wasn’t sure about the salmon, the smoky flavor really worked with the dish. Paired with my go-to glass of pinot grigio, it was everything I needed to kick off a weekend in Orlando.
Pennette Al Salmone from Simply Capri in Winter Garden
Steak Ranchero Tacos from Splitsville in Disney Springs
I’ve been visiting Splitsville in Disney Springs quite regularly since moving to Orlando, and as such I had familiarized myself with the menu. So I was really surprised to see new additions during my first visit of the year, one being the steak tacos, loaded with salsa, pico, cheese, and more. I was really impressed with them—and they’ll definitely be added to the order rotation.
Steak Ranchero Tacos from Splitsville in Disney Springs
Mojo Chicken Caesar Sandwich from Home State Brewing Co. in Hamlin
I stopped into Home State Brewing Co. while running errands in Hamlin recently, and I’m so glad I did. This sandwich, filled with citrus-seasoned chicken, romaine, parmesan, and other caesar salad things, was light while also being more filling then a traditional salad. I’ll definitely be back, and I already have my eye on the Cubano sando for next time.
Mojo Chicken Caesar Sandwich from Home State Brewing Co. in Hamlin
Spiced Chicken from Spice Road Table in EPCOT
One thing I love about Disney World is that there’s always something new to discover—like Spice Road Table in the Morocco Pavilion at EPCOT. My parents actually introduced me to it—they love the restaurant’s hummus fries—and we stopped in for a quick snack. The spiced chicken I ordered was so flavorful, balanced out by mint yogurt. And, yes, the hummus fries were good, too.
Spiced Chicken from Spice Road Table in EPCOT
Crispy Chicken Sandwich from Summer House on the Lake in Disney Springs
Whenever I would walk by the construction of Summer House on the Lake in Disney Springs, I would say to myself, “I’m gonna be there every night when it opens.” Sadly, I’ve only been twice so far, but whenever I do go again I might just have to reorder the chicken sandwich. Loaded with avocado, buttermilk dressing, and lettuce, it’s delicious and has all the summery vibes the restaurant is going for.
Crispy Chicken Sandwich from Summer House on the Lake in Disney Springs
Create-Your-Own Popcorn Mix from Main Street Confectionery in Magic Kingdom
This was another recent discovery—the create-your-own-popcorn mix at Magic Kingdom. Tucked away in the back of Main Street Confectionery, you can load up a bowl of popcorn with a variety of toppings, including candy, cookies, icing, and more. It’s a good walking around treat—and great for sharing with friends and family.
Create-Your-Own Popcorn Mix from Main Street Confectionery in Magic Kingdom
As I come across more great meals, drinks, and things to do in Orlando, I’ll be sure to share them in this space!
