Orlando

I find myself in Orlando this week trying to avoid eating in tourist traps. Appreciate suggestions for double-TNT (dynamite tried-n-true) places to eat. Thanks!

Bill/SFNM

Bill,

Here's a link to some previous Orlando suggestions:

Orlando Recs

You might try a search on the board for others.

If you haven't been to Berns in Tampa its worth the hour drive.

A friend of mine recently wrote me about a good Mexican find in the Florida Mall. He has a good sense for all things chow. The chile relleno sounds especially appealing.

Had a great lunch today at Salsa Taqueria & Tequila Bar in Orlando. They have a sister location in Vegas. I had a 5 taco sampler: fish with pineapple salsa, carne asada, pork al pastor, citrus chicken, and hangas (roasted mushrooms). The gf had a Zacatecas chille releno, a huge poblano stuffed with cheeses, fuits, almonds, sauce, and battered and fried to perfection.

We were surprised, most pleasantly, in every way by this upscale new room located in Florida Mall.

Yikes!!!! There is a church at the address listed here for Pounders. Maybe someone is trying to tell me something?

Bill/SFNM wrote:Yikes!!!! There is a church at the address listed here for Pounders. Maybe someone is trying to tell me something?

I haven't been there in a few years. Maybe something happened. It was a great seafood market with a restaurant inside.

Bruce wrote:I haven't been there in a few years. Maybe something happened. It was a great seafood market with a restaurant inside.

Bruce,

I couldn't find any trace of Pounders in the phone book, so I'm guessing they bit the dust.

Fat Boys' BBQ
We were starving at that point so we went back a few blocks to a BBQ joint called "Fat Boys'". The parking lot was packed with what looked like locals, so we decided to pays our money and takes our chances. I ordered the sliced pork and beef platter. The pork wasn't bad; The beef wasn't good. The sides tasted like they had come out of institutional cans.

Roy's
I am a big fan of Roy Yamaguchi's Hawaiian fusion cuisine. I've been to 5 of his restaurants and always order the seafood and have always been wowed. But I really don't like the way the waiters at Roy's try to insinuate their own personal tastes into your decision making. Like I care what their favorite dish is?

Moonfish
I know this a corporate chain place, but it wasn't bad. The sushi was average, but the Hong Kong-style Chilean Sea Bass was perfect. Super service.

Boston Feast All-You-Can-Eat-Lobster
I wasn't paying attention when we all piled into the car and the driver (a family member I formerly really liked) announced we were going out to eat great lobster. OK, I love lobster so I was jazzed. Live and learn. I had no idea it was possible to turn the sweet, delicate miracle that is lobster into tough, tasteless drek. My record of NEVER having eaten a decent meal at an all-you-can-eat restaurant remains unbroken.

Bill/SFNM