Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
174
Value
Bargain Buffets
I won't list them all, but if you spend time on International Drive or U.S. 192/Irlo
Bronson Memorial Highway between Kissimmee and Disney, you'll see billboards
peddling all-you-can-eat breakfast buffets for $5 to $8. This is a good way to fill
your tanks early and skip or at least go easy on lunch, especially if your day is in
the theme parks, where lunches are overpriced. Note that you won't find award-
winning cuisine here, except perhaps for the highest concentration of grease!
Those with kids, however, will appreciate the inexpensive and kid-friendly fare—
especially over some of the high-priced restaurants at the resorts.
Breakfast buffets are served by
Golden Corral,
8033 International Dr. (
&
407/
352-6606
);
Ponderosa Steak House,
6362 International Dr. (
&
407/352-9343
),
and 7598 U.S. 192 W. (
&
407/396-7721
); and
Sizzler Restaurant,
9142 Interna-
tional Dr. (
&
407/351-5369
), and 7602 U.S. 192 W. (
&
407/397-0997
). The latter
two are the better bets.
5795 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy./U.S. 192, Kissimmee.
&
407/396-8022.
www.pacinos.com. Reser-
vations accepted. Main courses $8-$32 (most less than $20). AE, MC, V. Daily 4-11pm. Free self-parking.
From I-4, take exit 64A/U.S. 192 east 1 mile.
Panera Bread
AMERICAN This trendy cafe/bakery is a great place for a light
meal, and its quick growth in the area (there are several locations) attests to its popularity
among locals and tourists. The cafe menu offers a variety of delicious soups (broccoli
cheddar, black bean, vegetable sirloin, and others) and salads (Asian sesame chicken,
Caesar, and more). But the real main events are sandwiches such as turkey with chipotle
mayonnaise, roast beef with creamy horseradish sauce, portobello and mozzarella panini,
and a dozen others. The menu also includes an assortment of fresh bakery items (bagels,
brownies, croissants, pastries, and such).
Note:
A second Panera can be found in the
Restaurant Row area on Sand Lake Road.
8600 Vineland, Lake Buena Vista.
&
407/842-1300.
www.panerabread.com. Reservations not accepted.
Main courses $7-$14; baked goods $1-$5. AE, DISC, MC, V. Mon-Sat 6:30am-9:30pm; Sun 7am-8:30pm.
Free self-parking. From I-4, take exit 68, go east on 535, and then left onto Vineland.
5
Rolando's
Finds
CUBAN If you like neighborhood-style Cuban cuisine, you
won't be disappointed here. This mom-and-pop restaurant serves large portions of tradi-
tional Cuban fare, such as
arroz con pollo
(chicken with yellow rice),
ropa vieja
(shredded
beef ), and, if you call a few hours or a day in advance,
paella
(fish and shellfish served on
a bed of rice). Entrees are served with yucca (a chewy root) or plantains (a cooked
banana-like fruit). The plain dining room has Formica tables, old photographs of Cuba,
and potted philodendrons suspended from the ceiling. Soft lighting adds a smidgen of
ambience, and there's a very limited beer and wine list.
870 E. Hwy. 436/Semoran Blvd., Casselberry.
&
407/767-9677.
Reservations accepted. Main courses
$4-$6 lunch, $8-$18 dinner. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Mon-Fri 11am-9:30pm; Sat noon-10pm; Sun noon-
8:30pm. Free self-parking. From I-4, take exit 82A, Hwy. 408/East-West Expwy., head east, and make a left
on Hwy. 436.
INEXPENSIVE
Bubbalou's Bodacious BBQ
Value
BARBECUE You can smell the hickory
smoke emerging from this restaurant for blocks, the tangy scent cutting through the
