Orlando: Backyard Burgers

No, no, no, this hasn't devolved into a "burger blog". But, hey, maybe this is my first "theme week" here on the blog. Not a bad idea...

Anyway, remember how I said before that there were other burgers I liked here in Orlando as well, or almost as well as Five Guys? Well, this is the main one- BackYard Burgers. I'm not sure if these are anywhere except here in Florida. Maybe they are, but it's got to be a fairly small chain as I don't see them when I'm out of state.

For years, the BYB on Orange Blossom Trail (OBT) here locally was mine and my oldest daughter's once a week hangout as we read our comic books from Coliseum of Comics right up the street. BYB's burgers taste a lot like the burgers you remember from your youth that Dad cooked on the backyard grill. Hmmm... wonder if that's where they got the name from? ;D

Great burger with a deep, flamebroiled taste. Good waffle fries, and terrific milkshakes. A fairly close second overall to Five Guys and In-N-Out.

Orlando: Five Guys Burgers and Fries

Yummmmm.....
Now for my local favorite burger! Alright, yes, Five Guys Burgers and Fries are all over the place now, not just in Orlando. But I of course go to the one near me here in O-Town. I decided awhile back, when I first started on my new "fitness lifestyle" ( I never say "diet", BTW), that when I eat junk food I am going to eat the BEST junk food. Five Guys fits that bill perfectly!

Big, greasy burgers that are some of the best around ( I'll talk about a few others I like in future posts), and THE WORLD'S BEST FRENCH FRIES are what keeps me coming here. For those watching their calorie intake, the small FG cheeseburger with lettuce and tomato that I eat comes in at around a very manageable 300 calories.

So what are you waiting for?

Cocoa Beach, FL: FishLips

Cocoa Beach is the nearest beach to Orlando, only about 45 minutes away. We go there for a week each Summer to our condo, and it's a great, relatively un-tourist spoiled place that even locals can enjoy. But for fifteen years now, the entire time I've been going there, I have been trying to find good restaurants in Cocoa Beach. Particularly seafood restaurants. I mean, come on, it's the beach! Each year I have high hopes I will find something, anything, that compares to the fish places I knew and loved in Myrtle Beach.

FINALLY, this year, I found somewhere. FISHLIPS is by far the best seafood place I've tried in
Cocoa.
It's probably the best fish place I know of anywhere near Orlando, actually. And I've tried everyone I've seen!
Right on the port, where you can see the cruise ships come and go to the Atlantic, is where it's positioned. Great, scenic location.

I actually went here twice in one week this year, my family and I liked it so much. I had the fresh fish skewers, by the way: grouper, scallops, and shrimp. Yum! It's a casual, "families welcome" kind of place, with good servers, live music on the deck and a busy bar.
Plus, ya gotta love this sign.

Orlando: Beefy King

The myth, the legend.... BEEFY KING! Is that a cool sign, or what?
Forget Arby's, and all those other pretenders. There is no comparison to Beefy King's roast beef sandwiches.
An Orlando institution since 1968, this family owned business on Bumby Avenue is tops in my book.
Please.... a great sign, amazing roast beef with tater tots on the side, and an interior that looks like you've stepped back in time to the Brady Bunch era... what's NOT to love?

Long live the King!

Orlando: Lawless Subs

BEST SUB EVER! BEST SUB EVER! BEST SUB EVER! BEST SUB EVER! BEST SUB EVER!
That's what I've said for over sixteen years, ever since my father in law first took me into Lawless Subs on Hwy 436 in Altamonte Springs, and I still haven't changed my mind. I took my oldest daughter there a few weeks ago, the first time she remembers going there at least, and she totally agreed with me. Is it the homemade bread? The highest quality sandwich meats and cheeses? I don't know, but whatever it is, don't change it! Subway can't even hold a candle to this place.

For the record, "my" sub is an 8 inch turkey on white, with melted provolone, hot AND sweet red peppers, lettuce, and tomato. All with a sliced dill pickle on the side.

Now doesn't reading that make you hungry? ;D

Orlando : Ichiban Japanese Restaurant

I've lived in Orlando for over sixteen years now, and Ichiban Japanese Restaurant on Orange Avenue in Downtown Orlando is still a fave of mine. Great Sushi, great food ( love those Bento Boxes) and a cool, funky atmosphere. They even have their own blog:
http://orlandoichiban.blogspot.com/

Orlando: Fresco Italian

For my first review, it HAD to Fresco Italian Restaurant and Market on Turkey Lake Road in Orlando. Tucked into the end of the shopping center, by the Bayhill Kmart, is a hidden treasure of Orlando dining. The Parham clan can be found here at LEAST once a week. Owners Achille and Teresa Scailoia are from "The Old World", and the food here reflects that. Their sons, A.J. (head server/maitre de) and Luigi ( head chef), are also integral parts of this family run business.

My wife and I went to Italy twice several years ago, and stayed with her sister while she lived there. We experienced true Italian food and wines, and this restaurant reminds of those more than any other we've ever been to, anywhere. Achille was a top wine and food importer here locally for many years, and he refuses to skimp on quality.
The interior of Fresco is all Tuscan elegance, and there's plenty of room for large parties. They'll even make custom menus for large groups.

The food is amazing, the wine selection is incredible. And the tiramisu just has to be eaten to be believed ( if you can get it... it sells out fast!). Go visit, and tell em Keelan sent you!