2017 Annual Dinner for 12

The Menu

Eggplant with Sun-dried Tomato and Basil (sundried tomato, walnuts, pine nuts, basil, olive oil)

A Southern Classic- Buttermilk Pie. Served with fresh Strawberry Reduction

A new favorite- Sweet Corn Pudding

Lemon Chicken with Dill. So easy and so delicious!

Slow-cooker country Ham.

Cream of Mushroom with Water Spinach and Crostini

Ellie Lou's BBQ- disappointing at first, but unexpectedly delicious by the end

Firstly, I have to state that I did some research before coming to this restaurant. I try not to because the experience should be more than the hype... but I had heard good things about this place from some friends. All the way in west Orange county close to Gotha and Winter Garden, some light online menu reading was in call. 

So let's get the disappointment out of the way (and then on to the deliciously surprising food). I had a gameplan- order the in-house smoked sausage and two orders of their in-house pickles (garlic and jalapeño). They didn't have either. Matter of fact, the worker said they had discontinued them. I had checked the website the day prior, so I still had that plate of food on my mind. The food ordering is done at the counter and they drop off the food to you when it's ready. My friend saw that I was scrambling for another option so he recommended that I opt for the Texas Cheesesteak ($10.29) instead. Which I did with a side of fried green tomatoes, texas toast (extra), and collard greens (extra). I wanted to try the cheesy grits side but they were out of that as well. I was looking forward to getting past this debacle and onto some serious barbeque.

Sorry guys! Need some time to rethink my order. So many delicious sounding choices...

... so little time

Texas brisket cheesesteak. Ruined me for life. Can't look at another cheesesteak without comparing it to this again. A little more cheese sauce for me would have been better but wow, the meat tasted great

YUM. My last-minute food order didn't disappoint at all. The chopped brisket in this sandwich was amazing. A few pickled jalapeños dotted it here and there and the cheese sauce was not overwhelmingly slathered on. For some cheesesteak lovers, this may not be something you immediately like. But take it from me, with meat this good, you don't want a sauce to smother and blanket the BBQ flavors. This fusion mix-up of southern and a classic northern meal was fantastic. Great mouthfeel as you bite through soft bread, generous brisket, and an appropriate hint of cheese sauce and jalapeño. A definite must-try for anyone who's interested.

The sides were really good as well. Of note, the collard greens were ON POINT! Perfectly tender, not completely mushed up, nicely seasoned, with small bits of thick cut bacon. I have to credit the bacon fat that probably flavored the collards perfectly. The fried green tomatoes were also good. I didn't particularly like the remoulade pairing, and I ate them as it. The tomato disks are smaller sized and thinner cut than other southern establishments that you may visit so keep that in mind when you order them. 

Interior of the establishment. Not the greatest pic, but you get the idea.

Slider Trio ($8.99). With pulled chicken, pork, and turkey. The choice of bread (they are calling it 'Challah') really made the difference. Soft, chewy clouds of southern barbecue goodness.

The other sides that I tasted were the Mac-n-Cheese which was nothing to write about. Pretty standard and it could have benefitted from a Panko breadcrumb topping just to cut through the monotony of the one-note flavor. It lacked that southern depth that true Mac-n-Cheese lovers yearn for with cheesy nuances of texture as well as taste. On the other hand, their 'Settler's Beans' (not pictured) where beyond delicious. Instead of using just baked beans, they also used red kidney beans which really revved up the eyes and the palate. They were sweet, well-seasoned, and yummy. Definitely try this is if you love baked beans with Texas toast. 

IN A NUTSHELL: Good food even though some false advertising between the website and what's really available is currently occurring. The establishment did mention that they are changing up their menu. Beyond that, the food was incredible- and definitely worth the drive if you don't live close-by. A friend of mine mentioned that he would just travel back here for the barbecue. Service was also very good- they stayed on top of replenishing drinks and offering to-go boxes when it became apparent that we were done eating. Serviceware is plastic here so it may not be the best choice for people that want to sit down and be waited on from start to finish. But, if you are going for the food, you'll definitely find something on the menu that you like. I personally love the mash-ups between different cuisines while still retaining classic southern barbecue (they have in-house sauces on tables that you'll like too) ideas.

The Taste of Yucatán: Unique niche cuisine and a must try for anyone in Orlando

Finally, a change from the regular humdrum and onto a new and never-tried cuisine in Orlando. Taste of Yucatán just opened three weeks ago. It's located not far from the busy intersection of Semoran and Curry Ford. How often do you try an establishment that specializes in regional Mexican cuisine? Unless you are shopping at a local mexican store with a side kitchen serving hot food, the answer is probably not that often.

The building is rather unassuming. To be honest, it used to be a Church's Chicken property before it traded hands. When we arrived, the parking lot had but a few cars and I have to say, I was a little concerned this was not what I had hoped for. 

My reservations about this place melted away as soon as we entered. The restaurant was clean, well lit, minimally decorated, and the ordering counter had 3 flat screens that effectively (and efficiently) described the ordering process while giving ample visual examples of their dishes from one slide to next. To top it off, we had the owner, Joal Rodriguez, take our order with a big smile. His willingness to help make our experience as best as it could get really impressed me as he truly went out of his way to make sure we were satisfied while placing our order.

The process is simple- choose a 'presentation' (taco, quesadilla, bowl, etc.) and the 'filling' that would reside on or in your presentation (mayan-style pork, cheese, chorizo, poblano peppers, etc.). There are appetizers as well... and get this, nothing on the menu is more than $7 per order. Talk about a deal. 

We ordered quite a bit- some panuchos (a Yucatán specialty made by deep-frying a corn tortilla stuffed with refried beans), some tamales, some quesadillas, freshly made guacamole, and a mexican tamarind-flavored soda.

I have to say, everything- and I mean everything- was delicious. Granted, I'm not a connoisseur of Yucatec cuisine or culture, but it's that feeling you get regardless of expertise when you know something has been made with care, consideration, quality, and love. 

I loved the papas con chorizo filling (potatoes and spicy sausage) on my panucho. Contrary to expectation, I didn't see chorizo bits in the mashed potato mixture- rather, the chorizo was completely incorporated into the potatoes to give it an orange-brown hue which permeated that classic spicy sausage taste evenly. 

The vaporsitos (beef tamales scented with wrapped banana leaves) were a little bit on the denser side (I like my tamales soft and very moist) and they had a cake-like consistency. The flavor was milder than what I had expected, but after adding some freshly made salsa verde and homemade spicy sauce of ground chile de árbol in oil, that too disappeared down my throat.

For all you pork lovers, the Cochinita Pibil quesadilla was very good. If I had a second stomach, I would have ordered another one of these. The flour tortillas were pillowy soft and the pulled pork was succulent and mildly spiced while enrobed in a gorgeous thick brown sauce. Add some fresh cilantro, minced onions, and a couple wedges of lime from the condiment area on the counter, and you'll make quick work of this divine dish in minutes.

The guacamole was exceedingly fresh and come in a 5oz container. For something that would cost $8-$10 easily at a fine dining Mexican restaurant, The Taste of Yucatán serves this delicious made-to-order appetizer for a meager $4.50 with a side of tortillas and free unlimited toppings (crema, salsas, pico de gallo, lime wedges, etc.). 

IN A NUTSHELL: Go to this place before the crowds rush in and change it's dynamic. That's because everything is made in-house and it is highly evident that they take great pride in their Yucatec background.  So, if the place gets busy, food wait times may become longer. This is a great place for a quick office meal during the work week if you want to surprise your co-workers by breaking the routine of the usual franchise restaurants. This restaurant offers a cheap bite for any curious foodie that wants to explore their palate without breaking the bank. I highly recommend this place at this time as I'm digging the owners enthusiasm to bring a little bit of the Yucatán to Orlando. I wish this restaurant great success as I was delightfully surprised how good the food, service, and the bill were.

Cochinita quesadilla, Papas con chorizo panucho, and tamales

Made-to-order guacamole with chips. I drizzled the crema and added on the condiments later. The owners special hot sauce (chile de árbol in oil) is on the top right corner of the basket.

An hot and crispy empanada. More panuchos (this time with sautéed poblanos and corn, and another with  Yucatán-style pulled pork). Barbacoa quesadilla (only $3.50).

Tamarind soda. Try it. It's made with 100% real sugar.

Ole Times Country Buffet- Surprisingly good food, meh on the ambiance

Walking into this place, I immediately knew I was walking into a relaxed Southern atmosphere. The walls where covered with a shade of yellow wood panels festooned with random memorabilia crap that someone found a space and decided to hammer a nail to hang it. Some call in ole country chic, I call it beyond tacky and quite frankly, a useless distraction.

You have to go through a double-laned cash register channel before you get to the buffet. Sardonically, it reminded me of how pigs are probably queued before they pay they meet their maker. The entrance winds into a narrow hallway that wraps around the parameter of the restaurant and opens up in the middle of the restaurant to- tomatoes, sweet potatoes, and honey for sale (all at pretty reasonable prices).

I could tell by this sales structure that they either a) may have been overwhelmed by large crowds b) may have experienced people that didn't pay on their way out c) needed to figure out a way so that a hostess doesn't have the headache to find you a table or d) all of the above. I think there could have been a smoother, classier way to handle this but it did bring about a burning question- if the food is purportedly good, why relegate customers to this?

It was rush hour and I had to forage for a table before food. I had to mark my territory with an empty plate before heading to the buffet. It was every man for himself. It's funny when you're the paying customer and you have to fend for things. After being initiated into all things Ole Times, I sat down to eat. The food was surprisingly tasty. And that's the only reason why this restaurant made it on to my blog. Everything seemed to have been freshly readied and maintained. There was a cold buffet bar with salads, dressings, and toppings as well as a long warm buffet island with fried chicken, various kinds of prepared beans, fried catfish (on the bone and filleted), smoked sausage, smoked ribs, and bbq pulled chicken among other things.

Let me tell you about the vegetables- they were simply prepared but yet so flavorful. I couldn't help but notice smoked ham hocks bobbing in most of them. Though some many find it revulsing, I actually liked that they didn't shy away from where their flavor profiles were hailing. I enjoyed the collard greens and the stewed cabbage- both of which were not cooked to death but were soft enough for nuanced texture while still imparting their juicy earthiness. The mashed potatoes were perfectly fluffy and salted. All in all, the first plate really rejuvenated the lunch experience. What can I say?When food is good, you stop griping and you start paying attention to what's in front of you.

The fried catfish fillets were so perfectly done. A perfect cornmeal coating gave the right amount of crunch before my teeth sunk into some of the moistest fish meat that I have had in years. Matter of fact as soon as I had it, my mouth screamed for more even though I wasn't particularly hungry. This was the only item that I went back for seconds. Speaking of fried, you probably are wondering by now how the fried chicken was. Yes, I'll admit it- I'm a fried chicken snob. But this restaurant's was quite good. It doesn't take the first place prize of the most amazing crispy skin of my dreams, but the meat was moist and the batter-to-meat ratio was nearly exact to what I always look for. And speaking of chicken the Smoked Chicken and BBQ Pulled Chicken were really good. The smoked chicken had a great rub with a very evident smoke ring that showed the penetration of the flavors into the meat that only happen skillfully. The meat was moist when I broke into it and the skin had a good char that made the palate happy. I loved the BBQ Pulled Chicken rendition- it was sweet with an addictive meat-to-sauce proportion. 

The smoked sausage needed some added dimension. It was too Plain Jane and unlike the fried catfish, I did want this meat to have been elevated somehow with added spices during it's preparation. On the other hand, the ribs were dry but spiced well. The smoke muted and married the ingredients almost too well and I couldn't discern if cumin, paprika, or sugar were the leading ingredients for the rub. I could have preferred some more heat on the ribs but looking around the dinning room, I think the rub mix was neutral enough for everyone to enjoy. Similarly, the Mac-N-Cheese was okay and probably more for the kids who lust for it's cheese sauce than for adults who want a bright cheddar flavor to come through. However, the spaghetti and meat sauce was very tasty and delicious. It had been a while since I had last tried this classic dish so it was a welcomed surprise to see it on their buffet.



What I understood from this experience is that this restaurant understands good southern food. Southern food tastes best with few ingredients but cooked with a higher skill set so the flavors speak for what home cookers cannot pull of. I also enjoyed the service here. The server was friendly and the employees replenishing the buffet line were more than helpful when some standard questions were thrown at them. I even was brazen enough to ask the attendant about the spices that were smothered on the smoked chicken and he offered to bring the chef out to describe his preparation for me. The attendant went on to say that each cook has their own particular vegetable that they like to prepare in a certain way- which means, if you go there, you may not get the exact product that I got. Yes, in a way, that's job security. But in another way, the freedom that the chain gives for the cooks to pour their love into their signature side dishes can only benefit the customer by ensuring a quality product is presented.Ole Times has been in business for over 8 years now. They have several outlets in South Georgia including sister restaurant chains by the names of Mama June's and Smok'n Pig.

Additionally, there are some quirks to this place- they have a separate counter for fried pork skins, a soft-serve machine (if this is by popular demand, tell those people to go somewhere else), and pies for dessert that are pre-sliced into tiny slivers and then served on styrofoam plates (while everything else is not).

IN A NUTSHELL: For less than $9 per person for lunch, I can see why there was a crowd. The food is good. I just wish they would explore different options of corralling the masses while still retaining it's casual dining experience. Regardless, it's worth the awkward pay-up-front-Golden-Corral experience because some of the food was indeed yummy. You don't want to take someone here for a first date- it's way to casual for that. But you do want to take your long time partner when food in the fridge is running low and you need a low cost, but delicious restaurant to go to. Do try the fried catfish, smoked chicken, and BBQ pulled chicken. I realize that with the masses, price is king. But I do want Ole Times Country Buffet to understand that they have a better food product than most in their league- and that deserves a higher platform for in my book.

Porkie’s Original Barbeque: When in Apopka

Porkie’s is located in the hub (i.e. Main Street/U.S. 441) of Apopka. I stopped by last week for a quick bite before tubing down Rock Springs. It’s a no-frills joint- and I like it that way when it comes to southern barbeque. My concern, and so should yours, was only how good the bbq would taste.

They didn’t disappoint. I had a Lunch Special for $8.50, which entailed a pulled pork sandwich, a choice of 2 sides, and included a non-alcoholic drink. Judiciously heaped, compressed pork on a soft bun completed the task of my satiation. The meat itself was flavorful of charred smoke and was slightly on the drier side. The sides- we ordered 2 separate plates- were good too (mac-n-cheese, bbq beans, and seasoned taters).

I did, however, LOVE the collard greens. They were cooked perfectly- slowly rendered for several hours with generous amounts of pork, it was soft and each bite was absent of that tough plant fiber which ideally shouldn’t belong in there anyway. They also gave me some pepper vinegar to douse the collards with. It imparted a tart and spicy twist to an already delicious side.

The service was exceptional. Granted that they weren’t packed, at least two different staff members stopped by each table to check and see if everything was working well. On another note, they have a variety of sauces- including that Carolina vinegar kind… I call it ‘dip’. Ranging from mild-sweet to xxx, they were all good but not too sweet. I actually liked that, but some southern boys would probably care for the sauce to be sweeter.

IN A NUTSHELL: Reasonable price-points for good food. Staff members are friendly and will gladly assist you in narrowing down your choices when they ring-up your order at the counter. Try the different sauces they have- chili-heads will love the mean, spicy ones.

Tomasita's: Finally, a Cuban Delight

This humble-looking spot is right beside the gaudy Red Barn Drive-thru-only Beverage Station (yes, use it as a landmark). I opened the door and found it to be a small restaurant (10 tables max) with the smell of pork undulating everywhere. While I briefly waited to be seated, I cracked open the menu and broke into a deep grin. I knew I was in for a treat.

So many choices

that were well priced. How many times do you find that these days? From ceviche ($7) to empanadas to Cuban bbq pork platter (their signature dish for $10), the menu showcased a focused-array of Cuban specialties. After much deliberation (trust me, my stomach went schizoid on making a final decision) I decided on the Pan Con Lechon ($6.95) and for an appetizer, the Tortas de Frijolles Negros ($5.95) and rounding it off with Flan ($4) for dessert.

The Tortas were okay. I’m saying this because of a skewed preconception that the Tortas would be soft and gooey on the inside. The black beans were cooked but not to a creamy slop that would’ve complemented the lake of sour cream that it sat in. The cakes were crisp on the exterior (which I loved) but the cilantro, key lime, and serrano pepper flavors that were promised on the menu description were obviously absent. If I hadn’t preconceived it, or become temporarily illiterate, this dish would have fared very well on my tongue.

On the other hand, the Pan Con Lechon ($6.95) was wonderfully done. A perfectly crusty Cuban bun hugged the moist pork. Moreover, the pork was especially loved by everyone on the table (same pork butt, served different ways, in different dishes). Comments flew back and forth about how chunky the Cuban-style bbq pork as well as being equally moist and juicy. What I particularly liked, however, was that I could SUBSTITUTE the plantain chips (which came automatically with the sandwich) for a more flavorful combination of Yucca fries with a mojo dip for NO EXTRA CHARGE!

For dessert, we opted for flan AND bread pudding ($4 each). The crowd pleaser turned out to be the bread pudding, which was more like an undercooked chocolate brownie served with a drizzle of butter! It was charmingly unexpected- a definite surprise for bread pudding lovers. Again, being the lone wolf of the group, I was all over the flan. Superior in its caramel flavor, it also had a forward orange taste that only subtly hinted at vanilla at the back palate. It was good, different, and definitely something I’ll remember of Tomasita’s.

IN A NUTSHELL: A delicious new place in Deland. Go before the lore of the good Cuban food brings throngs and a long waiting time. Different and varied choices of beef, pork, chicken, and shrimp will want you coming back for more than just a Cuban sandwich. Ask to be waited-on by Jodie to top good food off with equally good service.