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.

TJ's Seafood Shack- good food with good company always makes a good experience!

I'm so glad I gave this place a shot when I went with some longtime friends. The birthday girl is a huge seafood lover and I didn't want to take her to a Red Lobster. I wanted her to try something different, something unique, something small-business minded… this something ended up being this wonderful place called TJ’s seafood shack!

I called ahead to make reservations only to find out that they are very low-key and relaxed which was perfect for the company and ambience that I was looking for. Matter of fact, the decor at this place has upside down buckets as lampshades. It’s not like the cookie cutter feel that you get when you walk in from one restaurant to the next. I believe the owners were trying to create an ambience that is very reminiscent of some mom and pop fish shacks that you would see along the Florida coast. It had a good warm and welcoming vibe.

That being said, we all know that there is no substitute for good food! It was especially important for me this time as I was taking a special friend for her birthday lunch- and she is a self-described picky seafood connoisseur. Her food cannot be too greasy nor too dry, neither raw nor too overly cooked, and neither heavily battered nor too simple looking. Basically, you can say that I was taking Goldilocks to lunch and she wanted her porridge juuuuuust right.

For appetizers, we ordered Sweet Platains ($3.75), Sweet Potato Fries with Honey Mustard ($4.99), and TJ's signature Smoked Mahi Fish Dip ($4.99). The appetizers really kicked off the lunch experience beautifully. The sweet fries weren't greasy at all which received rave reviews from the entire table. One of my friends commented on how beautifully the smoked Mahi fish that was done- delicately balanced with not too much cream cheese and just the right amount of sweet cornichons. The dip fish was so finely minced that you could actually use it as a perfect substitute for cream cheese on bagels (think of it as an clever riff on lox and bagels).

I particularly liked the sweet plantains, however- tender, perfectly brown and crispy on the outside, without the trailing grease slick that most people are accustomed to with plantains.

For the main course we had a Haddock Platter ($9.95), a variation of the three gator tacos ($10.50) where each taco was different, the Salmon platter ($9.50), and TJ's Seafood Shack's signature Po Boy Sandwich ($8.75). While ordering, we heard that the gumbo ($3.99) was made in-house and from scratch everyday. So, we ordered some of that as well! As they say in New Orleans, ‘laissez le bon temps rouler!' (let the good times roll).

The Haddock platter showcased how and why this place takes it's fresh fish seriously- a long, well-proportioned fillet (they buy their fish whole) which was coated with the right amount of pecans and breading. The fish was light and flaky and not overcooked. Just perfect. It's always good when restaurant knows not too coat the star with too much blah blah blah and let the protein do all the talking- if you know what I mean.

The Shrimp Po Boy was good but nothing to write home about. I have to confess, I've had quite a few Shrimp Po Boys in my lifetime and this ranked in the middle of the pack. That being said, the shrimp were perfectly cooked, the batter on the shrimp was crispy just like you would expect, and the remoulade sauce had all the right notes for the chorus. Additionally, it was at a very reasonable price point. What more could you ask?

The favorite entrée on the table was the combination tacos- a Salmon taco, a Gator taco, and another fish taco (which I gave away to share with the birthday girl- who, might I add, was very happy with her food). The salmon was well done but not dry- good blackening seasoning which reminded me of Cajun seasonings (garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, cayenne pepper, oregano, and thyme). The crumbled bacon was a good topping option not because well, bacon is a gift from the gods, but because it actually lifted the taco to another textural stratosphere. I only wished the bacon bits were served sizzling hot.

I really found myself digging at the beans and rice- the bean gravy was not too soupy and not too thick and the rice was cooked without any spices. The creamy cilantro sauce that topped it gave the side dish an extra zing. The sauce was in-house (as most of their stuff is) and you can find it in many of their dishes where it's a good ‘as needed’ option for binding, flavor, and textural nuances.

My favorite dish, however, was the humble looking gumbo- hands down! Delicately spiced, probably simmered for hours, non-slimy okra marrying with tomatoes and other vegetables topped with a generous scoop of plain white rice. You can't go wrong with this dish. Matter fact, I might just come back for a big ol’ bowl of this delicious gumbo whenever I'm feeling the blues.  There's few things in this world that make a man happy than good soul food done right. I really could taste the love in this side item.

IN A NUTSHELL: Good restaurant with a laid-back attitude (they serve food with plasticware). A wonderful find in Orlando where fresh fish joints are desperately needed to expand local tastebuds. This is a family run business- and they take great pride in their product by continually improving on it. They have two locations towards the east side of Orlando. If you like fish and want to stay away from the chains, you’ve got to give TJ's seafood shack a try! Tell them Goldilocks sent you ;)

Tibby’s New Orlean’s Kitchen: Great Service, Wonderful Beignets

Tibby’s has all the décor and ambiance that fits into the New Orleans scene. Heck, my beer was even served in a frosted sundae mug resembling a Chalice.

What was really remarkable was the attentive service. Zero waiting time- the hostess immediately greeted us and took us to an available booth. Almost-zero service time- the hostess left, and a server arrived on her dust to take our drink order. And to top if off, zero ‘and how’s everything?’ time once the first spoon landed in our mouths. Peculiar, but it beats the opposite. I felt that they really wanted you to enjoy the meal.

So, for lunch fare: Fried Pickles ($5) as an appetizer, a bowl of Chicken Andouille File Gumbo ($8), and a Side n’ Half ($6.50) for half an Eggplant Po Boy and a side of Andouille Cheddar Grits. Miller Lite was on draft for $4.

The food was standard and typical of the flavors of Louisiana but lacked a certain ‘oomph’ factor. For example, I didn’t see any Okra in the Gumbo- it would’ve added a hearty flavor.

The Eggplant Po Boy reminded me of Eggplant Parmesan in a sandwich- thin sections of crispy breaded eggplant with a marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese. Even Tibby’s Hot Sauce was a little on the milder side with more mustard hits than cayenne, and a clandestine twist of horseradish.

Delicious but, in my opinion, toned way down on some promising flavor profiles. I suppose that the middle-road appeals to a broader audience, but Tibby’s risks to become just another restaurant rather than stand out of the pack with their Big Easy menu.

There was one notable exception- the Beignets. A single order ($2.25) got us 3 medium-sized ones. They were searing hot, and fabulously crafted into cocoons flaky layers.

My tongue was taken aback to how delicious these were after a rather standard meal. The generous dusting of confectioners sugar atop the beignets didn’t make the dish overly sweet either. A must try for dessert.

IN A NUTSHELL: Beignets are the keyword for this joint. I’d like to see more striking flavors but this place is good for a broad audience who’s in for a dine-n-dash. The ambiance is friendly and the service is on point (thank you Front-of-House Manager, whoever you are).

The Greek Corner: Simple food, Greek flavors (even in the Italian options)

As the traffic clogged Interstate-4 meanders through the heart of Orlando, it takes a small hop over Lake Ivanhoe. The lake, a placid blue gem, is also home to an equally quaint (and blue) Greek restaurant.

I've heard and known about this place for many moons. And interestingly enough, it has taken me several visits to write this review. I suppose I grown accustomed to this place.

Greek Corner is not new and it's not swank. You’re not going to go there to impress on a first date (unless it's a blind one and you need the picturesque lake view as a conversation starter). This is a place meant for small groups of close-knit friends to enjoy simple food and gossip over some beer and wine.

At one occasion, for an appetizer, I ordered the calamari which was fine- tasty, but suspiciously imitating prepackaged, frozen bag flavors. I requested extra wedges of lemon whose acid greatly improved the dish. The accompanying marinara was scant and definitely needed to be more generous. I proceeded things with the Greek salad. This is the pièce de résistance of the restaurant- an intricate marriage of hearty, simplicity, and delicateness. The crunch of the lettuce contrasted with the dressing, and the acid notes of feta cheese gave great flavor to the dish. At first bite, the tongue gets busy deconstructing everything but it’s at the very end that the integrated bolus becomes greater than the sum of its parts. I can’t get enough of a salad- imagine that. I’m usually conquered by this salad feeling completely satiated without even having space for coffee at the very end. My mother should take note of this and stop complaining that I don't get enough fiber into my diet.

On other occasions, I’ve tried the Chicken Francaise and a lamb Gyro. I noted the clean Greek flavors even in an Italian dish such as the Chicken Francaise- lightly battered chicken with a sauce that was not too creamy and but pleasantly lemony. On the Greek side, the lamb Gyro was very satisfying with definite layers where the tongue can clearly taste every single ingredient- almost like reading this very sentence. Semi-thick slices of well-done lamb with roasted red bell-peppers and onions were embedded in pita bread that was wrapped in foil. This Gyro pairs very well with either of their Greek beers (I’ve tried both). A side of homemade potato wedges rounded off the plate to a sensible lunch option.

The service has always been decent. It’s definitely not for the needy customer who wishes his server to hover around him or her like a fly. Return clientele are always greeted with a smile… and occasional Greek banter if you’re native.
Try to score a shot of Ouzo at this place. I prefer it after the meal as the licorice spirit acts like a post-dining mouth-freshener. The name of this establishment misleads it to be an exclusively Greek menu. However, I have given the proprietor the benefit of the doubt that he probably wants to attract a broad consumer base... and sneakily turn them on to Greek cuisine.

IN A NUTSHELL: When in taste doubt, ask for lemon wedges. It enlivens all their entrees up. It’s simple food at a not-so-expensive bill. An ideal place for an outdoor lunch. Gobble the gyro as you watch I-4 pulse rhythmically over the bridge on Lake Ivanhoe. This is soul food- Greek style.

Mama Nems' Soul Food: Mama Not-So-Bad

Just off Kirkman Road North is Mama Nems'. Or Mama Not-so-bad (read on and find out why). A few people had recommended this place a while back and I decided to check it out one fine afternoon last week. I had envisioned this place as being a rather old, bustling local diner circa 1970's with green linoleum flooring. In reality, it was quite a surprise to see this place with modest-yet-tasteful decor and generous lighting. However, there were no expectations in this aspect and I would have been fine with either situation.

I did have an expectation for good soul food. And nothing, and I mean it, NOTHING in my opinion is better to prove if the joint has soul than if the collard greens are worth selling your first born for a bowl of goodness. I ordered it right away. When they came out, they looked fine. The collards had retained their wonderful shade of green and the steam from the bowl wafted lasciviously around my head. However, Mama was disappointed in the taste- I wanted to go into the kitchen and tell her to use ham hocks rather than turkey for that feel-good flavor. The greens were a tad salty and I wish they were rendered further to a less-chewy consistency. So, I didn't feel the need to sign away my future child for it. B- , Mama.

Moving on to some fried green tomatoes, lima beans, mac-n-cheese (or Cheese and Mac as they call it probably for litigious reasons). The tomatoes were scalding hot which were great (exceptionally hot food = plated food came straight from the kitchen to your table. No I-4 traffic jam/stalling along the way). The rest of the sides were flavorful and decent. Mama, you get a B+ for this round.

The second test of good soul food is cornbread. One word- disintegratable. This Jiffy Cornbread Mix probably was tweaked in the wrong direction- it broke apart so easily that I had difficulty even tasting it before it landed everywhere except my mouth. Mama, you cut corners here. You get an F-.

The third test- Fried Chicken. It was delightful. Not too salty, perfectly cooked to crispy oh-my-g*d-my-arteries-just-screamed-but-I-don't-care goodness. This is probably the best fried chicken I've had in Orlando so far. Mama needs to enlighten me on a few chicken cooking secrets... either that or just mail me a box of that yum-yum every weekend. A-.

The waiter that greeted us was professional, honest, and above all, there to serve. His service was quick and well received. He brought a few slices of fresh pineapple with our meal that perfectly finished the main course on a sweet note. I especially enjoyed this smart and simple culinary touch.

IN A NUTSHELL- Good, but I didn't leave feeling the urge to revisit Mama soon. I did leave feeling satiated- and that's important for soul food. Final score? Mama's not so bad. If you go, try their fried chicken and 2 sides deal for a good (and cheap) bite. Hopefully, Mama will read this and take a hint on the cornbread.