YUMMY TASTE - WATERFORD LAKES

Thanks to a foodie friend, who, much like myself, eats for the love of eating and not for the gram, I got to be introduced to Yummy Taste. Located in one of the larger shopping centers on Alafaya Trail (near Royal Tea), you will find Yummy Taste which now occupies the space that was once V.L.C Vegan Eatery.

My friend Allyson and I were the only patrons inside for the entire lunch hour, with a few people coming in to pick up to-go orders. She has become a regular patron and assured me it's busier on nights and weekends. I trust her recommendations, so we set out to order and split everything.

What we ordered:

• Mung Bean Jelly with Chili

• Cucumber Sticks 

• Boiled Pots Beef

• Sweet Rice Cake

• Sweet/Sour Ribs

The first two appetizer dishes (Mung Bean Jelly with Chili + Cucumber Sticks) were an excellent way to start the meal. The Mung Bean takes on the flavor of the chili oil, and while the cucumber sticks have their spice on them, it still helps balance and cool you down. 

The large bowl of boiled pots beef was full of flavor with succulent thinner pieces of beef that mixed with rice was a heavenly entree to share. The sweet and sour ribs were straightforward and tender, without the sweetness overpowering each bite. And the rice cakes were like mini chewy donuts. Nothing we ordered missed the mark, and we were treated to a plate of sliced oranges for dessert by our lovely waitress (who may have also been the owner).

Vibe: Casual

Pricing: I split a bunch of dishes for $40 with tip and had lots of leftovers

Kid Friendly - Yes

Vegan Options - Yes

Outdoor Seating - No

THE KIND CLEAVER - WINTER GARDEN

This one is for the vegans. Over in downtown Winter Garden you can head into Main House Market, which now shares its counter with A Kind Cleaver. If you are vegan or eat a primarily plant-based diet, this is an excellent spot to know about, as the fridges inside the space are home to many plant-based local makers and goods. If you feel like sticking around to eat, check out The Kind Cleavers deli sandwiches. On this visit, I got the French Dip.

Complete with a flavorful au jus for dipping, this meatless and hearty sandwich impressed me for having no meat. The au jus really adds the extra kick of flavor needed to take this sandwich to another level. As someone who does eat meat, I can't claim the textures are the same or say “you won't even realize it's vegan” because you will, but these sandwiches are an excellent replacement for those who love a hearty sandwich and fail to find vegan options around Orlando. However, I will note my husband got their version of a Cuban sandwich, and there was way too much mustard on it; it overpowered any other possible flavor, so if you go, ask them to go light on the sauces or condiments.

Vibe: Casual

Pricing: For 2 people +$30

Kid Friendly - Yes

Vegan Options - It’s all vegan

Outdoor Seating - Yes

MEET FRESH - PINE HILLS

Meet Fresh is a chain, but the first location for Orlando opened in the Chinatown plaza off of W. Colonial. The Taiwanese dessert chain offers far more than your average boba shop. You might feel overwhelmed looking at the menu when you arrive, so I recommend looking at it before you go.

I tried the Pudding & Q Mochi Milk Shaved Ice and the Black Sugar Boba Milk Tea on my first visit. The shaved ice dish is quite large, and I recommend sharing it, although they will give you a to-go container if you don't finish it. The dish is a texture lover's dream—sweet ice cream atop a mountain of shaved ice with all the fun jiggling components sitting pretty at the bottom. The toppings include almond and caramel pudding, Mini Q, the miniature version of their Taro Balls, smooth and Q Mochi, sweet and chewy melon. Was that overwhelming just to read? Well, what's great about looking at the website first is that if you need to know what some of these toppings are, it shows you exactly what they look like so you can identify and make sure the dish you want comes complete with items you are willing to try.

Nothing on this dish or any dishes will be overly sweet. The small ice cream scoop on top was by far the sweetest topping on this dish.

I recommend going during the week because I first went on a Saturday afternoon and ended up leaving because it was so packed with people. You always have the option of ordering online if you are going to go when it's busy.

Vibe: Casual

Pricing: My dessert & boba was around $20

Kid Friendly - Yes

Vegan Options - With customization

Outdoor Seating - No

PICKLES DELI - LONGWOOD

Pickles NY Style Deli has been around for quite a while, but I learned that in recent times it came under new ownership. I hadn't been since that change, so I went for a quick lunch during the week. The outdoor patio was full at lunchtime, with a few tables to grab. So if you still prefer to eat outside, this is an ideal spot.

The menu is extensive, with all sorts of sandwiches, wraps, salads, and more, but I wanted to try something out of my usual eating regimen. As I weighed all the options I kept returning to the Brooklyn Reuben. I worked for TooJay's Deli for a while on the corporate side and was never a big fan of the large, circular deli sandwiches they were known for, so that had left me skeptical of corned beef and pastrami, something I rarely eat. Nevertheless, I went ahead and ordered it.

I'm so glad I tried something different because I'm still thinking about the flavors of this sandwich. Thanks mostly in part to the Russian dressing. A savory, salty, puckering trifecta brought together between some very tender meat and sauerkraut. It was a win. Paired with our jar of pickled goodies, it made for a very satisfying lunch.

Vibe: Casual

Pricing: For 2 people +$40

Kid Friendly - Yes

Vegan Options - Salads

Outdoor Seating - Yes

MR. J HAND-PULLED NOODLES - OCOEE

Over in Ocoee, don’t think you are in the wrong spot when you are looking for Mr. J Hand-Pulled Noodles and the sign says Crabs and Wings. You are in the right spot. This tiny space in a strip center had 10 tables and a full family behind the counter working. If you aren’t familiar with hand-pulled noodles, it is clearly a more labor intensive, handmade way to offer noodle dishes than using a machine. To taste the difference you’ll want to notice how chewy and springy your noodles are versus some that may seem a little dull an lifeless, and hollow.

There are eight noodle types and if you feel like you aren’t educated enough to know what noodle would be best in the dish you want, just ask and they will guide you.

We started the meal with gyoza and then tried the signature Mr. J’s Hand-Pulled Noodle dish and the Stir Fried Hand-Pulled Noodle. The broth in the noodle soup was flavorful and the noodles were hearty. It was hard to finish! The sour plum juice was also a nice addition over say a Coke or water. Definitely a great spot to try especially if you are a noodle lover.

Vibe: Casual

Pricing: For 2 people $50 with tip

Kid Friendly - Yes

Vegan Options - no

Outdoor Seating - No

Ravenous Pig Beer Garden - Winter park

The Ravenous Pig Beer Garden is such an excellent addition to the Winter Park food scene, and it took me far too long to go check it out. The mostly shaded outdoor area feels supremely Florida, and as someone who doesn't understand why after the height of a global pandemic more restaurants aren't' focusing on outdoor dining in a state that can handle it pretty much year-round, I appreciate this space so much.

The outdoor beer garden has its own menu with casual fare from burgers, sandwiches, oysters, snacks, and more. In addition, there is a limited cocktail menu and, of course, beer. I tried their Smash Burger ($18) on my visit and split a pretzel with my friend ($12). As someone who tries not to eat burgers a lot, I was glad for this indulgence because it was thick, juicy, and filling (as it should be for the price tag). Paired with a Paloma on a Friday evening with mild temps and the breeze blowing, it made for a lovely casual start to the weekend. Of course, no one would ever refer to the Ravenous Pig as cheap, but for the pricing, as it was, we left full and satisfied.

It's kid and dog friendly, and our service was excellent.

Vibe: Casual

Pricing: For 2 people +$70 with alcohol

Kid Friendly - Yes

Vegan Options - No

Outdoor Seating - No

St. Vic’s Smoke Shack - orlando

Look up St. Vic's Smoke Shack on Google or Yelp, and you'll see five stars across both platforms. I usually don't go somewhere based on one random recommendation, but it's time to investigate after a few come in on their own with no connection.

St. Vic's has some loyal enthusiasts who told me to check out his small spot near College Park off Orange Blossom Trail. It's a tiny white building with his name and the hashtag "flavor matters ." You order at the window on the side of the building, where you will also find a menu.

We got two platters, pulled pork, and sliced brisket with sides and sodas for $33. Unfortunately, this is a takeout-only spot, with no seating inside or out, so we took our food to the nearby Dartmouth Park off Edgewater to eat at one of their picnic tables.

The brisket and the pulled pork were both excellent. Flavorful, tender, and not burdened with a ton of fat, the sauces that came with them, while not needed, added some great punch. My Creole Beans and Rice were good, and the Collards had great flavor, but the mac and cheese tasted old, with some hard noodles in there that could have benefited from some salt. Overall tho, the central star, the meat was great.

Vibe: Casual

Pricing: For 2 people $33

Kid Friendly - N/A

Vegan Options - No

Outdoor Seating - No

BOMBAY STREET KITCHEN - ORLANDO

I love Bombay Street Kitchen. I want everyone to love it. I want people who don't usually eat Indian food to go here and try new things, be dazzled by all the flavors, and do little happy dances in their chairs like I do when I go. However, I know not everyone likes Indian food or finds the flavors quite as mesmerizing as I do, and they have a hard time straying from anything beyond Butter Chicken. I understand; truly I do! That was me many years ago. I could kick myself thinking about what 2008 Lindsey was ordering at a fantastic Indian spot in N.Y.C. versus what I would order now!

So if that is you, go to Bombay Street Kitchen with friends or family, order a bunch of dishes, and see what pleases you. Here is what I got on my last visit:

KURKURI BHINDI BHEL is a small dish of crispy okra and other vegetables: nothing too wild, just great flavors co-mingling and fun crunchy textures. 

SAMOSA CHAAT - This is a more shareable way to enjoy a Samosa's flavors. I love getting this with an order of Naan bread on the side and dipping it.

KEEMA PAV - Pav bread, minced lamb, onions. This one is a little more bread-heavy, but you can take the minced lamb and spread it on the pav bread that already has some flavorful chutney and added onions.

VEGGIE UTTAPAM - Rice pancakes, onion, peas, tomato, and cilantro. A savory pancake with some fantastic dipping sauces. This was a new item for me, and I loved it. It would also be something mild for kids to try.

Also, randomly, a family sat near us while we were eating; they looked at the menu and told the waiter they couldn't stay because they didn't like spicy food, so they left. I was very confused by this, but I'll say plenty on this menu is not spicy - it's FLAVORFUL. While you may not recognize every ingredient listed on an item, Google it or ask the accommodating wait staff. Don't just leave! They can help guide you.

Vibe: Casual

Pricing: Varies

Kid Friendly - Yes

Vegan Options - Vegetarian mostly

Outdoor Seating - No

All opinions are my own and all food was paid for personally. No sponsored or hosted meals.