Archive for Orlando

Krusty Burger & Lard Lad Donuts Coming To Universal Studio Florida’s Springfield

Greetings from Springfield

I’ve never really watched the Simpsons but that might have to do with the fact that when I was in junior high my friend Danny Suarez (yes full name and all) would spend the entire day quoting Bart Simpson. It made me lose any interest in even watching the show but I know I’m in the minority here. It’s been on for an eternity and spawned many pop culture characters.

Universal Studios Florida is finally opening up a Springfield area this summer where you can visit and eat from Krusty Burger, Lard Lad Donuts, the Frying Dutchman, Luigi’s Pizza or grab a cold Duff Beer at Moe’s Tavern. The Duff Beer is being brewed exclusively for Universal Orlando. The concept art looks great and maybe now that many years have passed, I’ll give the Simpsons another whirl.

(click to enlarge)

Concept Art courtesy of Universal (click to enlarge)

 Springfield Press Release

ENTER THE WORLD OF SPRINGFIELD LIKE NEVER BEFORE -
ONLY AT UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT!

ORLANDO, Fla. (May 23, 2013) - Woo Hoo! Springfield, hometown to America’s favorite animated family, The Simpsons, comes to life at Universal Orlando Resort this summer.

The expansive, new area within Universal Studios will be anchored by the mega-attraction, The Simpsons Ride, and will allow guests to enter the world of The Simpsons like never before. It will be the only place in the world where guests can walk the streets of Springfield. It will include a brand-new outdoor attraction, places and foods pulled right from the show and two new Simpsons characters who will make their debut with the new area – Krusty the Clown and Sideshow Bob.

And yes – there will be Duff Beer, brewed exclusively for Universal Orlando.

For the first time ever – anywhere – fans will be able to walk down Fast Food Boulevard and visit the places that helped Springfield stake its claim as “Shelbyville by the Sea.” They will be able to grab a Krusty-certified meat sandwich at Krusty Burger, snatch the catch of the day at the Frying Dutchman, get a slice at Luigi’s Pizza, go nuts for donuts at Lard Lad, enjoy a “Taco Fresho” with Bumblebee Man and imbibe at Moe’s Tavern.

The new attraction – called Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl – will take “foolish humans” on an intergalactic spin designed to send them into orbit.

“This will be a must-see experience for Simpsons fans all over the world,” said Mark Woodbury, President of Universal Creative. “For the first time ever, they’re going to be able to enter a world that they’ve only seen on television – and we’re really excited to bring that world to life.”

“This new expansion will broaden and deepen the already incredible experience at Universal, by bringing to life the iconic landmarks of Springfield that fans have grown to love,” said Jeffrey Godsick, President, Fox Consumer Products. “Fans will literally be able to live and breathe Springfield as they visit the statue of Jebediah, enjoy a Krusty Burger, and have a seat at Moe’s Tavern, which are just a few of the great experiences awaiting at Universal.”

“It has been an honor to bring the world of the Simpsons to life in such a letter-perfect way,” said Denise Sirkot, President, Worldwide Brand, Gracie Films. “Truly this is the Krustyest place on earth.”

For more information, visit www.universalorlando.com.

Kernel Encore – Orlando, Florida

Kernel Encore

I had driven past Kernel Encore in Orlando a couple of times but it was closed on both occasions. This time I went to hit it up at noon to ensure it was open. I walk in and I’m greeted by baskets and shelving filled with all types of flavored Popcorn.

Popcorn Display

Popcorn Display

There’s a Menu Board listing the many options and the majority of them sounded good. I wasn’t sure how I was going to decide which flavors I wanted. You can ask for samples but I think if I got all involved with that I’d never make a decision.

Kernel Encore Menu

Kernel Encore Menu

Hot Wings, Guava and Triple Chocolate Dipped Caramel were what I settled on.

Triple Chocolate Dipped Caramel, Buffalo Wing & Guava

Triple Chocolate Dipped Caramel, Hot Wings & Guava

The Triple Chocolate Dipped Caramel was just as you’d imagine it tasting, no surprises here. The Guava was sweet but did not really give me much of a Guava taste. That minor detail did not seem to stop my wife from enjoying it in one sitting while watching TV. The Hot Wings….yeah. It was just like a Hot Wing minus all the Chicken. Kidding aside, it tasted like a Buffalo Chicken Wing (not just like the Sauce). I can now clearly see the “Buffalo Bleu Wings” Popcorn in my near future.

Pop In To:

Kernel Encore Gourmet Popcorn
Facebook: Kernel Encore Gourmet Popcorn
Twitter: @KernelEncore
601 North Primrose Drive Orlando, FL 32803
407-897-7022

Kernel Encore Gourmet Popcorn on Urbanspoon

Olde Dixie Fried Chicken lives on in Orlando

Dixie Fried Chicken

“Nice hat!” is what I thought once we parked. Nothing is this joint has been updated in at least 30 years. Olde Dixie Fried Chicken is retro, old school, and any other term everyone has heaped on it but it’s also a dive, which is closest to what it really is. It’s a dive with lots of charm though.

After ordering we sat down in the eating area and awaited our grub. I’ve heard folks mention that the chicken comes out dry since it’s been sitting under heat lamps, we’ll see what happens. My 2 piece (breast & wing) with fries and a side of mashed potatoes arrive. The mashed potatoes are of the powdered variety BUT the yellowish transparent gravy which one can only hope is a Chicken gravy was extra special. A biscuit would have definitely come in handy in this case but they don’t make any (you do get a roll though).

Mash Potatoes

My chicken breast was almost perfectly cooked but just a little bit over into the greasy category, dry it was not. It was definitely just fried and had some good “fried chicken” taste to it. The wing was the exact opposite and all dried up. He’d been definitely living it up and getting his rays for the last couple of hours. The exposure caused him to get slightly crispier which was not a good exchange for the dryness. The fries were crinkle cut and as are most frozen fries, in need of a ketchup bath.

Fried Chicken w/Mash Potatoes & Crinkle Cut Fries

I’d suggest you give Old Dixie Fried Chicken a try if anything for the experience. You might roll the dice and end up with 2 dried or crispy fried pieces of chicken but the gravy on those potatoes is a worthy consolation prize.

Get Olde & Fried:

Olde Dixie Fried Chicken
5925 S Orange Ave Orlando, FL 32809
407-855-0681

Bacon Off is Almost Here! Sunday June 17th!

Bacon Off is just a week away and I can just taste it in my mouth already.

The Big Wheel Truck and C&S Brisket Bus will be smoking it all out on the line for the Big “V” at the inaugural Bacon Off in Orlando. It all takes place on Sunday June 17th from 12-4PM so come out with your Dad and celebrate Father’s Day with a little bacon love. Tickets are limited but you’ll be buying yours after watching the video:


 

Eat Bacon on Father’s Day:

Bacon Off Orlando 2012
FacebookBacon Off
Twitter: @BaconOffOrlando

When: Father’s Day Sunday June 17th
Time: 12PM – 4PM
Where: East End Market -  3201 Corrine Drive Orlando, FL 32789
Tickets: Limited but still AVAILABLE

Oblivion Taproom in Orlando, Florida

Oblivion Taproom

I have a great feeling about Oblivion Taproom as we’re pulling up to it and parking. There’s something telling me this is going to be my kinda place. I had already already checked out the menu online beforehand and while it’s Burger heavy, there were quite a few other items that had my attention also like the Pork Lovers Nachos and the Italian Corn Dog.

I enjoyed my first meal here so much I returned on the following day to try out a few more dishes. Everything you see in pictures below was eaten over the course of 2 different days, by my wife and I on the first night and with the addition of Droolius on the 2nd night.

On both nights we started out with their Smoked Chicken Wings. These fellas are seasoned with a BBQ dry rub, smoked and then “crisped”. They were nice and indeed crispy with a smokey undertone. The homemade ranch sauce was of the gods.

Wings

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Bacon Off Orlando 2012: Big Wheel Truck vs. C&S Brisket Bus

Oh Bacon, how do I love thee. And Dad….you’re pretty cool too!

On Father’s Day Sunday June 17th from 12PM – 4PM will be the inaugural Bacon Off featuring a battle of epic proportions between Big Wheel Truck and C&S Brisket Bus. What started “off as playful Twitter banter between the two trucks on whose bacon is best” has grown into a full blown epic event.

Attendees will pick the winner after receiving a sampler plate from each food truck and voting in 5 different categories: Best Original Bacon, Best Novelty Bacon, Best Bacon Side, Best Bacon Product, Bacon Grand Champion. The winning truck gets “Bacon Bragging Rights”. I wouldn’t want to lose this battle.

The $30 ticket gets you a sampler platter from each truck as well as a beer. Tickets are available now at www.baconofforlando.com or directly from the Big Wheel Truck and C&S Brisket Bus.

This will be my first foray in producing an event in Orlando along with my friends at the The Daily City and Droolius. I hope to see you see there but make sure to get your tickets now as they are limited and sure to sell out.

Eat Bacon on Father’s Day:

Bacon Off Orlando 2012
Facebook: Bacon Off
Twitter: @BaconOffOrlando

When: Father’s Day Sunday June 17th
Time: 12PM – 4PM
Where: East End Market -  3201 Corrine Drive Orlando, FL 32789
Tickets: Limited but AVAILABLE NOW

C&S Brisket Bus is from Orlando and they’re Amazing!

I’ve been up to several Food Truck Events in Orlando but I’ve never run into the C&S Brisket Bus not for lack of trying though. It was inevitable this weekend that we would collide as they were not only attending the Food Truck Rally at Gulfstream Park but also the closing party at #SoBeWFF Trucks on the Beach.

C&S Brisket Bus

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