I just returned from a week-long trip to Mount Dora in Central Florida. Have you never heard of it? If my wife and I didn’t hit up Antique Shops, we probably wouldn’t have either.
Mount Dora is a great little town, filled with the friendliest folks you’ll find and plenty of independently owned shops that the community comes out and supports.
This post will be a little different than how I usually do things. I will update this post over the next few days and add more information about my weeklong trip.
So please leave comments, as I’d like to hear your thoughts. Thanks.
This Mount Dora Eats post was never finished in March 2013; please bear with me as I work on updating and finishing it:
https://web.archive.org/web/20160504035445/http://burgerbeast.com/2013/03/26/my-one-week-visit-to-mount-dora-florida-restaurants-food-trucks-all/
Monday
Our check-in is for Noon, but that’s not possible for us. Every Monday Night, I curate the Food Trucks at Arts Park Event in Hollywood (until 2020), which means we can’t be on our way until the food trucks are set up and ready to go.
The event starts at 5:30 PM. So that means we’ve got a 4-hour trip right after that, and we can expect to be there at the earliest by 9:30 PM. I know I have to be in the Orlando area before 9 PM cause that’s when That One Spot in Ocoee closes.
So with a heavy foot, I make it happen.
That One Spot Burger – Ocoee, Florida
We’ve got our two dogs (Max & Elsa) with us, so we must sit outside for this round. My wife Marcela goes with her favorite Greek Spinach Veggie Burger. At the same time, I have the ridiculous in-size Crunch Burger (horseradish sauce, bleu cheese, pecan smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, and onion rings), which is not exactly the ideal late-night meal if you want to get to sleep soon after.
We wash those down with fresh-cut fries and some of their unique mac ‘n cheese with corn, jalapeños & bacon.
That One Spot
10968 W Colonial Drive
Ocoee, FL
(407) 877-7575
We’re staying at Dora Cottage, in the middle of town and right across the street from Village Antique Mall, which we always visit when in Central Florida.
We arrive at around 10:15 PM, and after we unload, I sit down and plan out exactly what I’d like to do all week (which is relax). And eat.
Tuesday
Cody’s on 4th – Mount Dora, Florida
As usual, on my first night at any new place I’m staying, I can not sleep. I was up early, so a drive around Downtown Mount Dora was in order. I end up at Cody’s on 4th.
Cody’s on 4th could be described as a cozy hometown breakfast/lunch spot. It’s right around 9 AM when I arrive, and I’m the only person here. It starts filling up while I’m waiting for my to-go order.
I did consider eating here, but I didn’t think Marcela would like to wake up to find out I went and had breakfast without her. So they ask if I wouldn’t mind waiting a little longer for freshly brewed coffee, and I’m ok with that.
Everyone who works and is taking seats near me seems to know each other; ah…the perks of living in a small town.
Along with the two coffees, I order some French Toast, an English muffin breakfast sandwich (egg, cheddar cheese & sausage), and their Farmer Quiche (mushroom, broccoli). Each of the three dishes comes with a fruit salad. Luckily, she is already awake when I get back.
Marcela loves her French toast along with the fruit salad. My breakfast sandwich was just like what you imagine a fast food version should taste like. It wasn’t greasy, and the English muffin was slightly larger than you’ll find in the bread aisle at your local supermarket.
The cheddar cheese stood out on this, probably an aged sharp cheddar, if I had to guess. The Farmer Quiche was a five-biter and worth having. Finally, I picked out the pieces of banana from the fruit salad and polished off my coffee. It was a great start to my first morning in Mount Dora.
P.S.: Believe it or not, I took no pictures.
Cody’s on 4th
111 East 4th Avenue
Mount Dora, FL
(352) 735-8426
Ken’s Amish Deli & Bakery – Mount Dora, Florida
Marcela headed out to check out the shops downtown while I stayed in and watched some TruTv. Unfortunately, I watched TruTV so much that those fake reality shows began to look realistic.
I had to get out and clear my head for a bit, so I went down to Ken’s Place, where I encountered Big Olaf Amish Ice Cream. They also have Amish Pies, Cincinnati-style Chili, and New York-style Bagels.
I’m unsure how I ended up with 4 pints of Ice Cream since it usually takes me over a week to get through just one pint.
The brand Big Olaf is from an Amish community near Sarasota, and it’s been around 25 years. If you’re an Ice Cream fan, you should check it out.
The vanilla was nice and creamy. Marcela ate hers over the next few days, I can’t remember the flavor, but it was a mix of things like Heath, M&Ms, chocolate, etc. She loved it.
Ken’s Amish Deli & Bakery
335 S Highland Street
Mount Dora, FL
(888) 399-5002
She had bought me a Coca-Cola Plane at one of the shops for my collection. I don’t have a Coca-Cola plane collection but a Coca-Cola collection, to clarify, lol.
Taste of Chicago & More – Mount Dora, Florida
But before I tried the ice cream, I ordered a burger at Taste of Chicago & More. I had been there a few weeks earlier and had their chili cheese dog, which was pretty good.
They had just run out of burgers, so I was pretty shit out of luck on that day. However, the fries I got to eat were fresh-cut and reminiscent of Five Guy’s style.
The burger came with the cheese melted on a fluffy bun with bacon cooked to order (not earlier & sitting in a grease stew). The only problem was the burger itself was not good.
I ended up having a bacon, cheese, and french fry sandwich.
Taste of Chicago & More is PERMANENTLY CLOSED846 E. 5th Avenue
Mount Dora, FL
(352) 383-3647
Jeremiah’s – Mount Dora, Florida
Jeremiah’s was right across from where I was staying, maybe a 30-foot walk tops. It’s Ultimate Fighter night, so I can’t miss it.
We walk across the street and encounter a Bennigan’s flashback (tchotchkes and all). Jeremiah’s has been around for 25 years, which put its creation right around the time those types of joints (Bennigan’s, Chili’s, T.G.I. Fridays) spread throughout the U.S.
Oddly enough, it felt great to walk in there. It reminded me of the countless dinners I ate in places like this when I was in my teens with my sister, parents, and my late grandparents.
I knew what to expect when ordering, so I started with the French onion soup, which was right on point, exactly what you’d expect. I didn’t back then and still don’t eat those crackers.
You’ve seen this platter before in a million other places. I’m a sucker for potato skins, and the wings were good. The chicken strips were excellent.
I should have substituted the onion rings and egg rolls for something else. They weren’t bad; they were just what they are.
Patty Melt Talk
One of the safest bets on any menu is the Patty Melt. There is only one way to execute this, and I never recall having a horrible Patty Melt in my lifetime.
Jeremiah’s Patty Melt was a fresh beef patty with double cheese (that never hurt anybody).
Jeremiah’s closes shop at 9 PM (except on Fri & Sat, it’s 10 PM), but if you want to keep the drinks flowing, next door is McGregor’s, which is open till 2 AM every night.
Jeremiah’s
500 N Highland Street
Mount Dora, FL
(352) 383-7444
Wednesday
PizzaAmore’ – Mount Dora, Florida
I had been coughing up a storm, so I really wasn’t up to going out early. I stayed in, and Marcela brought us some lunch from PizzAmore.
The garlic knots were baked, but what I liked best was the fresh garlic slivers on top of them. They weren’t oily, as some joints just love drowning them in a garlic oil mixture; the slivers did the talking here.
The pizza was a mix of Domino’s and Papa John’s but with better sauce. I wasn’t feeling the crust either.
Marcela generally sticks to cheese or pepperoni, which is why we ended up with a halfsie pie. I wish she would have ordered the Margherita instead.
PizzAmore ‘
622 N. Donnelly Street
Mount Dora, FL
(352) 383-0092
Curio: A Curiosity Shoppe – Orlando, Florida
If you watch the show Oddities as we do then you would definitely dig Curio: A Curiosity Shoppe. They’re only open on Wednesday through Saturday from 3:30 – 6 PM, which makes it impossible to make it there most of the time.
It’s even more difficult when they don’t show up or decide to open, which happened on this occasion. There’s a number on the door for texting about hours of operation or for setting up private visits.
They end up replying an hour later that they’re out of town today but will be back tomorrow (Thursday), we’ll be back.
Curio: A Curiosity Shoppe is PERMANENTLY CLOSED1809 N Orange Avenue
Orlando, FL
(407) 620-6181
Twisted Bliss – Orlando, Florida
To drown our sorrows over Curio being closed, we walk a couple of shops over and get some dessert from Twisted Bliss Ice Cream. They sell Gelatos, Italian Ice, and a mix of both called Gelati.
I settle for the Blue Raspberry Gelati. We sit in their hipster outdoor area and enjoy the nice weather while having our desserts. TTeal’seally is nothing like being on vacation.
Twisted Bliss is PERMANENTLY CLOSED1807 N. Orange Avenue
Orlando, FL
(407) 252-0454
Oblivion Taproom – Orlando, Florida
If I don’t stop into Oblivion Taproom every time I’m in the Orlando area, I would not be able to live with myself. They open up at 4 PM, so I wisely don’t finish my dessert because, c’mon, I need some real food.
The wings are a must, and today is Wing Wednesday, so of course, there’s a wing deal. The burgers are great, and you really shouldn’t miss their fresh-cut potato wedges; so f’n good.
I had never tried their Philly cheese steak, so tonight was the night. You’ve got the choice of cheese or whiz. I go wit whiz and onions.
It comes on an Amoroso roll to add even more authenticity to it. It was excellent and will be worked into my rotation of things I like to eat here.
Oblivion Taproom is PERMANENTLY CLOSED5101 E. Colonial Drive
Orlando, FL
(407) 802-4800
Thursday
We were in luck since our stay coincided with the monthly Food Truck Bazaar event on the third Thursday of the month.
Bem Bom Food Truck
While Marcela got an order of Udon Noodles from the Bem Bom Food Truck, I waited for the Twisted Cuban, who was running a little behind; insert Cuban-time joke here.
Twisted Cuban Food Truck
I didn’t wait very long, but eventually, I was able to enjoy the GBD Balls. These beauties are deep-fried arroz con pollo (Cuban seasoned yellow rice & shredded chicken) balls.
Friday
C&S Brisket Bus
Oh yes! C&S Brisket Bus!
Turkey Club from C&S Brisket Bus
I would marry this sandwich if I could. – Kenny’ssket Bus
Donut King
Uncle Kenny’s BBQ – 3-22-13
Saturday
Dairy Ranch – Leesburg, Florida
Check out these prices
Dairy Ranch is PERMANENTLY CLOSED1317 S 14th Street
Leesburg, FL
(352) 787-5806
Porkie’s Original BBQ – Apopka, Florida
Porkie’s Original BBQ
256 E Main Street
Apopka, FL
(407) 880-3351
Mi Mexico Carniceria Y Taqueria – Apopka, Florida
On my way out, I spotted a Mistico ceramic bank. It made me think of El Jefe Luchador since that’s my favorite taco at their spot.
The following week I went to El Jefe Luchador and gifted them this beauty!
Mi Mexico Carneceria Y Taqueria
387 E Main Street
Apopka, FL
(407) 884-7062
Sugarboo Bar-B-Q – Mount Dora, Florida
Smells so good around here!
Sugarboo Bar-B-Q is PERMANENTLY CLOSED1305 N Grandview Street
Mount Dora, FL
(352) 735-7675
Sunday
Taste of Chicago – Round 2
I just couldn’t leave Mount Dora without having chili dogs and fries with Marcela. She agreed; these babies were freakin’ delicious.
