For a while, I was commuting to Orlando just to go to college. Then I fell in love and got into graduate school, which culminated in me moving in with the love of my life to the city we both fell in love in.
Now we've moved out, but that is not to say I won't miss it. In fact, my sister Jasmine and I talk often about the things that we miss. Most of this is the simple access to a more diverse array of delicious food, so I thought I would share a few of my favorites today and make myself a little more nostalgic for the things that I can't have unless I want to drive an hour.
Where is SODO, Orlando?
"SODO" is short for "South of Downtown." So, SODO, Orlando is south of Orlando's downtown area, which means that we were close enough to experience the city and far enough to find pockets of peace throughout the day (but of course, never during traffic hour).
Address: 7091 S Orange Blossom Trl, Orlando, FL 32809
Phone Number: (407) 420-7748
When I first heard that there was a drive-through for Vietnamese food, my initial thought was that there was no way that it was good. Vietnamese food is something that takes time and patience to develop; drive-throughs contradict that idea, leading me to think of quick and cheap food. I wasn't expecting anything remotely close to what my family made at home.
After our first time, my sister and I were repeat customers. It became a go-to after a long hot walk in the park because they had incredible sugarcane juice. Not only that, but the flavor of the short-rib pho defied any ideas of quick and cheap. If we wanted to indulge, we would also get an order of eggrolls or dumplings as appetizers. It was a taste of home for us without having to commute an hour.
Phone Number: (312) 550-2090
Speaking of hot walks in the park, we visited many parks while we lived in Orlando. Damian loved them, and it reminded us why Orlando had the slogan of "The City Beautiful." I loved taking pictures at the natural beauty we had so close to the city. One of our favorite parks was Cypress Grove, partially because it was wonderfully shaded by trees.
The other part was that if we showed up at the right time on Sundays, there would be a flag up for Unicorn Ice, which was an Italian shaved ice cart rolling around the park. While we loved the strawberry and the mango, the unicorn flavor was some magical triple threat that was the perfect weapon against a hot day.
Address: They have 2 locations.
3400 S Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32806
9825 S Orange Blossom Trl, Orlando, FL 32837
Phone Number: (786) 879-0043
One of the biggest complaints we have about moving to a small town is that it is truly sleepy--my sister and my fiancé would be doomed with their late-night cravings if I didn't know how to cook. Most things close in this town by 10 PM. Big cities like Orlando have the benefit of night life and businesses that will open to support the night owl population.
The Barranquitruck was one of our favorite late-night bites, existing right across the street and open until midnight. If I had to say where the best burger in Orlando was, I would say it is the Hawaiian Burger from Barranquitruck. And if you don't get full off of that, the desgranados mixtos is worth the sauce that will drip down your fingers (I don't know enough Spanish, but if I had to translate from my experience, this is the perfect plate of loaded French fries).
Address: 247 E Michigan St, Orlando, FL 32806
Phone Number: (407) 730-7315
This list would be incomplete if I didn't include dessert somewhere, and Sister Honey's is the place to go for a slice of pie or cake. I was going so often that the man behind the counter said, "Until I see you next time." Last time, I had no idea how to tell him that next time would probably be a lot longer than we thought.
I have yet to try their signature cake, which is a hummingbird cake. That might be because everything else is too enticing when I show up. Even outside of strawberry season, the strawberry cream pie is a must in my book. Their pound cakes are delicious, especially if they have the brown sugar one or the ube coconut. Honestly, now that I'm thinking about it, maybe I should consider having them cater a cake...
Address: 6056 S Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32809
Phone Number: (407) 859-2667
If I needed a place to remind you that I love the elderly, and that I started this blog as an homage to my grandma, this is going to be it. Mimi's Kitchen is run by Mimi, an elderly Korean lady who uses purple shampoo in her silver hair. In all the time that I started eating here, she is the only one busing the tables, running the register, and cooking the food. Be kind to her, because she kind of hobbles slowly.
Everything tastes homemade. I have never had purple rice before I started going to Mimi's, and now I want to learn how to make my own (apparently the secret is mixing black and white rice). My go-to is the LA Galbi, and my sister will get the bulgogi, and then we will split both dishes. And I love talking to Mimi a little every time I come in, because I believe it will help keep her sharp.
Grandma Sau's Favorite: Chicho's Grill
Address: 239 E Michigan St, Orlando, FL 32806
Phone: (407) 800-8030
If there is food that has the ability to make your day, it is the food that comes from Chicho's Grill. Even my sister Jasmine agrees; while she isn't a big fan of Mexican food, she is a big fan of this place.
Their chicken sandwich beats any that we've ever had, probably because the coleslaw is better than any we've ever had. Somehow it still tastes fresh and crispy, while the typical problem with coleslaw on a chicken sandwich is that it becomes too wet and droopy from the heat of the sandwich. There is also something about the way they season their fries that make them the perfect bite, every time, and we've experienced three different iterations of them since they moved to Sodo. The perfect blend of sweet and savory, these fries have the ability to change the outlook of my whole day.
While I've only been gone for about two months, it's hard to believe that these places are no longer in my backyard. But I won't stay away from them forever, because they are still within travel distance. And who knows? Maybe I'll actually move back some day.
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