the eaters

After almost 2 years of being official Orlando residents John and I have deemed it appropriate to start visiting new restaurants. What can we say? We are creatures of comfort and we know what we like - and what we like is normally cheap, fast, mexican, and sounds like chip-ol-tay.


Here is the rundown of our 2012 restaurant ventures (thus far):


Graffati Junktion (College Park)
This was kind of a tough pill for John to swallow. John currently works at a restaurant that has been voted the "Best Burger in Orlando" for years. That is, until Graffati Junktion came to town. They win. Hands down. I'm a sucker for a medium burger with bacon and jalepenios. really, does it get better?

My official restaurant-approval scale(1-5, 5 is the best):


Atmosphere: 4
Loved the picnic tables, TONS of TV's, fantastic people watching, dog friendly.


Food: 4.5 
Everything I ordered was fantastic! However, my medium burger was a little over-cooked. 


Beer Selection: 4
While I did get to drink Landshark draught (side note: draught beer > bottle beer) I would have had Stella had it been available on draught... however it was offered in a bottle.


Price: 5
Totally reasonable. $45 for 2 people, dinners, beers and a shot. 

Wildside (College Park)
This was kinda cheating for me because I have been to the Wildside location downtown with friends but this however was Johns first experience thus we are counting it as new. John and I stopped by Wildside for a late lunch and drinks this past Saturday. They earned double points for having Stella on draught and triple points for having TVs that faced outside! They have a GREAT patio for optimal people watching and a good selection of food options on their menu. John and I split chicken wings and a burger both were pretty good (chicken wings were better than the burger). However our server literally sucked. John and I have both worked in the restaurant industry and John still does as a server ... so we generally cut our servers a TON of slack (lots of time too much) when it comes to waiting on us. But this server at Wildside wasn't cutting it. She wasn't funny (but she tried to be), she was socially awkward, I waited for 30 mins for my 2nd beer and she just never could get the "right" timing for ordering, drinks, check, etc. We will definitely go back .... as long as that terrible server is in another section!

Atmosphere: 4

Great patio / great TVs

Food: 4

The food was good but after having a burger from Graffiti a few weeks earlier .... nothing could top it.

Beer Selection: 5

Stella on draught. I really don't need to know much else.

Price: 4

It was a little expensive for the quality of the food and WAYY to expensive for the quality of service.

Cocina 214 (Winter Park)

Ummm .... I've got 6 words for this place: BEST GUACAMOLE AND COLDEST BEER EVER!

It may be my affinity for mexican or my undying love of guacamole, or it could be that the beer tap is covered in a 3 inch sheet of solid ice. Either way, this place is pure heaven located 3 blocks from our house! AND they have a happy hour. I really don't think I need to say anymore. 

Atmosphere: 5

High-end. Perfect for a girls night / date night. 

Food: 5

Judging only the guacamole since that's all I've had I'm giving it a 5!

Beer Selection: 3

Mexican beers only on draught. HOWEVER, they are served at 19 degrees. Nothing else matters.

Price: 2

Friggin expensive.

Tollas (Winter Park)

So I should start of by saying that this should have been the FIRST place we tried when we moved here. Why? Because it's literally 4 houses down from our house. So for 2 years (almost) I have passed this crowded little Italian restaurant COUNTLESS times a day but I always forgot about it when it came time for choosing where to eat. John and I stopped in last night thanks to a little BOGO coupon we got in the mail. SUPER cute little Italian restaurant with 15(ish) tables total. Sweet servers, hearty food and some very good live music. We started with a tomato and mozzarella caprese salad and then I had Chicken Tolla and John had Chicken Parm. Both entrees were served with a salad and bread and both were great.  WHY it took us 2 years to stop by is beyond me, but it's definitely our loss. We will for sure be going back soon. Maybe tomorrow? After I finish my leftovers in the fridge :)

Atmosphere: 4

Cute. Little white christmas lights were in the trees and the live music was a nice touch. It looks fancy with the while table cloths (John and I felt under-dressed) but once we sat down we were at ease. 

Food: 4

The food was good. It was not the BEST Italian I've ever had, but everything was homemade and delicious.

Beer Selection: ?

Hmm... I don't know! I actually had Diet Coke to drink! But come to think of it, I think they have a Peroni sign hanging out front. I like Peroni.

Price: 4

It was cheap for us because we had the coupon but the bill was around $50 without the coupon and that didn't include any alcohol.

Here are some other places we have tried but just haven't gotten around to reviewing (yet):

• PR's BBQ
• The Enzian's Eden Grill