Grub Crawl - UCF Area: Lucky's Market (Closed), Halal Guys and 5 F(X)

I tried these spots on N. Alafaya Trail as part two of my lunch/dinner to go date on Monday. Part of the reason I ate so meekly in Winter Park. The first is in a strip mall at the south west intersection of 50 and Alafaya Trail. The second is farther down Alafaya towards Waterford Lakes. The third is next to the second.

Lucky's Market - This is a Whole Foods-esque type supermarket out of Boulder. I found the selection (though pup-ified) to be decent. Alot of "off/artisan" brands. A bigger wine and beer selection than World Market. Prices were cheaper than Publix on the few items I cared about looking into (papaya, rotisserie chicken and sushi). A weightier papaya was sold there at $4. Flat price. No by the pound. I spent $6 for a 2.5 lber (theirs were over 3lbs by eye) yesterday at Publix. A rotisserie chicken was $5. I'm pretty sure it's $2 more at Publix or even Winn Dixie. Sushi seemed a buck or so lower per container. I went there for a looky loo and for the $5 pizza deal (two slices and a beer). Italian was another thing I hadn't had in a while. The pizza (even slices with toppings) should have been better. They have a real pizza oven. I guess you can only rise so high if the dough and cheese are cheap. Plus the cheese ratio was too high. Tasted like a grilled cheese. You might like that. It was acceptable though. I grabbed a pepperoni and plain slice. They also let me sub out the beer for root beer. They opened around June. I think one more is on the way.

Halal Guys - They are a food cart in NYC. I couldn't make out from the blown up photos on the wall if I have ever had the pleasure. A quick perusal of my food journal (yes I keep one for trips) and my travel guide (yes I keep a photo journal on my phone) yielded no evidence that I had. Perhaps I tried them when I lived there. There are alot of carts doing what they do. I just searched them for you and they are at 53rd and Sixth. I just might have. Anyway. This is their first brick and mortar in CF. I think they might be a franchiser if you can believe it. They offer just a few things. Sandwiches. Platters. Sides. Desserts. Beef or chicken (or a mix) or falafel. Hummus and baba ghanouj as sides. And baklava as dessert. That's it. I had a "mixed" gyro for $7 and an order of two falafel for $2. The sandwich was served on a thick pita. The beef was "loafy" and bland. The chicken had more texture and flavor. Both we pre-shaved. A no no in my book. The falafel was ok. It was also not fried in front of me. I kind of expected more from all the hoopla I had heard about them. They offer a white a red (very hot) sauce. I chose both and onions. It comes with lettuce and tomato and anything (ie jalapenos, olives, hummus) else is extra. I think I like the gyro place (was it Oh My Gyro?) in Longwood better. Seemed tastier. Fresher. But, they aren't bad. Prices are good. I'm not sure if it is destination. The place looks like subway sandwich shop. Meaning it is clean with little character. Service was fast. It opened in September.

5 F(X) Ice Cream - This was a chance encounter, but, I think I liked this place the best. Part of the reason I don't use "dating" apps. No surprises. Or at least ones that are pleasant. They make their own ice cream and taiyaki. Not pour candy into ice cream and blend it. They MAKE milk and soy based ice cream in front of you while you wait. And they make a pancake like dessert for you as well. It can be stuffed. It can be sweet or savory. I didn't comprehend the extent of the ice cream service until I was on the way out. I ordered a taiyaki stuffed with apples and cinnamon for $2 just to order something. I know Tai means red snapper in Japanese and Yaki usually means something fried (like Takoyaki - fried octopus balls). I believe this food category is called this because they mold the batter into the shape of a cartoonish fish. Probably a red snapper. The woman behind the counter wasn't Japanese and didn't know. The taiyaki was good. Fresh. Duh. I was just expecting a batter with apple and cinnamon flavor. It had real filling. If it took less time, McDonald's could/should emulate them. They also had other combos. Even one with a hot dog. I also think they had other items. Maybe milkshakes and a few other things. The place looks a little messy in the "cooking" area. The walls are filled with Polaroid shots of customers and not much else. The curb appeal could be improved. They have been open for three years. A nice break from the norm.

Grub Crawl - Winter Park: Wonton, Tea and Tea and Mon Petit Cheri

I was going to go to OBT for some Mexican and Chinese because I hadn't had any in two weeks, but, I decided to knock these out while checking if a new spot on Park Ave was open yet. It isn't. The first place is at the intersection of 17-92 and Fairbanks. The second is behind the 7-11 on Fairbanks and Park. The third is at the first light on Park. I went to these places for lunch on Monday.

Wonton Asian Kitchen - I thought this would be a Pei Wei knockoff, but, it is a one off. They serve a medley of Asian dishes. Korean. Vietnamese. Japanese. Thai. Chinese. I just ordered two small dishes because this wasn't my final lunch destination. I had two pork dumplings for $2 and a Chickity something or other Summer Roll for $2.50. I was going to try chicken lettuce wraps, but, they were out of them. I like that they have small portion sizes. Usually you have to order 5 to 9 dumplings and a pair of rolls. The way they are set up, you can try a bunch of things. The dumplings were ok. They had a thin skin. They were steamed. One was split open. The roll was mostly vegetables. The chicken was barely discernible. These items were starters. They have more of these and soup. They also have about a dozen entrees. even bahn mi. The design is a step above a fast casual place. The floor plan is open. They have brick walls. The kitchen is exposed. They opened three weeks ago. I would try them again.

Tea and Tea - I grabbed a Waikiki cold tea for $4. It tasted like Sunny D. Had slices of orange, lemon and apple. Is apple a Hawaiian delicacy? They also serve milk tea and one other kind (can you tell this isn't my bag?). You can add boba to the teas. They used to be in the Winter Park Village. They have been here for one month. Was B Cupcakes.

Mon Petit Cheri - I've been to this location before. I hope I reviewed that place and not this. I forgot to check. They are mainly a French inspired breakfast and lunch spot. Nothing too fancy. Crepes. Burgers. Sandwiches. Pizza. Salads. Quiche. Breakfasts. Pastries. Hot Drinks. I had the poached eggs and bacon on an English muffin. The eggs were over cooked. The bacon was crisp. The muffin (sour dough) was under toasted. Not a strong showing for how long it took to get out. It cost $8.50. It came with a side of fresh fruit. I'll trade you the fruit for $3 of 4 back in my wallet. The place was dependent on natural light and as such was gloomy. Can't imagine it on a cloudy day. They have a few seats out front and a patio in back. There is an indoor area in between. A few small tables, the register and a bar. Decoration is an afterthought. They are open from 7ish to 4pm every day. They stay open for a dinner on Friday. They have been there for three years. A fine place if you want a little French comfort food. The chef/owner apparently has won some recent contest for best dessert.

*I wanted Mexican or Chinese because I was in New Zealand for the last two weeks and didn't trust them on Mexican and just didn't order much Chinese. I ate alot of sushi, salmon and meat pies. Some new experiences and popular items were: mussel pattie/fritter, marmite, gunard, elephant fish, toasted sandwiches, smoked mussels, oysters, fish cake, venison salami and an ice cream sandwich of macaroons. I never tried fresh crayfish (lobster) or the blue cod they were raving about. I also tried my first Sri Lankan dish (I think). It was called Kottu Rottich. I also had something called Tulsi Murtabak. It wasn't my first try, but, I had Hokkien Mee (Malay/Singapore Chinese dish named after a province). Little sushi places were everywhere. You moved down a line and paid by the piece. They also had almost every fast food franchise (including Pita Pit). I had a meat pie at McDonald's. Mostly gravy.

Willie's Pinchos, East Colonial

I tried this Puerto Rican spot on Golden Rod near 50 on Sunday night. It was the Fieri "book end" to my trip out of town in that they were featured on an episode of Triple D that aired last year at this time. I haven't seen it as yet and didn't know that when I went here. I saw them when I tried that Mexican place a few months back. It was always closed when I have tried them since that visit. I had a pernil sandwich for $9. It was pulled pork and mayo an lettuce and tomato. It was ok. The pork was too salty. The portion was a bit skimpy. I think they wet down the meat with the saved marinade and pork drippings. I think that is kind of a cheat. The meat should retain that juice with constant basting. It shouldn't be "refreshed" before serving. Plus, I don't need it that soggy. The meat also had a bone in it. How non-observant do you have to be to miss a big round bone while portioning out an inch of pork? I, also, don't love sweet mayo with the sweet/savory pork. It's too "one note". It needs something spicy or vibrant or both. The bun/roll was excellent. I think most of the pernils I've had were pressed. This wasn't. It came with crinkle cut fries. They were very crisp. The rest of menu is breakfast items, burgers, mofungo, skewers, hot dogs, sandwiches and sandwiches on fried tostones that I believe were called Jibertos. The sandwiches were near the top in price. They are open until 7pm most days (not Monday for now). The place seats only twenty or so. It looks like a tiny cantina. They used to be a food truck. I think they said they have been in this spot for a year. They are opening a new place in Kissimmee soon. I would go back to try something else. They were very nice and seemed to care about the quality of their food.

Grub Crawl - Disney Springs: Planet Hollywood, The Ganachery and Ghiradelli Chocolate

I ventured back to the Mouse Trap before heading to the airport around two weeks ago. I tried these spots at Disney Springs. Who knew that Guy Fieri would end up book ending my trip. But, more on that in the next post.

Planet Hollywood - I knew this would be an expensive waste of time and I was mostly right. I had a Plain Jane Cheeseburger for $18. And a coke was a mere $4. The cheeseburger was non-descript. I can barely remember it two weeks later. I bet the one at the burger restaurant a few yards away is better at half the price. And that is no bargain to start with. It came with a cone of mixed fries. Waffle. And I really can't remember the others. Maybe shoe string and curly? I think they had an offensive seasoning on them. The rest of the menu is so humdrum (and equally over-priced) that I think a room service waiter would be embarrassed to serve it. So, a perfect fit with Disney. The one "interesting" item was a fried lasagna something or other. I'm sure it is another Fieri fail (he supervised the re-do) though. Maybe Kat Cora can come in and try and make it healthy like she did at Taco Bell. Bring on all the celebrity douche bag sell outs. The service was lacking. The waitress was polite enough, but, the burger took a half hour to appear. I think the kitchen lost the order. Plus the hostess tried to seat me directly across the swinging door to the kitchen (with other low volume tables open). Nearly half of the area I was sitting in has a view of this eye sore. Nice design planning. And the door is really noticeable. One of those "old timey" doors you see on a ship or the interior of a hotel kitchen. Just terrible. Now, it has been like a decade since I was last in the old place, but, I think it used to be much bigger. Now it feels minuscule. I think they went in and up. The place has three of four levels. I think the old design was all open space. Only the bottom floor was open. It has "my area" at the entrance and a bar to the left and another seating area a step below. They still have the memorabilia (mostly costumes). They play music videos from movies (mostly-to all Disney owned). They have an outside bar called Stargazers (or maybe catchers) that rims the wall. I'm not sure if I understood that the old design was supposed to be an observatory or if they just re-imagined it as that now. That works. I guess it makes more sense than a steel globe. I'm not sure what it has to do with "the movies" (maybe it's supposed to be the Griffth Observatory (which it doesn't look like at all). I had a view of the gift shop (of course). Hard pass from me. I'll wait for the all you can eat free Fieri burger bar on my next cruise. They finally opened in June. I think.

The Ganachery - I'm not sure it deserves the "the", but, it was fine. They make chocolates on site. I had a coconut lollipop for a mere $6. It was described as having fresh coconut under the chocolate, but, it was mostly coconut flavor. You can by chocolates by the piece or by the box. Nice presentation (packaging). I'd save the cost and drop the price. But, I don't understand those who shop for their self-worth. They know their market.

Ghiradelli Chocolate - This place was further away from the newly renovated area. They make it look like an old fashioned ice cream parlor. I had a chocolate cone for $5. A big scoop of ordinary ice cream. It could have been any brand. Another time I've had Ghiradelli chocolate and wondered how they became famous for it. The are like Whitman's Sampler. Another mystery. Why haven't they been called out? You would think that the food snob mafia would have taken a baseball bat to this representative of middle class taste. They also have other desserts. You order at a register and pick it up at the counter. It has been there forever.