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Orlando BBQ Restaurant Recommendations

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Hi Everyone,

Heading to Orlando next week and looking for recommendations for a GREAT BBQ restaurant.  I've Google it, and have a list of possibilities, but would rather know the recommendation are from people that KNOW BBQ.

I have a fondness for brisket and love trying local specialties. 

Anyone have a favourite?

Thanks!
Sue 
Barbecue may not be the road to world peace, but it's a start. ~Anthony Bourdain

Comments

  • DoubleEgger
    DoubleEgger Posts: 17,171
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    You might as well be looking for a unicorn. 
  • northGAcock
    northGAcock Posts: 15,164
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    BBQ in Orlando? You need to hook up with an egger. 
    Ellijay GA with a Medium & MiniMax

    Well, I married me a wife, she's been trouble all my life,
    Run me out in the cold rain and snow
  • 55drum
    55drum Posts: 162
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    Try 4 Rivers Smokehouse...they've got 3 or 4 locations...I've only tried it once because its so crowded all the time but the brisket was very good.......
  • northGAcock
    northGAcock Posts: 15,164
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    55drum said:
    Try 4 Rivers Smokehouse...they've got 3 or 4 locations...I've only tried it once because its so crowded all the time but the brisket was very good.......
    On this note...and as a serious response, I have never been to 4 Rivers. I have used their rubs and their Espresso Rub is my favorite. I am about out.....and need to place an order....thanks for the reminder @55drum

    Ellijay GA with a Medium & MiniMax

    Well, I married me a wife, she's been trouble all my life,
    Run me out in the cold rain and snow
  • CigarCityEgger
    CigarCityEgger Posts: 2,109
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    4rivers is probably your best bet, not a mom and pop place but very good each time I've had it
  • Seapointbakers
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    Stumbled across this place when I was there in Feb for a golf trip. Not bad.

    http://yellowdogeats.com/


  • ewyllins
    ewyllins Posts: 461
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    Living here in Orlando the only ok place is 4 Rivers, keep in mind its massed produced BBQ. However there are alot of other good restaurants in Downtown Orlando.
    O-Town, FL

  • ewyllins
    ewyllins Posts: 461
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    If you are near the airport check out the Gnarly Barley
    O-Town, FL

  • ActonSue
    ActonSue Posts: 13
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    Thanks everyone for your replies. :) We'll be visiting lots of restaurants during our stay. (Visiting family - so not a "Disney" holiday) 

    Canada isn't "known" for BBQ - I LOVE what I cook...and haven't been impressed with any of my local places. I love sampling wherever I go. ;) 
    Barbecue may not be the road to world peace, but it's a start. ~Anthony Bourdain
  • Photo Egg
    Photo Egg Posts: 12,110
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    ActonSue said:

    Canada isn't "known" for BBQ 
    Same goes for Florida...Travel safe and have a great time.
    Thank you,
    Darian

    Galveston Texas
  • Florida Grillin Girl
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    4 Rivers is average at best. I agree with @Photo Egg, go with the local specialties, seafood etc. Orlando has a ton of great dining choices that are not BBQ.
    Happily egging on my original large BGE since 1996... now the owner of 5 eggs. Call me crazy, everyone else does!
     
    3 Large, 1 Small, 1 well-used Mini
  • thetrim
    thetrim Posts: 11,357
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    For breakfast there's a place called the Coop in Winter Park that's really good.  I also heard the Yellow Dog Eats is a real cool place.  I've never been but heard it's good.   
    You might also want to hit up an Applebee's while you're there!
    =======================================
    XL 6/06, Mini 6/12, L 10/12, Mini #2 12/14 MiniMax 3/16 Large #2 11/20 Legacy from my FIL - RIP
    Tampa Bay, FL
    EIB 6 Oct 95
  • sumoconnell
    sumoconnell Posts: 1,932
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    4 Rivers is average at best. I agree with @Photo Egg, go with the local specialties, seafood etc. Orlando has a ton of great dining choices that are not BBQ.
    I've been wondering about 4 rivers, it's right next to a hotel I stay at near UCF.  Lots of restaurants around there, but cater to the college crowd.  Food is good, but focus on pizza (lazy moon), wings (buffalo wild wings), etc.   

    Surprisingly, there is a Chuy's there.  Authentic Austin Tex Mex if you looking for that.
    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++
    Austin, Texas.  I'm the guy holding a beer.
  • six_egg
    six_egg Posts: 1,110
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    They have one in Orlando but the one in Kissimmee is better. Charlie's Steak House. Bone in Ribeye with Califlower and lobster mac and cheese sides. It is not cheap but man it is a good steak and service is always awesome.

    XLBGE, LBGE 

    Fernandina Beach, FL

  • thetrim
    thetrim Posts: 11,357
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    Chuy's is amazing.  I think there may be four in the Orlando area now!  Love that place!  Count me in as a fan of 4 Rivers.  Way better than any other place I've found around Florida.
    =======================================
    XL 6/06, Mini 6/12, L 10/12, Mini #2 12/14 MiniMax 3/16 Large #2 11/20 Legacy from my FIL - RIP
    Tampa Bay, FL
    EIB 6 Oct 95
  • fljoemon
    fljoemon Posts: 757
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    4R is the best you will get as regards to BBQ.
    LBGE & Mini
    Orlando, FL
  • PoppasGrill
    PoppasGrill Posts: 356
    edited July 2017
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    In Orlando you are centrally located to a lot of great places.
    I usually try to hit a Mom and Pop shop, in whatever city I am in. Is usually the best.
    An hour on the Beachline will get you to Cocoa Beach/ Canaveral area for some good seafood, I recommend HarbourTown Marina restaurant.
    Sanatra's fine dining is a short drive up to Casa Dega, with a ghost story history.
    If you head north on the turnpike about an hour , I would say Stumpknocker's for Steak and Seafood, good catfish.
  • SamIAm2
    SamIAm2 Posts: 1,896
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    thetrim said:
    For breakfast there's a place called the Coop in Winter Park that's really good.  I also heard the Yellow Dog Eats is a real cool place.  I've never been but heard it's good.   
    You might also want to hit up an Applebee's while you're there!
    The Coop is another restaurant started by John Rivers, the R in 4 Rivers.
    https://asouthernaffair.com - too far for us to go for breakfast but we do enjoy 4 Rivers in Winter Park, the first location, when we visit family in Orlando. When your meal is over, you have got to go to the Sweet Shop and take something home for a snack.
    Ubi panis, ibi patria.
    Large - Roswell rig, MiniMax-PS Woo; Cocoa, Fl.