Mofongo pionono
Melao Bakery
2001 Consulate Drive
407-348-1777
Let's start by acknowledging that traditional mofongo is already fantastic. Puerto Ricans hit the jackpot when they decided to mix fried mashed green plantains with olive oil, garlic and pork cracklings. But Melao Bakery takes it to a different plane of gastronomical existence with its mofongo pionono. This dish has the basic elements of mofongo, but adds sweet plantains, ground beef and melted cheese on top for a truly soul-replenishing experience. Wash it down with a cold Malta India and one of Melao's delicious quesitos.
Food and Drink: Orlando's best coffee shops, restaurants, food trucks and more
Orlando's best coffee shops, restaurants, food trucks and more.
The Lazy La Zi Mashup
Lazy Moon, 1011 E. Colonial Drive, lazymoonpizza.com
Chuan Lu Garden, 1101 E. Colonial Drive, chuanlugarden.com
It seems like a no-brainer. The Mills 50 outpost of venerated UCF pizzeria Lazy Moon opened up on East Colonial late last year, less than a block away from the city's best Sichuan Chinese restaurant, Chuan Lu Garden. And one of Chuan Lu Garden's most addictive dishes, fried pieces of chicken tossed with chili oil, Sichuan peppercorns, dry chilis and other spices, is the La Zi Chicken. La Zi. Lazy. The combination practically writes itself. The hypothetical slice hasn't appeared on the Lazy Moon menu yet, but we're holding out hope. In the meantime, DIY diners have to order the chicken to go, then walk over to Lazy Moon to get a cheese slice, and then surreptitiously combine the two in secret. It's no way to live.
1. Se7enbites, 617 Primrose Drive, 407-203-0727, se7enbites.com
2. Valhalla Bakery, 2603 E. South St., 407-613-5968, valhallabakery.com
3. Charlie's Gourmet Pastries, 3213 Curry Ford Road, 407-898-9561
1. 4 Rivers Smokehouse, multiple locations, 4rsmokehouse.com
2. Pig Floyd's Urban Barbakoa, 1326 N. Mills Ave., 407-203-0866; also 9680 N. Narcoossee Road, 407-730-7376; pigfloyds.com
3. Yellow Dog Eats, 1236 Hempel Ave., Gotha, 407-296-0609; also 147 Canal St., New Smyrna Beach, 386-410-4824; yellowdogeats.com
1. The Hammered Lamb, 1235 N. Orange Ave., 407-704-3200, thehammeredlamb.com
2. Dexter's, multiple locations, dextersorlando.com
3. Santiago's Bodega, 802 Virginia Drive, 407-412-6979; also 1185 S. Spring Centre Blvd., Altamonte Springs, 407-960-2605; santiagosbodega.com
1. Keke's Breakfast Cafe, multiple locations, kekes.com
2. First Watch, multiple locations, firstwatch.com
3. Se7enbites, 617 Primrose Drive, 407-203-0727, se7enbites.com
1. Santiago's Bodega, 802 Virginia Drive, 407-412-6979; also 1185 S. Spring Centre Blvd., Altamonte Springs, 407-960-2605; santiagosbodega.com
2. Keke's Breakfast Cafe, multiple locations, kekes.com
3. (Tie) Dexter's, multiple locations, dextersorlando.com
3. (Tie) White Wolf Café & Bar, 1829 N. Orange Ave., 407-895-9911, whitewolfcafe.com
1. Hamburger Mary's, 110 W. Church St., 321-319-0600, hamburgermarys.com/orlando
2. Graffiti Junktion, multiple locations, graffitijunktion.com
3. The Ravenous Pig, 565 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park, 407-628-2333, theravenouspig.com
Daily "Bullshit $9 Drink"
Valkyrie Doughnuts
12226 Corporate Blvd.
facebook.com/valkyriedoughnuts
What you can count on: The daily "Bullshit $9 Drink" will always have vegan soft serve mixed with coffee or a flavored sparkling drink topped with whipped cream, a tiny doughnut, and a cone. What you can't count on: ever getting the same thing twice. The Daily BS is created by Valkyrie's team of temperamental geniuses – it might be a "Johnny Cash" with strawberry, coffee, coconut and Oreos; or it might be a "Caffeinated Girl Scout" with matcha, coffee, Thin Mint and caramel. You pays your money and you takes your chances. (Or, you check Instagram early in the day for a hint.)
1. Caribbean Sunshine Bakery, multiple locations, caribbeansunshinebakery.net
2. Taste of Jamaica, 6406 N. Orange Blossom Trail, 407-298-5866, facebook.com/tasteofjamaicarestaurant
3. Golden Krust, multiple locations, orlandogoldenkrust.com
