Florida, and especially Orlando, can seem like the land of chain restaurants, but that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Not all chains are crap, and some of our locally based ones are actually really worth your time. Here are a few of our favorite Florida-born chains and chainlets.
Bento Asian Kitchen + Sushi
Locations: 3 Orlando, Gainesville, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, St. Petersburg, Davie
This Florida-based Pan-Asian chain offers everything from sushi to pad Thai to Vietnamese pork chop. Enjoy rice bowls, noodle bowls and bento boxes that are big enough to last for several meals and tasty enough that you’ll want to eat it for several meals in a row.
Photo via BENTO asian kitchen + sushi/FacebookHawkers Asian Street Fare
Locations: Orlando, St. Petersburg, Jacksonville, Neptune Beach, Windermere
Since opening its first location in Orlando in 2011, this Asian street food establishment has expanded across Florida and will soon be opening two out-of-state locations. Inspired by Asian “hawkers,” or street food vendors who depend on local ingredients, the restaurant owners hand-picked the most authentic Asian street foods to offer to customers.
Photo via Hawkers Asian Street Fare/FacebookGraffiti Junktion
Locations: 3 Orlando, Clermont, Longwood, Lake Nona, Lake Mary, Jacksonville
Enjoy some great burgers and fries in a colorful establishment. This Central Florida-based American Burger Bar offers a casual atmosphere with walls graffitied by local artists.
Photo via Graffiti Junktion Thornton Park/FacebookTwistee Treat
Locations: 2 Orlando, 7 Kissimmee, Clermont, Davenport, New Smyrna Beach, Cape Canaveral, Daytona Beach, Melbourne, Ocala, Tampa Metro Area, Sebring, Homosassa
Twistee Treats’ giant ice cream cone buildings have been popping up around Central Florida and serving homemade soft-serve ice cream ever since 1987. This place offers ice cream in all forms, such as twirls, sundaes, shakes/malts, waffle taco, cookiewich, brownie boat, banana split and more.
Photo via Twistee Treat USA (UCF)/FacebookSeasons 52
Locations: Orlando, Altamonte Springs, Tampa, Sarasota, Boca Raton, Ft. Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Coral Gables, Palm Beach Gardens, Naples
Freshness is one of the main goals of this Orlando-based chain, as it is dedicated to creating “full-flavored” food by sourcing ingredients when they are at peak freshness. The restaurant also offers over 100 different wine options, which makes for some great wine pairings.
Photo via Seasons 52 (Orlando)/FacebookGringos Locos
Locations: 5 Orlando
This local Orlando chain provides some of the best Mexican food there is to offer. Its cheap, fast nature makes it a favorite among many locals.
Photo via Gringos Locos/FacebookJeremiah’s Italian Ice
Locations: 4 Orlando, Longwood, Maitland, Casselberry, Oviedo, Lake Nona, Winter Park, Lake Mary, Winter Springs, Windermere, Tampa, Brandon, Jacksonville, Coral Springs, Miami, Daytona Beach
Known for its sweet mix of gelato, Italian ice and soft serve, this frozen treat chain has become a Florida classic. With over 40 flavors to choose from, anyone can find a treat to cool them off on a hot Florida day.
Photo via Jeremiah’s Italian Ice/Facebook4 Rivers Smokehouse
Locations: 2 Orlando, Winter Park, Tampa, Coral Springs, Gainesville, Jacksonville, Kissimmee, Orange Park, Longwood, Winter Garden, Tallahassee, Atlanta
Florida born and bred, this barbeque restaurant is every meat lover’s dream. Here, you can indulge in all the BBQ classics, such as the signature angus brisket, pulled pork, smoked chicken and brontosaurus beef rib.
Photo via 4 Rivers Smokehouse/FacebookMiller’s Ale House
Locations: 8 Orlando, Altamonte Springs, Davenport, Ocala, Kissimmee, Sanford, Oviedo, Winter Park, Winter Garden, Palm Beach Metro Area, Tampa/St. Petersburg Metro Area, Miami/Ft. Lauderdale Metro Area, Panhandle, Fort Myers Metro Area, Gainesville, Jacksonville, multiple out-of-state
This Florida-based chain has been serving American food for the past 30 years. This sports bar-style restaurant specializes in their Zingers (chicken tenders), burgers, craft beers, desserts and more.
Photo via Miller’s Ale House/FacebookThe Melting Pot
Locations: Orlando, Longwood, Miami, Tampa, Pensacola, Sarasota, Fort Myers, St. Petersburg, Tallahassee, Destin, Melbourne, Boca Raton, Cooper City, Coral Springs, Palm Beach Gardens, multiple out-of-state
Enjoy an interactive dining experience at this fondue restaurant chain, which opened its first location in Maitland in 1975 and has since expanded across the world. The restaurant provides an array of different cheese fondues with entrees like steak, shrimp and more for dipping. There are also chocolate fondues to satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth.
Photo via The Melting Pot/FacebookFoxtail Coffee Co.
Locations: 5 Orlando, Winter Park, Altamonte Springs
Founded in Winter Park in December 2016, this coffee shop chain has since exploded, adding another seven locations in the Orlando area. Sip a variety of responsibly sourced coffees in a relaxed atmosphere.
Photo via Foxtail Coffee/FacebookPepe’s Cantina Mexican Grill
Locations: 2 Orlando, Winter Park
At his three Orlando area locations, Pepe and his team promise to “bring the best of Mexico right to your table” and they don’t disappoint. Relish authentic Mexican food such as tacos, fajitas, enchiladas, burritos, Mexican pizza and more.
Photo via Pepe’s Cantina/FacebookWorld of Beer
Locations: 3 Orlando, Clermont, Brandon, Tampa, Melbourne, The Villages, Lady Lake, Gainesville, Panhandle, multiple out-of-state
As the name of the Tampa-based restaurant would suggest, this place is all about beer, offering 50 craft beers on tap and “over 500 in the cooler.” They also offer tavern fare, like flatbreads, burgers and bowls, to pair with the beers.
Photo via World of Beer (Plantation, FL)/FacebookSantiago’s Bodega
Locations: Orlando, Altamonte Springs, Key West
Founded in Key West and named after the protagonist of Hemingway’s “The Old Man and the Sea,” Santiago’s Bodega is a tapas-style restaurant dedicated to throwing customers a party every evening.
Photo via Santiago’s Bodega Orlando/FacebookSonny’s BBQ
Locations: 3 Orlando, Oviedo, Sanford, Winter Park, Apopka, Tampa/St. Petersburg Metro Area, Panhandle, Ocala, Gainesville, Jacksonville Metro Area, multiple out-of-state
Sonny’s BBQ, headquartered in Maitland, is all about southern barbeque goodness. This chain features ribs, pulled pork, smoked wings and all other barbeque favorites.
Photo via Sonny’s BBQ/FacebookTako Cheena
Locations: 3 Orlando
Can’t decide whether you want Latin American food or Pan-Asian food? At Tako Cheena, you don’t have to choose. Get all your favorite Latin foods, like burritos and tacos, with Pan-Asian fillings, like Thai peanut chicken, Korean beef and more.
Photo via Tako Cheena on Mills50/FacebookEddie V’s Prime Seafood
Locations: Orlando, Tampa, multiple out-of-state
Experience fresh seafood and prime steaks at this Orlando-headquartered restaurant. Though pricey, the food is well worth it, as it features everything from caviar to an Iceberg BLT.
Photo via Eddie V’s Prime Seafood/FacebookTijuana Flats
Locations: 10 Orlando, Winter Park, Casselberry, Altamonte Springs, Oviedo, Apopka, Longwood, Winter Garden, Winter Springs, Windermere, Jacksonville Metro Area, Tampa Metro Area, Miami/Ft. Lauderdale Metro Area, Daytona Beach, Gainesville, multiple out-of-state
First opened in Winter Park, this Tex-Mex chain provides a casual setting to enjoy burritos, chimichangas, tostadas, flautas, enchiladas, tacos and more.
Photo via Tijuana Flats/FacebookBoca Kitchen, Bar and Market
Locations: Winter Park, Tampa, Sarasota, Riverview
Boca prides itself on offering fresh, locally sourced ingredients to customers, with a menu that depends on which ingredients are currently in season. Whether serving a spinach and goat cheese salad or smoked meatloaf, they always maintain the “farm-to-table” mentality.
Photo via Boca Winter Park/FacebookYard House
Locations: Orlando, Miami Beach, Naples, Boca Raton, Coral Gables, Hallandale Beach, Palm Beach, Sunrise, multiple out-of-state
This California-founded, Orlando-based sports bar chain boasts the world’s largest selection of draft beer. Here you can enjoy all the American food classics, like steak, seafood, burgers and sandwiches.
Photo via Yard House/FacebookGator’s Dockside
Locations: 5 Orlando, Clermont, Jacksonville, Eustis, Gainesville, Yulee, Winter Springs, Ocoee, Tampa, St. Johns, The Villages, Ocala, Cape Canaveral, Apopka, Highland City, Apopka, Lake Mary, Lake City, Spring Hill, St. Cloud
Gator’s is one of the most quintessentially Floridian restaurants you can go to. It has a family-friendly sports bar feel, serving American comfort food, as well as offering actual gator meat.
Photo via Gators Dockside Ocoee/FacebookBubbalou’s Bodacious Bar-B-Que
Locations: 2 Orlando, Apopka, Winter Park, Altamonte Springs
Bubbalou’s has been bringing barbeque to Central Florida for over 30 years. Each location provides a different menu, featuring classics like their award-winning baby back ribs and smoked chicken.
Photo via Bubbalou’s Bodacious Bar-B-Que/FacebookBeth’s Burger Bar
Locations: 2 Orlando, Edgewood
Savor the burgers, shakes and booze at this Orlando-based “late-night big kid’s diner.” There is also a build-a-burger option, which offers a wide variety of topping selections.
Photo via Beth’s Burger Bar/FacebookDexter’s Restaurants of Orlando
Locations: Orlando, Winter Park, Lake Mary, Windermere
This local Orlando chain establishes itself as a casual hangout where customers can enjoy a variety of wines and cocktails as well as fresh entrees made from locally sourced ingredients.
Photo via Dexter’s Restaurants of Orlando/Facebook
