24 Florida-based restaurant chains that are actually good

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.

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24 Florida-based restaurant chains that are actually good

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/Facebook

Hawkers 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/Facebook

Graffiti 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/Facebook

Twistee 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)/Facebook

Seasons 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)/Facebook

Gringos 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/Facebook

Jeremiah’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/Facebook

4 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/Facebook

Miller’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/Facebook