Don’t just settle for what’s right in plain sight, whether it’s on the wall or in the first menu they hand you. At some of Orlando’s restaurants, both the elegant and the everyday, options extend beyond what’s posted (think In-N-Out Burger’s “animal style”) and all you have to do is ask. As notorious food- lover Biggie Smalls put it, if you don’t know, now you know.
TRUE TAIWANESE Named after the supertall skyscraper in Taiwan, Taipei 101 is an East Orlando landmark for Taiwanese cuisine. The secret: You've gotta ask for the menu filled with authentic street food from the island. The stir-fried glass noodles with pork are downright addictive.
3050 Alafaya Trail, Oviedo, 407-542-1528; taipei101orlando.com
TA-TA-TACOS Late-night mainstay Gringos Locos is known for its queso-stuffed "Double Ds" – hard-shell tacos enrobed by a soft tortilla slathered with cheese sauce. If you ask nicely, you can increase the cup size to Triple Ds, and add yet another flour tortilla (and more queso) to those buxom bites.
22 E. Washington St., 407-841-5626; also 2406 E. Robinson St., 407-896-5626; gringoslocos.com
BELLY BUSTER If there aren't enough killer combos of smoked meat and sides on the 4 Rivers Smokehouse menus for you, ask for the "Belly Buster," an off-menu hot dog topped with pulled pork, cheese, coleslaw, jalapeños and sweet barbecue sauce.
Multiple locations, 4rsmokehouse.com
SECRET SAMMIES There's plenty to love about Teak Neighborhood Grill's upscale-casual fare – especially the full Bloody Mary menu on weekends. But there's more to the menu than first glance would suggest. The standard menu lists 16 burgers, but there are 19 – yes, 19 – more. You just have to ask.
6400 Time Square Ave., 407-313-5111; teakorlando.com
COOL HAND LUKE'S Maitland newcomer Luke's Kitchen and Bar, helmed by Luma chef Brandon McGlamery, sports an unadvertised land and sea "reserve card" full of top-notch items like a USDA Prime bone-in ribeye, swordfish and wagyu beef. Forewarned: These hush-hush delicacies don't come cheap.
640 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland, 407-674-2400; eatatlukes.com