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Pizza
Reader’s/Editor’s pick: Lazy Moon - A slice and a pint of PBR for $3.50? Yes, please. In a city like Orlando with so few staples to call our own, Lazy Moon has long been an icon of UCF living. The giant slices, the great beers and the late hours — conveniently coinciding with the closing of the nearby bars — make Lazy Moon an unanimous pick for best pizza place Orlando has to offer.
BBQ
Reader’s/Editor’s pick: Bubbalou’s Bodacious BBQ - On a few of the ballots for this category, UCF students wrote in “Three pigs.” We can only assume that “Three pigs” refers to the Bubbalou’s logo, and it’s surprising that one of the best barbeque joints in the area hasn’t left more of an impression. Bubbalou’s is a bit pricey, but the huge choice of side items and hearty meat entrees make up for the dent in your wallet. The covered bar recently added to the porch gives Bubbalou’s a more sports bar feel.
Sushi
Reader’s pick: Tie between Bangkok Square/Fuji, Editor’s pick: Bangkok Square - Any sushi fan knows that the better the California Roll, the better the restaurant. Bangkok, right across from campus, and Fuji, in the Waterford Lakes Town Center, have some great specialty rolls and nice settings that make you forget you’re still within a stone’s throw of campus. The sushi vote was split among 23 different restaurants, and while some may argue that sushi is sushi no matter where you go, Bangkok and Fuji stand out: Bangkok with the proximity, Fuji with the atmosphere and quality.
Breakfast
Reader’s pick: Denny’s - When it comes down to it, the only cheap breakfast joints near UCF are McDonald’s and Denny’s. First Watch may have the quality, but the price has proven to be too much to compete with the old favorite: the Grand Slam. For $5.99, the Denny’s classic dish lands you two eggs, two slices of bacon, two sausage links and two pancakes. Plus, Denny’s is the only 24-hour dine-in breakfast joint, meaning your breakfast can come at any time of the day — after a long night at the bars, or after a 2 p.m. wake-up. Ah, the life of a college student.
Editor’s pick: First Watch - The staff here at the Future is certainly no better off with cash than the rest of the student body, but the hefty prices of breakfast cuisines at First Watch didn’t deter us from naming it our favorite breakfast restaurant. With delectable omelets, Crepeggs and unique pancakes (we recommend the banana crunch with granola), First Watch is miles ahead of the on-the-go feel of a Denny’s or McDonald’s breakfast.
Mexican
Reader’s pick: El Corral - Words can’t describe the feeling of your first bite of the #1. After minutes (that feel like hours) of preparation, the combination of beans, rice, roasted chicken and that delicious white sauce helps relieve the stress of a long day of class. El Corral is a perfect college restaurant for a few key reasons: close to campus, a full meal is cheaper than a footlong from Subway, and soccer is always on TV. It’s like a little slice of Latin heaven.
Editor’s pick: El Cerro - While El Corral may not fit what Americans consider Mexican (it’s heavy on roasted chicken and grilled meats), El Cerro probably fits the definition much better. It’s got a laundry list of Mexican favorites: chimichangas, enchiladas, burritos, tostadas, and burritos, but what El Cerro has gained much of its acclaim for are its giant margaritas. For $8.75, you can land a 32-oz. margarita, or upgrade to the pitcher if you’re with a group. Plus, El Cerro offers top-shelf tequilas like Patron and Don Julio and Cabo Wabo.
Wings
Reader’s/Editor’s pick: Buffalo Wild Wings - Teriyaki, Honey BBQ, Parmesan Garlic, Asian Zing, Carribbean Jerk, Mango … can’t beat the variety at BW3. The constant wait time whenever a big game is on is a little annoying, but the atmosphere is unique for the UCF area: a hodgepodge of diverse fan bases all looking for some cheap wings.
Vegetarian
Reader’s pick: Tie between Dandelion Communitea Café/Garden Café - Dandelion is one of the few places where the interior decor of the restaurant matches fully the lively aura of the workers and food — bright, colorful and festive. Labeled an “organic vegetarian teahouse,” the place packs a menu as lively as the green paint that flags down customers. Garden Café is one of the oldest vegetarian restaurants in Orlando, and mixes western cuisine with the vegetable dishes of the Orient.
Editor’s pick: Pom Pom’s Teahouse & Sandwicheria - With a new location next to Lazy Moon and Knight Library, Pom Pom’s has brought some of the green it’s grown famous for to the UCF side of town. Don’t let the vegetarian title fool you, though: Pom Pom’s still offers a good portion of meat, but its vegetarian meals are what stand out. Its gourmet cheeses and extensive menu of veggies make Pom Pom’s more than just a teahouse.
Dessert
Reader’s/Editor’s pick: iKiwi - It was one of the first to the UCF area in the yogurt craze, and it’s remained the best in spite of a load of imitations popping up all over. iKiwi is essentially an ice cream buffet: take as much or as little yogurt as you want, load it with whatever toppings you want and pay accordingly. Looking for a safe bet? Classic vanilla and Oreos. Adventurous? Strawberry with pineapple and gummy bears. Crazy? Try Taro, and pray you finish the cup.
Date restaurant
Reader’s pick: Olive Garden – Nobody ever said UCF students were wealthy. Olive Garden – a staple of first dates and cheap dinners is still a favorite for broke college kids. Shell out some cash on a nice tall martini for the lucky lady and eat cheap yourself with the old classic: soup, salad and breadsticks.
Editor’s pick: Ali Baba’s – At first glance, Ali Baba’s doesn’t seem like the perfect date spot. One might be wary of trusting a place in a strip mall to be the hot location to swoon that special someone. But give it a try and head through the store-front garden and into the dining area. Both you and your date should be encouraged to inhale deeply upon doing so, taking in the smell of exotic spices, roasting kebab and freshly baked pita. The dark ceiling and tables decorated with inspirational (and sometimes lovey-dovey) sayings add a cozy point on the side of date restaurant. It carries a bit of a heavy price tag during peak hours, but what date spot doesn’t? And what other date restaurant has such delicious Persian food?
Check back here at UCFNews.com and in Monday's issue of the Future for part two of Orlando's Finest.
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