Papa Llama

It should no longer be a surprise that some of Orlando's best restaurants are found in strip malls. That's our city of urban sprawl, the land of random strip centers on every corner. Within so many of them are special mom-and-pop places hoping you won't hold that against them, and why should you? Ample parking with no threat of a tow, quick access to run an errand at a CVS nearby, and much less potential of getting harassed by a drunk passersby are all major pros to me.

That said, it took me way too long to eat at Papa Llama, but in fairness, I have the pandemic and a lack of outdoor seating to blame. I finally made it a priority to have dinner there early on a Saturday night, and for those of us in the minority who still don't dine indoors in crowded spaces, going to the first seating at 5 pm is your best bet. 

THE VIBE

The decor and ambiance inside Papa Llama is subtly trendy with pops of color and shimmers of a few disco balls. It's warm and comfortable, and because it's size, even if it was at full capacity, it allows you not to feel overwhelmed. From what I could tell, access to the restaurant is ADA accessible, but I would call ahead to arrange your table closest to the door for easy access.

THE FOOD

The menu is small, so you could try most of the menu in one visit and get your fill.

What I tried:

Ensalada $12 english cucumber, creamy pollería dressing, cancha. vegetarian and gluten free.

Huanc Noods $18. egg noodles, spicy ají amarillo cream, wild enoki mushroom. vegetarian.

Lomo $26. creekstone farms skirt steak stir fry, jasmine rice.

The ensalada would become my next hyperfixation meal if I took the time to learn how to prepare cucumbers this way at home. It was addictively good and light. The Lomo skirt steak had a lot of flavors, it was tender and juicy, not a dry bite was had! The Huanc Noods were my least favorite, and that being said I still really liked them, they had great flavor, but the texture in my mouth was a little dry. I needed just a little more of the amarillo sauce for my own textural pleasure, but still worth trying! Maybe you can ask for a ramekin of sauce if you feel the same.

For a simple dessert, we tried the Picarones - sweet Potato doughnuts. They were so light and sweet, it will be up to you to decide if they need the accompanying syrup.

For wine lovers, they have a nice list of natural wines but no other alcohol. Make sure you find out what is sold by the glass versus the bottle.

If I lived closer, I would be ordering takeout from Papa Llama on a regular basis, especially since I've seen dishes online that looked amazing but weren't on the menu during my visit. As they rotate, I would want to keep treating myself. They will have to remain a treat I fit into my schedule, but I recommend you go if you haven't!

What to know before you go

Regarding dietary restrictions, they don't allow substitutions or modifications, so if you are a picky eater, be warned. They also had a gluten-free and vegan option.

There is no outdoor seating.

SoDough Square

I’m not going to pretend I know anything about Detroit-style pizza other than its signature rectangular shape. Does that mean the rectangular pizza I ate in elementary school was ahead of the food trends? (kidding). All I know is whether it’s a thin crust, or a thick crust with caramelized cheese edges; all I care about is if it tastes good and whether or not the sauce is sickeningly sweet (my personal pizza pet peeve).  

THE VIBE

When you walk into SoDough Square, which shares a space with Tin & Taco, you can order on a tablet at the counter or order ahead of time online. The only seating directly in their area is a counter against the window, but it looked like patrons were bringing their pizzas into the taco space next door. Quick serve is definitely the vibe.

Despite ordering on the spot, our pizza came out relatively quickly, and even though I drove about 15 minutes to another location to eat, it kept its heat and integrity. This “za”travels well. 

The Food

I ordered the Detroit Rob City - Whipped ricotta, detroit red sauce, fresh basil, enzo cup pepperoni, pinched sausage, mikes hot honey.  

I modified mine to 86 the sausage but left everything else as is, and when it came out, it was a beauty! I was expecting a lot of grease and overly sweet sauce, and I was so thankful that wasn’t the case. The crust was delicious. It felt buttery without being excessively oily or unctuous. It held the generous toppings without any sog, and the edges had that delightful crisp you are guaranteed with each piece. My mouth actually started watering once I opened the box. My personal preference is that I could have done without the ricotta, but it by no means overpowered the flavors that I was digging. Overall, I thought it was a solid slice of indulgence, and I couldn’t pack away more than two slices.  

What to know before you go

The pizzas are customizable, so as long as you aren’t on a gluten-free diet, you should be able to create something for your preference. They even have beyond meat as an option, but I didn’t see non-dairy cheese options. 

The pizzas aren’t cheap, so expect to pay up to $30 for a large, which honestly seems to be standard pricing at most pizza shops I visit.

There is no outdoor seating.

Uncle Tony’s Backyard BBQ

Uncle Tony’s Backyard BBQ was put on my radar by someone who DM’d me and told me I had to give it a try, and so like a good little foodie, I listened. It’s located down on Orange Avenue near Pine Castle in an easily missed small strip, so drive by slow. 

I went on a Saturday around 3 pm, hit the lunch lull, and had the whole place to myself. I chatted with one of the owners, who explained that Tony’s was a family business focused on Southern Arkansas-style BBQ. He had a thriving catering business, and the family all worked hard to make the brick-and-mortar come to fruition. 

The Vibe

The restaurant is on the smaller size, with two rows of tables and window bar seating. Warm wood paneling envelopes you, and with one television playing a football game in the background, there’s a familiar homey feeling inside, which the hospitable owners added to.

The Food

I ordered a BBQ platter of chopped brisket with mac and cheese and coleslaw as my sides. I’ve never seen brisket so finely chopped and neatly presented in all my BBQ adventures. The flavors of the smoking process were easily detected on the first bite, nice and oaky. While the sauces added a nice additional tang, they certainly weren’t a must. The meat stands alone.  

I love a BBQ place that does both the meat and sides justice, and at Uncle Tony’s Backyard BBQ, you get complimentary additions to the main protein, just like you would at a friend's BBQ where each friend brings the side they are known for. The mac and cheese was pretty much perfection in my book, as was the coleslaw. Lucious cheese pulls, and lightly sweet and vinegar bites from the coleslaw hit you, making every rotating taste hit different taste buds just right. 

What to know before you go

There is no outdoor seating.

They have chicken, salmon, and a tuna patty outside red meat. For vegans, there is one veggie sandwich option.

They cater, so if you are looking for an office meal or a personal gathering meal check them out.

Keahi’s Hapa Halo Grill

Over in the backyard at the House on Lang we’ve been treated to the delicious Hawaiian shaved iced treats by Hanalei Shaved Ice. Now, if we choose, we get to have a meal and our treat thanks to Keahi’s Hapo Halo Grill. Inside their tiny trailer, this recently married couple is serving up their twist on Hawaiian and Filipino street food. 

THE VIBE

If you haven’t hung out in the backyard at the House on Lang, you should. I really long for more spaces like it. I sit under the giant trees outside, enjoy the weather, especially this time of year, and chill at my own pace. There are tables and chairs scattered throughout, so there is plenty of open-air space to enjoy, or you can go inside and shop at the House of Lang while you wait.

THE FOOD

There is an assortment of skewers that you can mix and match and add to a plate or not. If you order the full plate lunch ($12), it comes with your choice of three skewers, Hawaiian mac salad, and rice.  

On my visit, I got a plate lunch with two Filipino sweet pork skewers and one Hawaiian chicken teriyaki. The pork is marinated for several days with Filipino spices, and the chicken is finished with a sweet teriyaki glaze; both were delicious. The Hawaiian mac was really light, and the whole platter made for a quick and filling affordable lunch.

You can now also enjoy a Silog in the morning, a traditional Filipino breakfast I still have on my list to try.

What to know

They do not accept card payments at this time. You can pay cash or use an app payment like Venmo. They have QR codes posted for easy payment.

All parking is street parking in the area.

While the trailer is pretty permanent, you should check their social media for weekly schedules before going.

The Hanalei shaved ice trailer took some damage during Hurricane Ian, so they share the space in this trailer. Make sure to support her so she can make the needed repairs!

Gà 2 Tô

The Vibe

I guess speaking to how it was on my trip may not matter since I’m not sure how the recent renovation changed things, but the restaurant space is small, but I really enjoyed the back patio space where I ate. I hope to enjoy it more in the cooler months, but it provided more of an extension of the feeling of the cuisine than your average patio.

The Food

On my visit before the brief hiatus I was immediately a fan just based off of the egg coffee. The egg yolks are beaten into a light and airy texture and then given their sweetness with sweetened condensed milk. Don’t expect your coffee to be handed to you right away, the process takes about 10 minutes, and you can taste the efforts. Other items I tried included the Pho in two bowls and the Imperial Rolls. Keep them on your radar for when they reopen.

What to know before you go

There is parking in the back behind it!

Orlando City Deli

Located on OBT is a small NY Style deli with a variety of items for any time of day. Grab a bacon, egg, and cheese in the morning, or stop by at lunchtime for a NY Cubano Roast Pork, a lunch plate of Arroz Con Gandules & Chicken Pernil, or what I got - a Chopped Cheese. 

The Vibe

This is your standard walk-in and order deli. No frills, but you will find a bright Orlando Magic Blue wall inside with some colorful art. There are a few seats inside if you want to eat there, and the grill tops are right behind the counter, so you can see your food being prepared.

The Food

The owners, who are from NY, take great pride in their local deli that mixes bodega-style favorites with deli-style options. My Chopped Cheese, with all the toppings, had lots of great flavors, and for $10.99 was a hearty sandwich that definitely left me satisfied. 

All items were paid for personally.