Lee when we were in Orlando about 8 year ago we used that IHOP and I must admit the food was good. The young lady who served us was great as well very polite and always topped up our coffee.👍 Lee omg I can’t believe how parts of Orlando haven’t updated the fronts etc you are so right it’s like going back in time.😂 👍🏴
I always I hated the bagpipes until I heard that one playing at the queen's funeral walking away slowly from the church , vitos chop house looked good xx
Hi Lee we are from South Wales And always enjoy your vlogs because you are so friendly and down to earth we've been going to Orlando on and off for 20 years. always staying on international drive and have Always enjoyed Maggionos the food is excellent,I agree with you regarding Denny s I was so disappointed when we went in October cold food not much of it and dirty , anyway keep up the great work looking forward to seeing the next vlog in Orlando
Californian here again - completely agree with everything you said about tipping. Staff should just be paid properly. You are very welcome here and free to say what you like and have as many (sub-par) fish & chips as you like while here. Please try Denney's again, and I'd suggest breakfast. Get pancakes (IHOP's are good too, to be fair) and get red-skinned potatoes rather than hash browns. I don't really like our shredded hash browns and prefer those triangular ones that come with a Full English. Can't wait to be back in England next month!
Lee, I think it’s fair to say that in answer to your question as to what is the attraction of the International House of Pancakes is the breakfasts, especially the pancakes. Looking at the IHOP menu it advertises an extensive choice of breakfasts especially as I’m sure you know, so many people in North America make it a point of going out for breakfast. Back home in Canada, we’d have pancakes whenever we wanted without feeling the need to wait until Shrove Tuesday. As usual, great video and being in sunny Florida, you get to show off your pins!!
Hotels usually try to justify the "resort fee" by saying it is for the amenities on the property like the pool, gym, spa, etc. It's actually a sneaky way to make the advertised price cheaper and more attractive. But, most importantly, it's clever because the hotel doesn't need to split that fee with the third-party booking agency (which can take more than 50% BTW) which ensures that more of your money actually goes to the hotel! This improves their profitability which allows them to offer you more competitive prices in return. The same logic could also be applied to tipping in restaurants, because otherwise, if the employer simply paid the staff more, the advertised prices would forcibly go up. What's worse is that money would be subject to sales tax for you and income tax for the employee. So, even though tipping is an awkward grey zone, it ultimately allows everyone to save money and pay less tax! Interesting, no?
Funny story - landed and after hotel check-in and gasping for a drink, went across the road to the nearest Ponderosa for food and, as you do, ordered a bottle of wine (obviously forgetting the time difference) Turns out it was 8am and the waitress had to get clearance from the manager to serve me and Wifey. Happy days! Cheers!
Tipping here in Canada is absolutely out of control. The majority of the time it is not earned yet is expected. It's bloody expensive enough to order food from a restaurant in the first place, having to add an additional ten or twenty percent makes it not worth it for me. Especially considering the quality I see in most restaurants nowadays. I'll live vicariously through your adventures Mr. Mac Daddy😆😉
I have just spent the week with my American in-laws who over here in the UK from the US & they said tipping in the US is getting really really crazy in America now (probably due to the cost of living crisis which they are also going through) - for example they said if you go to a petrol (gas) station in the US & fill up your car & go to pay the cashier at the till ( who has not served you in any way shape or form or even left their seat) they now expect to be tipped!! They said the same thing is starting to happen everywhere now in places like supermarkets where again the cashier has not done your shopping only rang it through the till & they now expect to be tipped!!!
As my husband is a floridian we have done most of the chains and they aren't good I have to say some are ok had a decent steak at Longhorn and a ok breakfast at IHop but the rest aren't worth bothering with. Ask the locals where they go the local mom and pop restaurant see what they recommend that's what we did and found some lovely little places that were just fantastic. Not in Orlando but in Jax where he's from.
Ci-Ci's Pizza, cheap and cheerful, especially takeaway. Golden Corral buffet is usually good value too. Get in a cab down to downtown Kissimmee on the 192 and check out Fat-Boys-BBQ for real BBQ. They are a real old fashioned BBQ restaurant with no frills but the food was very good. Also Sonny's Real pit BBQ which although it's a chain they serve good BBQ. Also if you go down the 192 visit Steak 'n' Shake for great milkshakes and burgers and it's like an old fashioned diner feel. Cracker Barrel is a popular chain down on the right hand side of the 192 near the big Orange. Enjoy your break Lee.
I went to Florida in 1984 as an 18 year old and absolutely loved it. Always wanted to go back someday. We stayed at a Days Inn in Lakeland which looked like the one you said was 'nice'. It had a shopping mall close by and I used to wander around there in the evenings amazed that the stores didn't close at 5pm like they did at home. Try as I might and after many hours on Google Street View I've never been able to find it again. I daresay it's been demolished along with the shopping mall in the 40 odd years since I was there. Enjoyed your walkabout and looking forward to the next few, Lee BTW - worth a Google on the subject of resort fees. Apparently Florida is one state to have banned them where they are not clearly advertised during the booking process. There is a growing trend for these to be challenged as an additional and unlawful 'tax' as they are meant to be for additional hotel services such as gyms, but if you don't use those facilities that the fee covers, then you can't be held liable to pay for them
For me, Adventure Golf sounds like something larger scale and themed. Crazy Golf I’d have thought would be the typical outdoors flatter ones with basic green surfaces and smaller scale with the odd windmill. Then of course there’s putt putt golf, lol I also agree on tips - rarely give them, and always ask for gratuity to be removed. At the end of the day, regardless of salary, people are there to do a job, serve customers and make their stay enjoyable so they come back. I shouldn’t feel pressured to pay extra for it!
Love Orlando. Great videos as always. Keep it up. Have been seven times now and I always have to get a proper barbecue pulled pork burger from somewhere. I think it was 1992 when I first tasted one. Always a must when in Florida. There's a challenge for you.
great video lee i felt like i was back there ,but we do need the old run down areas as it reminds me of being a kid and what florida was like back then in the early 90`swhen a teenager with the parents , i will always love florida . hopefully back in a few weeks for a quick week and flights already booked for 3 and a half weeks in august .
“I feel alright within myself” As a child ( way back when the dinosaurs roamed the earth) my Nana used to say that a lot. Translated in her case, “ I might not be fittest/healthiest, but Im as well as I can be “
Longhorn Steakhouse on international drive, I went there when I was last in Florida with the family and it was lovely steak and beer.................just watched the video and realised you have recorded it in your video! Deffo longhorn!
• If the resort fee was not made clear to you at the time of booking, ask that the fee be removed because it’s a dishonest and deceptive business practice.
Hollerbachs German restaurant in nearby downtown Sanford is pretty nice. Its pretty lively and they have live authentic German music, and the restaurant has been family owned for years. The reubenstein sandwich was excellent. They also have excellent deserts and an interesting drinks selection.
The Rosen Inn that you showed. We always stay there. It’s not flash by any means but the staff are great, the rooms are clean and the beds are on another level for comfort.
I am an Orlando native.. The only places on I Drive I will eat are Bahama Breeze and Cafe Tu tu Tango. everything else is a tourist trap.. Try Yellow Dog Eats in Gotha, really cool place with amazing sandwiches. Again, Waffle House for cheap breakfast, First Watch for nice breakfast. 4Rivers for great barbecue, Fords Garage for best burger. Disney springs has some great places to eat, Chef Arts Home Cooking is the best, fried chicken.
you weren't kidding when you said "without a shadow of a doubt" in the video title that these restaurants were truly the BEST in Orlando! Thanks for sharing and have a fun time down in the Orange state!
Deffo the longhorn steakhouse… the fire grilled T-bone or the longhorn porterhouse are so succulent and tasty especially smothered in warm garlic butter with a big baked spud and broccoli on the side 👍🏻
Highly recommend Twistee Treat if you want an ice cream. Would recommend going for a Twirl Ice Cream but their milkshakes are good too👍 just be wary their sizes (like most places) are rather large x Love the video 😃
Hi Lee, I’ve been watching your most earlier vlogs in 2018 when you were in Tenerife. You’ve most come a long way. I’m trying to get confidence in talking into a camera now lol. Keep up the excellent content pal
Great video! I haven't been to Orlando since 1999. I agree that the tipping is out of control here in the US. When I order a pizza online the default tip is 20%, which is crazy seeing as it doesn't involve delivery, and I'm picking it up in person. I think the reason so many food places are closed is due to the effect of the pandemic. It's very hard to find help and not many are willing to work for crap wages. At least that seems to be the reason here up in New England. BTW, I love the English! My maternal Grandfather immigrated to the US from Shipley West Yorkshire with his family when he was 8 years old.
Couldn't stop laughing at your 70s motel cop show storyline with the woman in a sheet and 2 cigarettes...it did look like that sort of place! Love your flight videos too! Love from Oz
Can't believe they request a tip on the self serve machine! I agree with you. But you can't stand bagpipes? How dare you!🤣. At least you qualified it by saying you love Scotland👍❤️ Really enjoying all your old NY videos👍
I agree with your comments about tipping. It's the same as booking cinema / theatre tickets online, they always charge a booking fee when you've just done the booking yourself!! GRRRRR
Late to this vlog loved it we returned to Florida in august loved it again but felt the prices especially for food had gone crazy right a couple of things first regarding Resort Fee you don’t tend to pay this if you book a package holiday but it is added if your doing a DIY holiday like you’ve done we stayed on idrive in 2014 and saw the resort fee so asked our rep who explained it was inc in our package and in some circumstances it covers the things like free shuttle to parks that are on offer and hotel facility’s like gym ( that no one uses ). Second Murphy’s pub is by far the best family pub in Orlando but has no Irish background what so ever we discovered way back in 2004 and it was Cuban owned who held daily karaoke until early hours with many Irish and Scottish holiday makers often in there he then sold it to a American couple who then filled it out with football memorabilia and live English football games it briefly closed then reopened and added food which is really good you should try a beer there not 100% sure if they do fish and chips it’s more snacks things like pizza or toasties they also run trips to see Orlando city in the mls As for best food difficult but the Applebee’s just up from Murphy’s is really good
Try Joe's Crab Shack & Perkins Restaurant & Bakery they're right there on International Dr and if you're looking for entertainment try Universal Islands of Adventures or one of the Disney World Parks.
1. Checkers burgers ,look good . They do chicken sides as well . 2.long horn steak house ...man food lol .out back stack house is a Australian inspired restaurant but its more American than any thing there my steak choices . 🇦🇺 where ever you go it will be insightful looking forward lee .😀🍹👍💖
Hi Lee, just back from Orlando, weather very hot 85f then down to 60f! Resort fees, totally agree with you, now good news Rosen Hotels do not charge any resort fees. Some high end hotels I’ve seen it’s been 45 dollars a day! They say it’s for use of the gym, local phone calls, parking. But I don’t use any of the above things, can you dispute it? It’s very unfair and a rip off. I booked with Virgin holidays and the resort fee was waived at the Holiday Inn in Lake Buena Vista. Loved the vlog and I’m around your age, so know fully get your humour about Motels, Columbo etc😊
Try see if you can get a hanger steak 🥩, known in America as a butchers steak or a hanging tenderloin, might be hard to find as it’s known as a butchers steak because us butchers keep hold of them for ourselves 🫢, great videos Lee cheers , Dave a butcher from Yorkshire 👍
Ok I'm worried at the amount of closed places now im going in October 2023 last time I was there was November 2019 is there going to be anything worth going to
we love florida first went with family back in 1990, doesnt look like nothing has changed, but our best place was Charleys steak house in KISSIMMEE, IT WAS FANTASTIC , BEST STEAK EVER and our young girls loved the mozzerella sticks for starters..the MacMaster must go
Lee! If you go to McD? Follow up towards turkey lake road of what is just after the I4 bridge and past the garage and turn right at the intersection and walk around 300 yds, and you will find Wendy’s? We found this one to be excellent. And yes perkings is amazing, but the Denny’s opposite ihop is not to good,, but Denny’s near hooters is the best one.
Don't know if it's still there, the last time we went was 2008 but 'Johnny Rocket's ' was a burger joint that we enjoyed somewhere off 'International Drive'...
Maggiano's Little Italy try the meatball starter and the lasagna washed down with a nice pint of Peroni as recommended by my friend Dave who visits 3 times a year!!
You should definitely get an Uber down to Old Town USA in Kissimmee on highway 192 tonight. It is the Saturday night cruise full of old cars and great shops etc. There is also an A&W restaurant there that will be just right for you with your Root Beer addiction.
Lee, 👍👍 most definitely you should have been advised about the resort fee. It is unacceptable practice, adding an additional fee which wasn't made clear when you were booking your holiday. What does it say on their site is an additional resort fee mentioned?. The place looked deserted, uninhabited during your walk until near the end. Enjoy the holiday
I stayed there last week, the $15 a day “resort fee is too much, but booking dot whatever did tell me the fee up front and it is still a great bargain in that area,
Hi Lee, yes it would be nice if you could try the World Cafe to see if they actually meet up to your high standards for a English Breakfast in the U.S.A. and let us all know on your trusted verdict ..As always your videos are so interesting and factual ie the Resort Fee , comment... Kev the retired T.V. Engineer .
Been to Florida 6 times Lee and international Dr is such a tourist trap and would never go there ever again ! I used to do fly drive and that worked for me n the Mrs , new location every day and seeing the place , mom and pop diners and off beat motels and hotels off the beaten track that’s the way to do Florida 👍👌. Tipping I totally agree ! I’ve lived there to for 2 years and your right the restaurant chains should pay the staff more and not automatically assume we should top there wages up ..to me that’s a real problem there now like you said .. enyway great exposed blog , take care and enjoy mate 👍
Lee, you must Go to Logan’s roadhouse in celebration, amazing steaks and fall off the bone ribs! They put a bucket of unpeeled peanuts for you to snack on while you wait for your order then you just throw the peanut shells on the floor. I love that place it’s so quirky 😉
I have my ‘always’ go to when I’m in town. Rocco’s on SandLake for Mexican, Homecoming and the Boathouse at Disney Springs and Perkins when you are sick to death of fried/bad food. Can get a good home cooked meal there.
Definitely try Millers ale House absolutely gorgeous food 😋 they also do great deals on drinks, I know you said your not trying TGI Fridays because we have them in the UK, the ones on International drive are totally different to ours back home, definitely worth a vist, we always stay on International drive when we go to Florida and it's only up the road from Universal Studios and islands of adventure definitely worth a visit if only for the day, the only thing that now puts us off is the price of everything over there, we visited the abandoned theme park many times when the children were younger 😎👍
We have Been in ihop in phoenix arizonaa they do a stack of 10 pancakes and you can put any topping on them maple syrup.they even did 1 with bacon on from memory.i recommend you do it lee.your doing an excellent job bringing all this content.keep up with the excellent work
The Friar Tuck at Cagan Crossings off Highway 27. Here they do breakfast, fish and chips, roasts too. Plus they have English products you can buy. For ice cream Twistee Treats , you did show one in your vlog. There is one on 192 away from H27 . Enjoy your trip
Both Indian/Tandoori places scored 3.5/5 on trip advisor. I've always been curious about Indian food in the USA because everything I've read suggests it's different to the food in the UK (with the exception of Brick Lane in NY of course which has a British Indian style)
It's different to the extent that on average it isn't as good. The menu items are mostly the same. You can find very good Indian food in New York for a higher price. I'd be careful about a 3.5 rating on Trip Advisor because it means that some customers were pretty unhappy about something. Most people are pretty free with 4 or 4.5 ratings.
Been to america once and we stayed in Orlando aswell went to Denny’s & Ridley’s believe it or not we stayed at oasis lakes for a week then Howard Johnson’s which wasn’t as good I love the sunshine enjoy your holidays lee
That sky when the video starts! Can't beat it. My first meal in the USA back in August of 1982 (can't recall that actual day...) was Denny's on Rochester Road and Long Lake Road in Troy, MI. Difference between "Crazy" and "Adventure" golf is branding. I used to moan about tip culture in the US and I couldn't agree more regarding Service orientated business owners pay their staff a living wage and stop expecting the consumer to subsidize that living wage. See most countries in Europe for an excellent blueprint to follow... LOL! My anti-bagpipe brother!
Or if you stay on international drive try the $20 renegade sirloin and redrock grilled shrimp from the grill master (for the Mac master) combo menu at the Longhorn steakhouse.. the food there is out of this world and great value for money! Well, I am a Yorkshireman after all 🤣
Tipping is a pain, I was at a Green King the other day. I was ordering food and drink on the app at the table, there was option to add a tip just before paying. how can anyone tip before they have received any sort of service.
Resort fee - we had the same in New York - we knew about the $250 for the ‘tourist’ tax but then when we arrived they want to hold another $300 on a credit card - we don’t have a credit card and we only took cash so they agreed to take $400 in total so at the end of our holiday we expected at least $150 back but it was only $118 - we never found out why !!! So our already tight budget was even tighter! So watch out folks. We are used to paying it as go to Malta but that’s €20 for 2 weeks and we were in NYC for a week. We live in a tourist place in the UK and we don’t have it - perhaps we should !!
