Dish & Tell

We asked our readers to spill the delicious details on what Winter Garden dishes they crave most frequently.

Grilled Cheese Taco: Hunger Street Tacos

For such a humble little dish, the Grilled Cheese Taco has a lot going on. While my mind is focused on the slab of warm, soft Halloumi cheese, my mouth gets a surprise. First comes the lime, then the heat from serrano chili peppers, and finally refreshing mint and oregano. Black beans add some structure, and a bit of salt brings it together. It’s all wrapped up in a fresh hand-made corn tortilla. The combination of flavors lingers, like memories from a good vacation. It’s just what comfort food is meant to be. I could eat one every day.

—Kirsten Harrington

Bo’s Boys BBQ

When you are born in the South, three things ring true … Faith, Family, and BBQ! In Winter Garden, that means Bo’s Boys BBQ, prepared with a family recipe that “Daddy Bo” has handed down to the next generation. Just one day a week— Saturday—cars queue up along Avalon Road for ribs that fall off the bone and tender, smoked chicken so good my mouth is craving it as I write these lines. Be sure to double down on the traditional down-home mac & cheese, collard greens and beans, so sweet and savory,you won’t regret it.

— Mark Schmidt

Pad See-Ew: Thai Blossom

The Pad See-Ew is always a favorite of mine, and I try this dish at every Thai restaurant I find. Thai Blossom wins hands down, so I always go back there to get my fix. Slippery, unctuous, wide flat noodles, cooked just right, are tossed with a savory brown sauce that has just a lovely hint of sweetness. Not too sweet to be overpowering, but just enough to balance the dish and keep me craving more. Plus, I love that the vegetables, broccoli and carrots, are fresh and still have a little snap to them. You can’t go wrong with any meat you choose, although chicken is my default. I always leave happy. Even more so when I can get my hands on an order of fresh summer rolls to complete the meal, a popular, yet elusive favorite that sells out every single day.

— Tara Gomez

Foraged Mushroom Pasta: Market to Table

I can’t get enough of the Foraged Mushroom Pasta. First, there’s the housemade tagliatelle, cooked al dente, of course. Toothy enough to let you know you’re biting into something with substance. Then those noodles are bathed in a mushroom cream sauce that’s a delicious paradox—both light and lush. I’m not entirely sure how you make cream sauce that’s this light in texture, but it’s pure magic. This is all I really need to soothe my cravings, but the wild foraged mushrooms and roasted root vegetables make the dish sing. Just one note: It’s a seasonal menu item at Market to Table, so please accept my apologies if you have to wait for it to reappear. All good things are worth waiting for, right?

— Samantha Rhodes

Classic Double Cheeseburger and Well-Done Cajun Fries: Five Guys

When it comes to restaurants and favorite dishes, the question I always ask is, “Would I go back just for that dish?” or “Would I tell a friend about it?” And there are a few Winter Garden faves on that list. The calzone at Winter Garden Pizza comes to mind. But the one thing I crave, that I can’t get enough of, and order frequently as a guilty pleasure or celebratory meal is so all-American: a classic double cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, onions, and mayo at Five Guys. Don’t you dare forget the well-done Cajun fries with an icy cold Coca-Cola.

—Dr. Dave Tran

Lobster Benedict: Chef’s Tasting Room

Brunch is my favorite meal, and the Lobster Benedict from The Tasting Room is one of the best dishes I have ever had! I love that this local restaurant puts their own twist on the classic by using buttery biscuits instead of an English muffin. The perfectly cooked poached eggs nestle atop a tower of lobster chunks, the sweetness of which complements the bright, peppery bite of watercress. And then, of course, is the Hollandaise—rich, buttery, with just the lightest touch of lemon. Served with a crispy, salty side of potato hash … it’s simply delicious.

—Jen Dixon

Mixed Steak Skewer: Matthew’s Steakhouse

My favorite dish in Winter Garden? That’s a really hard question! I love the Royal Milk Tea from Lucky Straw Bubble, and the Thai Basil Dumplings from Lucky Dumpling are on frequent rotation. But the Mixed Steak Skewer from Matthew’s Steakhouse is my absolute favorite. Yes, skewers! I love that the tender chunks of filet and strip steak are already bite-sized. I love that the salt-and-pepper seasoning lends a little crunch to every bite. And I love that when you melt the delicious herb butter over the meat, you get the perfect salty-meaty dripping in which to fold the pan-seared homestyle potatoes.

—Savanna Westwood