We came on a Sunday afternoon and it seemed pretty busy, but we were seated pretty quickly. The…read morestaff came by with water and it was a breeze to place our order. The food was delicious. My brother got the seasonal coffee and it was a tad too sweet. I got the hash which is always a good choice, and they had a seasonal one that featured steak which was quite lovely. The bathroom was a little messy, but stocked and in working order. The place was well decorated and we were sat in a comfortable booth. Overall, it was a good experience.

I have a complicated relationship with First Watch…read more It's kind of like that actor who's been incredible in some movies and absolutely unbearable in others. I've had experiences at certain First Watch franchise locations that left me questioning not only the meal, but several of my life choices leading up to it. So when I walked into this location in the Fern Park/Casselberry (Altamonte Springs) area, I'll admit it... I came in cautiously optimistic at best. Thankfully, this visit reminded me why the chain became popular in the first place. Right away, the staff stood out for being personable and genuinely pleasant. Not the robotic "corporate friendly" where someone smiles while dead behind the eyes. Actual warm, attentive service that made the place feel welcoming. And here's something restaurant owners should probably frame on the wall because it's becoming weirdly rare these days: the food was cooked correctly and served hot. Hot. As in actually warm when it hit the table and not sitting under a heat lamp long enough to qualify for Social Security. I ordered the omelette, and it absolutely hit the spot. Comfort food done properly. Fluffy, flavorful, filling, and exactly what I wanted breakfast to be. My daughter ordered the steak and egg hash, and visually... let's just say this isn't a dish entering any beauty pageants. It kind of arrives looking like breakfast got into a small argument with itself. But one bite in and none of that mattered. It was rich, hearty, luscious, and cooked just right. The kind of dish where every bite feels indulgent enough that you briefly stop caring about cholesterol or responsibility. This location honestly felt dialed in. The kitchen was on point, the service was strong, and the overall experience reminded me that consistency is what separates a good restaurant visit from a forgettable one. Because of my mixed history with First Watch overall, I can't quite bring myself to throw five stars into the air like confetti... but this particular location absolutely earned four stars and deserves credit for getting it right.

Breakfast @ the Maitland Breakfast Club, and it turned out to be a pleasant surprise! Our waitress,…read moreCindy A., was as sweet as apple pie and made us feel right at home. On my first visit, I ordered the Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Pancakes with link sausages and a glass of orange juice. The pancakes were delicious, the sausages hit the spot, and the orange juice was... well, you know... orange juice. It did its job! The atmosphere reminded me of a classic country diner--cozy, welcoming, and filled with an older crowd, which I honestly prefer. One thing I really appreciated was being able to seat myself. That's always a plus in my book. Sometimes being escorted to a table means ending up in that one awkward corner nobody wants... but I digress. Overall, I had a great experience and would happily come back. My significant other, however, wasn't nearly as impressed. Oh well--you win some, you lose some! Sometimes breakfast is just a pancake split decision.

Maitland Breakfast Club reminds me of why the diners are an ultimate American staple. Diners are a…read morecompletely American thing that started in America as a mobile eatery and has transformed into what it is now, which are stationary eateries that feature affordable, filling food that appeals to the blue collar man. Fun fact, diners were started in New England region of America in the 1850s. All this to say, I love a good diner. I mean the American diner has always been there for middle America. The closest one to me and honestly it's definitely hidden away is the Maitland Breakfast Club. It's pretty much situated on the boundary line of where the City of Altamonte Springs starts. They have large space that's casual and what you would expect for a diner. Anyone can walk in wearing their Sunday best to pajamas. The waitresses are very welcoming and exactly the kind of person I would expect to invite me into a diner. We had gone on a Saturday afternoon and they're not a diner that's open late, so more of a breakfast diner really. Now I got the eggs Benedict with bacon and hash browns. For me, there are three breakfast staples I believe all amazing must revisit breakfast places should have. A good cup of warm regular coffee, eggs Benedict, and good crispy hash browns. I mean some places have other things like lattes and hash brown bowls, and I'm not saying those aren't good. However, when you nail the basics, you can do anything else. The hollandaise sauce was great and didn't split and bacon was crispy. The hash browns were super crispy, which I loved, and I could tell it had been made on a flat top grill, which is another very classic American restaurant kitchen appliance. The cup of coffee was good, I mean they had the sugar packets and the creamers right there. Overall, I would rate it a 9/10 and it set us back about $15 for just my portion. I will be back (said menacingly), Maitland Breakfast Club.

This used to be Max and Meme's restaurant. They opened a few months ago, temporarily shutdown to…read morefix an AC issue, and now they're open and ready to serve with a smile. Our server was so kind as well was another employee that stopped by to chat with us. They offered suggestions and their fave menu items. My food was good. I really enjoyed the grits. My country fried steak was ok. I ordered rye toast but received multigrain. It was still delicious. I really wish they offered fountain sodas rather than cans at $2.99. Next time I would order coffee so I can get my caffeine fix. Also, I would prefer that they offered really butter instead of a butter/margarine blend. My last suggestion would be offering actual hot sauce mini bottles rather than a plastic cup of nondescript hot sauce. I have faith that this place will be great. They've already hired the best employees and service was great. There's just a few personal preferences I think the could add. Pay them a visit.

The Hungry Stork has been open for about two months. It has been remodeled and painted since the…read moreprevious restaurant in its location. The wait staff are so friendly and accommodating. The restaurant is clean and the a/c is working. The bacon was perfectly cooked, the wheat toast and grape jelly were delicious, the eggs were very good. I did not care for the hash browns. They were not bad just not crispy enough for my taste. The coffee was hot but not a strong blend which I prefer. Our main server Savannah was so kind and efficient and the head server/ manager checked on us often during our breakfast. They both were amazing and kind. I think it was a good breakfast with a good price. I am sure to come back again to try some other items from the menu.

Finally got to trying this place. I have passed by it for years and kept meaning to check it out…read more Not only is it a local place and not a chain; but it's a fantastic spot to see some great art on the walls. I can only wish to one day have some art hanging there. ‍ Their menu is small, but varied. Sandwiches, breakfast food, all looked/sounded appetizing. I, and my son, decided to try the taco special. I chose grilled chicken. My son opted for the chorizo. These weren't normal tacos, at least not like I had seen. These were wrapped in cheese, then fried- I think? Anyway, it was tasty. My son gobbled his up quickly, and even scarfed up what I couldn't finish. And the Mexican corn side was delicious. My son tried a new drink - the name escapes me; coffee with vanilla ice cream and espresso. He loved it. I had their lemonade which was excellent. For dessert we got some key lime pie to take home; it didn't last long. Will be back for sure.

Maya Cafe is a cute little spot with great options for both indoor and outdoor seating. While it's…read moreadvertised as a coffee shop, the food completely steals the show, specifically the tacos! I ordered the chorizo smashed taco, which came smothered in perfectly melted, crispy-toasted cheese and topped with a flawlessly cooked fried egg. It was easily the highlight of the meal. The only downside was the staffing. There was only one waiter covering all the customers, and you could tell he was at a huge disadvantage running back and forth. My food actually came out incorrect at first, but he handled it with so much kindness and genuine composure that it was resolved immediately without any stress. Great atmosphere and incredible tacos, just make sure to give the hardworking staff a little grace when they're busy!

Coming back from New Orleans is tough, especially when this foodie ate his fill of fried chicken…read moreand gumbo. But I had an urge to find some fried chicken that is lightly battered and this place hit the spot. Located just off of Park Avenue and Fairbanks is The Hen & Hog. Got a 6 piece fried chicken anf a few sides which consisted of mac and cheese, fries and a pickled slaw. Juicy freshly fried and ever so gently battered chicken that was crisp with every bite. Definitely some tasty chicken. I really liked the slaw that had garlic onions celery and some other items but it cut through the savoriness of the chicken. Yes, i ate all of it to the bone. Wife also got chicken and waffles which she thoroughly enjoyed. Also had fried banana peppers with a pimento spread. Pretty nice combination. Staff was super helpful. They also have wings with a lot of great sauces to try. That will be my order for next time. Cant wait to come back.

My friend and I stopped in over a weekend for lunch. We were greeted by the friendliest guy who…read morecame up to the front who explained everything on the menus we saw upfront on the screens, about specials, and how to order at the counter. We took our time scanning through all the options and I settled upon the cuban sandwich and my friend had a burger. You order at the counter and they bring the food to you. The inside of the restaurant was cute. I really enjoyed the live stream of the cows grazing in the fields. The rustic vibe fit the brand great. It only took a short while to get our food. My cuban was great. The bread was nicely toasted. The meat was extremely juicy on the sandwich. My friend enjoyed the taste of her burger. We both thought the fries had nice crispiness. There were several families enjoying lunch inside while we were in here. I saw they had a brunch menu and think in my next visit I want to experience the chicken and waffles I keep hearing about.

My friend and I went to Briarpatch on a Saturday for brunch, which is always a gamble with wait…read moretimes. We walked in around 1 and there was a very short wait. We ended up sitting at the bar to avoid waiting for a table. The bar was really tight but we made it work. My friend ordered an espresso martini, and it was too milky. For our food, everything was excellent. The avocado toast was fresh and the eggs were perfectly over medium. The home fries were also perfectly crispy. My friend ordered the kale salad with chicken and we both agreed it was one of the best salads we've ever had. The kale was fresh, the chicken was very tender and the dressing was the perfect amount. Between the service and food, we had an excellent experience!

Briarpatch was such an amazing choice! The restaurant is bright, colorful, and beautifully…read moredecorated while still feeling sophisticated and charming. It has such a fun atmosphere without losing that elevated feel. Our waitress Maria was absolutely wonderful--so sweet, attentive, and welcoming, which made the experience even better. I had the tomato soup, and it was delicious. My husband ordered the grilled cheese with a Caesar salad and loved both. But the absolute STAR for me was the truffle fries. Seriously, the best truffle fries I've ever had! I would go back for those alone. Between the beautiful atmosphere, great service, and delicious food, we had such a lovely experience. Briarpatch was the perfect choice for lunch, and we'll definitely be back!

If you want the most delicious pastries you've ever had in your life, Buttermilk is your girl…read more My go to is the Bacon Cheddar Pull Apart Bread. However, they always have fun creations popping up in their case. Some fan favorites are the Mango Sticky Rice Tart and literally any of their pop tarts. The staff is kind and efficient. There's usually a line out the door. However, we never wait longer than 15 minutes to get the goods. The space is definitely small on the customer end inside. However, they have plenty of outdoor seating that's perfect for hanging out with friends on a Sunday morning. Literally one of my favorite spots. Thank you Buttermilk for being THAT girl.

I have been a Buttermilk Bakery fan for well over a decade. Until this last weekend…read more I got online at 8:15 in the morning to place my order. Each item that I selected came up with a message that read, "Our store is not currently accepting orders." I tried again a few minutes later. Then again. And again. And again. I tried to call and received a voicemail that stated a different number. At 8:50am, the option to order seemed to be back up and running. I ordered five items, including the Roasted Tomatoes & Goat Cheese Quiche. For context: I live 45 minutes away from Buttermilk Bakery. It used to be on my way to work but, as of a few years ago, that is not the case anymore. So, it is now a special occasion destination. Reserved only for weekends when I can make the trip. More context: I have been raving to one of my closet friends for years about how much I love this place. My most emphatic musings have been about the quiche. Today, since she and I were planning an afternoon poolside, I thought that I would surprise her with an assortment of Viennoiserie and other items. At 10:36am, I received a call from Buttermilk. The woman on the phone informed me that they had run out of the quiche. How?!? Once the website was working, I was able to place my order quickly and the item didn't even read, "Low stock." I know that this is a small problem in a world full of large problems, but the thing that really set me off is that when I arrived at the store, the person in line in front of me asked for the Strawberry Buttermilk Pie. He was told that they were out of stock. He was pleasant in stating that there appeared to be slices in the refrigerator case. The girl behind the register told him that they were being held for online orders. When it was my turn, I stated that no one had held my slice of quiche. She blandly said, "I am sorry," and proceeded. I then stated that I was unhappy and had driven some distance. She asked if I would like something else. I responded that the person on the phone had simply told me that I would receive a refund. I then asked for the girl to check on my refund. She said it was not processed yet. So, I said that I would wait. She needed to ask for help to process the refund. She wasn't nasty to me, but she did not care one iota. My effort and subsequent inconvenience meant nothing. I wonder if my refund would even have been processed had I not asked. My friend and I thought the pastries that we received were fine, but she is fitness-minded and was hesitant to indulge in so many carbs without the rich protein that the quiche would have provided. And, yet, more context: This happened once before. With the quiche. Maybe a year ago. Though, that time, I believe it was a butternut squash quiche. My husband needed to be in the area, so he suggested that he pick-up at Buttermilk. When he arrived, he was told that there would be no quiche. No call. No nothing. He didn't think to ask for a refund and we never received one. That time, I simply thought, "Well, accidents happen." This time, I think that I received very shoddy service. I felt very disrespected. I felt unseen. I have loved this place, but I am so disappointed.

Rise always delivers! It's one of my favorite ways to start a Saturday. The food is always fresh,…read moreand the customer service never disappoints. My go-to order is usually the BLT and cheese tots, and they never miss. They have multiple locations, but the Winter Park location is definitely my favorite. I love that Trader Joe's is right around the corner, so I can grab a snack, do a little shopping, and enjoy the scenery of Winter Park all in one trip. If you're looking for a great breakfast spot with fresh food, friendly service, and a good atmosphere, I definitely recommend giving Rise a try!

Never been to a Rise Southern Biscuits & Righteous Chicken before. I saw there was one in Winter…read morePark and signed up for their rewards program. Well, guess what? They sent me an offer for a free biscuit sandwich for my birthday! Perfect timing since I was at the office that day! I walked in and asked the guy at the counter for recommendations since it was my first time. He took his time to help me decide, and I went with the Southern style. He was genuinely great and super helpful...kudos to him! He mentioned everything is made fresh, so it would take a few minutes. I waited patiently. The location is small, tucked among other restaurants and shops in Winter Park. It was very clean and well-maintained inside. I took my order back to the office (only about 10 minutes away). When I opened the bag... surprise! I was expecting a normal-sized biscuit, but this thing was twice as big as I thought. The chicken was super crispy, flavorful, and that melted pimento cheese was fire! It was seriously delicious and very filling. I'll definitely be back soon to try another biscuit...maybe something more traditional next time to compare. My experience was excellent overall, but I have to dock one point for no indoor seating. I know the space is tiny, but adding a small counter with a couple of high chairs against the window would be awesome. Just my two cents!