Wildside's BBQ - Wild "Fire" Burger

WildSide BBQ has been a staple in Thornton Park since 2001. I recall the very early days when it was a small “hole in the wall” building that was barely large enough to actually sit down in. Then I remember they expanded and made it a little larger, then a few years later it expanded even more with a new addition and a higher roof. Now everyone I talk to seems to know and love WildSides. They have branched out and opened a location in Kissimmee and the newest in College Park, where I recently visited.

The ATMOSPHERE… a sports bar feel where people go to watch the game, have a drink, or eat a meal, the TVs are LOUD so don’t go if you are planning on a quiet romantic meal

The SERVICE… we’ll skip that for now

The FOOD… Appetizers range from Gator Bites to Loaded Potato Skins, Dinner Salads, A wide variety of sandwiches including WildSide’s Famous Beef Brisket Sandwich (topped with sweet pickles and BBQ sauce), or get a House Specialty Entrée’s or Smoked BBQ platters ranging in price from $10.99 - $23.99.

There were a lot of people working that day, but still no one seemed to know what they were doing. We were greeted several times and then shuffled around from person to person before they finally decided on a server for us. The length we waited did give us plenty of time to look over the menu and both of us decided to get the Wild ‘FIRE’ Burger (Black Angus Beef, mixed with Gorgonzola Cheese, mild Buffalo Sauce. Served on Texas Toast with Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato and Crispy Onion Rings, served with Signature Steak Fries $8.99) I requested mine Well Done, while my friend asked for his Medium Well. When the Runner brought them out and put them in front of us we asked him which was which because they were cooked to different temperatures. He seemed puzzled and said, “let me go find out”. We thought this was a bit strange. When he returned he pointed to one of them and said, “This one was the Well Done”. (Not sure how he knew which one that was, I am assuming that he just guessed) I ended up taking the one that looked the darkest on the outside which ended up being cooked to my liking, however when my friend bit into his it was very bloody in the middle – not exactly what I would call “Medium Well”. As for the flavor of the Burger, my complaint is that I could not taste any Bleu Cheese or any Hot Sauce (This has been a complaint of mine at other restaurants when ordering a “Specialty Burger” where you can not taste the ingredients that are mixed in with the meat) The Steak Fries were OK, The Burger was not bad, it just lacked the flavor that I was expecting by the menu description. The Texas Toast it was served on was larger then the Burger patty and you ended up with a lot of extra bread. Since there are so many other restaurants that I prefer going to for either BBQ or Burgers, it will probably be a while before I could get talked in to going back to WildSide’s.

Pine Twenty 2 - The 22

Pine Twenty 2 is a “Build your own Burger” spot that sits on the corner of Pine and Orange in “The Plaza” block of downtown Orlando.

The ATMOSPHERE… Plenty of open seating is available in the large modernly furnished and decorated space.

The SERVICE… Select a clipboard and fill out a checklist of what you want on your Burger. Once you pay you are given a number, you find a seat, and they will bring your food to the table.

The FOOD… You must make a selection in all of the following categories…

#1 Type of Burger (ex. 100% Angus Beef 5 oz. or 8 oz., Black Bean, Turkey)

#2 Bun (ex. English Muffin, Herb Foccacia, Texas Toast or Salad)

#3 Cheese (ex. Blue, Goat, Fontina, Pepper Jack, Sharp Cheddar, Feta)

#4 Sauce (ex. Basil Pesto, Mango Chutney, Peanut Butter, Ranch, Honey Mustard)

#5 Toppings (ex. Charred Pineapple, Pickles, Roasted Red Peppers, Sprouts)

#6 Premium Toppings $1 Extra (ex. Bacon, Avocado, Ham, Fried Egg)

I have been to Pine 22 a handful of times. What I love about the place is the fact that there are so many choices for your Burger, in fact I have never been anywhere that even comes close to offering this many possibilities. If customizing your Burger with imaginative toppings and quality ingredients to create a unique and delicious meal appeals to you then go there right away and don’t read any further.

Even the smallest Beef or Turkey Burger (5 oz.) starts at $6.95. If you wanted an 8 oz. patty then it jumps to $8.75. Then add $1 for any premium toppings, extra cheese, or if you wanted it on a salad rather then on a bun. Feel like adding fries? That will be an extra $2.75. Finally add a drink for another $2. What I am getting at is that by the time you have created your “customized” meal you could be looking at $14 - $17. Now also keep in mind that Pine Twenty 2 is located in the heart of Downtown Orlando so there will also be some sort of Parking Fee. I lucked out and found a meter that already had some time on it, but I still had to put in an additional 50 cents to allow for my lunchtime.

While flipping to the back side of the menu I saw that they offered several pre-fabricated “Combos” that already had the selections picked out for you and included your choice of Sweet potato fries OR Pine fries. I decided to select the #2 Combo which was THE 22 (1/2 lb Deepcreek Ranch Grass Fed Beef, Sautéed Mushrooms, Charred Onions, Smoked Bacon, Blue Cheese, with Sweet Potato Fries - $10) Had I made all of these selections individually it would have come to $13.50 so I felt this was a good deal (and it sounded delicious as well).

My friend and I ordered together, but our Burgers came out at different times. I noticed that this was happening at both of the other tables that were in there as well. I only bring this up because it was a little awkward eating my Burger while he was just sitting there, and it was a long enough time where if I hadn’t then my food would have gotten cold. I feel like Pine Twenty 2 has been open now for long enough that this shouldn’t be happening.

Now on to the actual taste of my Burger…. It was delicious! Perfectly cooked high quality Beef, crisp thick Bacon, creamy melted Blue Cheese combined with just the right amount of Onions and Mushrooms making each bite a mouthful of happiness.

My only complaint on flavor is that both the Burger AND the Sweet Potato Fries were a bit too salty. I feel that with the way people are so health conscience these days that a little less sodium would appeal to the masses, and no flavor would have to be sacrificed.

By going to Pine Twenty 2 you will most likely get a delicious Burger, however even though they offer a punch card (purchase six Burgers and the seventh is free) I still feel that it is a little too expensive, especially since there are so many cheaper ways to go out there that taste just as good.

Shipyard Emporium - Imperial Burger

Shipyard Emporium is a combination Market, Bakery, Restaurant and Brewery located in Winter Park, on Fairbanks near Park Ave.

The ATMOSPHERE… Upon entering you will find everything in sections, to the left shop for Wines and Gourmet Food items, Straight ahead purchase deli meats and cheeses or Breads that are baked fresh on the premises, to the right sit at the bar and order a daily brewed Beer or have a delicious meal in the restaurant area.

The SERVICE… having visited a couple of times I have always had great service

The FOOD… Starters, Soups, Salads, Sandwiches, Flatbread Pizzas or create your own Meat and Cheese platter with selections from the Deli. They also feature an array of locally baked desserts that are amazing.

I ordered The Imperial Burger (Harris Ranch all natural burger with shredded romaine, shaved red onions, sliced vine ripes and parmesan aioli stacked on a soft house made bun, $10) Add Havarti for $1. Yes please! Now as for side items you have a choice of potato salad, side salad, orzo salad, calypso beans or cape cod chips. I decided to go with the calypso beans and am glad that I did. They are a combination of green beans, lima beans, and kidney beans in a brown sugar sauce that are sweet and satisfying and unlike anything that I have ever had. The Burger itself was good, just a little on the plain side. I ended up removing the top half of the bun and eating it “knife and fork” style. My wish is that Shipyard would expand their menu and offer a few additional Burger choices, because with the array of different deli items that they offer I’m sure they would come up with some outstanding selections.