American diner$$mills-50
Beefy King is the 1968 roast beef counter on north bumby avenue, with six counter seats, the original blue logo and a third generation behind the slicer.
Why locals love it: The 1968 roast beef counter on North Bumby Avenue, with six counter seats, the original blue logo and a third generation behind the slicer.
Tip: Order the King with Spuds curly fries and a side of Beefy Sauce.
Steakhouse$$icon-park
Christner's Prime Steak and Lobster is a steakhouse room in Icon Park. Book the chef's counter for a view of the dry-aged ribeyes hitting the grill.
Why locals love it: A family-run independent steakhouse on Lee Road since 1993, with USDA Prime cuts and a Wine Spectator-award wine list nobody talks about.
Tip: Book the chef's counter for a view of the dry-aged ribeyes hitting the grill.
New American$$mills-50
The Strand on North Mills Avenue is Alda and Joe Reess seasonal American room; a tight changing menu and an excellent burger anchor the program.
Why locals love it: Alda and Joe Rees's seasonal American room on North Mills Avenue, with a tight changing menu and an excellent burger lurking under the Mills 50 noise.
Tip: The burger and the cocktail list are the through-line; the rest rotates.
Brunch$$winter-park
Briarpatch is a 1980 Park Avenue brunch institution in Winter Park; the chefs torta and the blueberry pancakes hold the room steady through the generations.
Why locals love it: A 1980 Park Avenue brunch institution in Winter Park, where the chef's torta and the blueberry pancakes hold the room steady through generations.
Tip: Weekday mornings are best; Saturdays go an hour wait before 09:00.
American diner$$college-park
Christo's Cafe is since 1972, college park diner cooking on edgewater drive, where the greek family runs breakfast and lunch six days a week.
Why locals love it: Since 1972, College Park diner cooking on Edgewater Drive, where the Greek family runs breakfast and lunch six days a week.
Tip: Order the Greek omelet and a side of grits; the booth turnover is fast.
Cafe$$audubon-park
Stardust Video and Coffee on Winter Park Road doubles as a film rental shop, late-night cafe and venue for the Monday Community Market in Audubon Park.
Why locals love it: An Audubon Park hold-out on Winter Park Road that doubles as a film rental shop, late-night cafe and venue for the Monday Community Market.
Tip: Mondays are the night; cash bar plus the parking-lot market crowd.