FOOD

West Orange foodies are lucky to have a plethora of unique restaurants and eateries within a short drive from their homes. So many, in fact, that it may be hard to decide where to start.

Although this is in no way a comprehensive list of everything you should try, this will give you a good introduction into the West Orange food scene.

Bon appetit!

— TROY HERRING

DIXIE CREAM CAFÉ 434 Main St., Windermere HOURS: 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Mondays through Sundays WEBSITE: dixiecreamcafe.com PHONE: (407) 217-5047 ABOUT: Dixie Cream Café started in 2010 and since then has been serving up some of the best breakfast and lunch in the area. From smoked brisket hash to bananas foster to fried buttermilk chicken and grits, Dixie Cream Café’s menu is perfect for those looking for from-scratch home cooking. FIRST BITE: Bananas foster TOLL ROAD BREWING CO. 101 West Mckey St., Ocoee HOURS: 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays; 5 to 10 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; 4 to 10 p.m. Fridays; noon to 10 p.m. Saturdays; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays WEBSITE: bit.ly/3pPCiYU PHONE: (407) 395-2742 ABOUT: What started as a passion project making beer in a garage back in 2004 eventually led to the creation of one of the top local breweries in the area. The brewery offers up a variety of beers with names such as The Crowd Pleaser and The Sheriff. FIRST BITE: Sun Ryes

WEST ORANGE CREAMERY & SODA FOUNTAIN 1575 Maguire Road, Ocoee HOURS: 2 to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 2 to 10 p.m. Fridays; 1 to 10 p.m. Saturdays; 1 to 9 p.m. Sundays WEBSITE: westorangecreamery.com PHONE: (407) 656-6066 ABOUT: West Orange Creamery & Soda Fountain in Ocoee takes things up a notch with its old-fashioned soda fountain and creative milkshakes and sundaes. If you’re looking for a sugar rush, this is your place. FIRST BITE: S’mores Overload

YELLOW DOG EATS 1236 Hempel Ave., Gotha HOURS: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily WEBSITE: yellowdogeats.com PHONE: (407) 296-0609 ABOUT: Yellow Dog Eats has been providing locals and visitors alike some of the best barbecue, sandwiches, soups, salads and desserts anywhere, and that’s why you’ll often find the indoor — and chill outdoor — area always buzzing. FIRST BITE: The Holy Crap JEFF’S BAGEL RUN 2787 Old Winter Garden Road, Ocoee (opening soon) WEBSITE: jeffsbagelrun.com PHONE: (954) 798-5977 ABOUT: Since its official founding in August 2019, Jeff’s Bagel Run has been baking up small-batch, hand-crafted New York style bagels to order from the kitchen of founders Jeff and Danielle Perera. Recently, the couple announced a brick-and-mortar shop in Ocoee. FIRST BITE: Salt bagel

DG DOUGHNUTS 16131 W. Colonial Drive, Oakland HOURS: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Sundays WEBSITE: dgdoughnuts.com PHONE: (407) 656-3869 ABOUT: One of the best-kept secrets in West Orange County, DG Doughnuts is a place to get a fix for your sweet tooth, as the shop offers a variety of tasty doughnuts. FIRST BITE: Apple fritter