American restaurants have a reputation - the portions are not just big...  they are huge!  Whether it is a rack of baby-back ribs, a triple-stack beefburger, a plate of pancakes or Cajun Caesar Salad that makes your mouth water, the vast range of well known chain and specialist restaurants accommodate all tastes and budgets.  Many restaurants in the Orlando, Kissimmee and Walt Disney World area cater well for tourists and "Eat-All-You-Can" buffets are common place.  Just remember two things - one go hungry and two, when it beats you - ask for a box to take it away.

Cheers Bar - If you have rented a vacation villa in the Kissimmee area before, did you find that you are always driving and never able to stop for a drink in the evening?  Staying at Indian Wells, we have a 'local' sports bar.  It is always welcoming and can be very lively, especially when a big (American) football game is on.  Big screen televisions show sport from around the world - just grab a pitcher or bucket of your favourite draft beer and enjoy.  

Frankie Farrell's ($$) - Irish bar and grill alongside the Lake Buena Vista outlets.  With an array of UK beers on draft, a selection of both traditional Irish and Tex-Mex favourites and UK soccer on big TVs,  this is a great place to relax.  Also, should you want to arrive earlier in the day, there area a number of tables and chairs outside for a drink in the sun.

For lunch-time snacks, on-the-go food or dinner, within 5 minutes of Indian Wells, you will find: Subway, Burger King, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Waffle House, TGI Fridays, Bob Evans, China Pearl Restaurant and take-away, Papa Johns pizzas, Romanos Macaroni Grill, Pacinos, Uno Chicago Pizzeria, Perkins, Cracker Barrel and of course McDonalds.  Not only does Cheers serve food, but there is also a Mediterranean restaurant, Chinese take-away, Caribbean Chicken diner and Pizzeria (as well as a number of smaller diners) in the local shops bordering Indian Wells.  

Applebee's ($) - US192 near to Super Target.  Friendly Tex-Mex restaurant-diner offering a selection of excellent value meals, including Weight Watchers® for those who have over indulged that little too much!  2-for-1 beers are available during special promotions.

Ponderosa ($) - Opposite Old Town.  A favourite for the British, this eat-all-you-can buffet chain offers fantastic value food - for breakfast, lunch or dinner.  As you would expect, it can get very busy, but guaranteed you will not be hungry when you leave.

International House Of Pancakes (IHOP) ($) - US192 between Polynesian Isles Blvd and Poinciana Blvd.  On the face of it, this is more a diner that serves pancakes than a restaurant.  However, if you want a great range of food at a tiny price, this is the place for you.  The 'Big Steak Omelette' is a personnel favourite and the pancakes are equally as good.  They do not serve alcohol, so instead go for a carafe of freshly squeezed Florida orange juice.

Bahama Breeze ($$) - SR535 near I4.  Themed restaurant specializing in Caribbean food offering fantastic salads, fish dishes and steaks.  Enjoy a Bahama Mama cocktail or a glass of Aruba Red beer taken in the ambience of live music on the veranda.   An excellent restaurant for a special occasion.

Santa Fe Cattle Company ($$) - SR535 between SR536 and Interstate 4.  Tex-Mex specialising in good value, big and tasty meals.

Abuelos ($$)- The Loop complex (off Osceola Parkway).  Mexican restaurant serving combinations of classic dishes in authentic surroundings.  This can be busy during early evening, but well worth the visit if you are looking for a great fajita, burrito or quesadilla.

Planet Hollywood ($$$) - Downtown Disney.  Well known movie-themed restaurant, with film props and memorabilia adorning the walls in the big blue globe (with the revolving dinosaur).  Food is very much Tex-Mex, with burgers a big favourite.  Expect anything up to a 60 minute wait during busy times.

Texas de Brazil ($$$) - International Drive.  This Brazilian steakhouse is one of the more expensive restaurants in the area (at around $60 per head), but the food is phenomenal.  Waiters walk around with exquisitely cooked cuts of flavoured meats on skewers.  The price also includes one of the best buffets we know.  Our big tip: go hungry - go very hungry! 

Other restaurants worth visiting are: Hooters (great servers and fun diner in Lake Buena Vista) and Long Horn Steakhouse (steakhouse on US192).  

With many an English Pub and Tavern in the Kissimmee area - including the 'The Pub' and 'Fawlty Towers Tavern' (US192 near Medieval Times), anyone wishing to watch the English football matches will have a choice of venues to visit.  Just remember, Florida is 5 hours behind so a 3 o'clock kick-off (in the UK) will start at 10 in the morning!  For full details of US TV channels showing soccer games at local Kissimmee venues check out the Live Soccer TV website.

To continue that 'on-vacation' feel into the evening, visit one of the many themed dinner shows in the Orlando and Kissimmee area.  Many expect you to live-and-feel the theme, so expect lots of noise.  For Mum and Dad - take note that some of these are non-alcoholic shows, so lemonade may be the order of the day.  On a plus, the Kissimmee coupon booklets - readily available at the entrance to WalMart stores - usually have money-off vouchers for these shows.

• Arabian Nights - Fairy tale story with princes, princesses and lots of horses
• Medieval Times - More horses, duelling knights, sword fights and lots of medieval food.
• Pirate's Dinner Adventure - All action, swashbuckling with special effects 'me hearties'.
• Sleuths Mystery Dinner Show - Be a detective while eating & drinking.
• The Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show - Comedy, pizza and beer - what an evening!
• Seaworld Luau - Authentic Polynesian Luau with dancing and island cuisine.
• Al Capone's Dinner & Show - 1930s gangland Chicago ...and often half-price when booked on-line.

It is customary to tip for service in America.  This 'informal' rule applies to all walks of life, no matter what the person does - be it carrying bags, serving food or hailing a cab (taxi).  Although obligatory, 15% is expected for 'normal' service and up to 20% for exceptional service.  For restaurant parties of 8 persons or more, it is likely that the gratuity will be added to your bill automatically.  Any additional tip is at the discretion of the person signing for the bill.  For smaller parties, the gratuity is not usually added in automatically - however, we would always advise you check beforehand.   

Approximate amounts expected are: 15% waiter or cab service (i.e. $1.50 for every $10), $1-2 per round of drinks and 15% green fees for caddying.  This can be left as cash (on the table) or entered on the check (bill) as a separate amount.