24 Florida-based restaurant chains that are actually good

Bento Asian Kitchen + Sushi

Locations: 3 Orlando, Gainesville, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, St. Petersburg, Davie
This Florida-based Pan-Asian chain offers everything from sushi to pad Thai to Vietnamese pork chop. Enjoy rice bowls, noodle bowls and bento boxes that are big enough to last for several meals and tasty enough that you’ll want to eat it for several meals in a row.

Photo via BENTO asian kitchen + sushi/Facebook

Hawkers Asian Street Fare

Locations: Orlando, St. Petersburg, Jacksonville, Neptune Beach, Windermere
Since opening its first location in Orlando in 2011, this Asian street food establishment has expanded across Florida and will soon be opening two out-of-state locations. Inspired by Asian “hawkers,” or street food vendors who depend on local ingredients, the restaurant owners hand-picked the most authentic Asian street foods to offer to customers.

Photo via Hawkers Asian Street Fare/Facebook

Graffiti Junktion

Locations: 3 Orlando, Clermont, Longwood, Lake Nona, Lake Mary, Jacksonville
Enjoy some great burgers and fries in a colorful establishment. This Central Florida-based American Burger Bar offers a casual atmosphere with walls graffitied by local artists.

Photo via Graffiti Junktion Thornton Park/Facebook

Twistee Treat

Locations: 2 Orlando, 7 Kissimmee, Clermont, Davenport, New Smyrna Beach, Cape Canaveral, Daytona Beach, Melbourne, Ocala, Tampa Metro Area, Sebring, Homosassa
Twistee Treats’ giant ice cream cone buildings have been popping up around Central Florida and serving homemade soft-serve ice cream ever since 1987. This place offers ice cream in all forms, such as twirls, sundaes, shakes/malts, waffle taco, cookiewich, brownie boat, banana split and more.

Photo via Twistee Treat USA (UCF)/Facebook

Seasons 52

Locations: Orlando, Altamonte Springs, Tampa, Sarasota, Boca Raton, Ft. Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Coral Gables, Palm Beach Gardens, Naples
Freshness is one of the main goals of this Orlando-based chain, as it is dedicated to creating “full-flavored” food by sourcing ingredients when they are at peak freshness. The restaurant also offers over 100 different wine options, which makes for some great wine pairings.

Photo via Seasons 52 (Orlando)/Facebook

Gringos Locos

Locations: 5 Orlando
This local Orlando chain provides some of the best Mexican food there is to offer. Its cheap, fast nature makes it a favorite among many locals.

Photo via Gringos Locos/Facebook

Jeremiah’s Italian Ice

Locations: 4 Orlando, Longwood, Maitland, Casselberry, Oviedo, Lake Nona, Winter Park, Lake Mary, Winter Springs, Windermere, Tampa, Brandon, Jacksonville, Coral Springs, Miami, Daytona Beach
Known for its sweet mix of gelato, Italian ice and soft serve, this frozen treat chain has become a Florida classic. With over 40 flavors to choose from, anyone can find a treat to cool them off on a hot Florida day.

Photo via Jeremiah’s Italian Ice/Facebook

4 Rivers Smokehouse

Locations: 2 Orlando, Winter Park, Tampa, Coral Springs, Gainesville, Jacksonville, Kissimmee, Orange Park, Longwood, Winter Garden, Tallahassee, Atlanta
Florida born and bred, this barbeque restaurant is every meat lover’s dream. Here, you can indulge in all the BBQ classics, such as the signature angus brisket, pulled pork, smoked chicken and brontosaurus beef rib.

Photo via 4 Rivers Smokehouse/Facebook

Miller’s Ale House

Locations: 8 Orlando, Altamonte Springs, Davenport, Ocala, Kissimmee, Sanford, Oviedo, Winter Park, Winter Garden, Palm Beach Metro Area, Tampa/St. Petersburg Metro Area, Miami/Ft. Lauderdale Metro Area, Panhandle, Fort Myers Metro Area, Gainesville, Jacksonville, multiple out-of-state
This Florida-based chain has been serving American food for the past 30 years. This sports bar-style restaurant specializes in their Zingers (chicken tenders), burgers, craft beers, desserts and more.

Photo via Miller’s Ale House/Facebook

The Melting Pot

Locations: Orlando, Longwood, Miami, Tampa, Pensacola, Sarasota, Fort Myers, St. Petersburg, Tallahassee, Destin, Melbourne, Boca Raton, Cooper City, Coral Springs, Palm Beach Gardens, multiple out-of-state
Enjoy an interactive dining experience at this fondue restaurant chain, which opened its first location in Maitland in 1975 and has since expanded across the world. The restaurant provides an array of different cheese fondues with entrees like steak, shrimp and more for dipping. There are also chocolate fondues to satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth.

Photo via The Melting Pot/Facebook

Foxtail Coffee Co.

Locations: 5 Orlando, Winter Park, Altamonte Springs
Founded in Winter Park in December 2016, this coffee shop chain has since exploded, adding another seven locations in the Orlando area. Sip a variety of responsibly sourced coffees in a relaxed atmosphere.

Photo via Foxtail Coffee/Facebook

Pepe’s Cantina Mexican Grill

Locations: 2 Orlando, Winter Park
At his three Orlando area locations, Pepe and his team promise to “bring the best of Mexico right to your table” and they don’t disappoint. Relish authentic Mexican food such as tacos, fajitas, enchiladas, burritos, Mexican pizza and more.

Photo via Pepe’s Cantina/Facebook

World of Beer

Locations: 3 Orlando, Clermont, Brandon, Tampa, Melbourne, The Villages, Lady Lake, Gainesville, Panhandle, multiple out-of-state
As the name of the Tampa-based restaurant would suggest, this place is all about beer, offering 50 craft beers on tap and “over 500 in the cooler.” They also offer tavern fare, like flatbreads, burgers and bowls, to pair with the beers.

Photo via World of Beer (Plantation, FL)/Facebook

Santiago’s Bodega

Locations: Orlando, Altamonte Springs, Key West
Founded in Key West and named after the protagonist of Hemingway’s “The Old Man and the Sea,” Santiago’s Bodega is a tapas-style restaurant dedicated to throwing customers a party every evening.

Photo via Santiago’s Bodega Orlando/Facebook

Sonny’s BBQ

Locations: 3 Orlando, Oviedo, Sanford, Winter Park, Apopka, Tampa/St. Petersburg Metro Area, Panhandle, Ocala, Gainesville, Jacksonville Metro Area, multiple out-of-state
Sonny’s BBQ, headquartered in Maitland, is all about southern barbeque goodness. This chain features ribs, pulled pork, smoked wings and all other barbeque favorites.

Photo via Sonny’s BBQ/Facebook

Tako Cheena

Locations: 3 Orlando
Can’t decide whether you want Latin American food or Pan-Asian food? At Tako Cheena, you don’t have to choose. Get all your favorite Latin foods, like burritos and tacos, with Pan-Asian fillings, like Thai peanut chicken, Korean beef and more.

Photo via Tako Cheena on Mills50/Facebook

Eddie V’s Prime Seafood

Locations: Orlando, Tampa, multiple out-of-state
Experience fresh seafood and prime steaks at this Orlando-headquartered restaurant. Though pricey, the food is well worth it, as it features everything from caviar to an Iceberg BLT.

Photo via Eddie V’s Prime Seafood/Facebook

Tijuana Flats

Locations: 10 Orlando, Winter Park, Casselberry, Altamonte Springs, Oviedo, Apopka, Longwood, Winter Garden, Winter Springs, Windermere, Jacksonville Metro Area, Tampa Metro Area, Miami/Ft. Lauderdale Metro Area, Daytona Beach, Gainesville, multiple out-of-state
First opened in Winter Park, this Tex-Mex chain provides a casual setting to enjoy burritos, chimichangas, tostadas, flautas, enchiladas, tacos and more.

Photo via Tijuana Flats/Facebook

Boca Kitchen, Bar and Market

Locations: Winter Park, Tampa, Sarasota, Riverview
Boca prides itself on offering fresh, locally sourced ingredients to customers, with a menu that depends on which ingredients are currently in season. Whether serving a spinach and goat cheese salad or smoked meatloaf, they always maintain the “farm-to-table” mentality.

Photo via Boca Winter Park/Facebook