It’s time to reflect on the best meals you’ve had this year at Central Florida restaurants — and to make a few extra dining stops. All in the name of the 20th Orlando Sentinel Foodie Awards!
This competition allows readers — and me — to name some of the best restaurants designed to celebrate the best from African cuisine to wine bars.
The ballot will go live Nov. 27 on OrlandoSentinel.com/Foodies.
Voting ends Feb. 16 and winners will be announced March 18 in a special section of the Sentinel.
After a little editing, our categories reflect the Central Florida food scene — particularly thanks to three additions:
Butcher/Meat market: This category involves some meaty decision-making.
Do you head to Petty’s Meat Market in Longwood for something exotic for dinner or Cavallari Gourmet in Oviedo? Has Orlando Meats in Orlando’s Ivanhoe Village become your stop for an extra special cut of steak — or is that reserved for the Local Butcher & Market in Winter Park?
Doughnuts: More than 10 doughnut-centric eateries call Central Florida home — several of which started selling their pillowy sweets this year. It’s safe to say this is a trend that keeps gaining momentum. The best part of this new category is getting to taste these different doughnuts. I don’t know about you, but I’m not complaining.
I’ll be interested to see which doughnut shops you will pick. We have a lot of old favorites such as Donut King in Winter Park and Minneola, Bakery Plus in Orlando and Sip n’ Dip in St. Cloud. But will new trailblazers cause an upset? For example, Valkyrie Doughnuts offers pillowy vegan sweets in Orlando, pop-up shop Orlandough rolls out a large variety of creative doughnuts, and the decadent treats at Oakland’s DG Doughnuts are swoon-worthy.
Tacos: This category might cause the most heartbreak (for me) this year. How many taco spots hold a place in your heart? Personally, it’s going to be like picking a favorite child. A much loved child who makes me delicious food wrapped in tortillas.
Old-school taquerias such as Orlando’s Taqueria Ameca and Tortas El Rey receive that designation for a reason. Relative newbies to the scene, including Black Rooster Taqueria in Orlando and Hunger Street Tacos in Winter Park, are not to be dismissed, however.
Throwing a wrench in things are taco-centric restaurants that skew away from traditional Mexican fare such as Tin & Taco in downtown Orlando.
With 58 categories, there’s bound to be one that fits your favorite restaurant. Don’t hesitate to give that eatery the kudos it deserves.
