Ponderosa Steakhouse has a very nostalgic place in my heart. Back in the early 2000’s the Ponderosa Breakfast was a super deal to fill the family before a day in the Disney Parks. For less than $5 you could fill your boots for the day.
We thought they had closed but last week we discovered the last Ponderosa in Florida and it’s on the 192 in Orlando.
As soon as we walked through the door so many memories came flooding back as its basic design has not changed, but the prices definitely have.
We both had the unlimited buffet and share our thoughts on the food and service.
As you leave you always made an exit through a gift shop and no different here as we leave through Bargain World and show you some of the classic gifts that are still around today.
#ponderosa #bargainworld #buffet #orlando #foodreview
37 Comments
Blimey I remember going there, last time was 2000 and that was the one . I do remember they had a few here in the uk in the early 90s. I went into the one in Chester and then a few years later went to Florida for the first time and really enjoyed going into the Ponderosa. I used to enjoy a restaurant in kissimmee that was called Stacey’s another all u can eat buffet. Really enjoy your videos certainly helping to plan my next trip after 22 years .
Don’t suppose you noticed if Sizzlers next door was open? That’s always our first day breakfast.
We first saw Ponderosa Restaurant like you back in 1994 but to be fair we didn't use them till our 2nd visit in '98 because on the first trip we were royally fed each morning at Give Kids the World on Bass Road. Another chain going at that time was Western Sizzlin' and there was one opposite Old Town across from the Denny's which still exists today. Thanks for the memories you two, it certainly brought some back.
That was fried green plantain. In Puerto Rico is called "tostones de plátano" and it's taste great with a sauce "mayoketchup" that is made with mayonnaise, ketchup and garlic. Please to meet you!
Always was my favourite place to eat,loved breakfast and the fried chicken wings at night 😢
When I first went with my parents back in the 80’s there was a chain called LUMS, best onion rings ever
Ponderosa was a staple of our early trips to Orlando amazing to see that it’s still going
It’s a plantain haha! Gotta get you guys to try some good Cuban food (I’m Cuban btw) in Orlando! Love you both!
Holy retro decor Batman! 😉
ICYMI: Burger "week" returns September 14-28. Yes, that's TWO weeks but it is Floriduh, right. $7 burgers — Hard Rock Café and American Social look good…
Hi 👋🏼, those were tostones (fried green plantains). They are better freshly made, if you can try mofongo (smashed green plantains) is delicious. Love your videos!!!
Hi, we remember Ponderosa, our first trip to Florida was in 1993, we stayed in the Days Inn. We also liked Sizzler, is that still open? Oh happy days. An enjoyable vlog, look forward to the next. We are currently staying on the gulf Coast in Bradenton, we love it here. Love AMI and dipping in and out of the water, just bliss. Take care, Susan xx
My first restaurant way back in 1995.
Loved this place and sizzler. Was not to fond of Golden Corral is was like a free for all and very low end food.
Been 14 times over the years to Florida and seen how it has changed not all for the best ie Disney, prefer Universal any day but those days have gone now and we have found Dubai much better place.
Keep up the good work 👍👍👍
Love ponderosa!!!!
I loved this video! Me and my husband went to this Ponderosa when we last went to Florida in 2019. We thought it wasn’t too bad, it’s a shame it’s the last one in Florida though! We are wondering if it will still be there when we go back in August next year 🤔
Always went there for the breakfast with the children before going to the parks fill them up very cheap and good value and the staff always very helpful thanks for the information will try and visit it again later this year now i know still one open thanks for the information
☎️A pay phone 💯👍😂how did we survive 😂🇦🇺🙋♀️
Oh wow! This brings back memories of my trips in the 90s. I instantly recognised the photographs of the food as you go into the restaurant.
Trips to The Ponderosa, Sports Dominator, Bargain World & Pirates Cove Mini Golf is usually how we spent our evenings in Orlando (when the parks used to close a lot earlier than they do now).
Hopefully The Ponderosa will survive long enough for our trip next year.
Has the one Opposite the upside down house on I drive closed down ?
This was the very first Ponderosa we went to for breakfast. It was $2.99 in those days! I remember asking for Tea and the server asking if I was having anything else from the buffet. When I said I wasn't a breakfast person and Tea was all I needed she said, tea's on me! She then brought me some toast. All gratis! Happy memories!
Did the ponderosa no use to be an up market place in the early 90s
Thank you so much Barry and Maxine for visiting our favourite place for breakfast when we used to visit Orlando, twenty years ago was when we first went and we also loved Sizzlers which was right by the Rosen inn at pointe orlando hotel where we stayed,we are going back from the 5th to the 19th of October this year on our own this time !!! we love all your vlogs so keep up the great work
Used to love a Ponderosa buffet and it didn’t look too bad I must say. How much more expensive is it compared with Golden Coral please?
That was the first place I ate at when I went to Florida over 30 years ago..the one on international drive..it went years ago was gutted when it closed down..great value for money..keep up the vlogs..love em.. 👍😀
WOW.A trip down memory lane.Went to that ponderosa back in1992.Breakfast there,and dinner at the black angus.great vlog.
Oh boy this took me right back to 'April of 2000' when we first visited florida, we ate there alot,we thought it was amazing value. A little bit of nostalgia is good for the soul and I'm so delighted to see there's still one open for business. 😊 xx
Brings back holiday memories used to fill up here before the parks to avoid crazy park food prices remember the Mexican eggs 🥚 (scrambled)
My favourite brekkie
The Connecticut town where I grew up had a Ponderosa, a Bonanza and the next town over had a Beefsteak Charlie's (all the free shrimp you could eat!)
Many happy memories eating at Ponderosa on IDrive.
In 2013 we went into a place called Woodrows Grill, on I drive, a I trolley driver recommended it, all you can eat buffet, I think it was about $13.00 a head and drinks on top, it was very similar to this Ponderosa, but alas when we went back in 2018 it was gone. 🙁
Ah, Ponderosa. THE traditional first morning breakfast when arriving in Orlando in the 90s/early 2000s. Cheap as chips and meant no complaints from young to old as you could literally have ANYTHING for breakfast.
One thing that has not changed… The Coffee cups! Exactly the same now as they were back then
Hi love the food vlogs. We fly out in 3 weeks time and will be eating offsite for the first time ever! We plan on going to west irlo Bronson area. Any chance you can review some more eateries on this street? It would be much appreciated. Maybe applebees? Perkins? Flippers pizza? Cheers thanks from all us hardys in the uk!
I remember going to the ponderosa in the 90s and it was heaving, we had to wait in line with about 100 people, we went back a few years ago, sad to see it's decline, although there was a waitress called Pingu who was amazing and did her best to make our son blush , great video 📹
We were a Sizzler family back in the 80’s and 90’s but started to go to tut very Ponderosa in the 2000’s as we would rent villas down on the 192!
The food looked ok but the prices seemed a little steep considering the other choices around there.
We used to love ponderosa,they where always busy so don’t understand why they closed, please try it for breakfast.
Really enjoying these videos….discovered your channel through the lodge guys. Love florida been every year since 97, with exemption to 2020 and 2021. Remember ponderosa and its a shame that there is one remaining. I found a similar situation with Sonny's I think there is only 1 on 192 near St Cloud (I think). Totally agree with you on tipping, just got to respect their culture. Very remonicinant though.
Thanks for the video.
If i remember correctly, they used to have fresh choc chip cookies on a coveyer constantly cominf out