The foodie scene is exploding in Orlando and I’m just so happy that I’m here to eat all the food that these amazing chefs are dishing out.
The 4 Rivers Smokehouse has FINALLY opened out near the University of Central Florida. I say FINALLY because my husband and I have been counting down since the day they announced. It feels like forever, but it’s only been about a year or so. Needless to say, we’re happy the day is here. And apparently so is the rest of East Orange County because as of 7 p.m. on opening day, there’s an approx. 2-hour line out of the door to eat.
Grand Opening of 4Rivers UCF.
The overwhelming smell of BBQ will greet you the second you open your car door. It instantly makes my mouth water. The line was wrapped around the building. I walked inside, and there was no wait at the dessert counter! The flow is a little different from previous locations and I think it will work much better to get in and out. I’m so excited about this location and totally expect to be a regular.
Opening day inside the 4Rivers Smokehouse near UCF.
Outside lines on opening day at 4Rivers Smokehouse – UCF
4Rivers Smokehouse – UCF
And it’s been a great week full of John Rivers for me! We got a chance to get a look inside his 4Rivers test kitchen. It’s this AMAZING space hidden along Park Avenue in Winter Park. I promise you peeps, I will throw a party there sometime. It’s a great spot. We got a chance to taste some of the food from his soon-to-open restaurant, The Coop (opening in April!). This is going to be another Winter Park restaurant with long lines, but the food will be worth the wait!
Poached Eggs & Grits from The Coop.
Biscuits from The Coop.
Chef John Rivers in the 4Rivers test kitchen.
The topic of the event, Behind the Line: Heard, Chef! The panel featured some amazing Orlando-area chef’s talking about the latest food trends, the Orlando food scene and what it takes to make a restaurant stand-out in this chain-restaurant town.
From left to right: Chef Norman Van Aken (Norman’s), John Rivers (4 Rivers & The Coop), Scott Hunnel (Victoria & Albert’s), Hari Pulapaka (Cress Restaurant), Kathleen Blake (The Rusty Spoon) and Brandon McGlamery (Luma & Prato).
There were some great messages and themes that emerged from this talk. I think Orlando is very much in a rebranding phase and these restaurants are just an example of how collaboration in the community can lead to some amazing things.
An amazing DID YOU KNOW from this event: 4 Rivers Smokehouse expects to buy 2 MILLION POUNDS of Brisket to sell at the restaurants. That is a lot of meat. And so yummy.
Some great things are happening in the foodie scene around town – so stay tuned. Also, stay tuned to find out this turns out…We got a great gift bag from this event, a bag full of “The Coop” goodies to make our own fried chicken. Can’t wait to try it!!
Make your own “Coop” fried chicken.
