On the odd occasion I have travelled up the Orange Blossom Trail to the Florida Mall, I have noticed a restaurant called the Orlando Ale House shortly before reaching the said mall. Being a beer, as opposed to lager, drinker I was always tempted to stop and give it a try. But it became one of the numerous ' places to visit on my next trip' and was probably destined to not having my custom due to the required distance to travel from my home near Formosa Gardens on the 192. I was delighted, therefore, when a new building was erected less than a mile away at the Town Center, Orange Lake and was adorned with the Miller' s Orlando Ale House sign.
The first restaurant was opened in 1988 at Jupiter, Florida by Jack and Claire Miller and the chain has steadily grown to over fifty in five states, its' success hinging on the quality and value of the meals. The car park was huge and needed to be due to the amount of vehicles parked by their owners eating in the establishment. I invariably only go to eat when I am hungry and the prospect of having to wait an hour to get a table put me off for a while. However, perhaps the novelty of eating in a new restaurant having waned, the car park gradually became less crowded and two weeks after it opened I paid a visit.
It was split into two distinct areas, an inside restaurant and bar and a protected outside area which had a large bar, high tables and stools. Plastic windows could be lowered if the weather was either windy or cold but more often than not would be left up to let the air circulate. The Ale House was very large and seemed to have a television for every customer showing nothing but sports. The seating was bare wood and, although not uncomfortable, led me to believe they didn' t want customers to get too comfortable and prevent others from getting in. The service was good and friendly with a variable menu, very reasonable prices and exceptional food.
As per the norm, I couldn' t finish my meal and had to get a box as did my wife who had two delicious fish tacos left to take home and drool over later. It wasn' t till we got home that she realised she had left the box on the table and was genuinely upset that she had no mouth watering supper to look forward to.
The Ale House had a good variety of draught and bottled beers, seventy five in all according to their website. There is a mountain of appetizers which also includes a Fresh Raw Bar, followed by soups and salads, half pound burgers, sandwiches and fajitas, a good offering of steaks and seafood, pasta and house specialities. Our group of four all had different starters and main meals and everything was perfect, our young waiter was helpful, laid back and friendly.
It' s a sports bar and very casual so don' t bother to dress up but do give it a try, it is total value for money and would give any of my favourite restaurants a run for their money.
The first restaurant was opened in 1988 at Jupiter, Florida by Jack and Claire Miller and the chain has steadily grown to over fifty in five states, its' success hinging on the quality and value of the meals. The car park was huge and needed to be due to the amount of vehicles parked by their owners eating in the establishment. I invariably only go to eat when I am hungry and the prospect of having to wait an hour to get a table put me off for a while. However, perhaps the novelty of eating in a new restaurant having waned, the car park gradually became less crowded and two weeks after it opened I paid a visit.
It was split into two distinct areas, an inside restaurant and bar and a protected outside area which had a large bar, high tables and stools. Plastic windows could be lowered if the weather was either windy or cold but more often than not would be left up to let the air circulate. The Ale House was very large and seemed to have a television for every customer showing nothing but sports. The seating was bare wood and, although not uncomfortable, led me to believe they didn' t want customers to get too comfortable and prevent others from getting in. The service was good and friendly with a variable menu, very reasonable prices and exceptional food.
As per the norm, I couldn' t finish my meal and had to get a box as did my wife who had two delicious fish tacos left to take home and drool over later. It wasn' t till we got home that she realised she had left the box on the table and was genuinely upset that she had no mouth watering supper to look forward to.
The Ale House had a good variety of draught and bottled beers, seventy five in all according to their website. There is a mountain of appetizers which also includes a Fresh Raw Bar, followed by soups and salads, half pound burgers, sandwiches and fajitas, a good offering of steaks and seafood, pasta and house specialities. Our group of four all had different starters and main meals and everything was perfect, our young waiter was helpful, laid back and friendly.
It' s a sports bar and very casual so don' t bother to dress up but do give it a try, it is total value for money and would give any of my favourite restaurants a run for their money.