Chef John’s Place
3753 Pleasant Hill Rd, Kissimmee, FL, 34746
Chef John’s Place Menu
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Address :
3753 Pleasant Hill Rd
Kissimmee, FL, 34746 - Phone (407) 343-4227
- Website https://www.chefjohnsplace.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :12:00 pm - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Rhona F.
If you are looking for great New Orleans food outside of NOLA, this is the place to come. Chef John, a native of New Orleans, has a mouthwatering menu with very reasonable prices. Don't miss his delicious spicy gumbo, it's a real winner. I could have made a meal out of the ahi tuna appetizer, served over seaweed salad. One of our party had the smoked meat platter, crawfish grits and collard greens. He was in seventh heaven. My DH had and enjoyed the parmesan-crusted grouper. I couldn't resist ordering the Crepes St. Jacque filled with shrimp, scallops and mushrooms with melted swiss cheese on the top. Both dishes came with thin asparagus and a seasoned rice dish. Needless to say, we didn't make it to dessert, maybe next time. We enjoyed chatting with Chef John when he came out of the kitchen to greet his guests and see how they liked everything. We will definitely be back.
(5)Marcus N.
Still the same great food from Chef John's Dockside Inn: Now with BBQ added to the mix. Great combination. Very great service. Your favorites are still here and if you've been to the BBQ restaurant here, that it's now combined with, then you'll see some of your favorites still on the menu too!
(5)Donna M.
Wonderful New Orleans flavored restaurant. The 4 of us thought our dinners were great. We will return.
(5)C D.
I had a chance to visit Chef John's place. I didn't have a reservation so they sent me next to the bar. My wife and kids were with me. Service was very slow but then I realized there were only two waitresses for the entire place. We started out with an appetizer. It was a bacon mushroom and spinach quesadilla. Although oily it was very tasty. My wife ordered the ribs and I have chicken and ribs. The ribs were fantastic. The meat fell off the bones: it was well seasoned and well presented. I wasn't that crazy about the chicken I think the smoked chicken taste too smoky. The side dish of macaroni and cheese was better than average. The collard greens were a little too watery for my taste but fairly tasty. My wife said that her asparagus was cooked to perfection. My son had the kids meal chicken fingers. He enjoyed them. My life wife ordered the peaches with ice cream. She said it was the best and she's sorry that I don't eat peaches. I have a Keylime pie which was very good. All in all it was a great atmosphere a very small place but the food was delicious. I met Chef John personally after he brought out some cornbread. He had a big old smiling face and seemed like a very warm person. I'll be back again!
(4)Logan B.
Our food was amazing! Good down home southern fare. Great little place so be sure to make a reservation. I sampled okra, clams, blackened catfish, grits and asparagus. Be sure to try the key lime pie and fried peach pies- you won't be sorry. Amazing food Chef John! We're looking forward to our next visit!
(5)Paul A.
Chef serves up one of the best Rib Eye steaks I've ever had. You know it's great when you don't need any salt or pepper. Perfect.
(5)Kim M.
I found this place on Yelp and decided to try it based on two reasons: 1) raving reviews from customers; and 2) a near-perfect response by the restaurant to the illiterate guy who posted the only bad review. It's a little tough to find - it's in a tiny strip mall. Look for Papa John's Pizza, and Chef John's is on the other end. Of course, my friends joked that I'd driven them 30 minutes to go to a Papa John's. (Yuck) It's a small place, but nicely and tastefully arranged. We had a group of 7 and I'd made a reservation - highly recommended if you've got more than 3 or 4 people, since the place is small. I got the gumbo and it was fantastic. It's very spicy, though, so wimps beware. A friend got the broccoli cheddar soup and said it was some of the best she's had. They had a special that night of blackened salmon and shrimp linguini, so I got that and another friend got the blackened grouper linguini and we shared. They were both amazing. The pasta was perfectly cooked and the fish and shrimp were perfectly blackened just enough to give good flavor without overpowering the taste. Another friend got the fried chicken and said it was good, but I didn't get the impression that she was as pleased with her meal as I was with mine. Another person at our table got the pulled pork barbeque. She said it was good and tender, but she was hoping for the BBQ style where the meet is cooked with the sauce, instead of smoked meat with sauce on top. But she still said it was good. Make sure you save room for dessert. The key lime pie is good, but it's not your usual KLP. It's a bit more sweet and custard-like than what I'm used to. The dessert highlight was the homemade peach pie. I'm not a big fan of peach pie or peaches, but this was AMAZING and shouldn't be missed.
(4)Nikishia L.
Excellent food. You would clearly pass it if you don't pay attention. Not a flashy outside & you may think it's just a fast food joint. A very personable place. The chef/owner actually comes out, greets you to make sure everything is ok. All the entrées ordered were excellent. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Jen H.
Just had the best meal! I have food sensitivities and i was greeted by Chef John himself to make sure my food was prepared perfectly to my request. Great wait staff too! I can't say enough about this place!! Yummy!
(5)David T.
I really have been to places where I have been so shocked by the quality of the food. The location of this restaurant does it no justice. Step inside and you're served with greatness. I had a fall off the bone rack of ribs that I won't forget. This is a must eat restaurant if you're in the Kissimmee area.
(5)Brendan C.
It was quiet when we discovered this place (came in between lunch & dinner) after a long day of Gator watching. Cozy environment and friendly staff. We started off with fried okra which was on point. I had an excellent fried catfish/shrimp combo. According to my sister the pulled pork was also delicious. So awesome!
(5)Larry R.
what can i say beyond this?: the food was great (best ribs I have ever had), the service was friendly and wonderful, the ambience was pleasant.
(4)Chad L.
Fantastic! I can't remember another restaurant that was able to please all seven of us at the same time. They have a menu that surpasses many stand alone restaurants, and it is all real! No potatoes from a box here. I'm just glad I don't live nearby. I don't think that I have the willpower to resist lunch every day here.
(5)Marvin M.
First of all, huge thanks to Keith Burnett and @TheLittleKitchn for the suggestion. I am glad that Keith was able to join me in my adventure today. All we needed was @TheLittleKitchn to complete the puzzle. Outdoor sitting accommodates more of the locals during the dinner rush. Live Jazz music is played on Thursday nights. Very busy in the evenings. Strongly recommend to make reservations before going. Lots of people lining up to eat here for dinner. They used to be in a different location near downtown Kissimmee and now are toward the Poinciana area. This used to be Kissimmee Cowboy BBQ, also owned by Chef John. When Chef John moved his downtown Kissimmee restaurant to here, it became Chef John's Place. Chef John has his followers since the downtown Kissimmee days and new followers who frequent his restaurant. Keith is a hardcore follower. Now their menu is twice as delicious. They have BBQ and seafood options. Great menu and lots and lots of choices. had done my homework and found their menu online. I wanted to be prepared before I arrived, so we could get down to business as soon as possible. So hard to choose what I wanted. I wish I could have ordered one of each item on the menu. The have daily specials for lunch and dinner I ordered the Fried Catfish with Mac and Cheese and Baked Beans. Every single bite was amazing. Everything tasted so good. I am picky when it comes to fish, but Chef John did not disappoint. We truly saved the best for last. While I ordered tons to bring home, Keith assured me I had to try one dessert in the restaurant. It's called the Carmon's Fried Peach Pie. Carmon is Chef John's wife. Holy mother of Spanish Empanadas. These were excellent. I am not a fruit pie fan, but this one made me a believer. With the ice cream and whipped cream it was the perfect bite. Chef John's is open Monday to Saturday 11am to 9pm. What I liked the most about this place was Chef John would come to each table to check on the customers and asked them how everything was. Very nice. I will be going back with wifey and baby girl. Keith comes here once to twice a week. I may be joining him more often. Thank you so much Keith for joining me in my Foodbidden journey. Until we "Eat" again.
(5)Ariel V.
This is my second time visiting Chef Johns. First time I had the blackened grouper with linguini. Second time I had blackened grouper with rice and crawfish grits. Both times it tasted great! Free fresh warm bread rolls given at start. I ended the second time with an apple pie that was baked to perfection. Great place with great food overall. Tip: the gumbo rocks! But beware its spicy.
(5)William M.
What an amazing chef!! Chef John not only greeted us at the door, he personally came out to see how we liked everything. Stared with a Chicken Corn Chowder that was the best I've ever had. The Crêpes St. Jaques was phenomenal, and the Crawdad grits were amazing. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone!
(5)Ned C.
Fine dining quality with casual atmosphere. Amazing value for money. Must try. Something for everyone. Had crab cake crusted salmon. Unbelievable. Crepe Jacques was awesome. Desserts awesome
(5)Glenn G.
When I pulled into the parking lot, I noticed a live jazz band playing outside in front of the restaurant which was located next to a barber shop. I also noticed that there was a car in a drive-thru lane picking up some dinner. Based upon my initial observations, I wasn't sure what to expect. Atmosphere-Once inside, it was clean but smaller than I expected (about 5 booths and 6 tables). Nice and bright on the inside and the jazz music being played outside could be easily heard inside. Service-Very good. Food- Started off with a bowl of Chef John's Gumbo. It was on the spicy side but very good. Then it was on to a Fried Grouper sandwich. Very tasty. Served with fries and cole slaw. Fries were good and the slaw was above average. My wife had a slab of ribs that were very tender. They had a smoky taste to them and the sauce served with them was also very good. I should have gone with the ribs. The carrot cake for desert was moist and the frosting was delicious. Would definitely recommend this place for a nice meal!
(4)Jamie G.
I discovered this restaurant while visiting my in-laws at their retirement community. This year I tried his ribs and I can honestly say I've never had better and I live in Chicago where rib joints are plentiful and tasty. Chef John's were thicker than any I've had before, tender and the meat was completely saturated with smoky flavor. I also had green beans which we flavorful and mashed potatoes, also good. Chef John is an amiable, friendly fellow who came out of the kitchen to greet customers both times I've been there. The location is awkward. You have to drive through the Walgreens parking lot to get to the small store front, next to a closed immediate care place, (time to take the sign down guys. What if someone went here in need of help?) Do yourself a favor and seek this place out. Excellent food.
(5)Justin T.
We found Chef John's Place by Googling locally owned restaurants in Kissimmee. We moved here a month ago and tired of chains long ago. Chef John earned us as customers for as long as we live in Central Florida. Our appetizer was fried mushrooms and the breading had great flavor. They were served with a delicious housemade dipping sauce. My wife had pulled pork, mac & cheese and "scrumptious" baked beans. She loved all of it. I had a half rack of ribs, mac & cheese and collard greens. The ribs were some of the best I've ever had (and I grew up eating Kansas City BBQ). They were of the fall-off-the-bone and melt-in-your-mouth variety. You definitely can tell Chef John puts time and effort into smoking his BBQ. The collard greens were also a standout. We finished with the fried peach pie and it was perfect. A very American meal for 4th of July Eve. Chef John even came out to greet the customers while we were there. Great touch!
(5)Sumi H.
Great restaurant with mouth watering food! All the seafoods are fresh and my family and I had an amazing time dining there. They provide with nice live jazz music as well! I had their creole mahi mahi with honey mustard remoulade and oh my gosh it was delicious! The fish was flaky and the remoulade added a certain sweetness to the spicy fish! And the staff is also extremely friendly and it's just a nice family restaurant!
(5)Nicklaus U.
great food and staff. The place only holds 30 people inside and maybe 15 outside. You can call for reservations...... Trust me this place is worth it going too.,,
(5)Gee J.
We just made our first visit to Chef John's We ordered the Grouper, Salmon, and a BBQ combo plate. Everything was incredible. Perfectly cooked and seasoned along superior service. Chef John took the time to come out to introduce himself and talk with us. We could not be more impressed to find such a fantastic restaurant so close to home. We will definitely be "regulars" from now on. If you have never been there you are truly missing out on a fantastic menu at a very reasonable price.
(5)Bill f.
We visit Disney World a couple of times annually. We discovered Chef John's two or three years ago. Now our trips to Disney are not complete without a visit (or two) to Chef John's. It's nearly a 30 minute drive from WDW, but the drive is totally worth it. My personal favorite dish is the blackened grouper served over linguine. I order it every time. Two of our other 'must haves' are the gumbo and the key lime pie. If you think that you don't like key lime pie, trust me, you'll LOVE the key lime pie at Chef John's. Usually, we get some of the BBQ to go . . . . Dee-lish. Also of note is that Chef John's is NOT touristy. That's a big plus, in my opinion. When we're on vacation, we like to go to the restaurants that the 'locals' go to because that's where you'll find the hidden gems. And brother, Chef John's is definitely a gem. So, are Chef John himself and his wife, Carmon.
(5)Karen C.
As past reviews have said "you have to get the Gumbo. I live in Louisiana for 3+ years and this Gumbo was the best I've ever had. The parmesan crusted grouper was fantastic and I topped it off with the Key Lime Pie. I would have gone back the next night and every night for the remainder of our vacation but my travel companions wanted to try other places. No other place compared. This restaurant is not on the main drag but is more than worth the 25 minute drive.
(5)Cheryl R.
We had an early dinner at this little gem and it was wonderful. Parmesan crusted Grouper and grilled shrimp and Grouper. Both were excellent topped off with the fried peach pie a la mode!!!
(5)G. S.
Delicious BBQ pork sandwich in a great atmosphere, and reasonably priced. Same ownership as highly rated Chef John's (and Chef John himself) formerly in downtown Kissimmee.
(5)Mike N.
Great barbecue. The ribs are to die for. Asparagus has a great seasoning.
(4)Jaime B.
We are from SC and visit to Disney every year. Always looking for a good locals spot. THIS IS IT! There is food for every taste here, and even to satisfy a southern. Service was awesome, food hot and fresh, unique, and inspired by the owner (Chef) who even visited our table. Def going back soon!
(5)Ho L.
Simple, fresh, classic comfort food available at a reasonable price. The BBQ is flavorful, the sides are amazingly good, and the service is prompt and friendly. It's a shame that the location is kind of in the middle of nowhere, because I think they could have much more success in a higher traffic area. If you're anywhere near Kissimmee or Poinciana, you should definitely check out Chef John's
(4)Amy G.
Awesome service and food. We will be back. It is small. Make a reservation. You will not regret it. Food was delicious. Waitress was spot on with timing and refills. It's worth the drive. It's hard to find a good locally owned restaurant in this area full of chain restaurants. This one is a keeper.
(5)Meredith J.
You wouldn't stumble upon this restaurant but it was an amazing find! My family and I travel a lot and enjoy tasting food from all over the country. My mother found this place online and suggested we go for our last dinner in Orlando since it seemed to have been given great reviews. Service here is great and waitresses are friendly and make sure to keep clearing your table and bringing new silverware. The chef's offerings were various and reasonably priced. Portions are just right. There is a definite blend of Southern and Cajun cuisine in everything on the menu, which we very much enjoyed. I had the pulled pork quesadillas since this sounded unusual to me. Pork was smoky and moist, the BBQ is great! Not one thing we ordered had to be sent back or was lower than expectations, and everything came out super hot! For one of our appetizers we ordered the crab cakes and they were spicy and outstanding. I was only left with a few points for confusion after the experience.. First, the sign on the exterior looks completely unprofessional: a plain black & white printed banner that tells nothing about the restaurant.. Hopefully they are just waiting on the one they ordered? It looks like the place popped up and opened in 5 minutes. Decoration inside is sparse and unexciting with only a few random paintings that didn't seem to share a common theme, causing the interior to lack any character or theme whatsoever. This was shocking because a clear theme was comprehensible on the menu. The acoustic inside is SO LOUD, and we found ourselves frustrated over having to shout across the table even though there weren't even many other diners in the place! Perhaps redecoration could include items that mute the cavernous acoustic and help create a more relaxing conversational atmosphere? Second, some of the detail choices on the dishes seemed a bit thoughtless - for example, the sweet potato fries, however fresh and delicious, were served with a small cup of ketchup as its companion dipping sauce..any chef could tell you that these do not pair well together. I thought details like this caused the restaurant to lack authenticity and imagination. This place is in serious need of a cohesive concept! Overall, however, this place ended up offering fantastic food and an unexpectedly great eating experience for a small, independent venue.
(4)Aisha D.
FIRST MAKE A RESERVATION to Guarantee a seat! We drove 30 min from where we were staying to eat here after seeing the reviews on YELP! I have to say the drive was worth the wait. Although we did not make a reservation, we ate at the bar area as opposed to outside. I had the half rack of ribs, asparagus (YUM) and sweet potato fries. My husband had the half chicken and ribs, he personally did not like the chicken ( the meat is smoked) but I enjoyed EVERYTHING. I had the Fried Peach Pie and he had the Key Lime Pie (OMG SMACK YA MOMMA GOOD) I cannot wait to eat here again when we return to Florida for our Annual trip. You will enjoy this place.
(5)Michael S.
We were so glad to find this gem amongst all the touristy chain restaurants in Orlando after going for a beautiful stroll at the Disney wildlife nature preserve. The food and service were both great. Chef john came out himself to talk with us when my wife said that she had a food allergy. Everything was delicious and they even sent us home with animal crackers for the kids! We will definitely come back any time we are in Orlando.
(5)Taylor M.
First...the Gumbo should be called Pepper soup: noting but a black pepper taste. No file brown roux...just pepper taste. You can SEE the black pepper flakes in it. Second...the crab cakes...weren't cakes but a greasy pile of crab with no binder. it was real crab, but it looked like the crab had been poured and fried on a skillet rather than a nice firm cake. Third...the fried catfish was a 'beer batter' type and greasy and no taste to the catfish. All in all the worst meal I've had in a while. The waitress didn't ask about the full bowl of gumbo sitting there. I think she knew better. I'm from Louisiana and our Gumbo has a nice thick brown roux, that's tasty, cayenne, garlic, and other spices that lend a nice taste, not blazing HOT.
(1)Madeline V.
Excellent Service, and the food was fabulous. The grilled salmon is to die for. The mac & Cheese is the best.
(5)Lisa S.
First let me say OMG!! This is the best food I have had in a while!! The crawfish grits are a must try!!! The quesadilla was really good and my hubby cleaned his plate of the club!!! This will be on our bring my friends to list!!!
(5)Claudia R.
Dear Chef John, We absolutely, loved your cooking. I am literally sitting on a chair at home, very content, writing this review. The best to describe this deliciousness by love. I bet you pour a bit of your heart into everyone of your creations. Everything was seasoned just right. I've never had grits that were as heavenly as yours. The dessert was the perfect finishing touch. Thank you for taking the time out to greet us. I also want to thank Stevie, our waitress, for her service and knowledge. You really made my day. My only wish is for you to advertise this hidden gem a little better. Had I not used yelp to search a restaurant, I wouldn't have stopped by or known about it. I wish you great success. ")
(5)marcie c.
Amazing, so worth the drive from Kissimee. Had crab cakes (perfection) followed by blackened grouper with linguini in the most delightful sauce with a kick. Finished with the key lime pie.....I never wanted to leave. Seriously delicious! Then went outside to hear Ray and friends sing jazz and a little blues. Make me want to move from Cali just to come here every day!!
(5)Eric S.
This is the real deal. I was suspicious of the location because Kissimmee/Poinciana isnt known for its specialty foods, but I was SO surprised by the fantastic gumbo and fried catfish. The fried cod fish is great as well. The menu has great choices and there's something for everyone. True southern cajun flavors. I found my new favorite spot in this area
(5)Scott P.
I love using Yelp to find local eateries that I've never been today. On this day, after visiting the Osceola Tax Collectors office to renew my car tags, I did a quick search on Yelp to see what was close by for lunch. Chef Johns Place was less than a mile away and after reading the reviews I knew I had to eat there. Chef John's current location is a small location located in Kissimmee. I walked in and was immediately greeted by the hostess/waitress with a very genuine hello. I was seated at a table and began looking through the menu. Decisions Decisions Decisions! Everything on the menu sounded fantastic. On this visit, I decided to order one of my favorites, a fried grouper sandwich. The sandwich was also offered blackened or grilled. Chef John's has it's seafood delivered fresh daily and I have to say, it was apparent with this sandwich. This sandwich was $11.95 and it was HUGE. The fish was nice and flack. The fish also had a nice crunch to it when you bite into it, unlike some locations where there is too much grease and the fish becomes mush. Along with the sandwich, I had a side of their homemade slow. It was honestly the closet to eastern North Carolina slaw I've had, and this Carolina boy was happy. The meal also came with some delicious steak fries as well. Although I'm not close to his location, I can promise you Chef John's has made a repeat customer out of me and I cannot wait to go back.
(5)Fully I.
Reservations required (not because of the food/wait) to enter the gated subdivision the restaurant is located in. Staff was friendly but not very attentive for us being the only table. We went for lunch. The Ruben was good. Not a lot of meat but very flavorful, served with flavorful orzo pasta salad and oily macaroni & cheese. Fried Catfish and Fried "Grouper" were beer battered, lacked flavor, and served with oily macaroni & cheese, frozen French fries, tartar sauce, & ketchup. Perhaps we should have ordered more of a "chef" prepared meal but the menu didn't influence better suggestions. We will not be back. Too expensive for the quality of good served.
(2)Briona L.
Awesome food! It's the best comfort food you will find in Florida! Will definitely be coming back here
(5)Olga R.
From the dinner rolls to the dessert-the food was amazing! The server was also very attentive and had a great sense of humor. Definitely a do-over when I'm back in this area.
(5)V M.
I can't say much about the food since we never made it there but we found it incredibly inconsiderate that they had use come all the way down the community when we were running late after a wrong address they advertised only to tell us they were closing the restaurant. Out of town with a car full of grandparents and young kids and now we have to look for another restaurant. The customer service here is horrible!
(1)Joseph J.
Although the sign on the door says they're open at 11:30 AM that is incorrect during the summer their hours are change during the summer, before going be sure and call them for their operating hours. I have not eaten there yet so I can't tell you how good or bad it is but I'm sure that I will get there in the next couple weeks three stars are only for giving them the benefit of the doubt until I actually get a chance to eat there
(3)Mary Beth K.
DEEEEE-licious! Out exploring area south of Orlando today (fun airboat ride at Wild Florida Park). Found this place and the rave reviews so drove a bit out of our way. Very much worth the drive!! Very comfortable decor. We opted to eat at the bar for a change of pace. Waitstaff was so friendly. Chef John came out to visit a few times. I had the shrimp salad. Lovely bed of mixed greens and the shrimp salad had a hint of spice. Hubby had the gumbo......very good, and yes, it has heat!....and a pulled pork sandwich. He even shared a bite. Love is a wonderful thing......and so was that pulled pork. So tender. And of course, from all the other reviews, we had to leave room for the peach pie. Yum. So tender a pastry. Warm and with ice cream. Yum! (I do wonder about that key lime pie on the menu though....) Reasonable prices too. Definitely on our list to return to when next in area. Thanks Chef John and all your gang!
(5)P S.
Nice choices. Prices good. Interesting flavorings. A bit cramped. Specials on menu could change up a bit more. Will return. Servers mediocre. Update 8/7/2015: CLOSED
(4)Michael H.
This place rocks! Great servers, food that is fresh and out of the world. Must tries are baked beans, crawfish grits, smoked chicken, ribs. Well worth the drive from Orlando. There's a reason Emeril Lagasse featured this place on his show.
(5)Diana B.
The diverse, reasonable menu made it hard to decide what to get. There were nine of us, and all were smiling when we left. Only regret is that our visit came at the end of our vacation -- would love to have gone back to try something different -- a really fresh, friendly, local place with good people --
(5)Jonas S.
Chef John's is a fantastic place! It is very unexpected to find that the tartar sauce is great, the tortilla melts in your mouth, and the pasta salad is the best you find!! My cod and coleslaw were of the utmost perfection! It was a meal worth waiting for! Great place for the kids! They got Easter eggs full of yummy candy! They also got a bag of animal crackers! Fun, relaxed atmosphere with great service and nice, fun waitress! They're food is homemade and Chef John is one of the best chefs I have seen!!!
(5)Char P.
It's our last day in FL and coming back from the Kennedy Space Center, we decided to try something local (instead of the typical chains) so I consulted Yelp! and perfect timing, Chef John's (and a few others with good reviews close to our proximity) came up. We put the address on the GPS and it brings us to a really small strip mall with only Papa John's (pizza place) lit up. Thank goodness I read the review of another yelper who said Chef John's was on the opposite end of papa johns or we would have looked for somewhere else to eat.. We didnt have a reservation. I was banking on luck that the place wouldnt be busy but I was wrong. The place was full and the server told us that we probably wouldnt be seated unless we had a reservation. So I explained to the server that I was trying to call but no one was picking up (she said coz they were busy), and that we were leaving for CA tomorrow & would really like to try the food.. We waited a few minutes and was really blessed that this one table decided not to have dessert so the kind server told us we can have their table (after they leave of course)... Our server greeted us and she was really nice and friendly. She asked us what we wanted for drinks and was also prompt in bringing bread for the table. The bread was nice and hot and we were told that they were freshly baked. Now for the food: Tried the Gumbo - it was spicy. Super spicy (for me) in fact that I only had a few spoonfuls and I was done.. But it was good nonetheless. The little rolls of bread they serve is amazing. They serve it fresh and hot so the butter melts right through. Lol.. Yummy. I tried the grilled grouper with rice & asparagus but i switched out the asparagus for the green beans. (I didnt know what grouper was until they told me lol). The fish was excellent, delicious and you can tell it's fresh. The rice is came with (sorry forgot what it's called) was delicious too... The filet was excellent. Melts in your mouth goodness! And everything else on the plate was excellent too.. We also ordered the salmon & scallops linguini (or was that fettucini) and that was excellent too.. Of course the dessert.. We ordered 2 of the peach pies and we finished that too. Lol. And no, we weren't that hungry.. We just really enjoyed the excellent food they served. Need I say more?!? Everything we had was excellent! Oooh, I almost forgot.. I thought it was neat that Chef John actually came out and said Hi to us and even took pictures.
(5)Paul P.
I purchased a home in Bellalago six months ago and found this fantastic restaurant. There is nothing remotely bad it's all fantastic. Enjoy !
(5)Kathy S.
I won't return. Small portions and pricey. Went as part of a group and service was very slow.
(3)Wes M.
Food is great. The BBQ is really flavorful. Small place with big flavor. Since yelp is making me write more, the sweet tea is brewed and really good. The salad was nicely presented. The server we had must have been new. She did not know the menu well. The place is packed and you really need a reservation on a weekend evening.
(4)Andy M.
I saw this restaurant on TV when emeril paid a visit. So while on vacation we went over and tried it for our selfs. It sits at the end of a strip mall so don't miss it. To start the place was clean and everyone in the place was very nice. The food was off the charts good and fresh and would gladly return for another goaround. It was also a nice touch when Chef john came out and paid the table a visit. Nice touch Chef with staying with your roots and staying grounded. I don't give many 5 star reviews so trust me when I say they earned it.
(5)Shelley C.
First place me and my boyfriend ate at the day we moved here, awesome place and wonderful menu!
(5)Sadie J.
The crawfish and grits and Caesar salad over grilled chicken, and also the spinach and mushroom and bacon quesadilla was ordered fantastic food I recommended it
(5)Sunny M.
After hearing that Chef John's Place had been on Emeril's Florida, my husband (who knows I've had little in the way of prime foodie satisfaction since moving to FL) chose this restaurant for our Valentine's meal. He figured that if Emeril liked it, I would, too. Not a bad bed, there. Since we were both too tired and cranky to go on the night of Valentine's Day, we opted to wait a couple weeks and went tonight. Did my husband make a good choice? Yes! I'm impressed that he went the route he did to picking out something new and tasty. So why only three stars? Because it was good, but I feel like this place could be really great, and it's not quite there yet. Right off the bat... it was awkward to walk into the restaurant with musicians performing right at the front door... outside (which was kind of a relief considering it was quite loud - tho sounded reasonably good), yet there was little in the way of discernible music on the inside. The conversations were lively, so there may have been some that I couldn't hear. Once in the door, the reservation situation is a little unnerving as there's no hostess station, no indication to step to the bar, just someone calling out to you for your name. I'm not sure that would have bothered me, really, except it made EVERYONE IN THE ROOM stare at us and eyeball us as we made our way to our table. I think that the only way I'd have been less comfortable would have been if I'd fallen on my way in the door and fell out of my dress. That said, the front of the house is a small (and I'd go so far as to call it pleasantly cozy) space, so it's not as though anyone would completely miss our walking in, but this was a bit... jarring. We were motioned to small, comfy booth by the kitchen and bathrooms. I was concerned about potential smells from the restrooms (all that separated us from them was a louvered folding screen) but there were none, thank the Maker! Sadly, the constant slamming of the men's room door was a bit much and detracts from the casual elegance that is otherwise being achieved in this lovely space. The service was outstanding and everyone seems happy to be working there (which is something one seldom sees in this area, these days, so WOW was a refreshing change!). Our server was friendly and made some delicious sounding suggestions, while highly complimenting the chef's skills, and that's something you want to see in service staff. Way to go! She helped us pick out some delicious fish, after we ordered our crab cake appetizer and we commenced to be excited. The crab cakes and accompanying remoulade were lovely and the portions were perfect for an appetizer. Little loose for my crab cake tastes (might be a regional difference), and I got a tiny bit of shell in my second bite, but the flavors were well balanced and delicious. Our meals took a bit long to come out (considering it's fish, which takes so little cooking time), but good for Chef John that the place was packed. Hopefully that's all that was holding things up. When the entrees arrived they were modestly plated (again with ideal portions) and both my Salmon and my husband's Mahi Mahi were prepared just right. And then... the first bit of Creole Rice was like slamming on the brakes. I like to imagine that the complete lack of seasoning, and overcooked soupiness of the rice was a fluke, but it was just plain gross. If there had been a mishap with the recipe, I'd have preferred to be told that the rice was no longer an option and asked to pick another side. I even tried salting it, took a few more bites and it just wasn't worth it; there was no saving it. After that, I was disappointed and a bit let down and didn't want to move on to dessert. I was so eager to like this place and plan to give it another try. Everyone has off nights, and maybe (in terms of the rice) this was one. They seem busy, and people appeared happy throughout and that's usually a good sign that there's a reason. I'm glad we went. Hopefully the next visit will feature a glowing update. At any rate, if you want some yummy seafood, do try it out.
(3)William W.
What a fantastic discovery! A full 30 minutes from the entrance to Disney on Rt 535, and tucked away in a small strip mall, but absolutely worth it. We made a reservation for 2, and though the small restaurant was not crowded when we arrived (Thursday evening), the staff had set a small table ready for us. The menu is varied and the food delicious. I started with the gumbo--just as outstanding (and as hot!) as other reviewers have said--then went for a ribs-pulled pork combo. Both were infused with a deep smokey flavor and were wonderfully tender. Be aware that the meat is served dry, meaning that it isn't smothered in BBQ sauce. A small tub of sweetish sauce comes with the dish. My wife ordered blackened cod. It too was excellent--moist, flakey, with a blackening that had zing without being overpowering. Her $10 portion was so generous, we took a piece home. Sides included a fantastic collards greens, grilled asparagus, and Creole rice (a bit clumpy). Even the dinner rolls are excellent. We took home a slice of the best key lime pie we've ever had. Our waitress was attentive and informative. Ditch the Disney crowds and the cookie-cutter chains. Chef John's is the real deal. We'd go back tonight, except we have our hearts (and stomachs) set on Fresco Cucina Italiana, an outstanding Italian restaurant in Orlando, which I am reviewing separately.
(5)Vivian L.
This place was awesome! I had the 2 meat plate with pulled pork and ribs with Mac and cheese and crawfish grits for about $13. For the quality of my meal, it was so worth the price! It's like a hidden gem of a place. Chef John came out during our meal and greeted us and asked how we liked our food. Really great place. The ribs were so smoky in flavor and the meat fell off the bones practically. The portion of pulled pork was generous, the pork was moist, flavorful, and came with a side of really yummy, sweet, not vinegary bbq sauce. We ended our meal with fried peach pie with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream. The restaurant staff were all very friendly and efficient. The place was clean and so was the restroom. And A+ experience all around. Thank you.
(5)Mikey P.
Fantastic restaurant! Great food every time we go. If you go, you must get the cole slaw, it is to die for! Very good key lime pie too. The location is very small, so make reservations!
(5)Virgil M.
What an amazing dinner! We had a party of 10, and they got us right in. Was a little tight, but Danielle made it work. We started with the fried okra - you could tell that it was freshly breaded. We had ribs, fried catfish, blacked grouper and pulled pork. Everyone was very happy with their meals.
(5)Brian S.
Just ate here with my family and had a very nice experience. Clean and well kept. Friendly staff with very good service. Menu is well suited for differing tastes and age groups. We had a couple 2 piece Grouper lunches with grilled grouper. The kiddies loved their Mac n Cheese and enjoyed the green bean side. Had a large glass of ice cold Red Hook ale on draft which was perfect to eat with the grouper. Finished up with the fried peach pie and ice cream. :) The restaurant is a little out of the way which I think adds a little charm and keeps it hidden from the tourist throngs.
(5)