View Full Version : Pondarosa is PANTS
The kids wanted to go to the Pondarosa on Int' Drive as the last couple of years that we have visited has been pretty good for choice. This time the place was empty, and no wonder. Never the best but you always had a good choice, not any more, there was I think half a dozen to choose from before the main dish and even less for desert.
Only plus is the price was the same as 2 years ago, but for me, we will not be back !:(
ShirleyD
23-10-2010, 12:37
I don't know what time you visited, but you often find if you visit outside the busier times, the selection can be limited. This seems to apply in a lot of the 'family' restaurants. I have often found the service to be slow too, when you would have thought being quiet, you would get more attention.
We ried Ponderosa once, never again.:(
Shame about Ponderosa, but totally agree, dont know what has happened with them. Yes its reasonable but the quality of the food leaves a lot to be desired - we will not be going back either.... and I swear the place had fleas....
floridadreamvilla.co.uk
24-10-2010, 19:24
Us too. I'd rather pay a decent price and get decent food. Even the coffee was seriously watered down when we went - yuck!
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by KJH
We ried Ponderosa once, never again.:(
[/quote]
I totally agree, used to be excellent, at least the one by Old Town, but now its terrible. Waste of dining time, better to go anywhere else.
sammibabe
26-10-2010, 02:46
The one by Old Town used to be great and the kids loved breakfast there. We tried a different one on I Drive but it was dreadful so we just stuck with 'our' one and only ever for breakfast as we had tried one meal there but [sick]So Taking it that even this one is now a no no
Newhomebuyer
26-10-2010, 12:21
There are few restaurants/cafes that I have visited, paid the bucks, and not eaten any of the food. Angel's Buffet is one and Ponderosa is the other. I couldn't really ask for my money back as they were both pre-pay and technically there was no reason to have my cash returned. Won't go in either one again. That is one of the many great things about Kissimmee. There are so many places to choose from that you never have to repeat a poor experience.
PS. I love Sweet Tomatoes
grayster
26-10-2010, 15:29
My worst ever meal in the US was in a Pondersoa on I-Drive some years ago. Never again. Very cheap and you soon know why.
First meal out on our first trip was Ponderosa (I192). Thought it was strange to be choosing from a load of wall photographs of meat but we went with it. I ordered extra mushrooms and onions and knew we had chosen the wrong venue for our first taste of American steaks when they came out in a polystyrene cup!!
Also, the buffet contained full main course items which i thought was strange. Why order a steak as a main item then find meatballs, spaghetti bolognese and chicken chasseur on the buffet?!
Just a strange place and never again.
Yes it was cheap and yes it was awful
I totally agree, used to be excellent, at least the one by Old Town, but now its terrible. Waste of dining time, better to go anywhere else.
They used to be good in the early 1990's, we went regularly for a good breakfast before hitting bthe parks, but since about 1997, the quality has fallen. We last went in 2008, just to see if they had improved,but the food was still rubbish! Never again.
LiesaAnna
04-12-2011, 21:07
such a shame, when we first went to florida we couldnt believe places like ponderosa or golden coral exsisted... we used to fill up then out for the day... decent prices for 2002, but we hated golden coral last trip would rather pay a bit more and eat in a better environment and food a little better
sammibabe
04-12-2011, 21:45
We hated Golden Corral on last trip - first and only time we tried. Manically busy, seemed to be hundreds of toddlers running around, couldn't get to the buffet, slow for service of coffee[V]
thornton
05-12-2011, 12:10
When we passed the Ponderosa near Sherberth Road last night it looked closed, don't know if it was for a refit or permanent though. Really suprised about this as it was always busy.
Maybe we're not as fussy as the rest of you!! We used Ponderosa, Sweet Tomatoes and Golden Corral on our last trip. Each place was somewhere on the 192. Service in all 3 was very good and all were clean and tidy. The choice of food in each place was very good too.
In mid November when we used the Ponderosa near Marker 10 on 192 it was fine. You do have to pick your times carefully though if you want to use these places. We ate there at about 5pm. There was a great choice of everything and the whole place was clean and tidy. Fairly empty too. I love their chicken wings and salad, although you don't get as much salad choice as you obviously do at Sweet Tomatoes. The Manager came over and thanked us for using his Ponderosa, which was a lovely touch.
We also used Sweet Tomatoes near Marker 2 (I think) and were there at about 7.30pm. The rush had gone and everything was fine. Their choice of salad and soups is great. You can easily try something that you might not ever think of ordering in another type of restaurant.
Golden Corral (near Marker 4) was another that we went to at around 9pm. Fairly busy but no mess and no sign of kids running around. Again, a very good selection of food.
In all 3 places the cost for 2 adults including unlimited soft drinks and coffee was under $30.
We use these restaurants when we want a no-complications type of meal, and want it quickly. My kids loved these places when they were younger because they could serve themselves and have a little of whatever they fancied rather than having to choose from an often quite limited menu in many of the other restaurants.
Would I order a steak in one of these? No, I'd save that for Charlies or Longhorn, but for what they offer they are good value. You can feed everybody at modest cost and also ensure that your kids and you get a balanced diet with fresh food.
gail and david roberts
05-12-2011, 14:30
we use to go to the one on ID when the kids where little ,
but haven't been for year , did hear it had gone down hill
We went to the one on I drive on our first visit 12 years ago and never went back until this year as we had extended family with us who wanted to try it!!! A tale of two families with different taste!!! Lol!!! They absolutely loved it!!! We absolutely hated it yet again!! Won't be back!! This year it was the one on the 192 equally as bad ! Yuk! Yuk! Yuk!
Pauline
luckylady
05-12-2011, 19:49
Ponderosa our one and only visit somewhere on the 192 about 7 years ago . When we were waiting in the queue to pay a customer was complaining the cutlery was dirty That was it for me turned and left and never been back. Therefore I cannot comment on the food. Maybe I should try again!!
Golden Corral on the 192 across from Celebration . One of my Husbands favourite places for breakfast . We have eaten here sometimes for dinner if we are on our own. Usually around 6-00pm. We found it quiet, clean with a good choice of food.
Like Carla when our children were younger we used to eat at the Golden Corral frequently for the very reasons Carla mentioned. A good way of finding food we all liked in including plenty of vegetables for the children.
Sweet Tomatoes my favourite place to dine of the cheaper buffet style restaurants The new one on the 192 is considerably smaller than others we have visited . We found the food excellent, the service and the cleanliness very good and all for $22.00 in total.
If we want steak Longhorns or Manny's for us. If its fish then it would be Red Lobster or Fishbone Grill. Now if we are pushing the boat out it would be Texas de Brazil and Villa de Flora
For a very special occasion it has to be Seasons 52