Beefy King Orlando Florida: Is This 50+ Year Old Roast Beef Spot Still Good?
I’ve driven past Beefy King a million times when I lived close to downtown Orlando and never thought much of it. I thought it was a local chain or something like the Florida equivalent of Dick’s in Seattle, and it’s honestly not far off. But instead of being a chain, it’s just a standalone quick service restaurant now, though it originally had six locations across Orlando.
Even their website made me think it was a fast food franchise I’d never heard of. But I guess that’s just the old school ambiance they’re going for, since Beefy King has remained pretty much the same since opening more than a half century ago in 1968.
The Time Capsule Experience at Beefy King
Probably the only place I’ve been to in Orlando that still uses an old school lock and key Casio cash register instead of those iPads installed with Square or Toast. Walking up to order, I felt like an extra during the opening sequence of the Pulp Fiction diner scene. The whole restaurant gave the vibe of a retro diner frozen in time.
What’s on the Menu at Beefy King
The restaurant has a simple, straightforward menu. Pick your meat for your sandwich, choose your sides, and grab a fountain drink. That’s it.
They’re most known for their roast beef, which is freshly made every day, thinly sliced and stacked on top of plain kaiser rolls with barely melted cheese. The hope is that the foil wrapper will eventually finish the job of melting that cheese.
The Roast Beef Sandwich: Nostalgic But Not Flavorful
The non uniformity of the roast beef really adds to the character of Beefy King. Some parts are cooked all the way through, and other parts still show up pink. The food isn’t fancy, but it’s gonna do the job of filling you up for a quick lunch.
Here’s my honest take: the meat isn’t all that flavorful, and the bread reminded me of school cafeteria burger buns. But I didn’t hate it. This place is nostalgia all the way through, even if it’s a time capsule from before my time.
The Famous Beefy Spuds (Tater Tots)
I got the basic combo for $11, which came with spuds and a drink. I had no idea what spuds even were, so I’m glad they put in parentheses that it’s just tater tots, which I’m a big fan of.
The cracked crispy skin with nice tender potatoes inside. I actually prefer them over French fries every time. I should’ve gotten some ketchup for it though. These are the highlight of the meal at Beefy King Orlando Florida, honestly better than the sandwich itself.
The Fountain Drink Experience
When you come to a place like this, you come with the mindset of wanting something simple and comforting, not a fancy meal. The sandwich tastes like something homemade. Tater tots taste as you would expect. And the fountain drink of Diet Coke comes from those giant syrup bags that somehow tastes both a little sour, a little diluted, and nothing like the actual stuff you’d find on the shelves of a grocery store in a can.
That fountain drink is part of the authentic experience, for better or worse.
The Verdict: Is Beefy King Worth Visiting?
Beefy King definitely has its charm, and I see why people like it. It’s a survivor from old Orlando, the last remaining location from what was once a six store operation. It’s been serving the same simple roast beef sandwiches for over 50 years, and there’s something admirable about that consistency.
But it’s nothing I see myself eating often. The nostalgia factor is strong, and if you’re looking for a taste of classic Orlando history in the Milk District, it’s worth one visit. Just manage your expectations. This isn’t gourmet food. It’s a time capsule that serves filling, affordable sandwiches that taste exactly like they probably did in 1968.
For locals and tourists wanting to experience authentic old Orlando away from the theme parks, Beefy King is a legitimate institution. Just don’t expect to be blown away by the flavors.
Tips for Visiting Beefy King Orlando
- Budget: Around $11 for a combo with sandwich, spuds, and drink
- Order the spuds (tater tots), they’re better than the sandwich
- No AMEX they take other cards though
- Don’t expect gourmet but do expect to be full
Have you been to Beefy King in Orlando? Does the nostalgia factor make up for the basic flavors?
