Last week we looked at the Boheme restaurant in the Grand Bohemian hotel as an option for a pre-show dinner when attending the Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center, albeit one where the dinner might cost more than the show.
This week let’s take a look at a couple of more casual – and less costly – options: Solita Tacos & Margaritas and the Bao Spot. Both are a short walk from the center, on Church Street (Solita is officially has an Orange Avenue address) and both feature foods served in foldable breadlike devices.
Solita is a small chain with only five locations, Orlando’s the only one not in California. It is owned by Xperience Restaurant Group, which also owns the Chevys Fresh Mex brand. (You’ll recall that the company recently closed its Orlando Chevys location.)
Solita moved into the space that was Wahlburgers. The layout is basically the same. It’s a big, open space. And when it fills up, which apparently it does often, it can be quite loud.
The advantage here is that even though it’s a taqueria it accepts reservations, which is advisable if you need to get in and out before your curtain time, and it has full table service.
I stopped in with a group of friends before attending a Saturday night show at Dr. Phillips. Seven of us were seated at a spacious table but I could only hear the people seated next to me because the noise level was quite high.
So I instead focused on my meal, three pork carnitas tacos with my chosen sides of rice and beans. The tacos were served in corn tortillas by default, always a good sign. The meat was moist, though I though there could have been more of it. They were topped with crema and fresh cilantro. The beans were just ok but the rice was bland.
The tacos are listed on the menu as street tacos. I have yet to see a menu specify restaurant tacos.
Service was spotty. I’m guessing the staff was slammed because the restaurant had filled up. It happens.
Just down the block is the Bao Spot, a completely different experience. It’s quite small and dark inside. No reservations are accepted and customers order at the counter.
No, scratch that – customers enter their orders on a touch screen at the counter, even though a staff member is standing there with nothing else to do but watch you enter your order. You total it all up, add a tip, which surprisingly does not go to you for your efforts, then pay – credit card only, no cash accepted.
You’re also prompted to pick up a numbered table stand, enter the number on the screen, then take your number to a table. Then a staffer actually brings your food to you.
I ordered an appetizer of Brussels sprouts, Martian Muncies on the menu, and the bao called the Astro Pig, both priced at $6.50 each. The fried sprouts were crunchy and tossed with honey and bits of bacon, but I didn’t see $6.50 worth of food in the paper serving boat.
Nor in the small bao, which had a square of pork belly, a slice of daikon and a sprig of cilantro in the doughy bun.
By the way, I think they’re missing a great marketing opportunity by not calling them street baos.
To go along with the menu item names, the decor is space themed for some reason.
Bottom line: I might go back to Solita for a quick bite before a show but I’ll leave the Bao Spot to Church Street’s nighttime drinking crowd.
Solita Tacos & Margaritas is at 222 S. Orange Ave., Orlando (map). It is open for lunch and dinner daily. The phone number is 407-698-4161.
The Bao Spot is at 54 W. Church St., (map). It is open for lunch and dinner daily. It has no published phone number.
