breakfast or lunch. You can go for dinner, too, if you don’t mind eating your evening meal at 3 p.m. But that’s a little early even for the seniors crowd.You might think from the name Dixie’s that this place specializes in Southern cuisine. But you’d be right only if you guessed south of Florida. The menu is Latin, with such things as pernil asado, chuletos de cerdo and ropa viejo. It’s very inexpensive, and the portions are generous. And it’s all pretty darned good, too.
Consider the lunch specials. Most are priced at $6.50 and come with your two side items. You can stuff yourself silly for a mere pittance.
It’s sort of cafeteria style service. You step up to the counter, grab a tray and tell one of the staffers what you’d like to eat. Some of the items are right there for you to see on the other side of the glass. You can choose whatever looks good. The only drawback is that it all looks good and you may have a hard time making a selection. Or you can opt to have a sandwich, maybe a Cuban or a media noche, and someone will make it for you.
I enjoyed the ropa vieja, which I had with black beans and rice and fried plantains. I also liked the roast pork, which wasn’t too garlicky, paired with red beans and yummy yucca.
Dixie’s also serves breakfast, including a variety of omelets and a Venezuelan arepa with eggs, turkey and cheese.
The small cafe is bright and clean, and a noontime you’re likely to find it bustling, with seating at a premium. You can go in after the rush, but don’t go too late -- Dixie’s closes at 3 p.m.
Dixie’s Cafe is at 331 N. Orange Ave., Orlando. It’s open Monday through Friday for breakfast and lunch. The Web site is not yet functioning. The phone number is 407-872-1128.
