Looking for a great place to eat while you're in the central Florida area? Surprisingly, Kissimmee, Florida has Garibaldi Mexican Cuisine, which happens to have the best Mexican food at the best prices. "Surprisingly" I say because Kissimmee, and central Florida in general, is not widely known for great culinary ventures. But this hole-in-the-wall gem of a Mexican fare will be a welcome treat to both the locals - who have yet to be entranced by the mouth-watering flavors listed on the menu - and visitors from afar who need a break from the high prices that plague the eateries in the surrounding theme parks.
There are actually two Garibaldi locations in central Florida that are quite easy to get to from the main roads: 1) near the landmark Florida Mall; and 2) on West Vine Street (aka Highway 192) in Kissimmee. I frequent the Kissimmee one more often, but either location is great for a quick bite to go or a satisfying dine-in meal.
At each location, you're greeted with a friendly smile, a warm basket of tortilla chips and a small bowl of homemade salsa. The Garibaldi location in Kissimmee is set up in an old Kenny Rogers fast food building but has since been remodeled to best suit a Mexican dining experience. And for those cooler romantic Florida nights, both Garibaldi locations offer outdoor seating.
Do you like live entertainment with your Tex-Mex chow? Head on over to the Kissimmee Garibaldi location on the weekend and you can request your favorite Mexican tune to be played by the in house mariachi band. Just remember to give them a tip for their efforts.
What should you eat? If you like steak, try the steak tampiquena - a great ribeye dish served with a tasty cheese enchilada, fresh guacamole, a side of rice, and refried beans. I order mine medium rare and the meat practically melts in your mouth.
Other great traditional Mexican bites include the burrito ranchero, the enchilada dishes, and for fajita lovers try the Texas style fajitas which includes savory steak, chicken, and shrimp.
What I really like about Garibaldi is the service from the friendly staff. They are very courteous, never pushy, and quick to make recommendations. And it doesn't hurt that the food is the best Tex-Mex in the area at very inexpensive prices!
Other bits that may interest you: the bathrooms are relatively clean even during peak business hours, the parking lot is well lit at night, and wait times during peak business hours are usually no more than a few minutes. For those that get cold easily, bring a sweater; the place is kept at a comfortable temperature, but sometimes sitting under or near a vent can interfere with the dining experience.
For more info you can visit Garibaldi's on the web here.
Randy Yniguez is a retired psychotherapist, registered nurse, and budding entrepreneur.
