Sometimes the best food is found where you least expect it, and that is exactly the case with the restaurant Yellow Dog Eats. Located in Gotha, Florida near Windermere, Yellow Dog Eats is a charming, off-the-beaten path restaurant serving up sandwiches, salads and tons of BBQ, but before we go calling it a BBQ joint, it’s worth mentioning that this isn’t your typical BBQ joint, or sandwich and salad shop for that matter. It’s unlike anything you’ve tasted before with a menu created by Chef Fish Morgan that crafts delicious fresh ingredients for a flavor you will soon be craving every time you’re in Orlando. Less than 15 minutes away from Universal Studios Orlando, the restaurant is in the middle of a residential area, in a home that was built in 1910. When you walk into Yellow Dog Eats, you don’t feel like customers; you feel like guests at someone’s home. But at Yellow Dog Eats, guests are encouraged to write on the walls, tables, and chairs almost everywhere. Trust me; this restaurant would be worth going just for the ambiance alone. It just so happens that the most amazing food lies within… a real Florida must-do! 
Say goodbye to traditional BBQ and hello to new dishes that will make your taste buds explode. Combining the heart of BBQ with new, non-traditional ingredients, Yellow Dog Eats has concocted some of the best dishes you’ll want to start seeing at BBQ’s. A few of Best of Orlando’s favorites include the Club Elvis, tender pulled pork topped with pecan-smoked bacon, Gouda cheese, crispy fried onions and topped with Fish’s Gold BBQ sauce, served on a bun. It’s one of their most ordered BBQ selections, but if you want more; you can take the Club Elvis and add smothered homemade beer-cheese soup, topped with scallions in The Drunken Pig. The flavors are amazing and the pork is so tender and moist. You can really taste the freshness with every bite. 
For an even bigger twist on BBQ take a bite out of the Hong Kong Fuey, tender pulled pork piled with toasted coconut, chopped peanuts, pickled onions and jalapenos, drizzled with peanut sauce and finished with scallions and carrots served on a bun.
If you’re looking for a sandwich, look no further than the Holy Crap Sandwich, Named by a friend and customer who after one bite couldn’t believe how incredible it was, the Holy Crap Sandwich is made up of honey mesquite roasted turkey piled high and pressed with avocado, pecan-smoked bacon, goat cheese, red onions and basil mayo served on a thick sliced multi-grain bread. This sandwich is for real and with one bite you too will be saying, “holy crap!”
The Kitty Kat is just as impressive and unique as the Holy Crap with solid, all white Asian marinated albacore tuna, sun dried cranberries, smoked Gouda cheese, caramelized onions, leaf lettuce, sunflower sprouts, orange Cointreau mayo served on thick sliced multi-grain bread. Me-ow! 
If you’re in the mood for a salad try the Curry Chicken Salad, an all white meat curry chicken salad served with toasted coconut, fresh mango chutney and toasted granulated peanuts. For a little more greens order up the Strawberry Fields with fresh strawberries, crumbled feta cheese, sunflower sprouts, sliced red onions and candied walnuts all tossed with spring mix and raspberry vinaigrette.
The vegetarians in your party will love knowing they don’t have to scour the menu to find a dish that suits their dietary needs. Yellow Dog Eats proudly serves up several meat-free dishes on their “Herbivore’s Delight” menu including Downward Dog, a blend of sautéed mushrooms, water chestnuts, chopped peanuts and red onions, blended with shredded lettuce, carrots, scallions and Sriracha in a spinach wrap and topped with homemade peanut sauce. There is also the Meowzer’s Munch, Chickpea carrot blend spread with cucumber, sunflower sprouts, red onions, tomatoes and basil pesto served on a whole grain bread. 
And it isn’t called Yellow Dog Eats for nothing; also buy some natural treats for your dog as well.
The next time you’re in Windermere for lunch head straight to Yellow Dog Eats. You won’t be disappointed! The atmosphere, friendly service, and delicious BBQ is calling.
Orlando, FL – 07/16/14
By: Jena Pugh | 
