Orlando Family Restaurants

You won't wait long for your supper at Bubbalou's Bodacious Barbecue, a family-friendly barbecue spot that's known for tasty, Southern-style, slow-smoked meats and homemade sides. But, if you're especially anxious to get your barbecue fix -- or you just prefer eating in -- call ahead and order a party pack. At around $7 per person, it's a great family deal. For kids, there's homemade macaroni and cheese, a mini version of a barbecue sandwich (chicken or pork) and traditional menu items like burgers, hot dogs and chicken strips.

Classic Disney characters are the hosts for breakfast and dinner at Chef Mickey's, a feel-good buffet service restaurant at Disney's Contemporary Resort. For kids, the fare is pleasantly predictable, but adults may find pleasure in some above-average offerings on the buffet line, such as tamarind glazed salmon with pesto and parmesan mashed potatoes. Advance reservations are suggested.

Wait in line to place your order from a list of specialty hot-pressed sandwiches. Then grab a seat, and dig in to one of the best deals in Orlando. Located at Downtown Disney, the Earl of Sandwich enjoys a brisk business, but it's worth attempting to outwit the crowds to enjoy a meal there. Seating is indoors or outside on a covered patio. The latter -- which affords great views of the splashing waters, as well as Marketplace holiday festivities -- will likely buy you some extra time if you're dining with little ones. To avoid the rush, arrive early (before 11 a.m. for lunch or 5 p.m. for dinner).

It's not technically dinner fare, but that doesn't deter tons of tourists from making a meal out of ice cream at this San Francisco-based sweet shop, located in Downtown Disney's Marketplace. On the menu are shakes, sundaes, floats, chocolate and coffee drinks and, naturally, single and double scoops. If the weather's nice, grab a table on the lakeside patio, and soak up some admission-free Disney charm.

Kid-pleasing New York-style pizza (by the slice or by the pie), garlic knots and tongue-in-cheek law-inspired stuffed specialties like "Swat Team Stromboli" and "JailBird Chick N' Roll" bring customers back to NYPD Pizza, an Orlando area family favorite. Be sure to make note of budget-friendly meal deals like 99-cent slices and Kids Eat Free days.

Feel good about taking the kids out to eat -- again -- when you dine at Sweet Tomatoes. An array of fresh choices will please even the pickiest of eaters. And, if not, there's always frozen yogurt. Salads, soups (eight varieties daily), pasta, fresh fruit and desserts are served buffet-style and are rounded out by a choice of breads. Menus change daily, so you can return multiple times without getting bored.

Playful exaggeration is the running theme at Whispering Canyon Cafe, an Old West-themed venue, located on the first floor of Disney's Wilderness Lodge. Want ketchup with your breakfast skillet? Expect to receive no less than 5 bottles. Need more croutons for your salad? A bucket will arrive shortly. Get the idea? Guests can get on the bandwagon and join in on a stick pony parade during dinner or shake their hands in a group Hokey Pokey dance before dessert. Kids and parents have lots of fun at this rowdy restaurant, where it's hard to decide which takes center stage -- the staff-initiated antics or the tasty grub that's dished out in all-you-can-eat portions. Call ahead for priority seating.