It's nuthin' fancy, Ellie Lou's Brews & BBQ, so I overlooked it for months. Down-home decor, counter service ... . Then I took home a turkey sandwich. It was a solid, flavorful, textured mass of turkey, not that processed pseudo-poultry trash most Orlando restaurants proffer. That was lunch. A few weeks later, I went back for dinner. Guess what? I had a spud-tastic meal at Ellie Lou's.
For dinner, I ordered the BBQ Baker, a large potato filled with "Kansas City Wet"--a brisket-pork combo with a tangy sauce like the one popular in the Midwestern city. It was topped with grated cheese and scallion greens. The Baker comes with a side dish. I chose cole slaw. It was solid, fresh, and flavorful--real food made by people with passion. A just-right slice of garlic bread was in the basket, too. Several types of sauce are on every table.
The menu is extensive, including pulled chicken, smoked sausage, and the intriguing Turducken Burger, described as "turkey, duck & chicken dressed with cornbread stuffing, cranberry relish & sweet potato fries." Several beers are available.
I like this place. It's in a strip mall in Ocoee, just north of Windermere. The service was spectacularly eager. Servers and managers came over several times during our one short dinner offering more water, asking if they can get us anything else.
Give it a try.
Eat enthusiastically,
Rona
