Went here for an evening meal, family of four and chose to eat off the Buffett. The staff from the moment we walked in were very helpful, friendly and attentive. The food looked and tasted good with a large selection. It was a shame that it was not labelled which generated questions from us what some items were. These were answered with no issues by a friendly lady behind the hot plate. It is all you can eat and great for kids who need a hearty meal with alternatives to tenders and burgers. The dining area needed some attention as it was tatty and dated, though clean. Do not be put off by the appearance of the decor or seating.
Johannes H
We paid a lot of money for rlly small portions of food and I told them to make my stake medium rare and it was literally well done the quality of the food was also not good everything was really dry
rickedwards752
Have visited for breakfast and lunch, first visit in 7 years and was disappointed with the food, in my opinion has gone downhill. Staff are great but quality has dropped. Especially for the evening buffet, very poor food.
sarahrW5995ZI
A lot of people knock this place but for the money you pay the food is perfectly good, we go here every time we’re in Orlando and have never had a single problem.
1914sidney
First time back in 4 years and looking forward to an enjoyable meal in our favourite buffet restaurant. Things have changed since 4 years of Covid and the restaurant could do with a face lift. However the food quality was very good. The cheese and broccoli soup was amazing and the food from the buffet was also good. But the prices have risen but the quality was good. Very friendly staff with quick service. Well worth a visit for the choice of food. On the negative side, there were no sugar free deserts as there used to be, and being diabetic we felt shortened. The fridge area 4 years ago had plenty of choice for a country with high numbers of diabetics. Also there were no 10% discounts on your next visit. The gents loo also smelt disgusting. So very disappointed with our eagerly anticipated return visit following covid. ?
Agustin C
Disgusting, chicken bad odor and taste, the worst manager ask for extra charges when we tried to replace it with a meat portion, never again in my life…. Don’t go, please go to Mc Donald’s
brenmill
Very disappointed with our recent meal at Ponderosa . I only had the buffet but my husband's steak was pretty tough. We found the service to be terrible even though it wasn't busy. There was nobody wiping up the buffet counters and there seemed to be quite a bit of food dropped and left there. It's been years since we've been to Ponderosa and we got a bit of a shock. Needless to say, we only visited that one time. I believe the bill was approx. $50 U.S D. for 2 of us.
Daniel G
Avoid this place at all cost. Food is terrible. I saw my and mom in law tried to eat some of the food at the salad bars and there was a strong unusual taste and the cook confirmed they they added to much vinegar to the macaroni salad. The food look reheated. It’s looks like they put out old food. A lady accidentally burned herself to the metal soup container and the manager and staff laughed at her. While she cried in pain. She ended up calling paramedics herself. It’s a shame what Pondersa became. They should close it down.
sam280_
We made the annual IAAPA visit, and Pondo was ready for us! We arrived later in the evening and at the time it was busy, but post 8pm it emptied out. No issues with the food, salad/hot food bar was great, and service was with a smile. Only issue, the soft serve machine was broke. We will see you next year!
BKT1982
the staff is rude, insolent and incompetent. The server was on lunch they sat us in her section for over 30 minutes before we ever got drinks as she was at lunch, and the food was as cold as the staff. Half the food was cold and the other half was just disgusting.
The sausage was terrible, and cold. I had to spit it out. The bacon was rancid. The only edible thing was the salad. But was there was a flies that was flying over the salad bar.
wlj901
We have been Ponderosa for around 30 years, it’s always our must visit buffet on our annual trips to the US. This evening, we left the restaurant very disappointed. Poor service, tough steak, dreadful looking desserts, disgusting & broken rest rooms and paid over $50 for the privilege. The whole place looked like it needed a deep clean & coat of paint. As I mentioned above, we are so disappointed , so it the end of our era visiting Ponderosa Orlando.
franksyd56
Been coming to USA for 35 years and this was the worst dining experience ever . The place was filthy especially the toilets which is a big no no . The food was barely edible it was so burnt , and the choice was lacking in variety to say the least . I can remember Ponderosa as a fantastic place for breakfast years ago but they have gone seriously downhill which is a shame . I will never go there again that’s for sure .
Smidger57
I have been coming here for years for a cheap breakfast to fill you up before the parks. No frills food but nice for the price.
900carriep
Buffet food was not good. The chicken wings are not the famous Ponderosa Wings. Chicken was good. The taco meat had no flavor. The spaghetti was not good, watered down. The gravy for the potatos was watered down. The steak bits that I ordered was decent. No ice cream.
Went here for an evening meal, family of four and chose to eat off the Buffett. The staff from the moment we walked in were very helpful, friendly and attentive. The food looked and tasted good with a large selection. It was a shame that it was not labelled which generated questions from us what some items were. These were answered with no issues by a friendly lady behind the hot plate. It is all you can eat and great for kids who need a hearty meal with alternatives to tenders and burgers. The dining area needed some attention as it was tatty and dated, though clean. Do not be put off by the appearance of the decor or seating.
We paid a lot of money for rlly small portions of food and I told them to make my stake medium rare and it was literally well done the quality of the food was also not good everything was really dry
Have visited for breakfast and lunch, first visit in 7 years and was disappointed with the food, in my opinion has gone downhill. Staff are great but quality has dropped. Especially for the evening buffet, very poor food.
A lot of people knock this place but for the money you pay the food is perfectly good, we go here every time we’re in Orlando and have never had a single problem.
First time back in 4 years and looking forward to an enjoyable meal in our favourite buffet restaurant. Things have changed since 4 years of Covid and the restaurant could do with a face lift. However the food quality was very good. The cheese and broccoli soup was amazing and the food from the buffet was also good. But the prices have risen but the quality was good. Very friendly staff with quick service. Well worth a visit for the choice of food. On the negative side, there were no sugar free deserts as there used to be, and being diabetic we felt shortened. The fridge area 4 years ago had plenty of choice for a country with high numbers of diabetics. Also there were no 10% discounts on your next visit. The gents loo also smelt disgusting. So very disappointed with our eagerly anticipated return visit following covid. ?
Disgusting, chicken bad odor and taste, the worst manager ask for extra charges when we tried to replace it with a meat portion, never again in my life…. Don’t go, please go to Mc Donald’s
Very disappointed with our recent meal at Ponderosa . I only had the buffet but my husband's steak was pretty tough. We found the service to be terrible even though it wasn't busy. There was nobody wiping up the buffet counters and there seemed to be quite a bit of food dropped and left there. It's been years since we've been to Ponderosa and we got a bit of a shock. Needless to say, we only visited that one time. I believe the bill was approx. $50 U.S D. for 2 of us.
Avoid this place at all cost. Food is terrible. I saw my and mom in law tried to eat some of the food at the salad bars and there was a strong unusual taste and the cook confirmed they they added to much vinegar to the macaroni salad. The food look reheated. It’s looks like they put out old food. A lady accidentally burned herself to the metal soup container and the manager and staff laughed at her. While she cried in pain. She ended up calling paramedics herself. It’s a shame what Pondersa became. They should close it down.
We made the annual IAAPA visit, and Pondo was ready for us! We arrived later in the evening and at the time it was busy, but post 8pm it emptied out. No issues with the food, salad/hot food bar was great, and service was with a smile. Only issue, the soft serve machine was broke. We will see you next year!
the staff is rude, insolent and incompetent. The server was on lunch they sat us in her section for over 30 minutes before we ever got drinks as she was at lunch, and the food was as cold as the staff. Half the food was cold and the other half was just disgusting.
Restaurantji Recommends
The sausage was terrible, and cold. I had to spit it out. The bacon was rancid. The only edible thing was the salad. But was there was a flies that was flying over the salad bar.
We have been Ponderosa for around 30 years, it’s always our must visit buffet on our annual trips to the US. This evening, we left the restaurant very disappointed. Poor service, tough steak, dreadful looking desserts, disgusting & broken rest rooms and paid over $50 for the privilege. The whole place looked like it needed a deep clean & coat of paint. As I mentioned above, we are so disappointed , so it the end of our era visiting Ponderosa Orlando.
Been coming to USA for 35 years and this was the worst dining experience ever . The place was filthy especially the toilets which is a big no no . The food was barely edible it was so burnt , and the choice was lacking in variety to say the least . I can remember Ponderosa as a fantastic place for breakfast years ago but they have gone seriously downhill which is a shame . I will never go there again that’s for sure .
I have been coming here for years for a cheap breakfast to fill you up before the parks. No frills food but nice for the price.
Buffet food was not good. The chicken wings are not the famous Ponderosa Wings. Chicken was good. The taco meat had no flavor. The spaghetti was not good, watered down. The gravy for the potatos was watered down. The steak bits that I ordered was decent. No ice cream.