Black Bean Deli – Orlando, FL

 

On our way to my cousin Fran’s wedding in Titusville last weekend, we stopped in Orlando for a quick bite to eat.  We weren’t sure where to go, so we used the Yelp app to locate nearby restaurants.  The Black Bean Deli was only a few blocks away and had great reviews!

I was expecting an average sandwich shop, but I think this may be one of my new favorite Orlando spots.  It is located in an old retro gas station that’s been renovated to have a cozy modern interior and a covered patio with picnic benches. 

 

I ordered the Choripan sandwich with sweet ham, chorizo sausage, and Swiss cheese.  Lance had the regular Cuban, which also had the same ham & cheese as mine, but with added roast pork and pickles.  They asked if he wanted the large Cuban – but it’s a good thing he went with the regular size!   The sandwiches were huge!    

 

 

We also split an order of maduros – I love sweet plantains.  The food was all very simple, but perfectly executed.  If I lived nearby, I’d be a regular. 

They also have a Winter Park location – and I read that they’re serving a limited menu at a concession stand in the Amway Center too.  I will say that this location was pretty busy, so parking was difficult.  Guess everyone else in Orlando knows about their great food!

Black Bean Deli is located at 1835 East Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32803 and is open 11am – 9pm Monday – Thursday, 11am – 10pm on Friday – Saturday, and closed on Sunday.  

Pumpkin Seed Cheddar Crispbreads, Spanish Dry-Cured Meats & Smoked Gouda

I bought Doctor Kracker’s Pumpkin Seed Cheddar Crispbreads at Publix last week as an impulse buy.  I had never heard of the company, but they looked like a tasty snack.  They are organic and a great source of protein, fiber, and whole grains.  I love that they have so many whole pumpkin seeds – they are very hearty crackers. 

Then while picking up some beers from ABC, we noticed their Campofrio Tapas were on sale for $1.75 so we decided to give it a try.  It contained a trio of traditional Spanish dry-cured meats: ham, pork loin, and chorizo sausage seasoned with smoked paprika.  I especially liked the chorizo. 

And yesterday, we stopped by Trader Joe’s to pick up a few snacks.  We always get some sort of cheese while we are there – they have a huge selection and the prices are amazing for such gourmet cheeses.  This time we chose the Dutch Smoked Gouda – which is one of our favorites.  It has a smoky flavor and creamy texture. 

We put all these products together for a fancy cheese, meat, and cracker spread…probably the first time all 3 of these were combined on one plate, but they paired perfectly together!