What’s Clean
Grown at Lake Nona is the only USDA Certified restaurant in the greater Orlando area, actually in all of central Florida. Their proteins, produce, coffee, milks, breads, condiments and just about every ingredient in the restaurant is organic. The exceptions are the gluten free menu items, such as the breads and pancakes. Both the shrimp and salmon are wild caught. Grown also offers Paleo, gluten free, and vegan options.
What’s Served
Grown is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and offers a kids menu, vegan menu, as well a value menu. For starters, breakfast is served from 9-11am and consists of eggs any which way, fruit bowls, specialty toasts, and pancakes. The lunch and dinner options are both served beginning at 11:00am. You’ll find salads, sandwiches, wraps, and soup on the lunch menu with main courses and sides as dinner choices. Rotisserie chicken, salmon, shrimp, and grilled portobello mushrooms are the main dishes with nine sides to choose from. Five value menu meals are offered for the low price of $9.99. Five vegan meals are offered as well. Throughout the day, organic juices pressed to order, organic smoothies, organic coffee, and teas are available.
What I Ordered
I ordered the Love Greens fresh pressed juice, a Chicken Quesadilla from the value menu, and an iced Cafe Latte. The medley of greens, fruits, and veggies in the juice was perfectly proportioned. As a result, the juice was fresh, lively, and quite pleasing to the palette. Not to be outdone, the Chicken Quesadilla was a pleasant surprise. The tortilla was grilled just right creating a slight crunch to the shell while the yummy interior was moist and bursting with flavor. The shredded chicken mixed with black beans, corn, pico, along with gooey and warm cheese produced a savory quesadilla. Lastly, I chose almond milk as the latte part of my iced coffee, sans a sweetener. Again, nothing but good things to say here; the latte was rich and creamy with a robust, not bitter, coffee flavor.
The Vibe
Surprisingly, Grown is located inside Walmart, just past the entrance doors. The decor is country chic, with checkered red chairs and solid wood tabletops. Table seating is provided, indoors only.
The Takeaway
Walmart is one of the last places I would expect to find a USDA Certified Organic restaurant. However, I’m glad Grown has taken a leap of faith and planted itself in the busy and fast-growing Lake Nona area. The food is clean and quite yummy. Finally, please stop by and give them your support. Grown is doing good things in the clean food world and we need them here.
