Mordisco Steakhouse quietly opened its Orlando dining room on International Drive this month, dropping a Venezuelan Caribbean, wood fired steakhouse right in the middle of the tourist strip. The new outpost began service on May 19 and centers its menu on carne en vara, meats slow roasted over open wood embers, alongside arepas, tequeños and coastal style ceviches. The roomy dining floor is built to handle large groups and weekend crowds, with a lively bar program and tasting menu options aimed at diners who want to turn dinner into an outing.
Opening details and company numbers
According to WFTV, the company said the Orlando restaurant opened May 19 and can seat up to 255 guests in roughly 7,000 square feet. The report relays the brand’s figures, noting that the company said it has welcomed more than 18,900 guests across locations and served thousands of pounds of wood fired prime meat. WFTV also highlights weekday lunch specials and a three course seasonal tasting menu priced at about $35 for lunch and $45 for dinner. The station adds that the restaurant is open daily and is taking reservations through OpenTable.
What's on the menu
The menu leans Venezuelan with Caribbean flourishes, featuring tequeños, crunchy cachapa balls, picanha tostones, a Ceviche Carnavalero and several carne en vara cuts including picanha and tenderloin, per the restaurant’s online menu. As listed on Mordisco Orlando, plates range from small sharables to large parrillas and skewered Asador mains that are meant for sharing. Early diner photos and visitor listings also spotlight a punchy cocktail program and drinks like the Santa Patilla on the bar side. Customer images and drink notes are already popping up on TripAdvisor.
From Doral to I-Drive
The concept comes from chef César González, who built the brand out of Miami and opened a flagship in Doral before bringing the idea to Orlando. Orlando Weekly reported that the new Mordisco moved into the former Applebee’s at 11030 International Drive, and regional coverage has noted González’s sizable social profile and reach. Local reporting on the brand’s Miami operations, including past coverage by CBS Miami, underscores that the Orlando debut brings an already established regional concept to I Drive rather than a total unknown.
How to book
Mordisco lists phone and booking information on its site and is accepting reservations through OpenTable, where the Orlando profile includes availability and menu notes. For reservations and the most up to date hours, would be diners are directed to check the restaurant’s OpenTable page and the official site. Early reviews are already praising the happy hour drinks and the wood fired grill, so staking out a spot near the bar or ordering a round of skewers looks like a solid move for a first visit.
