I first had a bison burger in the early 90s at a diner on the west side of Manhattan.
This town was my home, but not the place where Buffalo roamed around. At the time, it wasn’t even on the menu. And I had to try it.
It’s lean, but it’s still juicy. Rich in flavor. Some might say it’s simple. Or sweet. It took quite a while for the actual regularity in restaurants (at least on the East Coast) to begin to appear, but slowly, certainly, just like the final rebound of this beautiful animal’s once decimiming figure, bison is something you often see when eating and even in grocery stores.
Some of the Orlando Metro carry it for home cooking, including Wildfolk in Winter Park, Petty’s Meat Market in Longwood, and local butchers and markets in Winter Garden.
However, if you’ve never been involved in this noble and completely American protein, then July is the national bison month, so there are quite a few options around the metro for meat sampling. Not too North about it, but the Hangri Bison is one of them, with three locations around the metro, at 250 West Plant St., 407-347-9099 in Winter Gardens. 480 Orlando Ave. in Winter Park, 407-677-5000; 951 Lake Mary Market Promenade, 321-363-3084; thehangrybison.com.
“Bison protein is fast and is caught for good reasons. It’s lean than beef and packed with nutrients like iron and vitamins, making it a beautiful fit for a health-focused diet.”
“Bison is usually grown in grass and has a low environmental impact, making it a solid choice for sustainability-conscious people too.”
It’s multipurpose, she says, likewise: “Think about burgers, roasts, or even tacos.”
Best Burger: 2025 Orlando Sentinel Foodie Awards
HB Restaurant guests enjoy their own options. Basic burgers start at $18, with some toppings free, while others add between 50 cents and $1.50. Each comes with your choice.
Do you want more? Stomp on this optional swarm.
Whiskey
A huge number of people love whiskey. Even permanently. Dozens of joints and tracks have appeared over the years, but live music, smooth pours and killer burgers have slowly burned the atmosphere of this sandwich restaurant. And sometimes, the last part of Trifecta sees guests choose bison over beef.
“We strive to entertain our guests with the best gourmet burgers, from our distinctive blends to unique mock meats,” says Whiskey owner Katie Zagaroli. In fact, culinary adventurers often find themselves here and explore the taste of all kinds of alternative proteins, such as camels, elks, and wild boars. She points out that she is “provided from the West with strict regulations.”
Of the bison offerings on the menu, the drunken bison ($27.50) is a guest’s favorite cooked at temperatures and topped with a warm bath in applewood bacon, three thick whiskey onion rings and a homemade cheese sauce.
Why not try almost all of the “exotics” in one visit? Order the beast, says Zagaroli.
“It’s a blend of wagyu beef, bison, elk and wild boar,” she says.
Bring someone for a camel burger. You have all the games you can handle.
Whiskey: 7563 W. Sandrake Road, Orlando, 407-930-6517; downatthewhiskey.com
Geiser Point
“Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is based on the grandeur of the Pacific Northwest,” says resort chef David Hutnick. “As Bison has a historic and continuous ties to the Pacific Northwest, adding a bison burger to the menu makes perfect sense as a fun twist on traditional products.”
So the Geiser Point Bar & Grill bison cheeseburger features bacon, sweet onion straws, marionberry sauce and garlic aioli with lettuce and tomatoes.
“The guests are a unique combination of flavors,” he says. “This is the most popular menu item at Geiser Point.”
Geyser Point: Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, 901 Timberline Drive, Lake Buena Vista, 407-939-5277; disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/wilderness-lodge-resort/geyser-point
Teak Nearby Grill
They have had bison on the menu since 2018, says John Plouchel, the owner of Cheek, and it definitely won’t go anywhere.
“So many people are becoming more adventurous in their choices,” he says.
Teak’s has around 30 burgers on its menu. Prouchel said:
Three bison offerings will be four in about a month, and “but guests can always make their own or subscribe to bison patties for any other burger. People always do that.”
Teak Nearby Grill: 6400 Time Square Avenue, Orlando, 407-313-5111; Teakorlando.com
Lazy dog restaurants and bars
Sou chef Jennifer Arroyo has seen several menu spins since she first started at this Kissimmee restaurant two and a half years ago, but Bison Meatloaf, an original recipe she says she’s been involved in the growing chain since it was founded over 20 years ago, hasn’t gone anywhere.
“I love working with bison because it’s moist and retains the flavor without being overly fatty,” she says. She also thinks the dish wrapped in bacon stacked on creamy potatoes is suitable for the “Wyoming Cabin” vibe of a lazy dog.
“It’s one of these heartfelt dishes that stick to your ribs, keep you warm and fill you,” she says. The weather in Central Florida doesn’t seem to discourage anyone from ordering it.
“We sometimes sell bunches of meatloaf. ‘It’s like the 105 outside, and everyone wants a salad?” But people love it. ”
Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar: 8019 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway in Kissimmee, 689-228-4418; lazydogrestaurants.com/locations/orlando-fl)
Vineyard Wine Company
“Everyone loves good burgers, but we wanted to appeal to people who think we are a little more health-conscious,” says Liz Rusher, chef at Lake Mary Economy. “Bison is pretty lean meat and is a great alternative to getting more protein in your diet.”
It’s a popular order among lunch crowds, she says.
“It’s filled and you can add toppings such as sautéed onions, mushrooms, jalapeño or fried eggs by modifying them. Our guests can tell us that we don’t buy a burger with a frozen, pre-padded one. They are made fresh every morning.
Vineyard Wine Company: 1140 Townpark Ave. Lake Mary, 407-833-9463; thevineyardwinecompany.com)
Find me on Facebook, Tiktok, Twitter, Instagram @Amydroo, or Osfoodie Instagram account @orlando.foodie. Email: amthompson@orlandosentinel.com, For more food fun, join Let’s Eat and Orlando Facebook Group.
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