6 Orlando Pop-Ups to Get To
I’ve found myself more drawn to checking out Orlando pop-ups lately for several reasons. Usually, it means I can eat outside or at least away from crowds. It’s a chance to support someone trying to get their business off the ground and grow, but also because the food has been a bit more satisfying than many of the newer places opening at rapid speed lately. Although laziness can kick in, and I can get weary of lines or last-minute cancellations when I’m at the venue hangry for food, that’s pop-up life! The payoff lately has been worth it. So, I’m sharing some good experiences I’ve had recently.
Over the Border Taqueria
Long lines for food have never been my thing. However, I love tacos, and I had heard that the Tijuana-style tacos Over the Border Taqueria had been slinging around town were line-worthy. At a recent pop-up at Pour Choice Taphouse, I got to the 7 p.m. pop-up at 6:30 and was the first in line.
The menu is simple, three taco options (carne asada, al pastor, and chorizo) a multia or a quesadilla. In true Tijuana-style form, these tacos are simply dressed with onions, cilantro, salsa, and a heap of guacamole. It may not sound earth-shattering to you, but what's unique is the flavor and taste. They were truly some of the most flavorful bites I've had locally. You can taste the freshness in the toppings the smokey flavor in the meat, not to mention a nice kick of heat. Each bite is well-rounded, and unlike so many tacos and quesadillas, they weren't greasy. So, while you may scoff that I waited almost an hour to get my hands on these, I would do it again. If you get there early, the good thing about these pop-ups is you can grab a seat and chill with a beer or cider while you wait. The next one is at the East End Market on Saturday, October 14th, at 6 p.m. GO EARLY.
Beng Bread
My friend Divina, who I've known since high school, was always the achiever. That's why she went on to work in medicine, and continued to be the stunning human I got to know while we were teens. During the pandemic, she chose to shift careers and has been working on her business, Beng Bread, ever since. Right now, her specialty is all things Ube. Ube bread, Ube crinkle cookies, even Ube butter!
While hanging out at her pop-up table, I've been surprised by how many people looked confused at her goods and asked what Ube is, so she's doing the work of baking and creating and educating the people on how delicious Ube can be! She continues to add more goods to her repertoire, like Furikake Rice Krispie Treats, Royal Ube, and Pandan cookies. There's no telling what her next creation will be, but it's time to get on the Beng Bread watchlist to experience something unique and tasty.
Right now, you can visit her pop-ups or do pre-order pick-ups that she offers in Winter Garden and Downtown.
IG: Beng Bread
Little Giant
Kristine of Little Giant has been buzzing around Orlando's culinary scene for a while. With stints at Kappo, Farm & Haus, Winter Park Biscuit, and Edoboy, she's been taking in the back-of-house grind while periodically stepping out to showcase her unique dishes. Along with her mother Nancy, a culinary goddess who pop-ups in heels, they've been serving regional Chinese dishes close to their hearts and sharing them with us. From collabs with local restaurants like Deli Desires (I still think about the Krab Rangoon Bialy and the Matzo Ball Egg Drop Soup) and Lazy Moon, to her own pop-ups around town at Kaya and other spots, eating their food is the best way to feel like you've been invited over to their home for dinner. It's pure comfort food.
At the last pop-up, I truly enjoyed each dish: the tender pork belly and the warm hug of the tomato and egg over rice, especially the beef + onion baozi. Perfectly crafted little bites of bun happiness, and I still want Kristine to bottle her chili vinaigrette because I used it all up, and life hasn't been the same.
I don't need food to be pretentious and flashy; I need it to make me feel good, and that's what Little Giant does.
IG: Little Giant
Koko Kakigori
Kakigōri, a popular summer treat in Japan, is shaved ice dessert flavored with syrup and a sweetener. The newest pop-up (that is opening their full shop very soon) is Koko Kakigori. They’ve been periodically popping up at Kaya and Redlight Redlight, but they’ve been working on opening a small shop adjacent to the Kaya building.
This “fluffy” ice uses seasonal fruits and ingredients. No artificial additives here, all sauces and topping are homemade from scratch. I’ve seen flavors like Coconut Mango Passionfruit, Very Berry Chai, Matcha, Lime with a Coconut espuma and fresh watermelon, and the one I got my hands on a Creamy Banana milk + sweet summer pear.
Not only do their flavors blend together so well, but each spoonful is so fresh and light, and the portion size is definitely shareable. Keep an eye out on their Instagram for their next pop-up or opening date!
IG: Koko Kakigori
Sunday’s Pizza
Usually, the best way to spot a good pop-up is to keep an eye on where your friends in the culinary scene are hanging on their off days. That’s how I found out about Sunday’s Pizza. I checked them out at one of their pop-ups at Forward Slash, a Winter Park distillery. The night's options included a Spicy Pepperoni and a Bánh mì Pizza, which immediately piqued my interest. The Bánh mì came loaded with miso tomato sauce, low moisture + fresh mozzarella, roast pork, pickled carrots + daikon, cilantro, and Maggi-infused kewpie. From the first bite, I LOVED IT. Firstly, the crust was light and crispy, with just a little char and the perimeter. All of the elements worked well together, so you got textural crunches, acid, savory bits, and hints of light sweetness, everything I love about a Bánh mì but in a brand new delivery system to my mouth. I’ve been keeping an eye out for when they are slinging it again.
If you go, they usually have 2-3 pies, so peep the menu ahead to ensure they’ll have something you like, but I’d go with an open mind and an open mouth.
IG: Sundays Pizza
Agua Fresca
Regardless of where you are in greater Orlando, chances are you’ve seen a table on the side of the road with a row of huge orange coolers. These agua fresca stands have been spotted in Apopka, South Orlando, and one in my neck of the woods on Forest City Road. The question is, have you stopped? Also, another question: are they somehow connected?
Regardless, if you see one, you'd be making a good decision to stop and grab yourself a considerably sized agua fresca for $6. The cucumber lime is probably my favorite flavor so far, but they’ve all been refreshing so much that I usually stick it in the fridge and return to it a day later. Bring cash and make your commute a little sweeter.
I still have several pop-ups on my list to get to, so hopefully I can share those with you next time.