El Colmadon

The Write-Up

The full story

A Dominican counter on North Magnolia named for the colmadón, the corner store back home that feeds the whole block. The chopped cheese gets chopped on the grill and finished with the house Colmadon sauce, the pastelón version layers in maduros and mozzarella, and the fritura piles pica pollo, fried salami, tostones and queso frito onto one plate. Regulars call it their favorite Dominican food in the city, and the chimi de res is the order that wins over first-timers.

District Story

The story of Downtown North

A fort, a courthouse plat and a citrus boom built it. A name nobody can prove still runs it.

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Similar Feel

More places with this feel

Matched by vibe, not by neighborhood: the places across Greater Orlando closest in spirit to El Colmadon.

El Bloque 407

Latin & Caribbean · Sand Lake · $

A corner of Sherman Avenue transplanted to Sand Lake Road, with the same griddle, recipes, and people from Upper Manhattan.

730 W Sand Lake Rd, Unit 30, Orlando, FL 32809

Sazoncito Latin Food

Latin & Caribbean · Conway · $

A humble Conway counter serving Dominican comfort food that guests describe as tasting like home.

4542 S Semoran Blvd, Orlando, FL 32822

Bachata Breeze Restaurant

Latin & Caribbean · Curry Ford · $$

On Curry Ford Road, a Dominican buffet and full menu by day, then live Latin music and dancing after dark.

5773 Curry Ford Rd, Orlando, FL 32822

Zaza Cuban Comfort Food

Latin & Caribbean · SoDo · $

A family-run neighborhood diner in SoDo, on South Orange Avenue, built around cafecito culture and pressed sandwiches.

1621 S Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32806

El Coqui Ninja Restaurant

Latin & Caribbean · Orlando · $$

Puerto Rican soul meets Asian comfort on Curry Ford, and the mashup is the whole point.

El Coqui Ninja Restaurant, 3097 Curry Ford Rd, Orlando, FL 32806-3301, United States

Pio Pio Latin Cuisine

Latin & Caribbean · Orlando · $$

On South Semoran, the Colombian staple locals lean on, a warm, family-style room where plates land generous and homestyle.

2259 S Semoran Blvd, Orlando, FL 32822

Keep Going

More in Downtown Orlando

Other places in Downtown Orlando, Local Picks first, then the closest to El Colmadon.

Fixtion Restaurant & Bar Local Pick

American · American Restaurant · $$

On Orange Avenue, comfort food and huge comfy booths early, club energy after dark, shape-shifting through the day.

15 N Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801

Wall Street Plaza Local Pick

Nightlife & music · Entertainment District · $$

One downtown block holds the whole crawl: eight bars and patios that, on a big night, turn into a single street party.

25 Wall St, Orlando, FL 32801

Elixir Kitchen and Bar Local Pick

Bars & lounges · Bar · $$

A rustic-hip gastropub in one of downtown's original buildings, and very much the neighborhood's spot.

9 W Washington St, Orlando, FL 32801

The Tavern Bar & Tacos

Mexican · Taco Bar · $

It calls itself a vibe bar and guests back it up, starting with birria tacos one regular said should be criminal.

The Tavern Bar & Tacos, 75 E Colonial Dr, Orlando, FL 32801

Reyes Mezcaleria

Mexican · $$

Michoacán-born chef Wendy Lopez cooks on North Orange Avenue in a room guests describe as beautiful and alive.

Reyes Mezcaleria, 821 N Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801-1014

Gravity Taproom

Breweries · Taproom · $$

A welcoming North Quarter hangout where rotating craft taps pour beside brick-fired Neapolitan pies.

Gravity Taproom, 777 N Orange Ave, Suite D, Orlando, FL 32801