Soco Thornton Park

John was an amazing server. His suggestions were exceptional l, his knowledge of the menu and culinary expertise led me and my beautiful date to have romantic dinner. If you go ask for John Kennedy on Tuesday nights.

Let me start with the food is absolutely fabulous. The only reason we give it a 4 star was because of the extended wait for our first drink and entrée. Our waiter Dustin was the best! The manager checked on us a couple times and helped make our meal enjoyable. The food was worth the wait. The deviled eggs and chicken and dumplings were very tasty, and the south Carolina fluke was delicious. We will definitely eat here again.

Great Food, Great Drinks, Great Service. I love coming here for Sunday brunch. The atmosphere is live on Sunday.

Great food and excellent table service. The menu is diverse and I have no doubt that everything is delicious, but the prices are pretty high for the portions. All the same, I recommend the arugula salad and the steak — a delicious slab of brisket slathered in a semi sweet molasses.

We went on Valentine’s Day, so Soco was running a different but still interesting menu.
Seated outside which was fine at first, and then the wind picked up and it got cold. Even the 3 heaters blasting away did not help.
The staff was very prompt to seat us, get us a drink, take the order, and then … nothing. After 45 minutes, my husband got antsy. We were heading to the airport and had allocated 2.5 hours for dinner, but at this rate, would be bagging half of the meal. He mentioned it to the wait staff and they explained that we’d arrived as they were switching from brunch to dinner and the service would pick up shortly. It did, and the wait staff did their all to make things better, but by then, crankiness had taken over.
The food was delicious, especially the lobster bisque, the truffle grits served with the steak, and the desserts (bagged, after all). The wine pours were generous. I’d like to try Soco again, some time when there is no time pressure and a spot inside out of the wind.

Excellent food, and excellent service. Small plates «chicken and dumplings» is simply delicious.

This is a gem hiding in Orlando, Florida. I will definitely be returning to this each and every time I am in Orlando.
We ordered many different things, but the the standout dish was definitely the «Chicken» and Dumplings. It had lobster, edamame and soy butter. Perfection on a fork.
The Southern Belle cake was delightful. The Macaroni and Cheese Croquettes are awesome with the heirloom tomato sauce. And oh Lord, how could I forget the Grilled Meatloaf over Lobster Mash. YUM!
Please try this restaurant… the ambiance was nice and the food amazing!

This was my second time visiting Soco (first review) for Sunday brunch and both times I had a reservation. We started with the French Press coffee which was hot and strong as I expected. We shared the homemade ‘Pop Tarts’ which had the perfect touch of sweetness to start our savory brunch meals. The ‘Pop Tarts’ have a sweet cream cheese frosting on top, flaky dough and filled with fresh strawberry preserves.
I ordered the buttermilk biscuits with Vidalia onion Andouille sausage gravy, topped with 4 strips of crispy pork belly. The biscuits were buttery, doughy and flaky all at the same time. The gravy was flavorful and creamy, but not too heavy. I was hungry and able to eat 3 of the 4 biscuits without feeling overstuffed. My friend got the lobster eggs Benedict but failed to read that the Hollandaise sauce was the carrier for the lobster. She was then disappointed to see that there were only 2 pieces of lobster in the sauce.
We finished our meal and ordered another French Press coffee to chat and enjoy. As we were pouring our last cups of coffee, the manager came over and ‘invited’ us to sit in the lounge if we wanted to keep talking, citing they were expecting another group. There were three 4-​top open tables around us and a larger group of 7 had paid their bill and gathered their coats next to us. I understand that they may have needed our table but we would have been out within 5 – 10 minutes anyways. Upon leaving, we did not see any large groups standing or waiting.
I would come back here again.

First time visiting last night. Sat at a reserved table in the lounge/​bar area.
It was raining last night, and the floor was treacherously slippery. Maybe they’re mopping with too much cleaning solution or maybe it’s just the floors they have, but I saw two people almost eat it. Bathroom was clean.
It was really difficult for our server to make it back to our table, especially when bar patrons clogged the tiny artery between high tops and the bar. Decent ambience… loud, but still able to hear. There are TVs in the bar area. Good liquor and beer/​wine list. They did run out of the Dinkle rye while we were there, and it seemed like mayyyybe my husband got shorted on his pour as a result. I ordered a red wine, and my glass was on the stingy side.
We ordered the chicken and dumplings and the pork biscuit sliders for small plates and then shared the Korean style fried chicken. Each of them were delicious. The fried chicken was actually out of this world. A complaint — it didn’t come with a side. At $ 23 for fried chicken (a generous portion, but still), throw some mashed potatoes or fries on there. A side would have been an extra charge. You aren’t Ruth’s Chris, SoCo… give the people a side.
All said, meal was enjoyable and well prepared… I am docking a star because I think it’s a bit too pricey for what you’re getting. $ 3-​$ 5 less per entrée and better pours… this would have been 5 stars.

I will simply echo what so many have said and encourage everyone in the area to treat themselves to incredibly attentive service and exceptional food. The dishes are both delicious to the eye and palate. We had a party of 15 and everything was on point. Yummmmmmmm. So very deserving of a 5 star review.

One of the best finds in Orlando. It’s located in the cute neighborhood of Thornton Park near Downtown but not in the busier area where it’s hard to find parking.
My boyfriend ordered the pork belly biscuits to start and I got the mac and cheese croquettes. He LOVED the biscuits. The portion is small but it is a more up scale restaurant so you’re going to get a ridiculous quantity. Mac and cheese bites were amazing and it’s based in an heirloom tomato sauce. Tastes like a mix between vodka sauce and marina but completely pureed.
For the main course, I had the chicken-​fried cauliflower steak, which was SO good. The asparagus was perfectly cooked and I loved everything about the dish. Boyfriend had the pork chop and said it was the best he’s had, even compared to Flemings. We ordered a side of biscuits as well to try them out and they were fantastic.
Drinks are reasonably priced and they have really cool specials each night. The night we went they did a TV dinner, but a gourmet version.
Definitely loved this place and we’ll be visiting, regularly.

My boyfriend and I were looking for somewhere a bit more special to eat together since I was heading away for a few months a couple of days later. We were also attending a concert that evening, so it was really important that we went somewhere with both fast service and brilliant food beforehand. and we were not disappointed!
We arrived before 6pm on a Friday without a reservation, but were greeted at the door and were able to get a table straight away. There was only one other group in the restaurant so we were initially worried we’d made a bad choice! Our waitress was more than informative, knowledgeable about the food, extremely friendly and very helpful. We shared some of the macaroni croquettes and deviled eggs — I’m a big fan of deviled eggs and these were possibly the best I’ve ever eaten! The croquettes were also perfect, especially with the creamy tomato sauce, but definitely more suited to one person rather than sharing as the portion is very small.
I wasn’t sure what to order for my main, but being a fan of all kinds of fish I went for the pecan-​crusted Carolina fluke — I wasn’t quite prepared for how amazing it would be! The fish itself was incredibly soft and flavourful, with a lemon butter sauce (not overly lemony at all with a perfect flavour) and the shrimp hushpuppies on the side complemented the fish and sauce so well. Despite being so delicious, it was quite filling and I couldn’t finish the whole thing so had to share it!
Despite being full from the fish, I had to sample one of the incredible-​sounding desserts on the menu — who could resist a ‘potato chip crusted chocolate cake’?! The slice of cake was huge, dense and fudgy, the potato chips giving a perfect amount of texture and saltiness to the sweet chocolate. It was a tough choice between this and the bourbon banana pudding, but I think I made a great choice!
All our food came very fast, well within 10 minutes or so of ordering, so we made excellent time for our concert. We left our waitress a complimentary note as she was so kind and helpful — I was so impressed with the impeccable service here. Between us, our bill came to just over $ 100 for a couple of drinks, two mains, two small plates to share and a dessert — probably not somewhere I could afford to eat every week, but ideal for a special occasion. An absolute must-​visit for anyone looking to impress, and anyone looking to sample some truly excellent Southern-​inspired cuisine, as I can’t imagine anywhere else to do much better than this!

Me and my two best pals, Jeff and Mikey went out to Soco for a late dinner as part of Orlando Magic Dining promotion. If you’re from Miami, think Miami Spice, but if you need further guidance, stay tuned. Basically, the nicest restaurants in Orlando get together and decide to discount either lunches, dinners, or both, so everyone can roll in and see what all the primo fuss is about.
Soco is no joke, ya’ll. We were seated late (around 9pm), without a res, with zero issues. The server was kind, knowledgable and… distractingly attractive. Our drinks arrived without delay, and my berry-​something-​something with Rittenhouse Rye that was on point. My friend Jeff had fish with okra. The okra was so good Jeff threatened violence to get me to stop eating it. Mikey got the cauliflower «fried steak,» which was equally good, served with garlic parsley mashed potatoes and some freakishly-​good gravy.
In the game of entrees, I lost. My fish was merely delicious, and my green beans only perfectly cooked. But it was no okra and no cauliflower goodness.
Would repeat. Would repeat again. Will have to go the next time I’m up (and not eating at Jiko).

Loved our Friday dinner experience here. By far, the staff here were so polite and engaging.
We came early so grabbed drinks at the bar. Our bartender was awesome with her recommendations. I enjoyed the refreshing watermelon cocktail, which was more tart than sweet. We also had the chicken & lobster dumplings which were delicious.
After getting seated with our server Marci, our dinner experience continued to get only better. She had fantastic recommendations and overall was just fabulous! I wasn’t a fan of the fish dip, which tasted too mayoey, but the pork biscuits were great.
I loved loved loved my pecan crusted fish entrée. It was the first encrusted fish that was flavorful both on the outside and inside. I could actually taste the flavor of the nuts and the fish as two separate entities. The wine options were also great.
Loved that the tables were wide and spacious. Such a great time and meal!

I want to preface this review by saying I’ve thought a lot about what rating I wanted to give Soco. The food was excellent, the location is great, and our bartender was extremely friendly! That said, the more I think about my experience, the more I feel like our bartender was purposefully deceitful about their happy hour specials.
I recently went with friends to Soco for happy hour. I read their happy hour specials on Facebook and one of my friends consistently raves about their specials. When I sat down our bartender gave me a list of their house cocktails. Their Facebook page said cocktails were $ 4 and one of my friends with me (that has been several times) confirmed that they were either $ 4 or $ 6 every time he went, so I ordered one. A few minutes later, happy hour was almost over, and I asked the server if I could get another round before happy hour ended. She said «sure» and gave me another.
When we closed our tabs, I noticed by bill was over $ 20 and each drink was $ 10. I told the bartender I didn’t get the happy hour pricing, and she told me my drinks weren’t part of happy hour. As a guest, I feel if you know a customer is coming in for happy hour, you shouldn’t give them a drink menu without specifying that those drinks are not part of the special when your customer orders one. I also think she should have said something when I specifically said I wanted another before happy hour ended. Instead, she let my group order expensive drinks that weren’t part of happy hour — presumably to get a higher tip. It might have been a mistake, but it feels very dishonest.
Overall, I really wanted to give Soco a five star rating and I will probably go back. However, I encourage anyone looking to go to specifically ask each time they order a drink if it’s on special. Regardless of this experience, I have to give them credit for their food. It’s some of the best in Orlando!

I honestly wouldn’t have known about this place if they hadn’t been part of magical dining because I live in the international drive area of Orlando but I’m so happy I found them because I truly fell in love.
I took my mother out for magical dining and we started off with the cornmeal crisped oysters and the pork belly biscuits, both were really delicious, the oysters had a nice texture and were served on top of pork rinds which I thought was a nice, whimsical touch and the pork belly on the biscuits was really tender with the jalepeño jelly adding a nice kick.
We tried a couple of the cocktails, I highly recommend the watermelon cooler if you like something that’s equally sweet and tangy. The flavor was so amazing, it reminded me of this candy that warheads used to make when I was a kid, they discontinued it and I have spent a majority of my adult life searching to see if there is anywhere I could find it and have been unsuccessful. Imagine my surprise and absolute delight that I found my very own new version of this candy with the upgrade of vodka inside. Honestly, if there’s anything that will bring me back here, it’s mainly that drink.
For the entrée I chose the grilled heritage pork chop which is rare for me because pork has to be cooked right for me to enjoy it and is often times overcooked, but they put the pork through a three-​step process which keeps its tender, juicy, and delicious and I was truly impressed. The grit cake and the collard greens married with it perfectly it terms of texture and flavor. My mom ordered the grilled meatloaf on lobster mashed potatoes which was honestly the ultimate comfort food dish, it was wonderfully sinful but it was served with grilled asparagus so that makes it okay, right? I loved that there were actual chunks of lobster in the potatoes and the meatloaf was so good it almost seems like calling it a «meatloaf» is insulting.
We wrapped it up with the bourbon banana pudding. It was delicious though I would have enjoyed it more if it was served colder. I’m a big lover of pudding, it’s the kid in me and they truly hit the flavor spot by adding a noticeable amount of bourbon.
Everything was delicious, the service way good and attentive, and I will be definitely be back because every single thing on that menu was calling my name and I need to respond.

This is the most deserving of the 5 star restaurant in Orlando. From the hostess to the service and finally to the food everything is high class southern food with a contemporary flair.
This trip I have the grilled meatloaf with lobster mashed potatoes. The meal left me utterly speechless. Its simply one of the best dishes i’ve ever had and absolutely everything i’ve been craving.
Another highlight of the menu is their pork belly and their biscuits. You must have the biscuits!

In an effort to find a good Sunday Brunch, without a crazy wait, and also entertain friends in from out of town we landed on Soco.
For having no reservations we got in pretty quick, by luck I’m sure but I’ll take it!
The entire table promptly ordered a round of Kentucky Coolers, which were delicious! I ordered the biscuits and gravy with pork Belly with a side of the baked cheddar grits. Both were quite good. In hindsight I probably should have just ordered the grits with a side of biscuits because those were my favorite parts. My boyfriend ordered the apple stuff French toast with a side of the macaroni and cheese. Both of his were really tasty although the French toast was so so so sweet. My friends ordered the fried quail and waffles and another order of French toast, the quail and waffles got rave reviews.
Our waiter was super attentive and helpful. All around it was a successful brunch with great food, drinks, service, with no wait!

Tuesday night the girls and I went to SOCO a new place downtown orlando. Soco focuses on southern dishes with locally grown produce and meats.
The girls had old fashioned’s to drink which were fancied up with a giant ice cube like you’d expect.
We started out with a biscuit basket and Jalepeño Jelly. They were gigantic biscuits but didn’t seem specifically home made even though I know they were.
Rachel and I shared Slow-​Roasted Barbecue-​Glazed Pork Belly Biscuits (Jalapeño Jelly, Chow-​Chow) which it seems like she didn’t really care for but I did enjoy.
For entrees Rachel and Jen both got seafood dishes. The Pecan Crusted Fluke and one of the mains fish dishes was subbed with Salmon that night I believe. The girls seemed to enjoy their fish.
Tara and I got two dishes and agreed to share. I got the Chicken-​Fried New York Strip (Garlic Mashed Potatoes, White Truffle Pepper Gravy) and Tara got the Lake Meadow Naturals Korean-​Style Fried Chicken (Pickled Radishes, Sweet and Spicy Sauce).
Overall delicious. Will be back when i go to Orlando.

I don’t think I have much to say that everyone else hasn’t said.
We had 6:00 reservations on a Friday and were seated immediately (there weren’t many other people eating yet).
My Gin and Juice cocktail was good, not $ 12 good, but good.
Fried Green Tomato salad was tasty and a pretty good price.
Biscuits were delicious and HUGE.
Chicken Fried Cauliflower was quite good. I enjoyed the sauce. Cauliflower and asparagus were cooked perfectly. Mashed potatoes were not memorable but not bad.
Boyfriend said his Grilled Meatloaf was very good. He did ask for Garlic Mash instead of the Lobster Mash and was told ok by the server but he got Lobster Mash (which he just ate, picking around the lobster because it didn’t have a super strong flavor).
Banana Pudding was really good. Eat each bite with a little caramel. Yum!
We got 20% off by showing tickets for a show at DPAC which made the potential $ 99 check only $ 80 which was great!
Final verdict is that I didn’t leave craving to eat any of the items I tried again. For the price, we probably won’t be back because there’s other places I’d love to go to for a special occasion BUT it was good. If they dropped their prices a bit I’d come again. I want to do brunch here but GEEZ is it crazy expensive for a mid-​day meal.
The server was nice although somewhat abrupt. She seemed to not really care about our answers to her questions but she didn’t bother me specifically and was friendly enough.