Fresh Kitchen Review

Although my return to Central Florida for Thanksgiving was brief, I did manage to get some foodie tourism in. After touching down at Orlando's airport, my mom suggested checking out Fresh Kitchen for lunch. With a 100% gluten-free menu and allergy-awareness for other allergens, I was easily sold.

Fresh Kitchen is a Florida-based chain with locations dotted around the state. The location I visited (Waterford Lakes) opened just a few months ago, and Central Florida will be getting a second location soon (in SoDo). 

Promising "chef-inspired" bowls, Fresh Kitchen uses premium ingredients but prepares them in an accessible way that is approachable for anyone regardless of dietary preference. 

Since Fresh Kitchen's menu is 100% GF, celiacs and gluten-intolerant diners can enjoy their food without fear. Have other dietary restrictions? Fresh Kitchen marks their menu to indicate dairy-free, soy-free, and vegan options. Have other dietary restrictions? Just ask a crew member, they are allergy-aware and can point you in the right direction.

More cool dietary points to note: all of Fresh Kitchen's fare is sugar-free, with the exception of items indicated as sugar-containing, and the restaurant's meats are hormone and antibiotic-free.

To see the menu online, click here.

I ordered a four bowl (though I wish I ordered a six bowl when I had a tough time choosing my toppings!), which comes with 2 bases, and one veggie, protein, and sauce item. The rice and kale together were a perfect base, the rice being filling and hearty while the kale was not bitter at all. The grilled citrus chicken was tender and had a bright tangy flavor. It easily could be crowned the best individual ingredient in the bowl. Joining it were perfectly-roasted brussels sprouts and a drizzle of the heat-packing cucumber jalapeño sauce. Altogether the bowl was terrific, and I relished every last bite.

The fun doesn't stop there though. Fresh Kitchen has in-house crafted desserts, which check off the boxes of being gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free and paleo. I love that these desserts are made with real, pronounceable ingredients! 

My mom and I split the chocolate chip cookies, which have a sweet and nutty flavor, and totally passed my standards for a chocolate chip cookie. They are a little dense and crumbly, but they finish in two bites and are a perfect post-meal indulgence.

Fresh Kitchen also has several fun beverage options, including homemade nut milks, cold pressed juices, flavored teas, and frescas. I enjoyed their cucumber lemon ginger fresca, which was refreshing and collaborated nicely with the flavor profile of my bowl.  

Every component of my meal and experience at Fresh Kitchen was a success, and I definitely plan on stopping by whenever I am in the area (or flying through MCO). It's surreal to be able to eat with 100% confidence and have a "normal" experience when dining out without having to ask a million questions and be always in guard. I hope Fresh Kitchen finds continues success and has plans for more restaurants in the works because there needs to be more restaurants like this in the world.

The Basics

Address: 851 N Alafaya Trail, Q01, Orlando, FL 32828

Website: www.eatfreshkitchen.com

Ideal For: Lunch, Dinner

Price: See prices above.

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Disclaimer: This review is based upon the information I have at the time of the review and does not reflect changes in ingredients or availability of items. Please contact the restaurant directly for up-to-date information and feel free to contact me with any questions or comments. I was not compensated for this review and it is a reflection of my personal opinion.