Ronnie’s Restaurant
Newcomers to Orlando often hear about a fabulous place called Ronnie’s Restaurant at the old Colonial Mall. Long time Orlando residents remember Ronnie’s as one of their favorite places to go after Prom, after church and any time you wanted great food with a little attitude from the waitresses!
ABOVE: Menu cover circa 1994, Ronnie’s Restaurant at Colonial Plaza at the corner of Colonial Drive and Primrose Avenue.
Listen to memories of Ronnie’s
Library staff members Mike Worrell and Charlie Hoeck reminisce about Ronnie’s in this October 21, 2009 chat.
LISTEN (5:08)
ABOVE: From the matchbook collection of Fred Houk
Long time citrus professional and Central Florida resident Fred Houk spent his years on the road documenting Florida historical markers that eventually won him honors in 1987 from the Florida Cabinet. Retired now, Mr. Houk has amassed the largest matchbook collection in the state of Florida.
LISTEN (30:23)
Ronnie’s Restaurant as rememberd by L. O’Connor, age 55, January 21, 2009
How enjoyable it was to visit this unique establishment near Colonial Plaza in the 60’s and 70’s. The design and decor was a throwback to the 50’s. There was a restaurant on the left, and a Jewish bakery on the right, connected by an inside passage. They served lunch and dinner, but my family went there for breakfast. On the table was a complimentary basket of assorted rolls, pastries – little cakes and pecan rolls, and a relish tray with olives and pickles. When my Aunt Amelia visited us from Ft. Lauderdale, she had to go there. She would buy an assortment of pastries and breads to take back with her, and would also buy some for my brothers and I. This, in part, made her our favorite aunt. (She also liked to go to Lake Eola at night to see the colored fountain, which was a popular attraction at this time). My mom liked to buy one or two loaves of rye bread to take home and eat with hard salami. The restaurant sadly closed in 1995.
Check out this blog in internet archives on Ronnie’s featuring recipes!
ABOVE: Night view of Ronnies Restaurant at Colonial Plaza at the corner of Colonial and Primrose.
Join the discussion below!
Comments from the original Orlando Memory site
Mentioned: Jordan Marsh, Iveys, ORMC Orlando Regional Medical Center, Toojay’s, Colonial Plaza, Orange Memorial.
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Fred Houk Matchbooks 11
Matchbook covers from the famous Ronnie's Restaurant which was located at Colonial Plaza.
Ronnie's Menu Cover
From Ronnie's Restaurant at the time they closed around 1995.
Ronnie's Menu Cover
From Ronnie's Restaurant at the time they closed around 1995.
Ronnie's Menu Cover
From Ronnie's Restaurant at the time they closed around 1995.
Comments from the old OM site
Comments about Ronnies
Comments from the old OM site
Comments about Ronnies
10-20-09 interview with long time citrus professional and Central Florida resident Fred Houk. Mr. Houk spent his years on the road documenting Florida historical markers that eventually won him honors in 1987 from the Florida Cabinet. Mr. Houk participated in getting the official spelling of Lake Jesup corrected to use only one "s" (after General Thomas Sidney Jesup). Retired now, Mr. Houk has amassed the largest matchbook collection in the state of Florida.
10-21-09 Mike Worrell and Charlie Hoeck Int Pt 10 (Ronnie's Restaurant)
Library staff members Mike Worrell and Charlie Hoeck reminisce about Ronnie's Restaurant in this October 21, 2009 chat.
Blog of Ronnie's Restaurant on the Orlando Sentinel.com website. Now archived, it can be seen on the Internet Archive.
Check out this blog in internet archives on Ronnie's featuring recipes!Ronnie's Restaurant menu cover. This is the bottom half the a Ronnies Restaurant Menu from about 1994 when the closed.
I always enjoyed Ronnies when I was in Orlando. The Napoleon’s were the best. When my boy friend went to Orlando on business, he went by and brought me two Napoleon’s back to Atlanta. That earned him mega brownie points. I was so sorry when the went out of business.
Thanks for visiting Orlando Memory and adding your memories about Ronnies. I forgot about the Napoleon’s – they were delicious!
Loved this place in the early 90’s. I was going through NFAS (Nuclear Field A School) and this place was wonderful. It was truly a class act. The decor was such a throwback to the early 60s. They really took great care in presentation and their menu was voluminous. I loved grabbing a coffee and pastry in the evenings come times. Sad that it’s gone, but maybe someday it might be revived.
Thanks for visiting the Ronnies Restaurant post on Orlando Memory! Ronnies was amazing, especially if you didn’t have much cash! The free bread and butter and pickles could fill you up! They had great deli sandwiches and the breakfast was amazing! I don’t know of another place like it in Orlando!