Tom Callahan
Tom Callahan covers local food and hospitality for CityDesk. He's interested in the business behind the meal — who's cooking, who's serving, and what makes a neighborhood spot work — without the clichés of sycophantic reviews or breathless trend-chasing. Critical when warranted, generous about context.
CityDesk reporting is produced with AI assistance and reviewed by our editors.
Latest stories
What Orlando Restaurants Are Actually Charging in Service Fees and What You Can Do About It
You sit down at an omakase counter, work through a tasting menu, and when the check arrives you see it: a line reading "Service Charge — 20%" added to the total before tax. No one mentioned it when…
Which Orlando Patios Are Actually Tolerable in July
We contacted and visited restaurants across Thornton Park, Mills 50, Ivanhoe Village, and the Milk District to assess shade infrastructure, cooling systems, and storm protocols. What follows reflec…
How to Get a Food Truck permit in Orlando, Florida
By Tom Callahan | CityDesk Orlando | Business & Hospitality
Which Magical Dining 2026 Restaurants Are Actually Worth the $40
We did the math on participating restaurants so you don't overpay for a discounted shrimp cocktail.
Which Orlando Restaurants Are Open on the 4th of July 2026
We called ahead so you don't show up to a locked door. Here's what's confirmed open near Lake Eola, Thornton Park, downtown, and beyond — with reservation status, hours, and what to skip.
Where to Eat Late at Night in Orlando After 10pm
Parks close, kitchens don't always follow. We called every restaurant on this list. Here's what's genuinely open, what it costs, and who it's actually for.
Best Audubon Park Restaurants in Orlando Where Locals Dine
Corrine Drive has a loyal local following and almost no quality coverage. We walked it.
Where to Find the Best Cuban Sandwich in Orlando
A reported tasting tour, a Tampa reckoning, and the one thing most local spots won't tell you about their bread.
New Restaurants Opening in Orlando in 2026
The operators behind some of the city's most notable closures haven't disappeared. Here's where they landed and what's opening next.
What to Know About Magical Dining 2026 in Orlando
Visit Orlando's annual fixed-price dinner program returns in late August. Here's what we know before the official list drops—and what to book the moment it does.
What Orlando Happy Hour Drinks Actually Cost in June 2026
We visited in person in June 2026. Here's what a drink actually costs now, and where the deals still hold.
Kid Friendly Restaurants in Orlando for Adults Too
Organized by neighborhood, rated for noise, and focused on locally owned spots where the adult menu is the point — not an afterthought
