Amongst the hustle and bustle of the Disney crowds and chain restaurants in Orlando, Hot Krust Panini Kitchen sits nestled in the Whole Foods plaza on the corner of Sandlake and Turkey Lake Rd.
I have been waiting months to visit the restaurant (again!) and write a review to share with everyone. Why, you ask? Because Hot Krust is not like any other restaurant in a high-tourist area. Not only does the restaurant supply guilt-free and delicious food with top-of-the-line quality in ingredients, but the cooks and owner provide the absolute best in customer service and appreciation. Don’t believe me? Keep reading.
The first time we visited Hot Krust, we initially drove right past it. Look out for a quaint little restaurant tucked between Dunkin’ Donuts and the medical clinic.
My mouth is watering already! My first visit to Hot Krust was without Kevin, since he was at IAAPA. As soon as I dropped him off, I headed straight for some hot and crispy paninis!
I apologize for not capturing a better picture of the menu, but (as you may know), my camera does not do too well with artificial lighting. The indoor menus are well-lit and electronic; in other words, ill fit for my camera. Nonetheless, above is the menu posted outside the restaurant. You can view the full menu on their website here.
Hot Krust wants you to feel right at home. Come on in!
Above is Evan, the owner, helping a customer choose her meal. With so many options on the menu, it can be hard to choose. Luckily, Evan is one of the most patient and kind shop owners I have met, and he is more than willing to ensure that your experience at Hot Krust is nothing short of perfect. Have a question about anything? Evan will be happy to help!
The décor is simple and comfortable. Hot Krust is not flashy or over-the-top, as their food is the number one priority. The restaurant is always immaculate. I could eat my Panini off the floor, but I would get some strange looks. As soon as you order your food, you will be given a table number and when your food is ready the cooks or owner will bring the food out to you. So you don’t have to worry about not hearing your name screamed across tables and other customers. Like I said, Hot Krust cares about each individual customer and should pride themselves on their customer service.
Perhaps I should feature the health benefits and guilt-free choices on Hot Krust’s menu. Not every restaurant puts care and diligence into their ingredients, but, like I said, Hot Krust is not like every restaurant. You can be confident that the meats and vegetables in your Panini,soup or salad will be fresh.
And the fries are baked? More guilt-free indulging!
My first stop of the trip: the Gobble Gobble Turkey Panini, jam-packed with fresh turkey, cranberry sauce, spinach, and cheddar cheese. Oh, and served with a side of baked waffle “fries.” When ordering a Panini, you are offered a choice between white and multi-grain bread. I personally prefer the taste of multi-grain over white, and it makes my meal a little more healthy and less processed!
Hey, where did all my fries go? Here is a close-up of the contents of my sandwich, perfectly arranged so every flavor is in every bite.
When I asked about the pumpkin soup, Evan insisted on giving me a little sample. And boy, was it good! Never before have I had a soup with a pumpkin base, onions, and bacon. I highly recommend it for a little splash of something different and delicious.
Now not only did I eat lunch at Hot Krust, but as soon as I picked Kevin up from IAAPA, guess where he suggested we go for dinner? Of course, Hot Krust! Kevin ordered the Philly Steak Panini, as he has on our previous visits, because it is that delicious. It is loaded with steak, provolone, onions, chipotle mayo, and bell peppers.
I ordered their “famous” cactus chili, which I have craved ever since my first visit to Hot Krust last January. How you cook a cactus, I do not know, but the end product adds a little sweetness to this perfectly tangy chili. If only they delivered to NYC…
Obviously, two visits to Hot Krust was just not enough, so we went again the next day for dinner. I tried a new Panini, Honey-Am-Nuts, piled high with chicken, honey mustard, almonds, bacon, olives, and Monterey jack cheese. I am usually not a fan of honey mustard, but I decided to be daring and try something new. Let me tell you, I sure am glad I did! The honey mustard was not the overpowering, processed condiment I am used to. The sauce was perfectly sweet, and complimented the sandwich excellently.
And it wouldn’t be a full restaurant report without the addition of a blurry, up-the-nose selfie of Kevin and I with the owner of Hot Krust in front of his “wall of fame.” (I’ll have to work on my selfie-taking ability for the future). We’ll get a better one next time, Evan!
Even after my third visit, I still do not know how Hot Krust has managed to perfect the art of Panini making because the outside is crisp, yet the vegetables and meats are perfectly piled amongst gooey cheese and somehow do not get greasy or limp! The combination of flavors and textures at Hot Krust will undoubtedly have you coming back for more. If you are in the Orlando area for business or leisure, you will regret passing up Hot Krust for a bite to eat. Stop in to enjoy fresh and healthy food and a nice chat with the owner.
When we asked Evan if he was thinking of expanding his restaurant, he hesitated. Not because he did not want to expand, but because he is worried that the quality of ingredients he cares so much about will be sacrificed with another location. Evan is a restaurant owner who cares deeply for his food and the customers who keep his business thriving. Having one location in Orlando allows us to enjoy every experience at Hot Krust and the novelty will never go away. But hey, Evan, if you ever want to expand up to New York, Kevin and I will be your biggest supporters!
For more information about Hot Krust, please visit their website here. Also check out Evan and Kody the Kactus’ commercial!
Hey, I'm Lexie! I'm Kevin's partner-in-crime during our roller coaster trips. I have currently ridden 232 different coasters and have visited 54 amusement parks. I can't wait to keep adding to my count and sharing our experiences with you. 