534 Scratch Kitchen

Christopher Atkinson

So every year, Orlando has a city-wide Taco Week, where all the cool restaurants participate and offer $5 taco specials, along with other taco- and drink-related specials. This year, the week of celebrating is leading up to Cinco de Mayo, which is fun. Well I got tickets to a recent Orlando City game, and 534 is literally like two blocks away from Exploria Stadium, so I decided to stop by here to get my Taco Week tacos this year on my way to the game. The space is inside of a beautiful brick building that has an expansive bar and four or five giant, luxurious wraparound booths. I got seated in one of the booths and my party and I felt like VIP's. Super friendly managers checked on us a few times and our server was one of the nicest ladies I've ever met. Their Taco Week menu was really killer. I had to order three things from it. I started off with their $5, Sticky Asian BBQ Shrimp (2 tacos with sauteed blackened shrimp, green & red peppers, 3 cheese mix, avocado, shredded lettuce, tomatoes). These were the star of the show that night. Whatever sauce the shrimp were sauteed in was sticky and sweet and lovely. Also, I wanna point out that their tacos were in slightly crisped flour tortillas, which is different from everyone going automatically to corn tortillas and I was fine with it. I like flour tortillas just fine. I also had the Meat Lover's Taco (spicy tomato sauce, mozz cheese, layered crispy salami, pepperoni, and blackened ground sausage, sauteed leeks, mushrooms and pico). This was the most unique taco I have ever eaten. I'm not kidding. It was a meat lover's pizza inside of a taco, and I loved it. That's the description. That's all you need to make your decision. I recommend it. And finally I got the Herb Roasted Creole Pork Taco (shredded lettuce, pulled pork, creole pickliz, jalapeno aioli, goat cheese, and avocado slice). The key here is the goat cheese. Pairing different things with goat cheese is somewhat of a passion of mine. And this pairing was a success. Pulled pork and goat cheese. Who would have guessed? Overall, I really enjoyed myself here and the rest of their usual menu looked great, too, so I'll definitely have to come back and check them out again.

Eddie Vega

Beautiful pepper kick on the lobster bisque. Powerful amount of lobster on the lobster rolls! The sweet bread the lobster rolls are bundled in tastes great and it has the perfect amount of arugula decorating the inside of the roll. The staff is very attentive and the atmosphere very relaxed.

Erika Sochka

I can’t think of a better date night. Going to see the circus and then stumbled upon this scratch kitchen. I’m beyond surprised and amazed. The price of these dishes amazes me. As the taste surpasses any limit I’d have. Only thing they could do to improve is open another location in Sanford or Lake Mary, so I could come more often. Love! Love! Love!

Rita Knaff

Visited during Bite30. The menu options were good, the food and drink was delicious, the service was excellent. Jazz playing the background. It was worth every penny.

Atmosphere is nice vibe was on point! Food drinks, music was good as well only thing I would say is brunch portion should be more other than that listen I wanted to kiss the chef! And bartender the bottomless mimosas was a hit ! My husband really enjoyed Father’s Day here. We will be going back for a dinner date to explore the dinner menu. I love that this is black owned and owner was present to make sure everything was running well . This place is a gem!

Excellent food menu, friendly staff, and very cool atmosphere. I opted for the truffle mac & cheese and the black bean tacos and thoroughly enjoyed both. Every person we interacted with on their staff was very welcoming and accommodating. It seems like the management runs a tight ship here. I would highly recommend, especially since the menu is vegetarian friendly and meat lover friendly. They have a great selection of flatbreads, tacos, appetizers, and drinks.

Not only does this place have amazing food, it's black owned. I actually had the pleasure of going twice while in Orlando. The food was amazing, the atmosphere was even better, the service was on point. I really enjoyed Saturday brunch and the music. Thank you showing a "tourist" a good time! Will definitely visit again!

Jay Rain

Atmosphere is nice vibe was on point! Food drinks, music was good as well only thing I would say is brunch portion should be more other than that listen I wanted to kiss the chef! And bartender the bottomless mimosas was a hit ! My husband really enjoyed Father’s Day here. We will be going back for a dinner date to explore the dinner menu. I love that this is black owned and owner was present to make sure everything was running well . This place is a gem!

Tregony Fletcher

Not only does this place have amazing food, it's black owned. I actually had the pleasure of going twice while in Orlando. The food was amazing, the atmosphere was even better, the service was on point. I really enjoyed Saturday brunch and the music. Thank you showing a "tourist" a good time! Will definitely visit again!

Review Guru

Excellent food menu, friendly staff, and very cool atmosphere. I opted for the truffle mac & cheese and the black bean tacos and thoroughly enjoyed both. Every person we interacted with on their staff was very welcoming and accommodating. It seems like the management runs a tight ship here. I would highly recommend, especially since the menu is vegetarian friendly and meat lover friendly. They have a great selection of flatbreads, tacos, appetizers, and drinks.

Everything was yummy and fresh! Be patient if there is an event at the Amway that day - they get the crowds! Be sure to use the reservation option on their website. The Pesto Chicken Tacos and Charcuterie app were amazing! My husband got the 543 Burger and loved it.

Food was good. Drinks were strong. They’re doing a 3 for $30 until 8/1 that I highly recommend. Great place for a late dinner and drinks.

The lobster bisque and lobster sliders were delicious. The flank steak with candied Brussels sprouts also had a nice flavor. Overall it was a wonderful dining experience.

Savannah H. Faile

Everything was yummy and fresh! Be patient if there is an event at the Amway that day - they get the crowds! Be sure to use the reservation option on their website. The Pesto Chicken Tacos and Charcuterie app were amazing! My husband got the 543 Burger and loved it.

Amelia Smith

Food was good. Drinks were strong. They’re doing a 3 for $30 until 8/1 that I highly recommend. Great place for a late dinner and drinks.

Anne OHara

The lobster bisque and lobster sliders were delicious. The flank steak with candied Brussels sprouts also had a nice flavor. Overall it was a wonderful dining experience.

Victoria was excellent. Perfect attitude professional customer service she offered great suggestions. The mango martini was delicious a great after work drink. The chicken tacos was amazing the tortilla shell was crispy but not hard. Will come again.

YZ “Yolonsay” D

Victoria was excellent. Perfect attitude professional customer service she offered great suggestions. The mango martini was delicious a great after work drink. The chicken tacos was amazing the tortilla shell was crispy but not hard. Will come again.

Really cute place. Brick wall, tin plate ceiling and perfect lighting for a nice evening out that was ruined by way too loud rap music. Sports on every screen. Decide what you want to be. Romantic dinner or sports bar. Food was ok. We started with the lobster bisque was really was excellent and then split the crispy chipolte chicken sandwich, a flatbread, and the truffle mac and cheese. The chicken sandwich was a bit bland and the breading didnt sticknsonevery bite the inside tried to shoot out the back of the sandwich (which did make us laugh). The flatbread was ok. The dough wasn't great, but we loved the spicy marinara sauce. The taste of the mac and cheese was great but it was dry and not creamy. I hope to try again as this place has so much promise but maybe we were just there on an off night

Pizza was not good but sitting outside watching all the concert goers walk by gave it a great atmosphere that made the evening enjoyable. Convenient pre-concert dinner.

Erin Crowell

Really cute place. Brick wall, tin plate ceiling and perfect lighting for a nice evening out that was ruined by way too loud rap music. Sports on every screen. Decide what you want to be. Romantic dinner or sports bar. Food was ok. We started with the lobster bisque was really was excellent and then split the crispy chipolte chicken sandwich, a flatbread, and the truffle mac and cheese. The chicken sandwich was a bit bland and the breading didnt sticknsonevery bite the inside tried to shoot out the back of the sandwich (which did make us laugh). The flatbread was ok. The dough wasn't great, but we loved the spicy marinara sauce. The taste of the mac and cheese was great but it was dry and not creamy. I hope to try again as this place has so much promise but maybe we were just there on an off night

Sliders were tasty but a lot of bread not much lobster and I bit a lobster shell. Salmon and asparagus was skimpy although the sauce on top of the salmon was actually pretty good the salmon seemed a bit dry. Even after I told him I wanted it cooked medium rare. I guess I can see why the place was empty.

Damien Carter

Sliders were tasty but a lot of bread not much lobster and I bit a lobster shell. Salmon and asparagus was skimpy although the sauce on top of the salmon was actually pretty good the salmon seemed a bit dry. Even after I told him I wanted it cooked medium rare. I guess I can see why the place was empty.

Horrible experience at 534 Scratch Kitchen. Last night I went for the Bite 30 menu because of a great experience last year. I will take some of the blame for choosing the place I sat, but there was no excuse for the other things that happened. Apparently there is a very loud lounge next door to the restaurant, The District GastroBar, that must not have a bar or a bathroom, because people from there were constantly going back and forth between the restaurant and the bar. Each time they came in they left the doors to the entrance open - they look like book shelves. It was so loud that my date and I couldn't hear each other. Why is it necessary to have the music blasting at 6:00 PM? I could see if it were later in the evening, but 6:00 PM? Now on to the restaurant itself, the hostess was friendly and tried to keep the doors closed as much as possible. Our server J or Jay, was great. So those are to be put in the plus column. We ordered drinks and after waiting for what seemed like a very long time considering the small size of the crowd, I went to see what the hold up was. I could not find a bartender anywhere. Finally, two showed up, I guess they were in the kitchen, but when I asked if our drinks were ready, one of them stumbled around a bit and said our server would bring them to us. J came over with my boyfriend's drink, but not my wine. Another five minutes, I received my drink. The food was pretty good, I think the ribeye was over-cooked for medium rare, but passable. My salad and cheesecake were very good. We asked J for another round of drinks, he came right back with my wine, stating he poured it himself this time. How could something so simple as pouring drinks become such an issue? I don't think I will be going back, but they probably won't miss me or my $100.00. If you decide to go. take it from me, sit as far away from the book shelves as possible. Thanks, J, you did a great job!

Big L Cowboi Jewell Sr.

The location is good and the atmosphere was great and waitresses were excellent. But the cooking was awful and the bar was unprepared. The cook didn't know anything about cooking period, from style to difference in steak cuts. Sauté Shrimp is not grilled, it's cooked in a skillet with butter, salt, white pepper and fresh garlic rapidly until pink served in a neat circle with cocktail sauce. A Ribeye Steak is more circular than length. Every meal that came to the table was sent back for a discrepancy or two. But the lack of management is very important, how does the bar run out of liquor and beer when you're near the Soccer stadium? Is beyond comprehensive. No petty cash to buy for immediate use and no emergency deliveries from vendors when unexpected groups liquidate your standard stock. Excuse of we had a big party here yesterday that's why we didn't have the basic liquor, but we have the flavored liquor if you like. I have a very flexible attitude and forgiving, so another time your establishment will be able to provide the quality of service that was highly recommended for you.

Megan Caldwell

Horrible experience at 534 Scratch Kitchen. Last night I went for the Bite 30 menu because of a great experience last year. I will take some of the blame for choosing the place I sat, but there was no excuse for the other things that happened. Apparently there is a very loud lounge next door to the restaurant, The District GastroBar, that must not have a bar or a bathroom, because people from there were constantly going back and forth between the restaurant and the bar. Each time they came in they left the doors to the entrance open - they look like book shelves. It was so loud that my date and I couldn't hear each other. Why is it necessary to have the music blasting at 6:00 PM? I could see if it were later in the evening, but 6:00 PM? Now on to the restaurant itself, the hostess was friendly and tried to keep the doors closed as much as possible. Our server J or Jay, was great. So those are to be put in the plus column. We ordered drinks and after waiting for what seemed like a very long time considering the small size of the crowd, I went to see what the hold up was. I could not find a bartender anywhere. Finally, two showed up, I guess they were in the kitchen, but when I asked if our drinks were ready, one of them stumbled around a bit and said our server would bring them to us. J came over with my boyfriend's drink, but not my wine. Another five minutes, I received my drink. The food was pretty good, I think the ribeye was over-cooked for medium rare, but passable. My salad and cheesecake were very good. We asked J for another round of drinks, he came right back with my wine, stating he poured it himself this time. How could something so simple as pouring drinks become such an issue? I don't think I will be going back, but they probably won't miss me or my $100.00. If you decide to go. take it from me, sit as far away from the book shelves as possible. Thanks, J, you did a great job!

This place doesn’t make sense…walking distance from the Kia Center, so a lot of foot traffic from events…and the staff are beyond put out by large parties. If you have more than 4-6 in your group (or heaven forbid more!) the staff will VERY rudely let you know you aren’t wanted. No matter how empty the place is, you won’t be sat or welcomed. So probably a great place for a date, but take your group elsewhere where staff are actually willing to work, rather than just lean against a wall keeping the building from falling over 👍

This was a terrible dining experience. We got there at 6:30 and ordered pretty immediately. At 6:50 we got our drinks. At 7 I was informed they were out of the appetizer I had ordered almost 30 minutes earlier. At 7:45 we got our entree’s, before receiving out appetizers. Our medium rare steaks were well done (the manager even took a picture). Nothing was taken off my bill, despite being told a percentage would be removed. Not the experience we expected or hoped for.

Mike E

This place doesn’t make sense…walking distance from the Kia Center, so a lot of foot traffic from events…and the staff are beyond put out by large parties. If you have more than 4-6 in your group (or heaven forbid more!) the staff will VERY rudely let you know you aren’t wanted. No matter how empty the place is, you won’t be sat or welcomed. So probably a great place for a date, but take your group elsewhere where staff are actually willing to work, rather than just lean against a wall keeping the building from falling over 👍

Jessica Sposato

This was a terrible dining experience. We got there at 6:30 and ordered pretty immediately. At 6:50 we got our drinks. At 7 I was informed they were out of the appetizer I had ordered almost 30 minutes earlier. At 7:45 we got our entree’s, before receiving out appetizers. Our medium rare steaks were well done (the manager even took a picture). Nothing was taken off my bill, despite being told a percentage would be removed. Not the experience we expected or hoped for.