As of Sept. 13, 2016 BB Junction has closed.
While back in Orlando over the winter holidays, my family decided to check out an Orlando Magic home game while I was in town. We all used to follow the team closely back when they made a couple runs in the Playoffs, but my interest in them has died out as the team has floundered and I have lived out of state.
Knowing that allergy-friendly options at the Amway Arena were slim to none, I suggested that we eat at BB Junction, a farm-to-table burger restaurant that has been on my “to-try” list for awhile now. With a menu focused on customization and a good gluten-free review from Edible Orlando Magazine (click here), I knew the cozy Winter Park spot would be a good pre-game choice to please every member of my family.
The menu at BB Junction is expansive with plenty of burger and sandwich options for all palates. Gluten-free sandwich bread and buns, both from DeLand Bakery are available for a $1.50 upcharge, as well as a bun-less or lettuce wrap options for those who want to skip bread altogether.
What’s really cool about the menu at BB Junction is that the ingredients- from the meat to the veggies- are locally sourced. I love BB Junction’s focus on keeping it local and making their menu transparent.
When I stepped up to order, the woman who helped us asked if it was celiac or just a preference. Confirming that mine was an allergy order, she made sure the kitchen was aware that precautions needed to be taken to ensure mine was safe. While not a dedicated kitchen, I was impressed with her willingness to go above and beyond to make sure my food was safe.
Other gluten-free menu notes include that gluten-free and vegan desserts are available. They are made by Valhalla Bakery, a local vegan bakery, and selection does vary. The cute chocolate cupcakes in the case the day I visited looked simply divine. Elsewhere on the menu, do not order fries if you are celiac or cross contamination sensitive because they are fried in a shared fryer.
Because fries were off limits, I ordered a side salad. The vegetable medley of lettuce, radish, onion, and peppers was fresh and flavorful, and accented by green goddess dressing. The dressing is gluten and dairy-free. The dressing was cool and creamy and was an unexpected surprise as I normally do not like non-vinigarette dressings.
For my entree, I ordered the classic and simple burger with a turkey burger. Not too fancy, the burger came topped with lettuce, tomato, pickles, onion and BB Junction’s special sauce. I loved the freshness of the vegetables and the turkey patty, which had onion in it. The DeLand bun was soft and supportive of the rather thick patty. I was impressed by how well the burger held together, given that most gluten-free breads succumb to sogginess and crumble into a messy disaster. BB Junction’s burger was the real deal, and won me over easily.
The Fairbanks location was once previously 4 River’s original smokehouse (for those who’ve been in Orlando awhile). I like how BB Junction has made the space their own with a cute patio area and fun decor inside the small building. The place definitely has a local feel to it, and the staff couldn’t have been nicer in answering all of my questions.
Overall, I really liked BB Junction. I love the focus on real, fresh foods and abundance of gluten-free offerings. My family often laughs that Orlando is home to the $10 hamburger with so many high end burger places, but I am more than willing to fork over a Hamilton for the top quality burgers BB Junction serves up. Besides, the meal was a perfect stop before heading to the Amway Center, where gluten-free offerings are practically nonexistent.
The Basics
Address: 2103 W. Fairbanks Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789
Website: bbjunction.com
Cuisine: Farm-to-Table, American, Burgers, Sandwiches
Ideal For: Lunch, Dinner
Price: See menu prices online (click here)
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Special Features: Join their loyalty program to earn points towards free food! (click here)
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.
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.