When it comes to restaurants that have stood the test of time and are perennial local favorites, The Tap Room at Dubsdread in the Orlando’s College Park area comes to mind as it is routinely awarded honors for its cuisine and hospitality. Having never visited before, I was excited to finally have an opportunity to have a lunch on the restaurant’s patio area. Overlooking the golf course’s first tee, the view is scenic, yet sheltered from the heat of the day thanks to air conditioners and fans placed strategically. Locke, in his puppy days, was a frequent visitor to the Tap Room and I really loved the idea of seeing his old “stomping ground” while meeting his puppy raiser (the woman who raised him for nine months as a puppy) and her mother.


Once seated, I informed our waitress of my duel intolerances. I called ahead beforehand to confirm that menu items could be made gluten and dairy free, but did not know what specifically would be “on the menu” for me. The waitress suggested I go for their burger without a bun, chicken breast, steak, or seafood all with steamed vegetables. Though the options were not too exotic, it was great to see that there were options for me. I quickly zeroed in on the caprese salad with blackened chicken for my entree. Other than removing the mozzarella from the caprese, the waitress assured me that the rest was gluten and dairy free and that she’d request extra tomatoes on the caprese. I asked if she would double-check its gluten free status, and she assured me she would. 

When it came out, I was impressed with the simple, yet beautiful presentation of the dish. The reds and greens and browns of the ingredients were picture perfect and looked as if the dish could have been an picture in an ad for the Tap Room. The chicken was perfectly blackened and was not too spicy or too mild. Already pre-sliced, the breast meat was juicy and oh-so-tender. The caprese was beautifully arranged with thich, hearty slices of tomato layered with huge basil leaves and was dressed with balsamic vinegar and black peppercorns. I didn’t want to waste a drop of the vinegar and mopped it up with the tomatoes, greens, and chicken. The portion was perfect for lunch and left me satisfied and not weighed down.

Though I didn’t have a chance to delve into their more gluten-free friendly protocols, the Tap Room delivered a delicious meal that really impressed me. I hope to return to try more of their menu and once again enjoy the beautiful setting and great service the restaurant offers. For those looking for a nice venue for Sunday brunches, lunch with friends, or a nice dinner, the Tap Room at Dubsdread fits the bill quite nicely for all of these occasions.

The Basics