Looking to plan the perfect date but need a little help? Each month, we're featuring a fully-planned Orlando date night itinerary. Next up in out series is Guac & Graffiti, your plan for a budget-friendly date day spent mural spotting, craft beer sipping and taco noshing in the unique Mills 50 District. Follow our itinerary below for a perfectly-planned date you'll both enjoy.
First… Tacos for two
The brainchild of Chef John Calloway, who honed his craft in restaurants in New York, LA, San Diego, Mexico and beyond, Black Rooster Taqueria features thoughtful and delicious ‘fresh Mex’ in a petite space outfitted with reclaimed wood, distressed aluminum and a Day of the Dead milieu.
We are head over heals for the tacos (especially the Black Rooster Asada and crispy fish) and the made to order guacamole (the best in town)! Share the savory Chocolate Chipotle Flan for a sweet ending to your meal.
BLACK ROOSTER TAQUERIA
1323 N Mills Ave., Orlando, FL 32803
407-601-0994; blackroostertaqueria.com
HOURS
Monday – Closed
Tuesday – Thursday 11am–2pm, 5–10pm
Friday 11am–2pm, 5–11pm
Saturday 11am–3pm, 5–11pm
Sunday 11am–3pm, 5–9pm
Then… DIY graffiti tour
Driving along Mills Avenue in the Mills 50 District, you can’t help but notice all of the amazing graffiti art adorning the buildings, dumpsters, street drains and utility boxes. But there’s a story and an artist behind each one just waiting for you to explore. This city-sanctioned public art movement has transformed the district into a public gallery for anyone to appreciate.
Here's a handy map of the art box locations, and a list of murals and locations. Save each on your phone for reference then spend an hour or two wandering (and getting great selfies!).
MILLS 50 ART PROJECT
Mills Avenue and intersecting side street
mills50.org/art-projects/
Here are a few of our favorite murals in the area:
Finally… Craft brews
The craft beer movement is alive and well in Orlando, which now has more than a dozen breweries calling it home. Central Florida even has its own Ale Trail! Just a short walk or drive from Black Rooster you’ll find Ten10, which opened in July of 2015. Inside the working brewery and taproom you’ll typically find a dozen brews on tap, perfect for sipping with savory snacks like soft pretzels and chips and dip.
Local beer experts Brian Quain and Paul Roy of the What Ales Ya beer podcast and the Central Florida Ale Trail recommend sipping on the East West American IPA and the Chronically Mismanaged Coffee Red Ale.
TEN10 BREWING COMPANY
1010 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL 32803
407-930-8993; ten10brewingcompany.com
HOURS
Sunday – Thursday 11:30am-10pm
Friday – Saturday 11:30am-1am
Not a beer drinker? Try The Guesthouse as an alternative stop. This hip and cozy craft cocktail bar is right next door to Black Rooster.
**Fees, dates, and hours are subject to change. Please check the websites above to confirm important details before you make plans. **