Ponderosa Steakhouse Restaurants in Florida

Ponderosa Steakhouse restaurants in Florida are similar to Sizzlers in that you queue up, order and pay for your meal and are then seated.

One of the most asked questions these days is “are there any Ponderosa Steakhouse restaurants still open on International Drive?” and sadly the answer is “No” but there is one nearby

If you are looking to eat at a Ponderosa restaurant in Florida today then your options are pretty limited to say the least, there is now only one Ponderosa Steakhouse in the whole of Florida.

The classic Orlando Ponderosa experience would take you to Kissimmee, near the thrills of theme parks. This sole-standing Ponderosa Steakhouse in Florida continues to serve an array of dishes that have been long-time favorites. You can still indulge in the all-you-can-eat buffet, enjoy a juicy steak or relish in the comfort of hearty American cuisine in the casual and welcoming atmosphere.

The Location is:

• 7598 West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee, FL 34747 – corner of North Old Lake Wilson RoadTel: (407) 396–7721
• Distance from Walt Disney World Resort: Approximately 3.9 miles

The Ponderosa Restaurant Experience in Florida

With Ponderosa Steakhouse, the “all you care to eat” buffet, which contains over 100 items including desserts used to be included for free with your lunch or dinner entrees but it is now a $4.00 add-on. This is a very extensive buffet, but it is not available as an option on its own.

The entree menu includes steak, ribs, seafood, chicken and pork and prices are typically in the $9.99 to $18.99 price range (excluding the buffet). There is also a children’s menu for kids 4–10; children under 4 eat free, one for every adult diner.

As well as the lunch and dinner time buffets, they also have their famous “All You Care To Eat Breakfast Buffet” for $6.99 which is available between 7:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. daily.

Hours are typically:

• breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• lunch from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• dinner from 4:00 p.m. to between 9/9.30 p.m.

Our views on Ponderosa Steakhouse restaurants are that the food is fine, a bit cheaper than Sizzlers but a bit impersonal. Also keep an eye out for Ponderosa Steakhouse restaurant coupons in the free visitor guides.

History of The Ponderosa Restaurants

The Ponderosa Steakhouse restaurant chain used to operate throughout the USA, but in recent years a number of their restaurants have closed leaving just one Florida restaurant which is in the Kissimmee area.

This a list of all the Orlando/Kissimmee Ponderosa Steakhouse restaurant locations that are now closed including all the Ponderosa Steakhouse restaurants on International Drive:

• 5771 West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee, FL 34746 – near Florida Plaza Boulevard
  Tel: (407) 397–2477- CLOSED
• 4024 West Vine Street, Kissimmee, FL 34741 – south side of Highway 192, opposite Osceola Square Mall
  Tel: (407) 846–3339 – CLOSED
• 6362 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819 – northern end of International Drive across from the Holiday Inn
  Tel: (407) 352–9343 – CLOSED
• 8510 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819 – centre of International Drive
  Tel: (407) 354–1477- CLOSED
• 8200 World Center Drive, Orlando, FL 32821 – corner of SR 535
  Tel: (407) 238–2526 – CLOSED

The Bonanza Steakhouse chain was founded in 1963 by Dan Blocker. He played the character Eric “Hoss” Cartwright on Bonanza, a TV Western series that was popular back in the 1960s and early 70s. The rival Ponderosa Steakhouse chain first opened in 1965 and gets is name from the Cartwright family ranch in Nevada that was called “Ponderosa”.

In 1989 the two chains were acquired and merged by the Metromedia Restaurant Group but they kept their original names.

At that time there were about 700 Ponderosa locations but this number had dropped to less than 400 by 2003.

In 2008 Metromedia filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and emerged as Homestyle Dining LLC. Further financial difficulties in 2016 resulted in both Ponderosa and Bonanza becoming part of FAT Brands Restaurants but by 2023 the number of Ponderosa/Bonanza steakhouses had dwindled to just 21 in the USA with most in Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania. There are about another 50 located overseas.