Garp & Fuss
Garp & Fuss is a great little spot to hang out and grab a bite. It’s off the beaten path of Park Avenue. Garp & Fuss sits behind Boca and around the corner from ABO. Unless you know where you’re going, you may walk by a thousand times without ever realizing what lies in the alcoves and alleyways of old Winter Park. Garp & Fuss has become extremely popular in the local area and beyond. I have only had the opportunity to visit on one occasion and tried a few selections off their menu.
Get to Know Garp & Fuss
When I refer to Garp & Fuss as a “great little spot” I don’t mean little. The opposite is true. Garp & Fuss was founded in 2017 and holds community values close to their hearts. They boast a 5 room, 3,800 sqft establishment with a wonderful bar and a game room that comes equipped with a pool table. The goal is to make everyone feel cozy and at home with a strong sense of community. They’ve accomplished this with their eclectic menu that was designed to cater to everyone in one way or another. The inclusivity of any and every foodie seems to be a primary principle of the Garp & Fuss mission.
Garp & Fuss Has Something for Everyone
According to Garp & Fuss, one of their primary objectives is to offer a menu that caters to everyone. They go on to explain their menu as follows “The crispy, fried wings are available in six different sauces, from spicy to sweet. The small-plate offerings such as buffalo cauliflower, crab cake bites, poke lettuce wraps, always-reliable-and-magical macaroni n’ cheese, and more can be enjoyed as a group. The signature “Fuss” fried chicken sandwich brings its own unique, surprising blueberry-relish take on a popular, well-known option. The “Garp” brings a little Chicago flair down to Central Florida with a mouth-watering Italian beef sandwich. Burgers, sandwiches, flatbreads, potstickers, ribs, and more fill a diverse menu ranging in nationalities, volume, and flavors. And there are vegan and vegetarian options for those wishing to steer clear of meat or other animal components.” Garp & Fuss is anything but “run of the mill”. Make sure you check out their menu here.
Garp & Fuss Knows Their Way Around a Cuban Sandwich
One of the rules I have for myself relates to Cuban sandwiches. Cubans are, hands down, one of my favorite sandwiches and meals in general. Wherever I go, I always order the Cuban sandwich on my first visit if there’s one available on the menu. I have a very high standard for these little hunks of bread, meat, cheese, and condiments. Cuban sandwiches are supposed to be prepared a certain way and contain certain items.
Often, I am disappointed with the “Cuban sandwich” that an establishment has to offer. That is not the case with Garp & Fuss. On contrary, Garp & Fuss has one of the best Cuban sandwiches that I have ever had. In Florida, there’s no shortage of spots to grab a Cuban sandwich and I’ve tried most of the places around town and plenty of places within the state. Garp & Fuss has one of the best Cubans around. Even beating out some authentic Cuban restaurants that I’ve frequented over the years.
I’m also a sucker for a good Banh Mi. A Banh Mi is a Vietnamese, pork belly, sandwich on French bread. It is a fusion dish that was inspired during the French control over Northern Vietnam, and they’ve been blessing the world with these creations ever since. This is, 100%, my next order at Garp & Fuss. If given the opportunity, bring a friend to Garp & Fuss and split a Cuban sandwich and a Banh Mi, I bet you’ll be impressed. If they execute their Banh Mi as half as well as their Cuban, then you’re in for a treat.
The Garp & Fuss Boozy Burger
The Boozy Burger is the other dish that I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying. If you’ve read any of my other reviews, you may notice that I am also a burger fan. This is a burger that I vividly remember, which doesn’t happen often. Most burgers I order leave me underwhelmed. The Boozy Burger from Garp & Fuss is on another level. Traditionally it resembles a rodeo burger but, again, the execution and preparation of this burger is a labor of love. Served with bacon, onion rings, cheddar cheese, and bourbon Barbeque sauce; this is sure to be a favorite of any patron. I was so excited to find two of my favorite dishes, executed so well, under the same roof. You got me; I’ll be a regular from now on.
Garp & Fuss is a Beacon to the Foodie Community
There are plenty of instances where an eclectic menu doesn’t seem to pan out. I’ve seen plenty of restaurants, shut down over the years regardless of their menu structure. I am a strong believer that the reason why this style doesn’t always work is that it’s lacking execution. Providing an eclectic menu of mediocre dishes never kept a customer coming back. But, having an eclectic, well-executed menu is another story. Garp & Fuss does just that. Hopefully, they’ll be around for a long time. I’ve got a lot more eating to do. If you enjoyed this review, check out my review on Boca here. Check out Garp & Fuss’ website here.
Park Ave Magazine
Be a part of the conversation with Park Ave Magazine. Be sure to check out our newest blogs, articles and events going on in your local community. The magazine is full of exciting articles, art, photography, and trivia about the city of Winter Park and surrounding areas in Central Florida. We would like to thank everyone who has put time and effort to bring Park Ave Magazine to life. We encourage all our local friends to do your part to keep us updated with information you would like to see us cover.
With new events, articles, and information being released, sign up for our newsletter and stay in the loop with everything. Meet all the wonderful people that make Winter Park, Orlando, and the areas around central Florida an incredible place to work, play, and live. Check it out yourself at https://parkavemagazine.com/
