This upcoming tale holds a special place in my heart, since it involves my childhood, and early lessons about change, about business, and about financial status. My early days involved me living in Sky Lake South, which was a quiet neighborhood that consisted of very few families with kids and instead had an assortment of old people. I was nice and close to my Super Nintendo because there really wasn’t much of a choice. The parks were always empty, the tennis courts usually were empty, and there just wasn’t much activity roaming around.
But there was Waterbridge Downs. In its prime, you had Blockbuster, Little Caesars, Publix, Walgreens, an Orange County Public Library, and a couple other small eateries scattered in between. The Blockbuster was always bursting with activity, Publix taught me what a real supermarket should be like, and the crazy bread at Little Caesars may have been my first love.
However, things change.
The population of Sky Lake had actually been plummeting when my family had moved there; the value of the houses had actually been dropping a bit too. And so the businesses started looking elsewhere unbeknownst to everyone in the area. Publix was the first to go, and that was followed by Blockbuster. They had both gone to the larger and more prosperous neighborhood several miles south to Southchase. Little Caesars was the next one to leave shortly after. Walgreens moved next door to Whisper Lakes (wasn’t as big a loss since it was still within walking distance).
The smaller places were also disappearing. Everything was going. And it was happening at around the exact same timeframe. It was an ugly sight. Everything used to be within walking distance. No more. Even the library had moved away. As a kid, it’s amazing how smart you can be when the opportunity demands it. I knew right then and there that Sky Lake was not the place to be. Sky Lake was not the neighborhood for businesses. We were being rejected, denied by Orlando.
We eventually moved on, to good places (Hunter’s Creek) and bad (Meadow Woods). But Sky Lake remained. And a recent visit in that area allowed me to see what it had become after I left. The result is similar to watching an old friend lose 100 unnecessary pounds, and reveal nothing but skin and bones. It was rather sad. While Orlando has evolved and grown into this multicultural rising mecca, Sky Lake got left behind.
Pio Pio on the other hand, stayed in the area, and has survived it all. This Colombian/Peruvian restaurant has witnessed the rise and disgusting fall of the once –busy shopping center. Nonetheless, it maintains its Hispanic audience, and instead of moving on it just expanded its franchise in Central Florida. Pio Pio’s insistence of staying put allowed for Hispanic businesses to pop up within the district as well as across the street. Pio Pio predicted the future of Hispanics taking over not only Sky Lake, but the surrounding neighborhoods of Whisper Lakes, Pepper/Ginger Mill, Southchase, among others.
The place specializes in rotisserie chicken, as well as having a cheap diverse menu that combines the best foods of two different countries. With just 10 bucks, you could get a quarter-chicken, rice, and a side. I went with the yucca with garlic. And then added their addicting pineapple juice to compliment it. Now, there is absolutely nothing like Hispanic rotisserie chicken, I can guarantee you this six ways to Sunday. Pio Pio does not disappoint in this aspect either, as their chicken is juicy and full of delicious flavor.
That being said, quarter-chicken may not be enough considering the savory kick will leave you asking for more. The rice did its job, having just the right amount of heat and texture to compliment the chicken and the yucca. It also goes well with the two sauces they offer along with your meal—one tastes like a tangy ranch and the other tastes like creeping death (it was spicy…very spicy). Lastly the yucca infused with garlic, onions, and broccoli was quite a hit, even though I am still curious as to how good their fried yucca might be.
Their flan and their pineapple juice however.....legit. The juice tasted fresh, was perfectly cold, and definitely didn't have any traces of excess water. The flan is just a rich whimsical homemade delight.
Bottom Line: Pio Pio is a delightful restaurant in a plaza that has definitely seen better days. Despite all the surrounding stores and businesses heading to greener pasture, this spot has stuck around and has been rewarded with a rising Hispanic market that fills the area with large families, and a much more vibrant ambiance when compared to before. It is one of the few gems in an otherwise lifeless stretch of places, as it contains great food, a good time, and at delightful prices. If you don’t have the energy (or ability) to make a wholesome Hispanic meal, then this is your destination.
Final Verdict: Recommend
Pio Pio
11236 S Orange Blossom Trail
Orlando, FL
