Sal's Market Deli — Restaurant in Orlando

Sal’s Market is located at ground level of Portofino Hotel. This market used to be my go-to eatery whenever I stayed at Portofino Hotel. Because they used to offer Italian cuisine at very very approachable price.

After a long day exploring the Universal Studios, I decided to check out Sal’s. After a pleasant ferry ride to Portofino, I ran into the market to place an order. I ordered a large size of Salvatore and a drink. And I waited. And waited more patiently. 30 minutes passed and I heard the cashier explaining to customers that pizza orders can take 45 minutes or longer. Well, they should’ve explain to me when I placed the order!! I got really pissed off at minute 52 and I was so ready to give this place a 1 star review.

At that moment, the pager vibrated and I picked up my pizza. Had my first bite and my anger disappeared. Oh boy, it was so good and just realized I only paid like $21? Looks like this is potentially the best valued meal in the Universal area. I am coming...

Judging from other reviews, this seems to be a reoccurring theme. Food was great, but it took over one and a half hours to get our meal, and of the four items we ordered, only the pizza and a bowl of soup were hot. We were repeatedly told our order was next, only to see other meals dispatched. Our meal was pushed back and back so that mobile orders could be fulfilled, which is totally unacceptable. Another customer we spoke to had waited nearly two hours, and like us, he had popped in to order and been pushed back and back, and from what we saw, other customers who ordeeed in person rather than mobile were in the same boat. So, even if the restaurant looks empty, you could find your order delayed and pushed back for other orders made before, during, and after your order, made...

As a Central Florida resident, my husband and I are always keen on exploring areas and trying new to us food. Today, we decided to give Sal's Deli at the Portofino resort a try.

We got the veggie calzone which was large enough to feed both of us. It cost the same as the calzone at the pizza place around the corner from our house. Unlike the one around the corner from our house, this one was STUFFED with veggies. The red sauce that comes with it was also amazing, and I am not a red sauce fan.

Yes, you have to actively choose to come here, but once you're in City Walk, you can take the free water taxi (yes, they're free to everyone in City Walk) or walk the garden trail that exits out on the Universal Studios side, but it's worth it. As is just visiting the local resorts when you...