A new restaurant that stays open till 1 a.m. and offers a later weekend brunch has joined the Thornton Park scene.
The Classic is officially open for business at 806 E Washington Street in Thornton Park. The restaurant opened its doors on Labor Day weekend, replacing the former tenant Mason Jar Provisions, which closed its doors in late June.
The Classic is the creation of Brian Minkel and Daniel Menezes, two Orlando hospitality industry veterans who decided to join forces to serve up their take on American comfort food.
Minkel and Menezes, who met at The Aardvark, both have decades of experience at well-known establishments across the Orlando food scene. The location of the new business, right next door to The Burton’s, was a big factor in their decision to open the eatery.
“We’re like family. When you know who the guy is next door, he’s going to watch out for you at night, and vice versa,” said Minkel. He mentioned that many of the servers at local bars and restaurants frequent their establishment, which is open seven days a week until 1 a.m.
Minkel also highlighted the business’s brunch offering, which begins at 9 a.m. and extends until 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Breakfast and brunch dishes include country fried steak, biscuits and gravy, breakfast burritos, and grouper and grits, to name a few.
Although Minkel spent 27 years behind the counter serving drinks, cooking, and managing establishments, he says the new restaurant will be his first go at being a full-time chef and offers him a chance to show off some of his non-traditional concoctions.
Appetizers all have their own spin to classic favorites, including lyonnaise poutine, which features queso fresco and sour cream in place of traditional cheese curds.
Sandwich options range from cheeseburgers, steak sandwiches, and patty melts, to grouper, corned beef, chicken sandwiches, and multiple hot dog combinations. All sandwiches are served with fried chips made in house.
Multiple vegetarian sides and options are also available at the restaurant, including the spicy black bean burger and a mushroom sloppy joe, among others.
Like others in the area, the restaurant’s menu may be ordered for delivery through Uber Eats.
The Classic joins multiple other restaurants that have opened new locations in and around downtown Orlando recently. That growing list includes nearby Huey Magoo’s, Taco Kat, and Tacos My Guey, which all opened in the past few months.
Mason Jar Provisions also recently reopened as The Hen and Hog, a new concept located next to The Bagel Shop in Winter Park.
Minkel says the group will next host a beer-tasting event on Saturday, November 19.
For more information on the restaurant, its menu, or its upcoming events, visit The Classic website.