Central Florida BBQ Restaraunt Guide
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The Original Christo's

Updated 2026-08-18 · 6,088 reviewed · 140 listed · Scored from 1,793 Google reviews · How we rank ›

4.3(1793) 78 composite score See reviews on Google ✓ Google-verified moderate
Traditional Smokehouse BBQBBQ Buffet
The Original Christo's
Price
moderate
Services
Traditional Smokehouse BBQ, BBQ Buffet
Reviews
1793

What recent reviews say

Christo's draws loyal regulars who drive long distances for its homemade pizza, fresh Italian fare, and genuine staff warmth. Prices feel fair for the portions and atmosphere; desserts especially earn repeat visits.

Kitchen closures before posted closing time and rare service lapses temper the picture. Most meals arrive hot and well-made, though a few diners found offerings mediocre on return visits. One cleanliness concern surfaced, but the broader pattern shows a small, family-run spot where staff know guests by name and take pride in recommendations.

Praised for
  • friendly staff, genuine warmth
  • fresh, homemade pizza and desserts
  • consistent food quality
  • welcoming family atmosphere
  • reasonable prices for portions
Watch-outs
  • early kitchen closures despite posted hours
  • slow service during busy periods
  • occasional food inconsistency
  • cleanliness incident reported
friendly-staffauthentic-flavorfamily-friendlyclean-dining-areagenerous-portionsfair-pricing
Best for: Families seeking casual dining with homemade food and staff who remember regulars.
Think twice if: Kitchen closes earlier than posted hours; verify closing time before late visits.

Strengths

  • housemade pizza dough and sauces
  • daily rotating dessert selection (cakes, cheesecakes, cookies)
  • staff who build genuine relationships with regular guests
  • surprising quality and value near Sanford Amtrak station

Worth knowing

  • Server named Gina specifically praised for attentiveness and kindness with special-needs families
  • Server named Jenny noted for working methodically during busy shifts
  • Desserts rotate daily and patrons buy to-go
  • One guest reported roach on table and poor staff response
  • Some customers report pizza quality so memorable they wake up thinking about it; others drive 45 minutes regularly

How it compares

  • Rated 4.3 against a 4.51 average across the 124 traditional smokehouse bbq businesses listed here.
  • Has more Google reviews than 80% of the businesses in this directory.

How we scored this

How We Score
Star rating 54
Review volume 100
Review recency 100
Review sentiment 64
Profile completeness 100
Verification 30

Rating breakdown

5
1159
4
341
3
106
2
78
1
109

Common questions

Can I get pizza with homemade dough?
Yes. Reviewers consistently praise their fresh dough and homemade sweet pizza sauce brushed with Parmesan on the crust.
What desserts do you have?
The business rotates daily selections including cakes, cheesecakes, baklava cake, and cookies. Reviewers often buy extras to take home.
What time does the kitchen close?
Posted hours list 7 days, but one reviewer was turned away at 9:15 p.m. when posted closing was 10 p.m. Confirm current kitchen hours before visiting late.

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Last updated 2026-08-18