Welcome to Monday Morning in Orlando
Took the fam on a bad-@$$ Saturday adventure by meeting up with the fine folks from the Orlando Foundation for Architecture for an outstanding downtown architecture tour. So much fascinating history in the city. This type of thing is like brain food for me.
We couldn’t leave the area without venturing into Papi Smash’d Burger and lunching there for the first time. A+ goodness.
In today’s issue: 👇
- Church Street's Disco Palace
- Train ride to Kissimmee's Painted Streets
- PIGZZA
- ….and much more
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Let’s dive in!
- Philip
P.S. 🍲 Want some hawt community sourced foodie recommendations? Check out the Orlando Signal Restaurant Guide, right here.
ORLANDO REWIND ⏪
Church Street's Disco Palace That Time Forgot
At 123 West Church Street sits a building that's been eavesdropping on Orlando's wildest stories for nearly a century. The Teele Building isn't much to look at, but boy, has it seen some things.
Back before 1924, Joseph Bumby hawked hay and grain from a warehouse here. The Dolive brothers later packed citrus on the same dirt. Then came the roaring twenties boom, and up went the Teele Building, home to Sam's Bar and Grill.
But the real party started in the 1970s when the building became Phineas Phogg's Balloon Works, a glorious two-story disco dripping with gondola balconies and hot air balloons, the crown jewel of Bob Snow's Church Street Station empire. Waitresses danced on the hour. The balloons bobbed overhead. Orlando partied like tomorrow might not come.
When Church Street Station crashed in the late '90s, Bliss Ultra Lounge eventually moved in during the 2000s, keeping the beat going.
Today, the Teele Building still stands, a scrappy survivor that's been everything from grain warehouse to disco palace, quietly collecting Orlando's secrets one era at a time.
📸 Check out more photos of the Teele Building, right here.
THE SQUEEZE 🍊
Meet the Orlando Singer Making Jazz-Soul Feel Personal Again
I've had Hannah Stokes' latest album on repeat all last week, and honestly, I knew this Orlando treasure deserved a deeper dive and receive the coveted OS community superstar stamp of approval!
The singer-songwriter and jazz vocalist creates music that refuses to be boxed in, folk melts into R&B, soul conversations with jazz, and somewhere in that fluid exchange, something magical happens. Her voice? Equal parts sultry and serene, depending on what the song demands.
Drawing from legends like Joni Mitchell and Norah Jones, Stokes has carved out a sound that's unmistakably hers. Recent singles like "Waste Time" and "How Could This Love Be So" hit differently. I particularly loved the track “Within the Year” recorded live at Will’s Pub.
Her latest album, Right Where I Belong, produced by Jordan Morales at Raised Eden Records, captures a young artist learning to slow down and sing from her center. It's soulful, jazz-tinged, and the kind of honesty that stops you mid-scroll.
🎶 What to hear what I mean? Have a listen to Right Where I Belong, right here.
Pro tip: You can also see more of Stokes’ live Will’s Pub performances right here.
👉 Know a community superstar? Tell me about them, right here.
An Early Morning Train Ride to Kissimmee's Painted Streets
Who says 7:30 a.m. can't be fun? This Wednesday, November 19th, the Sort of Brutally Early crew is swapping their usual coffee hangout for a proper adventure, by train, no less.
Meet at the NEW CityArts Café, then head to Church Street SunRail Station for the 7:50 a.m. ride to downtown Kissimmee. Once there, Brian Camacho, Osceola Arts Public Art Coordinator, will lead the group through the Osceola Arts Murals, bold, colorful works splashed across the historic streets.
The round-trip SunRail tickets are cheap: $5.50 for adults, $2.75 for seniors and youth. After soaking in the open-air gallery, catch the 10:53 a.m. train back, or stick around and grab the 12:23 p.m. departure.
🎭 Get more info on this fun adventure right here.
Green Lights at MCO Signal Thanksgiving Travel Relief
With Thanksgiving just one week away, millions of Americans are asking: Will airlines bounce back in time after the government shutdown threw flight schedules into chaos?
Orlando International Airport offered a welcome sight middle of last week, departure boards glowing with more green than red. Aviation experts predicted a full recovery by this past weekend if the positive trend holds.
While air traffic controllers can snap back to normal operations quickly, airlines face the trickier challenge of untangling and rebuilding their flight routes over several days.
The consensus? Everything should be running smoothly by the time peak Thanksgiving travel kicks in, so keep calm and carry on.
(Learn a lot more about this air travel bounce-back with Sarah Winkelmann, right here)
Orlando Filmmaker Serves Up Documentary on Spicy New Coffee Shop
Film editor Corbin Dennis dropped a documentary last week that goes behind the scenes at Aguila, Orlando's newest Mexican-inspired coffee shop situated in Ivanhoe Village. The short film captures the energy behind owners Artie Burer and Antonio Rodriguez's flavor-packed venture.
Dennis tackled the entire month-long project solo: shooting, directing, and editing. The documentary showcases Aguila's adventurous menu, including the Mex Mocha with house-made spiced chocolate syrup that brings the heat, plus drinks featuring horchata, piloncillo, and guava.
The film explores how Burer and Rodriguez crafted their unique offerings while highlighting their enthusiasm for quality ingredients, cultural authenticity, and stirring up Orlando's thriving foodie community.
🎥 Check out this well done documentary, right here. It’s only 9-minutes for a quick watch.
✈️ Orlando’s best flight deal - Vineyards and autumn shores edition
Early December finds Traverse City at its most enchanting. The vineyards glow with late autumn colors against Grand Traverse Bay, the downtown shops are decked out for the holidays without the rush, and there's something wonderful about sipping local wine by a fireplace when the crisp lake air reminds you why this corner of Michigan feels like pure escape.
Orlando (SFB/Sanford) → Traverse City (TVS) for 90 bucks*, round-trip in early-December for an extended weekend. See the deal.
*Price shown above is accurate as of the time this newsletter was sent.
TASTY NEWS 🧑🍳
Orlando Area Eateries Coming & Going
1️⃣ OPENING EARLY 2026: Zaza Cuban Comfort Food - A Cuban Cafeteria's Legacy Grows
Zaza Cuban Comfort Food (Insta) is opening its 11th location in Orlando's SODO district in late first quarter of 2026. The restaurant will serve classic Cuban dishes like ropa vieja, lechon asado, vaca frita, and Cuban sandwiches alongside breakfast plates served all day, freshly baked empanadas, and proprietary roasted coffee blends that have become the brand's heartbeat.
2️⃣ SOFT OPENED: Cafe Collective Orlando - New Food Hub Energizes Bumby
A new food hub has landed in the Milk District. Cafe Collective (Insta) has transformed the former Pom Pom's location into a compact vendor showcase, currently hosting Somo T (Vietnamese coffee and bánh mì), Takitos Nueva Rosita (breakfast and lunch), and weekend warrior Whiskey Church BBQ.
#ORLANDOSIGNAL 📸
At one of the best taco spots around, Talkin’ Tacos!
📷 via @orlandosignal |📍Talkin’ Tacos
Tag @orlandosignal to get your photo featured in the newsletter!
FOODIE FIND, FORK YEAH! 🤩
PIGZZA
📍1050 N Mills Ave, Orlando, FL 32803. Map to this location.
Thomas Ward's "Italian-ish joint" in Mills 50 blends his Pig Floyd's barbecue heritage with Italian classics.
Since opening in 2023, Pigzza's (Insta) signature sourdough crust, pillowy with a subtle tang, has anchored creative pies like the Meat Me at Floyd's (braised brisket, grape jelly BBQ sauce, pickled onions).
The converted auto station features a coveted 40-seat covered patio and Tuesday-Friday happy hour with 50% off cocktails.
Despite early growing pains, Ward's responsive adjustments have earned loyal crowds and 4.5 stars across 480+ reviews.
👉 Check out the menu right here 👈
Source: PIGZZA - Smoked brisket pizza!
MORE PULP! 😎
Weekday things to check out
🎨 3rd Annual "itty bitty art" Expo
📅 Monday, October 6th - Friday, November 28th
📍 Historic Sanford Welcome Center, 230 E. First Street, Sanford
Exhibition of 100+ mini paintings available for purchase with People's Choice voting and free drawing to win artwork; Artist Reception October 23rd, 6-8 p.m.
👉 Tiny Treasures
🎸 Fall House Band Concert
📅 Tuesday, November 18th | 7:30pm
📍 Valencia College Performing Arts Center - East Campus
High-energy classic rock concert featuring student musicians performing the radio hits you grew up with.
👉 Rock On
🍔 Tasty Takeover in The Milk District
📅 Tuesdays | 6:30-10pm
📍 The Milk District – 2424 E Robinson St
Orlando's premier weekly food truck block party featuring diverse culinary offerings behind the shops and bars.
👉 Dine Alfresco
🎭 Last Wednesday Laughs
📅 Wednesday, November 19th | 8-10pm
📍 Downtown Orlando
Local comedians deliver midweek humor while patrons enjoy beer and food at this monthly comedy showcase for 5 bucks.
👉 Laugh Out Loud
🎺 Focus Series: The OPO Brass
📅 Wednesday, November 19th | 7pm
📍 The Plaza Live
Orlando Philharmonic's brass and percussion sections perform operatic overtures, symphonic pieces, and holiday favorites.
👉 Brass Brilliance
🥚 OCLS Masterpiece Junior: Fabergé Eggs
📅 Wednesday, November 19th | 4pm
📍 Orange County Library System, West Oaks Branch, Ocoee
Kids learn about Faberge egg history and create their own jeweled art-inspired pieces.
👉 Craft History
🍽️ November Harvest to Table
📅 Wednesday, November 19th | 6-8pm
📍 4Roots Farm Campus
Hands-on culinary experience with Chef Hari Pulapaka and Dr. Monica Aggarwal featuring farm tour, 3-course plant-based meal, and nutrition insights.
👉 Food as Medicine
🎭 Adam Biner in Cabaret: Back To Basics
📅 Wednesday & Thursday, November 19th-20th | 7:30-8:30pm
📍 Orlando Shakespeare Theater
Triple-threat performer sings and taps through classic Broadway hits including "Singin' in the Rain" and "42nd Street."
👉 Broadway Classics
✨ The Starlit Soirée Gala
📅 Wednesday, November 19th | 6pm
📍 Open House Orlando
Final Artful Agora of the year featuring rug tufting, stargazing lounge, live art, curated market, and local culinary delights.
👉 Magical Night
🎨 3rd Thursday Orlando: Art. Making. History.
📅 Thursday, November 20th | 4:30-9pm
📍 CityArts Orlando
Monthly celebration featuring art vendors, live music, gallery openings, and free History Center admission throughout downtown.
👉 Arts District
🍷 Taste of Baldwin Park Wine & Dine Holiday Edition
📅 Thursday, November 20th | 6:30-9:30pm
📍 Downtown Baldwin Park
All-inclusive event featuring 50+ Orlando restaurants with unlimited food, drinks, and live music on multiple stages.
👉 Sip & Savor
🎭 Want to share an event? Use this link.
THANKS!
✅ Want to connect with 20K+ curious Orlandoans for your business?, start a conversation here.
🌟 Know a community superstar? Tell me about them, right here.
Thanks for reading! I’ll see you again on Thursday’s weekend fun issue.
My Best,
Philip - Publisher, Orlando Signal
