Went there in 97 when you walked in the front door there was a full size top feul drag race car standing virtually at the counter were you picked up your vibrator to let you know when your table was ready for dining. The biggest thing to remember was that everywhere you turned, you would see a racing futage on a tv from go karts to boat racing it was all therefull size Nascar on shelves at 45 degrees circling the inside the entire dining area. The place was an unforgettable experience and dinner prices were very reasonable considering the atmosphere. The size of the building was so huge to house every form of racing. You name it it was on display. Pictures can never serve justice
Race Rock was my favorite restaurant!! The chicken Alfredo was to die for. The bar in the center had a formula 1 race car upside down on top of tue bartenders that spun around! The semi trucks were on both sides of the entrance as you walked in and out full of memorabilia to sell. Truly a great place!!
In 2001 my wife and I brought our then three year old son to the Race Rock for dinner. If I remember correctly the food was decent. The interior was really cool with an Indy car hanging upside down over the bar.
Race Rock must have been something. I love it when you "recreate" the past, Micah. YES, I would love to see Wonder Works and Ripley's. Thank you, that would be very cool. Have a great weekend. 👏🤠👏🎊
Interesting video.... Never knew this place existed... Looked nice..... I knew where you would end up in this video because you always visit the big truck whenever you go to fun spot.... Ha ha.... Look forward to your future road side attractions video that you mentioned.... Thanks for the history lesson.... Thanks for sharing... Take care.... Have a great day.... Thanks....👍👍👍
Wow excellent Vlog as always. I have been to Florida 14 times in the last 25 years. I still have a race rock pin badge from 1997 remember Big foot truck being there and also have a photo of big foot truck of me and my wife. The 18 wheeler was in the entrance of the building. When you first walked in it was on the right hand side of the reception before you got seated for a meal. First came in 1995 and stayed on international drive. Also by race rock was Kings Henry feast show. Keep up the great work 👍👍👍👍
Awesome job great video. I have so many memories of the race Rock Cafe. Back in the mid-90s I lived in Sanford Florida but had a lot of friends that worked at Disney so I remember seeing them building the Race Rock building (or converting what it from what was previously there) and then when it opened I had to go check it out. The opening day coincided with the practice week before the Daytona 500 that year so many of the NASCAR drivers we're at the opening day party as well as several other motorsport related people. I got to go to the opening night reception and got to meet Bill Elliott, Jeff Gordon and "The King" Richard Petty, as well as many other nascar drivers. From the drag racing world John Force was there and many other recognizable people from other Motorsports. As you mentioned they had a truly giant collection of memorabilia on the walls as well as many cars, boats, motorcycles, and everything from t-shirts to racing uniforms. My cousin was an Indy driver named Rick Mears and they had one of his race suits signed and framed. I went there several times and the food was actually really good for that kind of restaurant. The chef had been hired from a Cajun restaurant in New Orleans so believe it or not the Cajun chicken sandwich and the Cajun pasta was probably the best I'd ever had. Being a fan of chocolate and desserts the best thing on the menu was the Triple Chocolate Brownie Sundae. I took my parents once or twice and when my Mom liked a restaurant you knew it was really good. 😄 In the video you also mentioned the hotel that was previously the Peabody right down the street. When it was the Peabody it was a very nice hotel. At the time there was really nothing like it off of Disney property in Orlando. It was a great place to pop in and get a drink at the bar and sit in the lounge and people watch. Awesome channel keep up the good work.
Thanks for sharing Micah. I am huge racing fan! Race Rock was my favorite place to go when I was in Orlando. A motorcycle racer that I knew in the 1980s and 1990s. His motorcycle and racing leathers where in the Race Rock. You are correct they sold merch from the truck trailer. Along with a yellow big rig that was on the opposite side of the lobby when you walked into Race Rock. I have some pictures some where of me standing in the wheel of the Big Foot monster truck.
As always next to your theme park videos. I always enjoy these videos of places around Orlando/Kissimmee that sadly are no longer around and the history behind them. Thank you for always paying tribute to them
Went there in 2000 - loved it... still have photos and bit of video of it and a beer glass. The truck did indeed have merch in it and a few TVs showing races etc. - there was a yellow one opposite the red on both sides of the entrance of the restaurant (inside). The Big Fun truck said "Big Foot" (where it says Big Fun) when it was at Race Rock, but the paint job is the same... blue with yellow flames etc. Re: the menu - I remember having a pea and ham soup starter and pork for my main... incidentally... if anyone has the year 2000 menu from the Brown Derby, i'd be eternally grateful. We also went for a helicopter ride at the place next door... we stayed at the hotel opposite Wonderworks
Thanks for posting Micah! I can remember seeing Race Rock when my parents use to go on International Drive to get to Universal from the 192 avoiding the I4 in the process! Agree with you, all the buildings looked amazing in the 90's. I am surprised that it stayed open for as long as it did especially with NASCAR Cafe opening in City Walk about 18 months later.
Amazing vlog Micah. Loved going to race rock i spotted first when i went in 1996.Fond memories indeed! For starters i think they were called onion explosion (not sure if that's right) portion was so big thought it was main course lol. Anyway half way through eating they came with my main course here again think i had a burger not sure though. In 3 weeks time when we go to orlando will make a point of seeing the 2 vehicles at fun spot, thanks for sharing. Look forward to more of your vlogs.
Great video! Time flies! I remember that site well, my wife and I had dinner there in 1991 on our honeymoon when it was Caruso’s Palace in the years before it became Race Rock. Don’t remember Race Rock well, maybe went there once? But definitely have been to Dave and Busters several times with our kids, who are now adults.
I’m with you, late 90s and early 2000s theme restaurants were the best. I was in my early 20s at the time and made it a hobby to visit as many theme restaurants as I could, but I never made it to race rock. I certainly remember driving past it on I4 every time I would drive in and out of Orlando and it looked like an awesome place. Thanks for sharing the memories.
The original Race Rock started in the Detroit area. This place was pretty awesome, had a formula 1 car hanging from the ceiling over the bar spinning like a fan, sprint car hanging on the wall, the bar had a glass top with slot cars running around it, all different types of race suits, Vance and Hines drag bike and way more. At night it turned into a dance club. Car shows during the week, and Detroit has a alot of sweet street machines. It was one of the coolest places to go.
great vlog bud , in all the time of coming over to Orlando from the United Kingdom , it was a chat in the early years that went " we must go there one day " then one day we arrived looked across whist traveling down the I-4 And it was gone for good, well kind of i did get bigfoot in one of my vlogs from old town back in October , have a great weekend , ( We also noticed as we stayed on palm parkway that all of crossroads has now gone .)
That was the other big rig that was in Race Rock. It was on the right side walking Into Race Rock. The red rig was on the left side of the entrance when you walked in. Just does not have any Race Rock stickers on it like the red one does. Good eye Todd.
I remember Race Rock well I visited there about 3 or 4 times. The Monster Truck was Originally called Big Foot. I have been to Bob Chandlers shop in St. Louis where he built all of the Big Foot trucks. They changed the name when Fun Spot bought it. The Truck was inside and the trailer hand merchandise for sale in it. I remember one on each side. They had a bunch of Nascar cars around the top interior of the building and a few Dragsters also. I might be able to dig up some pictures from there if I can find them I will send them to you. Also similar to sports bar they had a bunch of TV's all playing some type of racing footage. I did try to buy a racing suit from the auction that was worn by Kyle Petty when he drive the Hot Wheels Nascar Pontiac. I was way outbid on it I think it sold for close to $5,000. Great place wish it would have stayed open. I would love to see more on Mystery Fun House I know Adam had a recent video on it. Another place I might have pictures from. Also on I drive was Malibu Grand Prix was kinda like a go cart track but it larger Indy Type cars also had an arcade inside. Fun and Wheels now an empty piece of property behind Hogans Beach Shop (Formally a 7-11) My family used to stay on the SW corner of I-Drive and Sand Lake at a Howard Johnson's so we knew I-Drive up and down.
I went to racerock twice and am sad its gone. They had racing video games you could race a bunch of people while waiting for your food. Vehicles and racing suits all over the place. I believe that bigrig at old town was in the lobby and yes was loaded with merch. And there was a big rig cab mounted to the ceiling that you walked under to go into the circle dinning room. It was a cool spot. They had carshows alot from what i remember too. And when i went customers would drive in with their motorcycles etc and park them for display out front while they dined
Micah, awesome video. The sign on the truck is a bit deceiving. That truck was originally Bigfoot #7 (the famous Bigfoot truck from the 80s, it even had it's own cartoon show.) Apparently the creator of Bigfoot tried to buy the truck from Fun Spot but was unsuccessful so some legal wrangling changed it's name. So when the sign mentions Big Fun #5, there is no such thing. It's Bigfoot #5.
This ^ Bob Chandler tried to buy the truck from Fun Spot after it started to be neglected but they refused to sell it so it got stickers overtop all the BigFoot logos
There were two of these trucks either side of the entrance and sold t shirts cups caps and other stuff And I still remember having the king A giant steak covered in jack Daniels sauce A sorely missed restaurant And also just a couple of blocks up was skull kingdom
Man I loved Race Rock, I practically grew up there as a kid in a car guy family. Was heartbroken when it closed. My Dad attended the auction they held, he got a couple jackets and smaller stuff. He tried to get that Mike Skinner #3 Craftsman truck that hung above the entrance but he got extremely outbid lol. The way I understood it, the building had structural issues and water leaks at the time as well and the offer was simply too good to turn down
I was a server there this brought back many good memories Steve one of my managers now owns Porkies BBQ downtown they had a reunion for all the employees a few years ago
I was there in 1997 as a big Nascar fan I loved it!!!! Alot of uniforms and cars inside. The food was average but you basically paid for the atmosphere!
We had driven by it countless times but never had we ever gone in nor with Dave and busters. Another place that left that used to be out by Bass Pro Shops was the original Ron Jon that they opened out there and subsequently closed and moved it to downtown Disney. We are planning to visit in Jan and are going to do wonder works if you would be up to doing a video together
I went there a couple of times and 96 and 97 I thought the food was good. It was a cool atmosphere first place I ever had quesadillas all the cool stuff is gone now. 😢
Went there in 97 when you walked in the front door there was a full size top feul drag race car standing virtually at the counter were you picked up your vibrator to let you know when your table was ready for dining. The biggest thing to remember was that everywhere you turned, you would see a racing futage on a tv from go karts to boat racing it was all therefull size Nascar on shelves at 45 degrees circling the inside the entire dining area. The place was an unforgettable experience and dinner prices were very reasonable considering the atmosphere. The size of the building was so huge to house every form of racing. You name it it was on display. Pictures can never serve justice
I remember that restaurant- boy am I getting old! We had one in Greensboro NC which also closed!
Oh cool
Race Rock was my favorite restaurant!! The chicken Alfredo was to die for. The bar in the center had a formula 1 race car upside down on top of tue bartenders that spun around! The semi trucks were on both sides of the entrance as you walked in and out full of memorabilia to sell. Truly a great place!!
In 2001 my wife and I brought our then three year old son to the Race Rock for dinner. If I remember correctly the food was decent. The interior was really cool with an Indy car hanging upside down over the bar.
I moved to the Orlando area in the early 90s. I think it was called King Henrys Feast I think before RR!🤔
Race Rock must have been quite a place back in the day! We love when you take a historical look at things in the area!🙂
miss race rock-love they had an indy car upside down that I believe rotated over the back bar. Thanks for the comprehensive look back.
Race Rock must have been something. I love it when you "recreate" the past, Micah. YES, I would love to see Wonder Works and Ripley's. Thank you, that would be very cool. Have a great weekend. 👏🤠👏🎊
Interesting video.... Never knew this place existed... Looked nice..... I knew where you would end up in this video because you always visit the big truck whenever you go to fun spot.... Ha ha.... Look forward to your future road side attractions video that you mentioned.... Thanks for the history lesson.... Thanks for sharing... Take care.... Have a great day.... Thanks....👍👍👍
Wow excellent Vlog as always.
I have been to Florida 14 times in the last 25 years.
I still have a race rock pin badge from 1997 remember Big foot truck being there and also have a photo of big foot truck of me and my wife. The 18 wheeler was in the entrance of the building. When you first walked in it was on the right hand side of the reception before you got seated for a meal.
First came in 1995 and stayed on international drive.
Also by race rock was Kings Henry feast show.
Keep up the great work 👍👍👍👍
Awesome job great video.
I have so many memories of the race Rock Cafe. Back in the mid-90s I lived in Sanford Florida but had a lot of friends that worked at Disney so I remember seeing them building the Race Rock building (or converting what it from what was previously there) and then when it opened I had to go check it out. The opening day coincided with the practice week before the Daytona 500 that year so many of the NASCAR drivers we're at the opening day party as well as several other motorsport related people. I got to go to the opening night reception and got to meet Bill Elliott, Jeff Gordon and "The King" Richard Petty, as well as many other nascar drivers. From the drag racing world John Force was there and many other recognizable people from other Motorsports. As you mentioned they had a truly giant collection of memorabilia on the walls as well as many cars, boats, motorcycles, and everything from t-shirts to racing uniforms. My cousin was an Indy driver named Rick Mears and they had one of his race suits signed and framed.
I went there several times and the food was actually really good for that kind of restaurant. The chef had been hired from a Cajun restaurant in New Orleans so believe it or not the Cajun chicken sandwich and the Cajun pasta was probably the best I'd ever had.
Being a fan of chocolate and desserts the best thing on the menu was the Triple Chocolate Brownie Sundae. I took my parents once or twice and when my Mom liked a restaurant you knew it was really good. 😄
In the video you also mentioned the hotel that was previously the Peabody right down the street. When it was the Peabody it was a very nice hotel. At the time there was really nothing like it off of Disney property in Orlando. It was a great place to pop in and get a drink at the bar and sit in the lounge and people watch.
Awesome channel keep up the good work.
Thanks for sharing Micah. I am huge racing fan! Race Rock was my favorite place to go when I was in Orlando.
A motorcycle racer that I knew in the 1980s and 1990s. His motorcycle and racing leathers where in the Race Rock.
You are correct they sold merch from the truck trailer. Along with a yellow big rig that was on the opposite side of the lobby when you walked into Race Rock.
I have some pictures some where of me standing in the wheel of the Big Foot monster truck.
As always next to your theme park videos. I always enjoy these videos of places around Orlando/Kissimmee that sadly are no longer around and the history behind them. Thank you for always paying tribute to them
Great video my friend.
Went there in 2000 - loved it... still have photos and bit of video of it and a beer glass.
The truck did indeed have merch in it and a few TVs showing races etc. - there was a yellow one opposite the red on both sides of the entrance of the restaurant (inside).
The Big Fun truck said "Big Foot" (where it says Big Fun) when it was at Race Rock, but the paint job is the same... blue with yellow flames etc.
Re: the menu - I remember having a pea and ham soup starter and pork for my main... incidentally... if anyone has the year 2000 menu from the Brown Derby, i'd be eternally grateful.
We also went for a helicopter ride at the place next door... we stayed at the hotel opposite Wonderworks
Enjoyed the vlog Micah 👍🏻👍🏻
Thanks for posting Micah! I can remember seeing Race Rock when my parents use to go on International Drive to get to Universal from the 192 avoiding the I4 in the process! Agree with you, all the buildings looked amazing in the 90's.
I am surprised that it stayed open for as long as it did especially with NASCAR Cafe opening in City Walk about 18 months later.
Amazing vlog Micah. Loved going to race rock i spotted first when i went in 1996.Fond memories indeed! For starters i think they were called onion explosion (not sure if that's right) portion was so big thought it was main course lol. Anyway half way through eating they came with my main course here again think i had a burger not sure though. In 3 weeks time when we go to orlando will make a point of seeing the 2 vehicles at fun spot, thanks for sharing. Look forward to more of your vlogs.
Heck yeah man! I’d love to see you do Ripley’s and WonderWorks. Looking forward to what you have planned.
I feel if I ever went to Orlando I would definitely know my way AROUND !!! Micah I always look forward to your videos... thank you ..
Before it was Race Rock it was an Italian restaurant called Carusos palace.
Thank you!!! I was hoping you’d do a Race Rock video. 😀
Great video! Time flies! I remember that site well, my wife and I had dinner there in 1991 on our honeymoon when it was Caruso’s Palace in the years before it became Race Rock. Don’t remember Race Rock well, maybe went there once? But definitely have been to Dave and Busters several times with our kids, who are now adults.
I’m with you, late 90s and early 2000s theme restaurants were the best. I was in my early 20s at the time and made it a hobby to visit as many theme restaurants as I could, but I never made it to race rock. I certainly remember driving past it on I4 every time I would drive in and out of Orlando and it looked like an awesome place. Thanks for sharing the memories.
Very interesting! Good job on this video!
The original Race Rock started in the Detroit area. This place was pretty awesome, had a formula 1 car hanging from the ceiling over the bar spinning like a fan, sprint car hanging on the wall, the bar had a glass top with slot cars running around it, all different types of race suits, Vance and Hines drag bike and way more. At night it turned into a dance club. Car shows during the week, and Detroit has a alot of sweet street machines. It was one of the coolest places to go.
I loved Race Rock! I had a Brute Force burger. Honoring John Force. Thank you Micah! Bob Chandler's Big Foot Series of Trucks
Omg this video came at such good timing. Race rock popped in my head this morning and was curious to find some details on it.
Also like the driving around and stop and go commentary
Yes that would be awesome I you visit those places again. Love your videos by the way.
Loving the content 😀
great vlog bud , in all the time of coming over to Orlando from the United Kingdom , it was a chat in the early years that went " we must go there one day " then one day we arrived looked across whist traveling down the I-4 And it was gone for good, well kind of i did get bigfoot in one of my vlogs from old town back in October , have a great weekend , ( We also noticed as we stayed on palm parkway that all of crossroads has now gone .)
I ate here growing up! Race Rock was so cool! RIP
I need to borrow the DMC 12 from Doc Brown... I would love to go back in time and visit this restaurant! Thanks, Micah.
Isn’t it yellow truck down across from that racetrack that they do the spray paint on T-shirt? Isn’t that from race rock too
That was the other big rig that was in Race Rock. It was on the right side walking Into Race Rock. The red rig was on the left side of the entrance when you walked in. Just does not have any Race Rock stickers on it like the red one does.
Good eye Todd.
I remember Race Rock well I visited there about 3 or 4 times. The Monster Truck was Originally called Big Foot. I have been to Bob Chandlers shop in St. Louis where he built all of the Big Foot trucks. They changed the name when Fun Spot bought it. The Truck was inside and the trailer hand merchandise for sale in it. I remember one on each side. They had a bunch of Nascar cars around the top interior of the building and a few Dragsters also. I might be able to dig up some pictures from there if I can find them I will send them to you. Also similar to sports bar they had a bunch of TV's all playing some type of racing footage. I did try to buy a racing suit from the auction that was worn by Kyle Petty when he drive the Hot Wheels Nascar Pontiac. I was way outbid on it I think it sold for close to $5,000. Great place wish it would have stayed open. I would love to see more on Mystery Fun House I know Adam had a recent video on it. Another place I might have pictures from. Also on I drive was Malibu Grand Prix was kinda like a go cart track but it larger Indy Type cars also had an arcade inside. Fun and Wheels now an empty piece of property behind Hogans Beach Shop (Formally a 7-11) My family used to stay on the SW corner of I-Drive and Sand Lake at a Howard Johnson's so we knew I-Drive up and down.
I went to racerock twice and am sad its gone. They had racing video games you could race a bunch of people while waiting for your food. Vehicles and racing suits all over the place. I believe that bigrig at old town was in the lobby and yes was loaded with merch. And there was a big rig cab mounted to the ceiling that you walked under to go into the circle dinning room. It was a cool spot. They had carshows alot from what i remember too. And when i went customers would drive in with their motorcycles etc and park them for display out front while they dined
Micah, awesome video. The sign on the truck is a bit deceiving. That truck was originally Bigfoot #7 (the famous Bigfoot truck from the 80s, it even had it's own cartoon show.) Apparently the creator of Bigfoot tried to buy the truck from Fun Spot but was unsuccessful so some legal wrangling changed it's name. So when the sign mentions Big Fun #5, there is no such thing. It's Bigfoot #5.
This ^ Bob Chandler tried to buy the truck from Fun Spot after it started to be neglected but they refused to sell it so it got stickers overtop all the BigFoot logos
There were two of these trucks either side of the entrance and sold t shirts cups caps and other stuff
And I still remember having the king
A giant steak covered in jack Daniels sauce
A sorely missed restaurant
And also just a couple of blocks up was skull kingdom
never went, but always thought it looked cool for roadside attraction place!
We loved this place. As a fan of all motorsports, this was an awesome place! They also hosted car shows in the parking lot every so often.
Man I loved Race Rock, I practically grew up there as a kid in a car guy family. Was heartbroken when it closed. My Dad attended the auction they held, he got a couple jackets and smaller stuff. He tried to get that Mike Skinner #3 Craftsman truck that hung above the entrance but he got extremely outbid lol. The way I understood it, the building had structural issues and water leaks at the time as well and the offer was simply too good to turn down
Good old memories ❤
I was a server there this brought back many good memories Steve one of my managers now owns Porkies BBQ downtown they had a reunion for all the employees a few years ago
Nice times and good food when I shot video for speedvision. Great memories
I was there in 1997 as a big Nascar fan I loved it!!!! Alot of uniforms and cars inside. The food was average but you basically paid for the atmosphere!
We had driven by it countless times but never had we ever gone in nor with Dave and busters. Another place that left that used to be out by Bass Pro Shops was the original Ron Jon that they opened out there and subsequently closed and moved it to downtown Disney. We are planning to visit in Jan and are going to do wonder works if you would be up to doing a video together
I went there as a kid, i don't remember much of it but the cars and bigfoot of course.
YESSSSS I love ripley`s
A wonder works tour would b cool
Walked past it many times with the family, whilst visiting from the UK back in the day. Never went though. Also loved visiting FAO Schwarz.
Loved the old international drive. Can anyone remember the kinda western styled hotel that was demolished when the convention centre was extended?
Was there 97, great evening so sad to hear of its passing. Still in Michigan?
Before it went to orlando..it was here in michigan and i went to it alot..now i live across from it and its the origial first location
Man out of all there years I have lived here never was able to visit this place which sad cause I love NASCAR and I’m a Jeff Gordon Fan!
Ripley's!!
please redo videos for wonderworks and ripleys
I went there a couple of times and 96 and 97 I thought the food was good. It was a cool atmosphere first place I ever had quesadillas all the cool stuff is gone now. 😢
You missed The King! That had to be dedicated to Richard Petty. Another awesome video man.
th-cam.com/video/V1uLrscNc4w/w-d-xo.html
That video from 2001 shows this place in full swing. I never went but I do remember seeing it.
Racerock failed miserably in Vegas.... Everybody had a themed restaurant
Thos place was really cool. Sucks its gone.
"Nascars" 😂