STUBBORN MULE

Health grade
D · 63/100
Orange County rank
Safer than 5%
Diner rating
4.4 ★ · 3,275 reviews
Violations
3 high-priority and 13 basic
Last inspected
Jan 2026

By score it ranks safer than 5% of Orange County restaurants we grade. The report logged 3 high-priority and 13 basic violations. And the recent trend is down. Higher-graded kitchens nearby are mapped below.

D grade · 63/100 · safer than 5% of Orange County restaurants we grade

Get directions Call (407) 730-3400

Safer options nearby

Higher-graded restaurants close to STUBBORN MULE, by Florida DBPR grade:

Restaurant details

Health grade
D (63/100)
Violations
16 total — 3 high-priority, 13 basic
Address
100 S EOLA DR #103, Orlando, FL
Cuisine
American
Categories
American restaurant, Bar
Price
$20–30
Rating
4.4 stars (3275 reviews)
Neighborhood
Northeast Orlando
Seats
150
Phone
(407) 730-3400
Website
Official website
Photo of STUBBORN MULE
Photo: The Stubborn Mule

Community Rating

Reviews via Google
4.4 Community-sourced rating 3,275 reviews
Read all reviews on Google →

What diners say — our read

This is the pattern the site exists to surface: strong reviews, weak inspection. Where front-of-house comes up, the rating that follows averages 4.4, so it reads as a strength.

No one in this corpus comments on the state of the room at all. The single most common rating left here is 5 stars (15 of 21). 18 of 21 rated reviews are four stars or higher; 3 are two or lower.

None of that is visible in a star rating: the most recent DBPR inspection graded this kitchen a D (63/100), citing 3 high-priority and 13 basic violations. Diner sentiment and inspection result are measuring different things here, and only one of them is checked by the state. The visit behind that grade was January 20, 2026. The trend across inspections is decline. On health score it sits safer than 5% of the Orange County restaurants we grade. For specifics, the last inspection cited food from approved source.

Taken together, this is a place diners like and inspectors do not. A good meal and a clean kitchen are different questions. The reviews themselves follow, unedited and newest first.

Our own analysis of 21 reviews for this restaurant, set against its Florida DBPR inspection record. How we calculate grades →

  • June 29, 2026

    The Stubborn Mule was a great place to get a nice “after show” dinner while downtown. The menu rocked with lots of interesting options - all that we tried were flavorful, cooked well and we would order them again. The flatbread pizza was a standout for sure - but the chicken sandwich was also amazing. We did feel a little forgotten about on the patio - I think our server might have had too many tables, but they made up for it with warm service and refills.

  • June 27, 2026

    Nice restaurant good food went with my 1 year old and it was family friendly. Our server Valerie was very nice and took great care of us.

  • June 27, 2026

    Enjoyed the Bite 30 menu along with some additional mules. All the food was good. Glad I ordered my steak medium rare because it came out medium to medium well. Server never came back to check on food so I ended up eating it. It was still good just not as I ordered. Shrimp app was impressive on size and taste. Some of the best(not good for you) mashed potatoes I’ve ever had. Bread pudding was yummm, Want to come back soon.

  • June 26, 2026

    Great staff and amazing food!

  • June 24, 2026

    GG was great she made great recommendations on food and drinks .I've been in town all week and she provided the best service I've had thus far and the beautiful curly hair host was amazing as well we even talked about The Great Brittney Spears you ladies were amazing Thank you again 😘

  • June 21, 2026

    Found this place on social media. The food was burnt and tasteless. Service was not great, food took a while to come out, and that would be ok, if the place was not half empty. Save your money and go elsewhere. The reviews about it being awesome are not honest. Yuck!

  • June 21, 2026

    The BEST grits in FL. Hands down. Service is always friendly and accommodating. Brunch menu is perfection. Atmosphere is relaxed and enjoyable. Especially if dining outside is an option. Great downtown vibe. Definitely a local staple for a delicious brunch.

  • June 17, 2026

    Its a popular place, great food, great service, we enjoyed our meal!

  • June 13, 2026

    Thank you Kayla your the best God bless you 🙏

  • June 12, 2026

    A great place for lunch.

  • June 7, 2026

    I came with my husband and did the bite30 menu and we both ordered the steak; it comes with this candied bacon on top and so when we informed the servers that we don’t eat bacon, it ended up coming out with bacon. So my server was so nice and apologetic about it even though I felt really bad saying something after it had already come out. He promised that a new steak would be done and came out again shortly after that. As I was eating, I did taste a sweet smokiness on one of my pieces of steak to which I then realized that they had just scraped the bacon off of the top. So I stopped eating and just couldn’t stomach it anymore. The dessert was so mid. I got the chocolate cake and I’m sure it was from Sysco or restaurant depot bc it was just so cloyingly sweet and just artificial tasting. Just be careful if you have any allergens or restrictions and always double check.

  • June 7, 2026

    So close to 5 stars! In town for business and our entire team somehow ended up at same restaurant. The atmosphere was awesome, the service was great, the food looked and smelled amazing, and I wanted so badly for everything to be 5 stars! A co-worker who had already received his food said everything was great but ask for one temperature higher on any meats. I usually get medium on my beef. I gave them a shot and asked for medium, and got medium rare to almost rare on my burger. The signature cocktails were amazing and all other food items were spot on. Im hoping the chef thay night was just having a day. When I return to Orlando I will give them another shot.

  • June 2, 2026

    Good Place

  • May 29, 2026

    Dinner was delicious! I had the salmon salad, husband had a burger and our son had the BBQ flatbread. All were a big hit! Fun downtown atmosphere with great service. We'll definitely be back!

  • May 29, 2026

    While on a business trip I found this place just a few blocks from my hotel. My co-worker and I were both very pleased with the food. I am a sucker for a good steak and blue cheese. The wedges with the blue cheese and balsamic we're fantastic, steak cooked to perfection. Bruschetta was an excellent starter and I recommend it for my fellow bruschetta lovers out there. I'm not spelling her name right probably but kadesha was our waitress and she was very attentive and friendly. Thank you.

  • May 26, 2026

    Went here for brunch on Sunday. Sat outside. Our server Kiara was awesome. We had loaded nachos and steak and eggs with bottle of champagne for mimosas. The atmosphere was fun, with nice music

  • May 25, 2026

    Great customer service, the food was yummy and the prices were worth it.

  • May 24, 2026

    Cool place, good food, a little expensive but the bartender was super cool

  • May 23, 2026

    Our server José was phenomenal! He knew so much about the menu and answered all of our questions. We will definitely be back! The shrimp and grits were delicious!

  • May 19, 2026

    Excellent food and drink!

  • May 19, 2026

    They overcook their chicken every single time. I literally can’t even chew this rubber.

Overall Score

43 / 100

  • Health inspection grade 10/40
    Grade D
  • Dietary transparency 13/20
    4 options listed
  • Community rating 18/20
    4.4★ average
  • Hidden-gem status 0/10
    Not flagged
  • Track record 2/10
    Declining, 0% clean

Composite score from health grade, dietary options, ratings, and inspection record — distinct from the state-derived health grade.

Opening hours

Monday
11 AM to 10 PM
Tuesday
11 AM to 10 PM
Wednesday
11 AM to 10 PM
Thursday
11 AM to 10 PM
Friday
11 AM to 11 PM
Saturday
11 AM to 11 PM
Sunday
11 AM to 9 PM

Inspection history

The following records are from Florida DBPR public inspection records, most recent first.

  1. January 20, 2026 · Routine - Food

    Inspection Completed - No Further Action

    3 high-priority · 0 intermediate · 13 basic

    • 01 — Food from approved source; safe, unadulterated, sound condition
    • 02 — Consumer advisory, date-marking & labeling of ready-to-eat foods
    • 03 — Temperature control of foods (cold/hot holding, cooking, cooling, reheating)
    • 08 — Cross-contamination: raw foods separated; food protected during prep/storage (×2)
    • 10 — In-use food dispensing utensils properly stored
    • 12 — Handwashing; employee eating/drinking/smoking practices
    • 14 — Food-contact & nonfood-contact surfaces properly designed/maintained (×2)
    • 22 — Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized
    • 23 — Nonfood-contact surfaces clean
    • 29 — Plumbing installed & maintained; mop sink; backflow prevention (×2)
    • 31 — Handwash sinks accessible; handwashing supplies & sign provided
    • 36 — Floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained; proper ventilation (×2)
  2. July 15, 2025 · Routine - Food

    Inspection Completed - No Further Action

    1 high-priority · 1 intermediate · 5 basic

    • 05 — Food & equipment thermometers provided and accurate
    • 08 — Cross-contamination: raw foods separated; food protected during prep/storage (×2)
    • 10 — In-use food dispensing utensils properly stored
    • 22 — Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized (×2)
    • 23 — Nonfood-contact surfaces clean

This grade is calculated by us from Florida DBPR public inspection records — Florida does not issue official grades. How we calculate it →

Data last updated: January 20, 2026