About two miles northeast of downtown Orlando, a white and yellow sign rises high above North Bumby Avenue. Glowering down from its panels is a rather angry-looking bull, steam puffing from his nostrils and an ornate crown perched atop his head. Just below, the name “Beefy King” is spelled out in stylish if somewhat jumbled black letters.
Long-time Orlando residents know that sign well, for the Beefy King is where they go to enjoy some of the best roast beef sandwiches in all of the South, and have been doing so for almost six decades.
Freeman and Peggie Smith bought the restaurant in 1968. Newly arrived from Detroit, the couple were seeking a little sunshine in rapidly-growing Orlando…