Grilling at Your Vacation Rental Near Disney: A Davenport Butcher's Guide

Before you shop: check the grill

• Gas or charcoal? Most rental homes have a propane grill. Check the tank before you buy anything: lift it, and if it feels light, it's close to empty. Some communities don't allow charcoal, so read your house rules.
• Clean the grates. Heat the grill on high for 10–15 minutes with the lid closed, then scrub with a grill brush or a ball of foil held in tongs.
• Bring or buy a few tools: long tongs, an instant-read thermometer, foil, and paper towels. Rental kitchens rarely have a meat thermometer.

A simple shopping list for a 4-night stay

For a group of 6 adults, a plan with three grill nights looks something like this:

Kids usually eat about half an adult portion. Feeding a bigger crowd? Our meat-per-person guide has a full table for 10, 20, and 30 guests.

Order ahead, pick up on the way back

Nobody wants to wait at a meat counter after 12 hours at a theme park. Place your order in our online store and pick it up at the counter at 2169 Davenport Blvd. Want something cut a certain way, like thick steaks, a whole picanha, or burger patties? Call (863) 422-2313 ahead of time.

Keep it cold in the Florida heat

Florida heat is hard on raw meat. The USDA says perishable food shouldn't sit out for more than 1 hour when it's above 90 °F. Bring a cooler bag for the car, head straight back to the house, and get everything into the fridge.

• Steaks and roasts: cook within 3–5 days, or freeze.
• Ground beef and chicken: cook within 1–2 days, or freeze.
• Change of plans? Freeze anything you won't cook in time instead of letting it go to waste.

Grilling on a rental gas grill

1. Preheat with the lid closed for 10–15 minutes. Rental grills are often older and run hotter on one side, so find the hot spot first.
2. Make two zones: one burner on high, one on low. Sear on high, then move thicker cuts to the low side to finish.
3. Use the thermometer. USDA minimums: 145 °F for steaks with a 3-minute rest, 160 °F for burgers and ground beef, 165 °F for chicken.
4. Rest steaks for 5 minutes before slicing.
5. Close the propane valve on the tank when you're done.

Easy upgrades that feel like a vacation

• Churrasco night: thick picanha steaks with coarse salt, sliced thin at the table. Start with our picanha guide.
• Five-minute chimichurri: chopped parsley, garlic, dried oregano, red wine vinegar, olive oil, salt, and a pinch of red pepper flakes.
• Grilled pineapple brushed with butter and cinnamon for dessert.

Where to find us

Costa's Meat Market is at 2169 Davenport Blvd, Davenport, FL 33837, serving visitors staying across Davenport, ChampionsGate, Four Corners, Haines City, Poinciana, and the Kissimmee resort area. Use the directions button below to get there from your rental.