Suggestions for dining

[c&m]

Our family of 4 are planning our July 07 trip. We are always eating at the same places:

Whitewater Snacks (my fave)
Goofy's Kitchen (DDs' fave)
Blue Bayou (DH's must-do)
Riverbelle Terrace
Rancho del Zaccalo
Carnation
Pacific Wharf
Rainforest Cafe

We will be sticking to our faves. Can anyone suggest other dining options? With food and snacks being on the expensive side, we want to get your experiences and food expertise to eliminate bad food choices. Thanks in advance!

[PinGirl_07]

Epcot- (the Fancy ones) Canada, Japan, England, Germany, Mexico

MGM-Sci-fi dine in

[iceskatejen]

PinGirl--this is Disneyland we're talking about here. Epcot and MGM are on the other side of the country.


Plaza Inn has good fried chicken.

[wowsmom]

My family and I had dinner at the Plaza Inn on NYE. We all had the fried chicken. It came with mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans and a biscuit (the kids meal was either veg or biscuit...or you could buy the biscuit separately, which we did). It was very tasty and filling. The adult meal comes with 3 pieces of chicken (breast, thigh, drumstick).

Oh...I just noticed iceskatejen mentioned their chicken too. :rolleyes1

[DangerMouse]

Whitewater Snacks is my favorite, too.

We like the Chicken Fusilli at Pizza Port in TL. You can easily split that meal.
Also like the meat and veggie skewers from Bengal BBQ (bacon wrapped asparagus -- YUM!)
Have you ever tried Tortilla Joe's take out window? They have yummy tacos and nachos for cheap.

In DCA, I like the chicken salad in a sourdough breadbowl from the Pacific Warf Cafe.

HTH! :)

[hlbtimes2]

Clam chowder in a bread bowl at Royal street veranda (NOS)
Chili in a bread bowl from refreshment "coke" corner
corn dog from the corn dog cart on main street or corn dog castle in DCA
kids ravioli meal ( I like the white sauce on mine) at Pizza Port
BBQ at River bell
Breakfast at Carnation

[c&m]

Seems like there're lots of new choices out there! We have been eating the same thing at the same places for the many times we've been to DL/DCA. That's because our children were younger then and didn't really like trying new things...now that they're older and have developed tastebuds, it's time for a change!

So far, recommendations have come in for:

1. Plaza Inn
2. Tortilla Joe's
3. Bengal BBQ
4. Pizza Port

Any more recommendations out there??? Many thanks!!! :goodvibes

[Vanvmom]

We have a tradition of having our family meal on Thanksgiving at Rancho Del Zocayo, but when we were at DL in June 06 for the re-opening of Pirates, Rancho had recently gotten a new chef. The food in the past had been "okay" - read as a step up from fast food. This trip it was incredible! Who knows what may have changed by now, but as of this past June I would highly recommend it.

[AllJackedUp]

The lady at the cotton candy stand in DD will make you a special flavor, if she doesn't happen to have it ready...at least she did for me (BLUE!)

Forget Tortilla Jo's, it was a ripoff from the word go. Jerky enchiladas...yech! The Mexican food in the park is ten times better and more of it at half the price!

Love the beef stew bowls at the place near Haunted Mansion and ditto their funnel cakes!

Fried chicken is good at the same place you get the bread bowls, darn, the name just escapes me at the moment but it's in New Orleans Square.

Veggie burgers at Tomorrowland Terrace...

I have a theory that the food is way better at DL than WDW...there seems to be more variety, not just burgers and run of the mill theme park food. I think it's because Californians, overall, expect it. Last time at WDW, we really had a hard time finding decent food. I had always been partial to the food court at Port Orleans Riverside because it offers a variety, but even that had diminished last time we were there.

Do the Mickey beignets really taste like beignets at the Cafe du Monde? That's the standard for me...light and fluffy and covered in good ole powdered sugar....just don't touch the table!

[DangerMouse]

Forget Tortilla Jo's, it was a ripoff from the word go. Jerky enchiladas...yech! The Mexican food in the park is ten times better and more of it at half the price!

I agree about the Tortilla Jo's (INSIDE) restaurant, but Tortilla Jo's Taqueria (TAKE OUT WINDOW) is completely different. The food is much, much more affordable and I think it's much better. Just my $.02 Here's a link to their menu.

http://*****************/downtowndisneymenus/tortillajos/tortillataqueria.html

[tracer]

Great thread, I am really looking forward to eating on our trip! A few placed on here we will forsure be trying.

Not to highjack here but I also have to say I am very excited that Disney has started offering healthier choices for children. It makes meal time so much easier!

[Vanvmom]

I agree about the Tortilla Jo's (INSIDE) restaurant, but Tortilla Jo's Taqueria (TAKE OUT WINDOW) is completely different. The food is much, much more affordable and I think it's much better. Just my $.02 Here's a link to their menu.

http://*****************/downtowndisneymenus/tortillajos/tortillataqueria.html

Ditto! We liked the food at the take out window, so we decided to eat inside during out next stay and we were very disappointed.

[rosiep]

Yamabuki in the PPH has my vote. While it is on the expensive side, the food and atmosphere were wonderful. I had the soft shell crab and my daughter had chicken, we shared california rolls and miso soup...it just hit the spot without being overly heavy.

[mommy2allyandaveri]

We tried the Taste Pilots Grill in DCA last time we were there. It was great, a little pricey but what isn't when you are in Disney. Their chicken sandwich was awesome!

[Vanvmom]

The popcorn chicken at Taste Pilots used to be enough for 2 of my boys to share (not sure if it is still that large a portion).

[c&m]

It all sounds so good so far! We've only walked past some of those restaurants that you all have mentioned.

1. Plaza Inn
2. Tortilla Joe's Take-Out
3. Bengal BBQ
4. Pizza Port
5. Taste Pilots Grill
6. Yamabuki

AllJackedUp: Did you say beignets??? Where did you find that at DL? I have been craving them since our 2005 WDW trip. Older DD and I took an evening stroll from POR to POFQ and bought 4 to share with DH and little DD back in our POR room. Somehow, they all disappeared before we got back to the room...:blush:

[Vanvmom]

You can get them at the walk up window for the Jazz Kitchen at Downtown Disney. Yummy! I bought the box mix last week that they sell to make some at home, but we haven't tried it yet.

[stampinshauna]

I second the Chicken Fusilli at Redd Rockett's in Tomorrowland.

I also LOVE Storyteller's Cafe at the Grand Californian.

[CableKC]

Usually....whenever we go to DL....DW and I end up getting the quick window service food....I think this time....I'm gonna try more of the decent sit-down places to eat...like the RiverBelle Terrace and ( hopefully ) one of the nice restaurants in the DL hotels.

[Shakthi]

Have you guys visited the Disney Dining Reviews with pictures thread? There are pictures and reviews of food from all these places you mentioned.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1253888

[tyluvsdis]

We also just tried Taste Pilots Grill. What a fun way to order! You stand at a computer and input all of your selections. My kids thought they were in Heaven! We also had help from the kindest cast member. I needed help with my order. She helped us, was so polite and then asked if we were AP holders. I said no, and she said, "Here swipe my card." It ended up giving us her discount and made our day. The portions were huge and with the added toppings from the topping bar, we were satisfied for the rest of the night. Gotta love the castmembers at the happiest place on earth!:flower3:

[thmar]

Agree with these!!
Plaza Inn
Tortilla Joe's
Bengal BBQ
Pizza Port
Taste Pilots Grill in DCA
Dole Whip (snack) Tiki Hut
Carnation Cafe
Hooke's Point (DLH)
RainForest (DDD)
Also love Bengal BBQ, white water snacks, Blue Bayou, and Goofy's Kitchen

[AllJackedUp]

I know they have in DL at NOS, either at French Market or Cafe Orleans...but the ones I saw had some fruit goop on them...

But I did also see them at DD at Ralph Brennan's take out window and I was tempted but had already gotten my BLUE cotton candy....:banana:

You know, my first instinct was to get something from the takeout window at Tortilla Jo's as well...but the whole reason we went there was to take a break from the park and have a nice quiet sit-down meal....well, I should have gone with my first instinct! Because it was a fraction of the price and the chips and guac looked pretty good! You live and you learn....hopefully

I've always wanted to try those beignets you make at home but I guess I've always thought that would kinda be like making a funnel cake at home...you sort of loose the experience and besides, if you can make it at home...it wouldn't be special when you do to DL (or the Ren Faire)

This thread has given me some good ideas as well for some new places to try...

[PrincessSitka]

After reading all of these wonderful place to eat I am hungry

[Shakthi]

Usually....whenever we go to DL....DW and I end up getting the quick window service food....I think this time....I'm gonna try more of the decent sit-down places to eat...like the RiverBelle Terrace and ( hopefully ) one of the nice restaurants in the DL hotels.

When you say "decent sit-down" what exactly do you mean? RiverBelle is like the other quick-service, tray places, isn't it? You stand in line, order and bring your tray over to any table available.

[iceskatejen]

True about Riverbelle not being a sit-down. DL has 3 sit-down/table service restaurants, Blue Bayou, Cafe Orleans, and Carnation Cafe. At Riverbelle (along with Rancho Del Zocalo and Plaza Inn, and maybe French Market--I never have eaten there), the only difference between those and other QSRs is that you eat off real plates and with real metal untensils as opposed to plastic. Oh and they're more expensive than other QSRs.

[CableKC]

When you say "decent sit-down" what exactly do you mean? RiverBelle is like the other quick-service, tray places, isn't it? You stand in line, order and bring your tray over to any table available.
I must have been mistaken from looking at the picture on the website for the RiverBelle.....I guess we will probably try that place for lunch....that's a place that we usually walk by but ignore...at leats when it comes to eating lunch.

[CableKC]

Most of the desserts that we end up getting usually is the ice cream or cookies....but DW loves having nice and fancy desserts. Any suggestions for nice places for desserts ( as in cakes or pastries )?

[honeymom]

I know you said that your husband loves Blue Bayou, but for the money you pay there you can eat at Ralph Brennan's or Napa Rose. We are just back from our trip - we ate at all 3, and BB just wasn't nearly as good as the other two.

[Albertan mom]

This has good reviews and pics too.....

http://www.ourlaughingplace.com/asp/dd.asp?step=1&locID=DLR

[PrincessSitka]

Albertan I am going to ebay to look for a tag farie to tag me

[Albertan mom]

Albertan I am going to ebay to look for a tag farie to tag me

It isn't cheap, hope you have a high credit limit!;)