Gluten Free Dining at the Disneyland Resort: A Superthread

[disfan07]

I just thought I'd share what I was just told. Keep in mind that things can change at any time and that this is only one specific restaurant, but I just spoke with a chef at Storyteller's Cafe. He told me that the breads are Udi's, pizza crusts are Venice Bakery and brownies are OMG It's Gluten Free. My 12yo can eat all of these though my 15yo can't eat any (stupid yeast and egg allergies). Thank goodness my 15yo is a very adventurous eater who will try just about any protein and starch put in front of her at least once, with or without any kind of sauce or seasonings so she'll be easy. The chef mentioned that the panna cotta is gluten free but I can't imagine how that could be made dairy free so it'll be out for us but many of you could eat it. They do also have sorbet.

Totally not DL related, but I'm loving how many gluten free and vegan restaurants there are around the city (we're not vegan but a place that at least has some vegan and gluten free items can accomodate milk and egg allergies on top of the gluten issue). LA is a great place for this kind of thing. I've found at least one restaurant that I think my kids will enjoy near most of the non-DL attractions. One place even had gluten free vegan loaded nachos. We'll bring a picnic when we go to the beach so I'm not concerned about there. I'm just not sure what we'll do when we go to the California Science Center. We'll probably have to put a cooler with lunch in the back of the car. Oh well.

I really have to get my Sensitive Sweets order placed. I plan to do that tonight. I'm just waiting on an email reply to a couple of questions. They told me on facebook that they need a week and I plan to pick up the order a week from tomorrow so I should be good. Disfan (I hope you're reading along), how does the size of the easycakes compare to regular cupcakes? If they're remotely similar I'll get all easycakes but if there's a big difference then I'll do a mixture.

The easy cakes are the same size from what I was told. It's one cupcake cut into thirds with three layers of frosting.

Did you call sensitive sweets and ask to speak with Melanie (the owner)? Or did you just email?

I don't know why they would need a week unless it's a special order (meaning special ingredients). I have placed orders to pick up next day and/or have delivered next day. If you call, they should be able to do next day. Even my cake for graduation only needed a few days notice. Thats just odd to me that they said they need a week....but it might depend on how many orders they currently have.

I don't know if you are interested but they have some specials that are not n the website and I have always been able to order them in
Erwin or by phone:
Apple crumb cake
Chocolate chip scones
Chcolate turnovers
Apple turnovers
Little monsters (2 double chocolate cookies with frosting in the middle!)

My favorites currently are: the double chcolate cupcakes and easy cakes, cinnamon cupcakes and easy cakes, tuxedo easy cakes, red velvet cupcakes and easy cakes, dark chocolate cupcakes, chocolate chip cookies, sugar cookies, snicker doodle cookies, chocolate chip scones, cookie dough truffles, and brownies.....so basically everything!! Hahah.


I always have to special order my cupcakes and brownies because I am allergic to bananas so they have to make a special batch with applesauce. But I've done next day orders with no problem. I hope you get your email answers soon...if not, I would definitely call and try and speak to Melanie if you have not already.

Hope you enjoy it!

 

[casjen]

Has anyone eaten at the original pancake house gluten free? If so, do you know if they can make dr and gf pancakes? I am 100% lactose intolerant so I must avoid dairy. But I am gluten sensitive so I can eat gf without worrying too much about cross contamination. I would be floored if they could accommodate that.

Thanks!

 

[ArchOwl]

Has anyone eaten at the original pancake house gluten free? If so, do you know if they can make dr and gf pancakes? I am 100% lactose intolerant so I must avoid dairy. But I am gluten sensitive so I can eat gf without worrying too much about cross contamination. I would be floored if they could accommodate that.

Thanks!

I am pretty certain that the pancakes at OPH are NOT dairy free. Sorry. As far as the other stuff on their menu, I am not sure. And I don't know if cross contamination is an issue for you in regards to dairy.

It does seem as though different OPH's handle the GF order differently. Some cook the GF pancakes on the same griddle as the other pancakes, so cross contamination is an issue. Others seem to do a better job at separating the GF orders to avoid contamination.

 

[clanmcculloch]

The easy cakes are the same size from what I was told. It's one cupcake cut into thirds with three layers of frosting.

Did you call sensitive sweets and ask to speak with Melanie (the owner)? Or did you just email?

I don't know why they would need a week unless it's a special order (meaning special ingredients). I have placed orders to pick up next day and/or have delivered next day. If you call, they should be able to do next day. Even my cake for graduation only needed a few days notice. Thats just odd to me that they said they need a week....but it might depend on how many orders they currently have.

I don't know if you are interested but they have some specials that are not n the website and I have always been able to order them in
Erwin or by phone:
Apple crumb cake
Chocolate chip scones
Chcolate turnovers
Apple turnovers
Little monsters (2 double chocolate cookies with frosting in the middle!)

My favorites currently are: the double chcolate cupcakes and easy cakes, cinnamon cupcakes and easy cakes, tuxedo easy cakes, red velvet cupcakes and easy cakes, dark chocolate cupcakes, chocolate chip cookies, sugar cookies, snicker doodle cookies, chocolate chip scones, cookie dough truffles, and brownies.....so basically everything!! Hahah.


I always have to special order my cupcakes and brownies because I am allergic to bananas so they have to make a special batch with applesauce. But I've done next day orders with no problem. I hope you get your email answers soon...if not, I would definitely call and try and speak to Melanie if you have not already.

Hope you enjoy it!

I only emailed. I asked via email if I could order other things that aren't listed on the site and I got a somewhat canned response saying I can order online.

cookie dough truffles? I didn't see those on the website. That sounds wonderful!

Interesting that you call one day ahead. Maybe I'll hold off a couple days until I'm out there and don't have to worry about the time difference.

Thanks for your help and for the recommendations. I'm looking forward to spending a whole lot of money there.

 

[disfan07]

I only emailed. I asked via email if I could order other things that aren't listed on the site and I got a somewhat canned response saying I can order online.

cookie dough truffles? I didn't see those on the website. That sounds wonderful!

Interesting that you call one day ahead. Maybe I'll hold off a couple days until I'm out there and don't have to worry about the time difference.

Thanks for your help and for the recommendations. I'm looking forward to spending a whole lot of money there.

I wonder if Melanie was not the one who answered you on Facebook. She's always been very good about taking special orders from me but I don't know if it's because I am a weekly (or twice weekly sometimes!) customer.

It can take a couple of tries to get through to Melanie though because she is not always at the store (she does keep scheduled hours as far as I know) and she is just so busy.

But they have definitely expanded on what you can order online. When I started going there last year there were only like 3 types of cupcakes and a couple of easy cakes to order from. Now there are like 9 or so different cupcakes and I think like 6 easy cakes.

Honestly, I think they are going through a few growing pains right now with how busy they are getting. Luckily their products aren't suffering and are still wonderful but I've noticed a lot more staff there than a few months ago.

You are planning on picking the order up right? Not shipping it? Because I think that makes a difference with what can be shipped. I don't think cookie dough truffles can be shipped and I'm not sure what else can't be shipped. From my experience though, everything can be picked up but I don't know if they've changed that in the past month (I haven't been there since about June 13th).

When are you going to be heading out here?

I'm actually heading down there today to pick up some stuff and to place an order. So hopefully they will let me place a special order! I'll let you know if I find that anything has changed with ordering.

 

[PrincessFelisha]

Hi there!

Does anyone know if I can order GF Mickey Waffles at the Carnation Cafe? And should I make an ADR for breakfast on a Saturday morning? Thanks!!!

 

[ArchOwl]

Hi there!

Does anyone know if I can order GF Mickey Waffles at the Carnation Cafe? And should I make an ADR for breakfast on a Saturday morning? Thanks!!!

I have never requested the GF waffles at Carnation, I believe they do have GF pancakes, though. It might be worth an email or call to Special Diets to see if it is available.

I know they have the GF Mickey waffles at Plaza Inn.

I would make an ADR if you know what time you want to eat. It can be a bit of a wait without reservations.

 

[PrincessFelisha]

Thank you for the info! I appreciate your help!

 

[allsaintsatx]

I have never requested the GF waffles at Carnation, I believe they do have GF pancakes, though. It might be worth an email or call to Special Diets to see if it is available.

I know they have the GF Mickey waffles at Plaza Inn.

I would make an ADR if you know what time you want to eat. It can be a bit of a wait without reservations.

We had the GF pancakes at Carnation Cafe for breakfast about a month ago, and although they're not the Mickey Waffle they were delicious!! It was the GF version of the apple granola pancakes they have on their regular menu. I was a little disappointed when they brought them out because there was no syrup with it and a ramekin on the side that was full of what looked like apple soup. I reluctantly poured the apple mixture on my pancakes and WOW was I wrong!!!! They were amazing!! I had the GF apple pancakes 2 more times on our 5 day trip and we are planning a few more breakfast stops at Carnation Cafe when we go back for Halloween week so I can have those GF apple pancakes again!!

tip: put a little butter on the pancakes first and then pour the WHOLE cup of apples on top. I'm dreaming of them right now...

 

[ArchOwl]

We had the GF pancakes at Carnation Cafe for breakfast about a month ago, and although they're not the Mickey Waffle they were delicious!! It was the GF version of the apple granola pancakes they have on their regular menu. I was a little disappointed when they brought them out because there was no syrup with it and a ramekin on the side that was full of what looked like apple soup. I reluctantly poured the apple mixture on my pancakes and WOW was I wrong!!!! They were amazing!! I had the GF apple pancakes 2 more times on our 5 day trip and we are planning a few more breakfast stops at Carnation Cafe when we go back for Halloween week so I can have those GF apple pancakes again!!

tip: put a little butter on the pancakes first and then pour the WHOLE cup of apples on top. I'm dreaming of them right now...

Awesome! Thank you for the review, it is definitely on my list now!

 

[frank430316]

We just talked to the chef at Big Thunder BBQ and they have recently changed their recipes slightly. Now everything (except the cornbread of course) is gluten-free! It pretty much eliminates any cross contamination issues, and the ribs are great! They also have a new gluten-free dessert, but we were too full to try. I think this makes the BBQ the most Celiac friendly restaurant in DLR.

 

[mom2girls1974]

We just talked to the chef at Big Thunder BBQ and they have recently changed their recipes slightly. Now everything (except the cornbread of course) is gluten-free! It pretty much eliminates any cross contamination issues, and the ribs are great! They also have a new gluten-free dessert, but we were too full to try. I think this makes the BBQ the most Celiac friendly restaurant in DLR.

Oh so happy I booked here know -I really hummed and hawed (LOL) about booking here, as I was so unsure about what we would eat. I hope a lot is dairy free, as one of my kiddos will get SO sick if she eats any. This was my all time favorite place last time! Our first place we eat at this trip -can't wait!

 

[kindakrazy2]

We just talked to the chef at Big Thunder BBQ and they have recently changed their recipes slightly. Now everything (except the cornbread of course) is gluten-free! It pretty much eliminates any cross contamination issues, and the ribs are great! They also have a new gluten-free dessert, but we were too full to try. I think this makes the BBQ the most Celiac friendly restaurant in DLR.

I wasn't going to book this place, wasn't even on my radar but suddenly I'm feeling the need to eat there. Both of my kids have celiac and while its nice that disney accommodates I think they'd be thrilled to be able to eat everything (except the cornbread) that is served. Hmmm...I think we may need to do this!

 

[Denine]

We just talked to the chef at Big Thunder BBQ and they have recently changed their recipes slightly. Now everything (except the cornbread of course) is gluten-free! It pretty much eliminates any cross contamination issues, and the ribs are great! They also have a new gluten-free dessert, but we were too full to try. I think this makes the BBQ the most Celiac friendly restaurant in DLR.

Yeah! We may have to go here now.

 

[Denine]

My daughter wants to know if you know what the GF dessert is and if they serve a GF bread since the corn bread isn't GF.

 

[frank430316]

My daughter wants to know if you know what the GF dessert is and if they serve a GF bread since the corn bread isn't GF.

They do have gluten-free rolls which they bring instead of the corn bread, and the dessert was a chocolate flourless Mickey cake - Mickey-shaped chocolate cake layered with chocoloate mousse and served with whipped topping. They also have floats, made with Dreyers Ice Cream which are probably g-f (the chef could say for sure).

 

[Wonder2008]

That is great to hear. Like others here, I wasn't planning on eating at Big Thunder BBQ (I'm thinking about going over the holidays), but it sounds like I should at least consider it.

You mentioned chocolate flourless cake. I had my first flourless cake at Walt Disney World's Polynesian Resort earlier this year, and it was wonderful! Is there any chance something similar is offered at other locations (perhaps Disneyland's or California Adventure's bakery or othere table service restaurants)?

By the way, the allergy lists made available on this thread simply say "Menu offerings available" for Big Thunder Ranch. (Almost) everything being gluten-free sounds much better!

Thanks,
Robert

 

[Denine]

They do have gluten-free rolls which they bring instead of the corn bread, and the dessert was a chocolate flourless Mickey cake - Mickey-shaped chocolate cake layered with chocoloate mousse and served with whipped topping. They also have floats, made with Dreyers Ice Cream which are probably g-f (the chef could say for sure).

DD would love that, thanks!

 

[clanmcculloch]

Just thought I'd share that I started my dining review from our recent trip. Our meals are a free of a heck of a lot more than gluten so be aware that most of you will have lots more options than we did but we still ate pretty well all things considered (not WDW well but pretty well compared to the real world).

So far I've written up reviews of a bunch of non-Disney places around the city and a couple of the Disney ones. I promise I'll do the rest of the Disney ones. It's just been crazy since I got home so I haven't had a chance to finish.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3149806

 

[kindakrazy2]

Does anyone know where I can get gluten free Mickey waffles for the kids?

Thanks!