A family of American food lovers needs help!

[grinningghost]

Our family is very cuisine challenged. None of us cares for anything more ethnic than Mexican or Italian. We will also be bringing a picky friend of my DD's. So it's pretty important that we choose restaurants with "normal" food.

We've done 50's Prime Time in the past and loved it, so I guess I already have that picked out. Can anyone suggest a couple more very "family friendly" restaurants with really "recognizable" menu items?

Many thanks guys!

 

[Mom of 5]

DH and I just got back from WDW on Monday night. One of our new favorites is Cape May. I'm a picky eater - I don't like anything too different or exotic. Cape May is a buffet that fit the bill for me. We like it so much that we ate there twice over a long weekend .

The entrees included boiled shrimp, baked salmon, clams, mussels, flank steak, roasted chicken, paella (spelling?) one night, and some sausage pasta dish the other. They also had a salad bar, soups, rolls, veggies (green beans, squash), mashed potatoes, and a huge dessert bar. There is also a special bar for children (which anyone can eat from) that had corn on the cob, fried clams and fish nuggets, and macaroni and cheese.

Another of our favorites is Beaches and Cream. They have great hamburgers, malts and shakes, and wonderful ice-cream desserts. It's a cute little soda shop - a fun place to go for dinner or just dessert.

Hope this helps -

 

[sha_lyn]

do you liek griiled meat and fried rice? 'Ohana's food is very good and to me "plain". Grilled meat, salad, mixed vegetables, chicken wings, fried ric etc.

We love the burgers at Peco's Bills. Many like the thanksgiving type dinner at Liberty tree tavern

We think Mama Melrose has good italian.

 

[Safari Steve]

Try The Land at Epcot.
Garden Grill is an All-You-Can-Eat Character meal served "Family Style (all the food is brought to the table in large bowls and skillets, and everyone helps themselves). The menu includes a Garden Salad (mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and a ranch dressing)
Rotisserie Chicken
Mashed Potatoes with mushroom gravy (served on the side)
Marinated Flank Steak
Fried Catfish (very mild... not "fishy" like salmon/tuna)
Steamed Vegetables
Cornbread Stuffing
Dessert is a choice between "worms in dirt" (chocolate pudding w/ cookie crumbs and gummi-worms) and a "more adult" choice.
After the initial serving, the server will be more than happy to bring out more of whatever you liked most.
During your meal, Farmer Mickey, Chip, Dale, and Pluto will visit your table as you rotate through the Rain Forest, Desert, American Prairie and farm scenes of the Land Boat Ride.
Garden Grill is open from lunch-8pm every day.

Downstairs is the Sunshine Season Food Fair, a food court serving Barbeque, Potatoes, Pasta, Salads, Sandwiches, Ice Cream, and baked goods.

 

[MandaMom]

Here's another vote for

Liberty Tree Tavern in the MK
Beaches and Cream at the YC/BC

Take a look at some menus and reviews here:

http://wdwig.com/dining.htm

Hope this helps

MandaMom

 

[BounceyOne]

For great American food you have to go to liberty tree tavern. We love this palce for two reasons, one the food is awesome and two they do not serve chicken fingers or french fries. For dinner atleast.

 

[BCV23]

The Plaza at MK has traditional sandwiches and salads at decent prices. Same menu all day so it can be a reasonably priced dinner at a sitdown. Great ice cream dishes, too.

 

[erikthewise]

Here's another vote for Garden Grill. I went there a year ago, and to Liberty Tree three weeks ago. The food at Garden Grill was significantly better. I really like the atmosphere of LTT and hope I just caught them on a bad night.

 

[raidermatt]

Another Liberty Tree Tavern vote...

Shula's is a GREAT steak place, though its pricy...

Fulton's has good seafood, and Captain Jack's also has a pretty "normal" menu...

Planet Hollywood and Rainforest Cafe also have more "recognizable" menus...

Hollywood and Vine has a good buffet, chicken, beef, potatoes, pasta, etc...

 

[grinningghost]

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions!

 

[pwcarlson]

I thought of two that have been over looked. I have heard that there is a great buffet at the Wilderness Campground. Very nicely priced and great atmosphere. Did not have a chance yet to get to it but have it on our "places to try" list.

Another one of our favorites is ESPN Club for their burgers and fries, chicken wings (buffalo and bbq) and desserts. It can be hard to get into in the evenings so try for lunch. The guys can watch tv and I enjoyed looking over the lake and boardwalk.

Sometimes "normal" food is just what we want too.

 

[KrnB]

Try going to a show at the Hoopy Dee Do Review... Ribs, corn on the cob, strawberry shortcake. Good American food with fun entertainment at the same time!

 

[PatsMom]

You can usually get the same ribs and chicken served at Hoop de Doo at the Trail's End buffet next door in Fort Wilderness. The prices are very reasonable for WDW. No PS available, but we've never really waited. You can take the boat from MK to the campground. In addition to chicken and ribs, there is usually pizza, a salad bar, a carved meat, a fish dish and lots of side dishes. And soup and dessert. We absolutely love this place and never miss it!

 

[eeyore0062]

You really shouldn't have that hard of a time... most places have pretty varied menus, but since you asked...

Steak places, such as Yachtsman, Concourse or Le Cellier will have familiar food. Try Garden Grille, Crystal Palace, Liberty Tree Tavern, Tusker House... that should get you started!

 

[JulesMom]

I'm in the same boat you are. Kids and DH won't try anything even a little different.

They like:

Whispering Canyon Cafe
Sci-Fi
Garden Grille
Any breakfast buffet
Pecos Bill's
Cosmic Ray's
Beaches & Cream
Chef Mickey's
Electric Umbrella
Liberty Inn
Trail's End

And...any hotel food court

 

[RuthAnne123]

We thought Flame Tree bar b que and House of Blues were both really good! HOB has a neat atmosphere too.

What about a little fish and chips as a British choice?

We liked all three of the above!

 

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad Says..................................Almost every restaurant has a kids menu, with the same old burger and fries, hot dog and fries, grilled cheese and fries, chicken fingers and fries etc.. Same goes with most counter service places. Just remember the portions are huge and you will get 63,218 fries with each order! And try to get the carrots in place of fries if you can, many places will do this. Much better for you and you'll still end up with lots of fries somewhere else. I would limit the number of sit downs you do, if you are happy with burger and fries do counter service.
Some sitdowns we have tried and liked, and are pretty American so to speak: MGM, Hollywood and Vine is a buffet with foods you will like. Sci Fi Diner is really cool as you know and is definately Americanized. EPCOT, At least eat at San Angel in Mexico, for a change of pace. Garden Grille is good. AKL, Tusker House is a good value if you like chicken. We buy two meals for Me, MW and 12yo DD. thats 6-8 pieces of chicken ( Ithink they cut back the portions) and 126,436 fries! MK, These are counter service, but pretty good. Columbia Harbour House, and Cosmic Rays. And for a quick dog and fries you can't go wrong with Casey's on Main Street.

 

[DancingBear]

In some senses, I am a picky eater, in that I'm not interested in sushi, unusual animal parts, game or a very wide range of seafood; however, I do enjoy new experiences, spices and tastes, so

I would suggest that WDW is a great place for a fairly safe food adventure--something with the excitement of a new experience but not too risky to take the kids.

For example:

Biergarten in Germany in Epcot's World Showcase. Sure things have foreign names like schnitzel, wurst, sauerbraten and spaetzle, but it's really just chicken, sausages, roast pork and noodles!! And you get a great oompah band and dancers (at least at dinnertime).

OR

Teppanyaki Grill in Japan. It's really just grilled meat and veggies, but with a nice cooking show.

OR

For a real stretch, try the buffet at Akershus or Boma. I don't eat no herring, but I could easily fill up on the meatballs, potato salad, ham, etc. in Norway, and then just get a taste of a few "different" items---same idea in Boma--you'll have the Prime Rib, mac & cheese and salad to fall back on, but wouldn't you like a no-risk taste of a sweet potato pancake, or chicken corn porridge?

 

[Grumpy92]

Resorts:
Beaches & Cream, GF Cafe, Chef Mickey's, Whispering Canyon, Cape May, Yachtsmans St, ESPN Club
Planet Hollywood, All Star Cafe, House of Blues

Parks:
LTT, Columbia Harbor House, Plaza, Pizzafari, Restaurantasoris, Le Cellier, Rose & Crown, Sunshine Fair Foods (land), Liberty Inn, Sci Fi, 50s PT

Check out the menus at www.wdwig.com/menu/menus.htm