Are there any unlisted/secret menu items in the MDR?

[Rebecca Pocahontas]

I don't mean anything special that they don't want people to know about, but just regular things that can be made that are unlisted on the menu.

For instance, I recently found out that I can order a caesar salad at dinner. This is never listed on the menu, but the servers didn't act like I was ordering anything out of the ordinary. So I am wondering if there is anything similar to that? Regular food that might not be listed but could easily be made.

Usually I like to eat more simpler foods, especially on a cruise. Whenever I go on a Princess cruise they always have a shrimp cocktail, caesar salad, and alfredo pasta, and I usually like order that combination of things when nothing else appeals to me or if I've eaten too much rich/flavorful foods during the day.

 

[PsylockeSmythe]

I don't know of any secret menu items; but on our last Cruise in the Med on the Magic, I had a Caesar salad each night with dinner and they made me a vanilla sunday for dessert each night when I didn't care for any of the items on the menu.

Psy

 

[Barbydoll8]

All the MDR;'s have a section titled "lighter fare" on the menu. These are usually plain items like sirloin steak, baked chicken etc. BUT you can order off of any of the MDR's menus in any MDR. I recommend looking at the menu's on line and see if there are items that would appeal to you more than others.
You can also order off of the kids menu which has more simple meals listed.
Worst case scenario, you can see if there just isn't anything on the menu's at all that appeal to you. If that's the case, tell your server the very first night and they usually can arrange something for you.
They go above and beyond to ensure your dining experience is one you will enjoy rather than dread.

 

[AquaDame]

I had heard if you ask for curry they can bring you some and it was very good, so I tried this on my last cruise. They could not do it that night, but brought HUGE bowls of vegetarian and meat curry out the following night for us. It was WAY too much food, and to be honest seemed a bit of a bother for them (and was very basic curry.... I had hoped for something with a bit more spice to it). After asking for something special I felt like I had to eat it which made the portion size a big problem for me... It was nice to try, but I'm not sure I'd go out of my way to do it again.

 

[StarSeven7]

I'd love to know this too. I'm a big pasta eater and not so much a meat and veggies eater but it seems like there's not many pasta options on the menus.

 

[MomOTwins]

BUT you can order off of any of the MDR's menus in any MDR. I recommend looking at the menu's on line and see if there are items that would appeal to you more than others.

Two things:

First, the three MDRs typically only have their own unique "rotational" menus for three nights of the cruise, and the remaining nights they all have the same menu (e.g., Pirate menu is served at all three restaurants on pirate night).

Second, I don't know if this is true on the classic ships, but at least on the Dream/Fantasy, there are two separate galleys serving the three MDRs. So depending on what other MDR you order food from, your server may have to go to a completely different galley to get the item you requested. Once, this would not be an issue, but if it is every course at every meal, you are going to be throwing off that server's timing for all of his or her tables by a pretty considerable amount. So this is one of those situations where it can be fine if done sparingly, but consider your other cruise guests when requesting special treatment that uses up more of your server's resources.

 

[Buzzsawelp]

Two things:

First, the three MDRs typically only have their own unique "rotational" menus for three nights of the cruise, and the remaining nights they all have the same menu (e.g., Pirate menu is served at all three restaurants on pirate night).

Second, I don't know if this is true on the classic ships, but at least on the Dream/Fantasy, there are two separate galleys serving the three MDRs. So depending on what other MDR you order food from, your server may have to go to a completely different galley to get the item you requested. Once, this would not be an issue, but if it is every course at every meal, you are going to be throwing off that server's timing for all of his or her tables by a pretty considerable amount. So this is one of those situations where it can be fine if done sparingly, but consider your other cruise guests when requesting special treatment that uses up more of your server's resources.

I don’t believe it is true that the MDR have the same menu after the first rotational dining. On the 7 night carribean cruises I think only Pirate Night is a common menu across all restraints now.

 

[PurplePencil]

Two things:

First, the three MDRs typically only have their own unique "rotational" menus for three nights of the cruise, and the remaining nights they all have the same menu (e.g., Pirate menu is served at all three restaurants on pirate night).

Second, I don't know if this is true on the classic ships, but at least on the Dream/Fantasy, there are two separate galleys serving the three MDRs. So depending on what other MDR you order food from, your server may have to go to a completely different galley to get the item you requested. Once, this would not be an issue, but if it is every course at every meal, you are going to be throwing off that server's timing for all of his or her tables by a pretty considerable amount. So this is one of those situations where it can be fine if done sparingly, but consider your other cruise guests when requesting special treatment that uses up more of your server's resources.

Well said. This option is very helpful for those with dietary restrictions (ie. I am a vegetarian and was able to get a vegetarian soup on a night when there were none listed in my rotation restaurant.)
To answer OP I believe there are chicken nuggets, cheese pizza and Mac n’ cheese available every night from the kids menu. Additionally Mickey Bars, bowls of fruit and baked potatoes are available every night.

 

[DisneYE]

I don't mean anything special that they don't want people to know about, but just regular things that can be made that are unlisted on the menu.

For instance, I recently found out that I can order a caesar salad at dinner. This is never listed on the menu, but the servers didn't act like I was ordering anything out of the ordinary. So I am wondering if there is anything similar to that? Regular food that might not be listed but could easily be made.

Usually I like to eat more simpler foods, especially on a cruise. Whenever I go on a Princess cruise they always have a shrimp cocktail, caesar salad, and alfredo pasta, and I usually like order that combination of things when nothing else appeals to me or if I've eaten too much rich/flavorful foods during the day.

I'm a vegetarian and often times I don't like what's on the MDR menu
I've asked a few times for the pasta primavera that they have at cabanas. . a couple of times also a cheese plate when I didn't feel like eating a heavy meal. I love that about the DCL.

 

[brentm77]

The servers have pretty difficult jobs keeping dinner moving, especially for early dinner, where they must have everyone fed in time to set up for the next meal. I would be considerate about asking for anything too unusual except for when needed for dietary reasons. I can only imagine the added stress if all of us are asking for items off of the menu every night. If they offer, or if it is an occasional request, it isn't inconsiderate. But generally, I am in favor of making their jobs easier by picking from the menu.

 

[Rob1872]

I've been able to order a Caesar salad, and one cruise I ordered a basic side salad when I didn't like the soup/salad offerings. Those (and Mickey bars for desert) are the only 'non menu' things we've ordered.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

There isn't a secret menu, but there are things the servers can get for you or alterations that can be made. Like with the Caesar salad that isn't on the menu but can be ordered, my DD prefers a very plain salad with just romaine lettuce, carrots, and Ranch dressing. She's always been able to get that. We let our server know the first night that she will want that every night and it's usually on the table waiting for her. There have been cruises when she has ordered mac and cheese every night, even if it isn't on the menu and they've always been able to bring it for her. At Animator's Palate, I prefer regular mashed potatoes over the wasabi mashed potatoes. They've never had an issue with that substitution. On one of our cruises, a gentleman sitting at our table let the servers know he really liked the sea bass entree from Enchanted Garden and they brought it to him 3 nights.

To the PP who mentioned they liked pasta but it isn't always on the menu, ask because pasta is a request they are usually able to accommodate. It would be helpful if you requested the night before to get a pasta dish the next night.

I think the key is to ask ahead of time and not expect to order something completely different than anything else on the menus. Also, be polite.

 

[dtk07]

Any thoughts on Uncrustables peanut butter and jelly sandwiches?

Our last cruise was our first trip and we took some advice about it being ok to ask for other things and asked for uncrustable for our son. Our sever made it happen but I could tell after asking that it was an extra task. The next day he mentioned the head server had been missing the night before and the head server would normally help with special requests.

We have a picky eater and it would be nice to ask for those again but I don't know if it's a good idea.

 

[FigmentSpark]

We had a server that was also serving a table from Concierge. On the last night of service, that table decided they wanted dinner in their room, so he had to keep running up to them to serve them. That left the assistant to serve the rest of his tables.

If Concierge can make that request and disrupt service, then asking for an uncrustable or something from another dining room is not a great burden by comparison. It's their job to see that the patrons are fed and happy.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Any thoughts on Uncrustables peanut butter and jelly sandwiches?

Our last cruise was our first trip and we took some advice about it being ok to ask for other things and asked for uncrustable for our son. Our sever made it happen but I could tell after asking that it was an extra task. The next day he mentioned the head server had been missing the night before and the head server would normally help with special requests.

We have a picky eater and it would be nice to ask for those again but I don't know if it's a good idea.

Just give your server a head's up early in the cruise that such an item would extremely useful to have on hand for your cruise. They really want to be helpful, but they need to be told what works.

 

[lklgoodman]

Any thoughts on Uncrustables peanut butter and jelly sandwiches?

Our last cruise was our first trip and we took some advice about it being ok to ask for other things and asked for uncrustable for our son. Our sever made it happen but I could tell after asking that it was an extra task. The next day he mentioned the head server had been missing the night before and the head server would normally help with special requests.

We have a picky eater and it would be nice to ask for those again but I don't know if it's a good idea.

Asking ahead like others have said is the best way to handle it. You can also order them from room service. I've never bought them before so I don't know how they need to be kept to stay good. If you got several from room service could you keep them at room temp for a few days or you could put them in your cabinet's refrigerator and then take one with you to dinner? Do you have to put them in a toaster or microwave in order to eat them?

 

[JaimeInParker]

I had heard if you ask for curry they can bring you some and it was very good, so I tried this on my last cruise. They could not do it that night, but brought HUGE bowls of vegetarian and meat curry out the following night for us. It was WAY too much food, and to be honest seemed a bit of a bother for them (and was very basic curry.... I had hoped for something with a bit more spice to it). After asking for something special I felt like I had to eat it which made the portion size a big problem for me... It was nice to try, but I'm not sure I'd go out of my way to do it again.

I was on the Wonder at one time and I was sitting with a vegan and she was served a delicious curry - ask the HEAD SERVER and they will hook you up - as well if you want Creme Brulee - they will go to a different kitchen to get it for you

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Asking ahead like others have said is the best way to handle it. You can also order them from room service. I've never bought them before so I don't know how they need to be kept to stay good. If you got several from room service could you keep them at room temp for a few days or you could put them in your cabinet's refrigerator and then take one with you to dinner? Do you have to put them in a toaster or microwave in order to eat them?

No Uncrustables do not need to be reheated.

From the Uncrustables page: Keep Uncrustables Sandwiches frozen until ready to eat. Thaw 30 to 60 minutes at room temperature, and eat within 6 to 8 hours of thawing for best flavor.

• Refrigerated Uncrustables Sandwiches should be eaten within 1 day or 24 hours for best taste. Unrefrigerated Uncrustables Sandwiches should be eaten within 6-8 hours of thawing.

 

[squirk]

No Uncrustables do not need to be reheated.

From the Uncrustables page: Keep Uncrustables Sandwiches frozen until ready to eat. Thaw 30 to 60 minutes at room temperature, and eat within 6 to 8 hours of thawing for best flavor.

• Refrigerated Uncrustables Sandwiches should be eaten within 1 day or 24 hours for best taste. Unrefrigerated Uncrustables Sandwiches should be eaten within 6-8 hours of thawing.

What, no photo?

 

[DCLObsessed]

No Uncrustables do not need to be reheated.

From the Uncrustables page: Keep Uncrustables Sandwiches frozen until ready to eat. Thaw 30 to 60 minutes at room temperature, and eat within 6 to 8 hours of thawing for best flavor.

• Refrigerated Uncrustables Sandwiches should be eaten within 1 day or 24 hours for best taste. Unrefrigerated Uncrustables Sandwiches should be eaten within 6-8 hours of thawing.

This is off topic from original subject but rather in regards to Uncrustables. On our cruise on the Wonder in January on the breakfast buffet in Cabanas they had the Uncrustables that had been fried like pancakes....such a simple thing but oh.my. that was so good!