Beaches & Cream - worth a special trip

[tally-minnie]

I've heard great things about Beaches & Cream, but have never been there. Is it worth walking over there for lunch on the day I'm at Epcot? I am looking for a burger that's better at what you can get at the CS places.

 

[Macysmom32]

Then, that 's the place to go, IMHO. Great hot dogs, too
The walk is very peaceful and beautiful. Beaches and cream is small and very crowded, but there are tables and rockers outside while you wait. The ice cream is AWESOME as are the Milk shakes. Better than any counter service anywhere else, for sure!! We always make a point of stopping on our EPCOT day.

Shelley

 

[Wazzo]

My Mom and I LOVE their cheeseburgers and onion rings. We share, so that we still have room to share the best sundae ever... the No Way Jose. IMHO, it is definitely worth the trip!

 

[Lucy2005]

I have to tell you that I read all about it and so we ate there on our first night last December. I thought the food was horrible. I would only go for an icecream in the future.
Lucy

 

[Jill in Chicago]

We went in October. Due to misleading information we bumbled and stumbled are way over there in 92 degree heat. Even after all of that we thought the food was fantastic! We all had burgers and they were great. I am very picky about my ice cream, and theirs was soooo yummy!

Is it worth it to leave Epcot that has to be your call. How many attractions would you have to give up to go over there? It is a nice easy walk, and a very attractive walk as well.

 

[Pakey]

I think it's worth it if you can walk over there and not have a long wait time to get a table. Otherwise, no, I don't think it's worth it. The ice cream is very good--the burgers are nothing spectacular--just an average burger.

Just keep in mind that this place is very small and it is crowded. The service is fast once you get seated but you could have quite a wait if you are going at a busy time.

 

[Anne's Family]

I don't go for the food (although it IS good), I go for the Milky Way Sundae. MMMMMMmmmmmmmmm!

 

[pxefig]

The food really doesn't taste different than any other hot dog or hamburger on property. Plus, the restaurant is tiny, so if there's a wait list (which there usually is) it takes FOREVER to be seated.
That being said, the ice cream is good. I would go if you are an ice cream person, but if it is just to get a hamburger, it's really not worth the hassle of leaving a theme park.

 

[erikthewise]

Plan on an early lunch that day. If you get there between 11:00 (opening) and 11:30 you shouldn't have any trouble. If you can't make it that early try to get there before noon.

One time we went in the evening around 7:00, and were told there was an hour wait for a table. We were already turning away when we heard "but we can seat you immediately at the counter". We took it! So if they tell you there's a wait, ask about seating at the counter.

The burgers are not the best at WDW (e.g. Sci-Fi has better), but at $7 they're a good value for WDW.

 

[crisi]

I found it disappointing. Burger was the same counter service burger from all over (though the bun was better). Good onion rings. Grocery store ice cream. Lousy service, dirty restaurant, and a twenty minute wait to get seated at 3:30 in the afternoon (followed by a 20 minute wait for our waitress to show up and take our orders). This was two years ago however (back when it was getting consistantly better reviews though than it does now). That this is regarded as the best burger and ice cream at Disney only underscores the sad state of burgers and ice cream at Disney.

 

[DisneyKidds]

Interesting the different observations you read.

We eat at Beaches and Cream often. We've had counter service burgers in the parks. They are most definitely not the same. Heck, even if someone argued that they are the same patties (which I don't believe they are), the burgers at B&C are freshly made to order, done to your specification. We find the burgers at B&C to be excellent. I've never had a CS burger in the parks that has been anywhere close. The ice cream is excellent as well (I've never seen anything like the Milky Way sundae in my supermarket), and the atmosphere is fun. We've always found the servers to be very friendly.

Is it worth a special trip? We think so. Of course no trip is complete for us unless we drop in on the Beach Club for a visit, so we'd be there anyway. If you are looking to have lunch there, and you are going to be in the World Showcase anyway, B&C is a 10 minute detour out of the park to get over there, and another 10 to get back. Depending on time of year, you shouldn't have to wait too long for a table for lunch. I think it's worth the half hour out of your day.

 

[ms_mckenna]

I agree that it is worth a special trip. Course I with the PP saying that it is not a Disney trip without a trip to BC. From the International Gateway it is probably at most a 10 minute walk (thought I don't think it is that long) to Beaches and Cream. The burgers are great, and the icecream is devine! Be sure and go any day but Sunday and Monday. Stop by the BC lobby and meet Art the Greeter to add to your BC experience. :

 

[fla4fun]

While I think the burgers are good, I wouldn't say they are the best on property (but, then, I prefer a thick burger to a thin one). I prefer the burgers at Yacht Club Galley which is virtually next door to Beaches and Cream and unless there's a big convention in house, usually has very little wait to get in for lunch. The big advantage though is that 9 times out of 10 you will get a cold/lukewarm burger at the CS locations and the one at B&C will be fresh, so it does taste much better than your typical CS. However, if you are in to ice cream sundaes, B&C is definitely worth a trip. I agree with asking about counter sitting, as they will often seat you faster at the counter (and people don't linger there as long, so the seats open up sooner). There is also a take out line where you can get ice cream, which if there is a wait for the restaurant may get you your treat much sooner.

I agree that you should try to plan your visit right around opening time to minimize your wait time.

 

[MickeyNicki]

We tried to make it over to Beaches and Cream on many trips but were never able to make it...last month we made sure to do it and god it was awesome! From now on I will go out of my way to eat there.

 

[dburg30]

Is this the place that has the 'kitchen sink' thing?

 

[BadgerBruce]

We have never had a burger at B&C that was anything like the ones in the park. Me & DW always split a delicious double cheeseburger & onion rings-along with a yummy chocolate shake! Having found increasingly fewer CS options we care for at Epcot, B&C is a great alternative!

 

[Anne's Family]

Kitchen Sink - yes. It's fun to watch them make it and then take it to someone ELSE to eat it! I remember their burgers being very good.

This restaurant is PAINFULLY small. I keep wondering if they'll ever sacrifice anything around it to enlarge the dining area. I sat at the counter last trip since I was alone anyway. One time though, we tried to cram 2 adults and 3 children around two of those teeny-tiny bistro tables out front. It wasn't pretty. The birds around us knew what would happen and they were at the ready for drop outs (as opposed to hand-outs!)

Still love the place.

 

[Happyflower]

When on the dining plan, does the dessert for the CS meal include those big sundaes? ex. no way jose?

 

[ms_mckenna]

Beaches and Cream is counted as a TS not a CS. Now that being said yes you can get the desserts with the TS meal. The "Kitchen Sink" is not included on the DDP from what I have heard, but I have also heard of people who were allowed to share it as a dessert on the DDP.

All bought with TS credits:

 

[byoung]

We love it there.