Best cheap food for dinner at MK

[bladiator]

I am pre-pre-pre-planning a trip with my parents and in-laws and trying to combat every possible complaint (I'm sure I'm the only one that has to deal with that

So my thought is that with a 1 year old I'm going to want to go back to the room for lunch and a nap, so that will get the parents some down time as well and keep my food costs down, but I don't want to leave the park again at night for dinner (presumably we'll be staying offsite so that will be a ton of wasted time). So what is a nice TS at MK for cheaper prices with decent food, or heck .. even the finest QS food you can get that is enjoyable? My first thought is always something like Cosmic Ray's even though they are pretty much just burgers and fries for the most part. I rarely eat at MK though ... usually save my pennies for Epcot at every meal, haha. No answer is (too) wrong! Thanks.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Cosmic Ray's used to be our go-to for dinner in the MK, but it looks like the chicken and rib combo is gone so IDK.

Pecos Bill is great if you like Mexican. The fajita platter is huge! You can easily share one between two people.

We are also big fans of Columbia Harbor House.

 

[GillianP1301]

The QS are all pretty similar in pricing so choosing based on your food preference is your best bet. Depending on the size of appetites, it may be possible to do some meal sharing to help keep your costs down. As for TS, The Plaza is on the lower end of the price range and in many cases very close to QS prices. Just remember to factor in the cost of the tip which will drive the cost up a bit.

Another option may be to check menus and see if there are appetizers that appeal to you at any of the TS restaurants. Often times an appetizer is large enough to satisfy for a meal. Skipper's Canteen has a few interesting ones, for example.

 

[disneyAndi14]

The Plaza is not real expensive and is a sit down, it is small but very enjoyable.

 

[FutureDisneyEventPlanner]

Friar's Nook has the BEST mac and cheese i've ever had! it's counter service, but you can go sit upstairs in Pinocchio Village Haus and watch Fantasyland

 

[chris benton]

Suggestion:
Don't rule out the short walk or monorail ride over to The Contemporary.

 

[jsmla]

I agree with The Plaza, most entrees are large and under $20 per person. The food is solid if unremarkable-burgers, sandwiches and salads.

 

[bladiator]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions!

Friar's Nook has the BEST mac and cheese i've ever had! it's counter service, but you can go sit upstairs in Pinocchio Village Haus and watch Fantasyland

I thought of this. I can still taste the mac and cheese .. oh man. So good!

 

[kevtlas]

Pepper Market has a good variety and on par with most quick service prices.

 

[dclpluto]

Skipper canteen. Reasonable prices and good food and plently of food.

 

[gillep]

The Plaza.

 

[GPC0321]

Pepper Market has a good variety and on par with most quick service prices.

Pepper Market is at Coronado Springs Resort. The OP wants a place in Magic Kingdom.

I'd say The Plaza. I've never eaten there, but if I wanted cheap-ish dinner at MK and didn't want to have to carry trays of food around hoping to find a seat, I'd go for The Plaza.

 

[danielocha30]

Columbia Harbor House! find a table on the second floor by a window and you will have the ambiance of a table service, on a quick service price

 

[SGMCO]

For cheaper I consider QS and was surprised at how good the New Flatbread pizzas were at Pinocchio's Haus on our last trip, not the old WDW pizza (Digurino style) but a thin crisp crust with lots of flavor, I got the Vegetarian.

 

[bashuck]

We are fans of Pecos Bill. Always our first night dinner as we don't want a long dinner as it is only a half day. Good stuff

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

I agree with the Plaza - but also I would walk to the CR - we love The Wave. Also a boat to the WL - we love Whispering Canyon Café. Enjoy!

 

[kbmartin]

We like BOG for counter service, but I doubt it's the cheapest. Might I suggest going to the Contemporary Resort for a counter-service meal at Contempo Cafe? It's sooooo good, and the desserts are fab! I consider it good value due to the quality of the food.

Liberty Tree Tavern is our favorite TS restaurant in Magic Kingdom, but it's pricey. You could always go at lunch and share entrees (not do the family-style meal). We are doing that on our next trip. We are going to order clam chowder, the pot roast, and the ooey gooey toffee cake that everyone is always raving about!

 

[Goldilocks07]

Cosmic Ray's used to be our go-to for dinner in the MK, but it looks like the chicken and rib combo is gone so IDK.

Pecos Bill is great if you like Mexican. The fajita platter is huge! You can easily share one between two people.

We are also big fans of Columbia Harbor House.

OMG THIS exact post. We just got back, usually go for the combo, but it's not available. The half chicken as Cosmic Rays is still the bomb, especially since you get the 'fixins' bar. For the first time, we went for the CS at Pecos bills, we got the fajita combo meal thing. It was HUGE. HUUUUUUUGE. My daughter loved it (she's 6). Again, they had the fixins bar which just added so much to the meal. She really loved building her own little flour tortilla taco thing.
We also went to Columbia for a lunch meal. I took a photo of our lunches (2 meals) and it was seriously enough for 4. For the first time we were on the dining plan and they gave her 3 juice boxes. THREE!! I will have to dig for the picture. I'm a big lobster roll fan but really picky about mine- the ones I saw posted online were really sloppy and full of mayo- not my taste. I saw them coming out at CHH and literally changed my meal after paying for it. They changed their way of making it- now the lobster is pulled, added in, and the bread is slathered with the mayo/sauce/seasoning. It was SOOO good!!!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I agree with the Plaza or second floor of CHH!

 

[maramarrie]

Columbia Harbor House is our favorite MK quick service, but I could eat my weight in the cucumber salad at Cosmic Rays.