Best Counter Service Meals???

bellebuzzntink

Mouseketeer
Joined
Oct 16, 2007
Messages
335
So we didn't plan far enough ahead and have no ADRs, and I don't think I have it in me to make continuous phone calls checking for cancellations for the small handfull that I do want. I'll know better for next time!

Are there any Counter Service Restaurants that have really good menus? Or is there anyplace that has one great dish that we shouldn't pass up? I'm sure everyone has an opinion and I'd love to hear them!
 
There are some Counter Service spots with great menus!

-Tangierine Cafe (Morroco/EPCOT) The lamb & chicken Shawarma Platter is delish!
-Wolfgang Puck Express (DTD) has a fantastic menu!
-The Pepper Market (CSR) Has a great selection! Everything from Mexican to Asian to Prime Rib with a horseradish drizzle!

You can check out the menus from all Disney dining spots on allears.net. :upsidedow
 
Good thread, I'm interested in hearing some of the replies to this one. I hear the Flame Tree BBQ is pretty good in AK, we plan on stopping there for lunch when we're there next year.
 
Sunshine Seasons in the Land at Epcot. Very yummy dinner and lots to choose from. Pizzafari at AK was good too.

I did not like Cosmic Rays.

ETA Keep calling back, or try walk up lunches. We walked into SciFi and we finally got the Concourse Steakhouse at the last minute. Also we went to Chef Mickey at opening for breakfast and walked in so we then called to cancel our breakfast two days later.

Have fun
 

Sunshine Seasons at Epcot
Columbia Harbor House at MK

I'm mourning the loss of Tusker House as a CS. :sad1:
 
Our family favorite is Sunshine Seasons in the Land, Future World, Epcot. Huge selections and desserts that are like TS menus!

Our #2 pick is Columbia Harbor House, Magic Kingdom.
 
Earl of Sandwich is probably my favorite restaurant in the world for counter service!
Columbia Harbour House at MK
Starring Rolls at MGM
Don't really like any at Epcot
Everything POP food court
Artist's Pallette at SSR
 
ETA Keep calling back, or try walk up lunches. We walked into SciFi and we finally got the Concourse Steakhouse at the last minute. Also we went to Chef Mickey at opening for breakfast and walked in so we then called to cancel our breakfast two days later.

Have fun
I agree with Mkrop, but it does depend on when you are there. We had no problems in September, but if you are going during a peak season, it's a little more difficult, but not impossible. We were at WDW in December a few years ago and had no problems getting in to lunch at Kona.
 
I know you don't have ADRs but have you tried to get them for the Plaza Restaurant or the Grand Floridian Cafe or Kona Cafe? They are all excellent.
 
EPCOT
*Bratwurst with sauerkraut on a pretzel roll at Sommerfest in Germany
*Kaki-Age Udon with Shrimp tempura at Yakitori House in Japan
*Lamb Sharwarma plate at Tangeriene Cafe in Morocco and any of their baklava with a demitasse of their arabic espresso
*Quiche and a loaf of french bread at the Boulangerie Patisserie in France, and pastry, and another quiche... somebody stop me!
(I tried Sunshine Seasons Food Fair that everyone else raves about, got chinese food, and thought it was pretty gross - :confused3 )

ANIMAL KINGDOM
*Go try the new Yak & Yeti
*It's just McDonald's, but eating at Restaurantasaurus can be fun, stake out a table in the old Airstream trailer and oogle all the theming in the adjacent room!

STUDIOS
*Only decent counter stuff is at Starring Rolls

MAGIC KINGDOM
*Main St. Bakery - anything!
*Columbia Harbor House - anything!
*Cosmic Rays - BBQ ribs meal, rotisserie chicken meal, chicken caesar salad (best on property in my book)
*Eggroll cart in Adventureland now also has SAMOSAS!
*Dole whip float and pineapple spear at the Aloha Aisle in Adventureland

Also, if it's convenient, you can get very good sandwiches and pastries from the Boardwalk Bakery in front of the Boardwalk Inn in the Epcot resort area, and believe it or not the food court at the Pop Century gets pretty high reviews and has a few signature items like their daily "tv dinner" and tie-dye cheesecake.

And Disney Quest, everything there is great. Best burgers on property, rivaling Beaches & Cream and the Plaza, and excellent pizza (only good pizza in all of Disney World).
 
ABC Commisary @ DS (studios)
Pizzafari
Sunshine Seasons

We enjoyed these on our last trip. Also, when we went for free dining last September, we also had no ADR's but still had a lot of great TS meals. My DH does not like planning for reservations so far in advance. We would just call the day we knew where we were going to be & still managed to get some great meals. Hope this helps.
 
MK: Cosmic Rays, Columbua Harbour House, Pinnochio Haus

Epcot: Electric Umbrella and Yorkshire County Fish Shop (Fish and Chips)

DS: The one next to Star Tours

AK: Tusker House (of course is no longer a CS)

DTD: Wolfgang Puck Express

AS Movies Food Court

POR Food Court

Suzanne princess:
 
On my trip to WDW, my family and I made it a point to try the CS places instead of table service/buffet restaurants. We thought these were the best:
Yorkshire County (Epcot): awesome fish and chips!
Sunshine Seasons (Epcot): half chicken w/ two sides (tasty and huge!), turkey and muenster cheese sandwich (really good!) and amazing desserts (try the strawberry shortcake!)
Flame Tree Barbecue (AK): pulled pork sandwiches (w/ sauce) and ribs (both are very good!)
Cosmic Rays's (MK): rotisserie chicken w/mashed potatoes and vegetables (not as good as SS, but still good) and chicken nuggets (they actually use real white meat chicken!) :)

Since I heard that the CS places at MGM weren't very good, we didn't try any there. I've seen many great reviews of Wolfgang Puck Express (DTD), Tangierine Cafe (Epcot- I really want to try the lamb shawarma platter!), and Earl of Sandwich (DTD).
 
On my trip to WDW, my family and I made it a point to try the CS places instead of table service/buffet restaurants. We thought these were the best:
Yorkshire County (Epcot): awesome fish and chips!
Sunshine Seasons (Epcot): half chicken w/ two sides (tasty and huge!), turkey and muenster cheese sandwich (really good!) and amazing desserts (try the strawberry shortcake!)
Flame Tree Barbecue (AK): pulled pork sandwiches (w/ sauce) and ribs (both are very good!)
Cosmic Rays's (MK): rotisserie chicken w/mashed potatoes and vegetables (not as good as SS, but still good) and chicken nuggets (they actually use real white meat chicken!) :)

Since I heard that the CS places at MGM weren't very good, we didn't try any there. I've seen many great reviews of Wolfgang Puck Express (DTD), Tangierine Cafe (Epcot- I really want to try the lamb shawarma platter!), and Earl of Sandwich (DTD).


If you think the half chicken at SS was good, the one at Wolfgang Puck Express puts it to shame, and it is big enough for 2 people to share.

Suzanne princess:
 
We liked:
Lottawatta Lodge @ BB - Awesome chicken wrap
Wolfgang Puck Express @ DTD - Awesome everything!
Pinochio Village Haus @ MK - Awesome pizza
 
great thread! I'm going to try out a bunch of these places for my upcoming trip -- it is a PAIN to try to keep calling back daily to get the ADRs you want!
 
:thumbsup2 . Sounds like a lot of good suggestions. That Bratwurst with saurkraut on a pretzel roll sounds good for right now....is it lunchtime yet?
 
I like Everything Pop Food Court. There is a very wide selection.
Pecos Bill has a great atmosphere, if you could score a seat.
Electric Umbrella in EPCOT was always one of my favoriates
Sunshine Food Court in EPCOT
 












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