Best Counter-Service Restaurants on the Resort Monorail Loop?

[Al and Kate's Mom]

We just switched our reservations for May/June to the Contemporary Any advice/reviews on counter-service options between Contemporary, Grand Floridian and Polynesian resorts?

TIA!!!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I don't know what it is called now, but we always enjoyed the quick service at Contemporary--it had an attached gameroom. Not sure if it still does after they moved things around.

I expected more of the poly for some reason and haven't liked it the couple of times I have been to it.

Not familiar with the QS at GF.

 

[brergnat]

You're in luck! The Contempo Cafe has some of the best (in MY opinion) counte service food in all of WDW.

Try the waffles with bananas and salted caramel sauce for breakfast; the Honey Lime Chicken Sandwich with green bean salad; and ALL of the salads! The flatbreads are also excellent (so long as you are NOT expecting pizza...). Everything I ate there over the course of a week was really good. They make everything fresh for you.

In contrast, we found the food at Capt. Cook's at the Poly to be totally gross. That whole place gave me the willies. It was like eating in a dank, dark, smelly basement. Even the dole whips didn't taste as good there as they do at the MK. NOT worth the trip!

Can't speak for the GF, although their CS menu doesn't look all that appealing to me at all.

Stick with Contempo Cafe. It's REALLY good. So good, in fact, that we often returned to the hotel (we were also staying there) JUST to eat there because we were not "feeling" the CS options in the parks.

 

[Jeanieblue114]

Captain Cooke's at the Poly

Great menu choices different from anywhere including Pulled pork BBQ, flatbreads, stir fry noodles, adult grilled cheese with all different types of cheeses, aloha chips (chips of different root veggies), DOLE WHIPS!
Breakfast they offer Tonga Toast just like the Kona Cafe' upstairs.

Plus, in the evening you can go out on the beach with the food and watch the electrical water pageant and Wishes fireworks....my favorite place.

allears.net has a complete list of menus and prices.

 

[garanorymom]

Love the counter service at the G.F.. They actual have the hotel chef on site if you have any questions they will get him right away---very important for us w/ds peanut allergy. They have great food and snacks. They also have the largest selection of allergy free snacks on site. The best part is you can sit outside overlooking the marina. Definitely my favorite. Poly is my favorite hotel, but I have to say I wasn't too impressed with Captain Cooks when we stayed there.

 

[Pirate Me]

I love Captain Cook's at the Polynesian. The food was great. We had the adult grilled cheese (one of my favorite CS meals, now!), the pulled pork sandwich, and a salad. The Dole Whips are soo good. We especially enjoyed filling the Dole Whip cup ourselves!

 

[Al and Kate's Mom]

Thanks for all of the suggestions, everyone!!!!

 

[Mich123]

I agree with PP that Cap'n Cooks is depressing. Needs a makeover NOW. That being said, they do have Dole Whip and Tonga Toast and you can take your food outside to eat. The Stir Fried Noodles were DD13's favorite meal after 11 days at WDW, she actually had them for a snack before we left on our last day.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I honestly think the Contempo Cafe is a great location. My personal favorite item is their Chicken Ceasar Salad with the dressing already on it and I also enjoy their Pepperoni Flatbread Pizaa. Also on Saturday's their soup of the day is always Corn Chowder which tastes great.

I also like going to Gasparilla's Grill & Games and while Captain Cook's was ok, I would not rush back there.