Best restaurants for picky vegetarians

[pigby]

We are visiting DLR in the summer with DD who will be 16. She has been a vegetarian for a few years but is also picky and will only eat plain things like pasta and tomato sauce, pizza, veggie burgers etc - anything too fancy and she won't even try it.

We have been to WDW and know where to visit there but after reading a few menus in DLR, I am less confident. We usually eat at a mix of counter and table service meals and wonder what you would recommend. I was hoping to go to Blue Bayou but looks like a no-no (shame) - we avoided the similar Blue Lagoon in Paris at Christmas for the same reason.

Sometimes in WDW we ordered a kids meal for DD if we were stuck and didn't have a problem - will we have an issue with that in DLR?

 

[bumbershoot]

Penne with marinara: Plaza Inn, PCH Grill dinner menu
Cheese Pizza: Pizza Port (but I don't think it's good at all), and some kid's meals in some places (check out allears.net for menus). PCH Grill and Storytellers dinner menus have a "make your own" pizza that is kind of geared towards kids, BUT it tastes really reallly really good. At least the PCH Grill one does!

Beware of veggie burgers! Their veggie burgers, in my experience, are either the black bean type, with a bit of cumin taste, OR they are more like vegetable-burgers, with visible veggies like carrot and broccoli in them. I think the latter taste really REALLY good, delicious actually, but if she's picky visually, that's not going to fly.

If she likes mexican food like bean burritos and cheese enchiladas, try the Mexican places in DL (Rancho del Zocalo) and DCA (Cocina Cucamonga). If she's not a voracious eater, their kid's meal of bean burrito with relatively bland Mexican rice is vegetarian (per discussion with one of their head chefs, they don't hide meat or byproducts, so as to make the most people happy all at once!), and is relatively filling, IMO! You also get a fruit cup and a kid's sized water, though you can request a kid's sized soda if she drinks that.


She could always eat ahead of time, then just join you at the table for Blue Bayou. If she eats ice cream she could just have a scoop there (they gave DS a scoop of plain vanilla ice cream there) while you all have your meals. DH likes their portobello dish while I only sort of like it...but no matter what it's not a plain dish. On the other hand, she could ask if they could put the couscous on the side, and couscous is good with butter, and they could hold the balsamic...the salad tends to be good and plain, but be sure they hold the sausage on it! And they also have sides like potatoes gratin...not sure if that's plain enough, though. I see no reason to give up a meal at a place you want, just b/c she doesn't want anything there...just feed her ahead of time! Also, depending on her own personal level of maturity, she could go have fun on her own for an hour or so while you guys eat. She could ride POTC over and over, waving you to each time!

 

[bumbershoot]

Oh, and they might have changed it since then, but I canNOT recommend the kid's meal mac and cheese at Blue Bayou. DS wouldn't even touch it, but was very good during the meal otherwise, and when I boxed it to go and took it outside, it was NEON orange. I tasted it and it was disgusting! Went straight in the garbage.

 

[sonnyjane]

bumbershoot had some good suggestions.

The only thing I'd say, based strictly on what I've read on these boards, is that they don't usually let you order from the kid's meal if you are older than 10. Sometimes they do for medical reasons etc., but I don't know if vegetarianism would count lol. Of course if you order a kid's meal at a counter service restaurant, nobody would really know, but at a sit down place, they might give you a hard time.

 

[HappieMommie]

We just had this experience, too.

My husband has a vegan diet, and it was hard for him. (No cheese!? oy!) But the kids and I did alright.

Along with bumbershoot's suggestions, definately try the Fortune Cookie place in DCA! I had a Teriyaki Tofu Stirfry and it was Mmmmmmmmm!! I highly recommend it. I had Veggie pizza at the Pizza Port and even though it doesn't get good reviews, I liked it! It could have been hot(ter) though. But I was at Disneyland, so I didn't care! There are cobs of corn for sale, ironically sold with those gigantic turkey legs. Hmm, what else did I have... lots of fresh fruit from all the stands. Mmmm! If its important to her, I am sure she will find plenty of options... if she's really hungry. Oh, and the Veggie Burgers and the grilled veggie sandwich from the place right in Tomorrowland by Jedi Training are goooooooooooood!!

 

[pigby]

Thanks for your responses - although it seems a little strange that they would allow DD to eat ice cream only in Blue Bayou (as Bumbershoot suggested) and yet TS restaurants may refuse to allow her to order a kids meal. This past May in WDW, she had no problems eating off the kids menu (and we ate at a lot of TS's)

 

[WonkaKid]

If she likes mexican food like bean burritos and cheese enchiladas, try the Mexican places in DL (Rancho del Zocalo) and DCA (Cocina Cucamonga).

I'm a longtime vegetarian and I love Rancho del Zocalo. Their bean tacos are fantastic. Recommended highly.

Also, can I suggest giving Blue Bayou a shot? I've been twice and both times the chef came out to discuss my restrictions with me (no meat, no sugar, no wheat). They're quit accommodating and I suspect that your daughter will find something to her liking. The ambiance is great too .

Cheers,

Rob

 

[bumbershoot]

So what did BB make for you, Rob?

Since they have that one dish, I would never have thought to ask for different, but I guess couscous and wheat restrictions don't play well together!

 

[Disney Dreams]

Rancho del Zocalo is a great choice!

Pizza Port has pasta and marinara sauce.

If you call DIsneyland and tell them you have dietary restrictions and would love to eat at the Blue Bayou, they can put you in touch with the head chef who will talk through with you what they can do to accommodate. A few years ago I was on a VERY strict diet and they were fabulous in pre-arranging a meal for me - even to the point that it arrived with everyone else's food and no one knew I arranged something special.

- Dreams

 

[pigby]

Rancho del Zocalo is a great choice!

Pizza Port has pasta and marinara sauce.

If you call DIsneyland and tell them you have dietary restrictions and would love to eat at the Blue Bayou, they can put you in touch with the head chef who will talk through with you what they can do to accommodate. A few years ago I was on a VERY strict diet and they were fabulous in pre-arranging a meal for me - even to the point that it arrived with everyone else's food and no one knew I arranged something special.

- Dreams

Brilliant - thanks - I have saved thread to my favorites so I don't forget all this good advice when I come to choose my ps's/ counter service meals

 

[disneyobsessed808]

We are visiting DLR in the summer with DD who will be 16. She has been a vegetarian for a few years but is also picky and will only eat plain things like pasta and tomato sauce, pizza, veggie burgers etc - anything too fancy and she won't even try it.

We have been to WDW and know where to visit there but after reading a few menus in DLR, I am less confident. We usually eat at a mix of counter and table service meals and wonder what you would recommend. I was hoping to go to Blue Bayou but looks like a no-no (shame) - we avoided the similar Blue Lagoon in Paris at Christmas for the same reason.

Sometimes in WDW we ordered a kids meal for DD if we were stuck and didn't have a problem - will we have an issue with that in DLR?

I recently have gone vegetarian and I think there are lots of options at DLR. I just went this weekend and had a blast.

- Stage Door Cafe in DL and Farmer's Market in DCA have great mozzarella sticks. They are huge!
- Red Rocketts for pasta. As bumbershoot says, the pizza is not too good
- Rancho del Zocalo in DL and Cucina Cucamonga in DCA have veggie burritos and tacos
- Hungry Bear, Tomorrowland Terrace, Village Haus in DL and Taste Pilot's Grill have veggie burgers.
- Harbour Galley in DL and Pacific Wharf Cafe in DCA have Vegetarian Chili Bread Bowls.
- Royal Street Veranda has vegetarian gumbo in bread bowls.
- Lucky Fortune Cookery has veggie stir-fries (not very plain so not sure)

I also think the stand near Princess Fantasy Faire has brocolli cheese baked potatoes - I have not had that so I'm not sure. I've had all the food above and its great. I also loved the Nachos at Whitewater Snacks, but ate it with meat before, though I'm sure they can remove it.

For table service, Cafe Orleans has a three cheese monte cristo or a polenta/veggie dish.

So what did BB make for you, Rob?

Since they have that one dish, I would never have thought to ask for different, but I guess couscous and wheat restrictions don't play well together!

I've been to BB with a vegan before, and they made him a pasta primavera type thing - angel hair pasta with veggies and marinara. It was actually quite delicious. I think BB has the mac and cheese in an adult portion, so they don't have to order off the kids menu. I am personally not a big fan of their couscous/mushroom dish.

 

[WonkaKid]

So what did BB make for you, Rob?

Since they have that one dish, I would never have thought to ask for different, but I guess couscous and wheat restrictions don't play well together!

It was something like a large mushroom with rice noodles and corn and a side salad. It was pretty tasty. And again: great ambiance.

Rob

 

[spacemermaid]

Pizza Port also has a DELICIOUS fusilli with parmesan sauce...it's billed as "chicken fusilli", but there's never a problem if you ask them to leave the chicken off of it, as they don't plate the pasta until you order it

 

[bumbershoot]

It was something like a large mushroom with rice noodles and corn and a side salad. It was pretty tasty. And again: great ambiance.

Rob

Ooh, the rice noodles sound fab.

Pizza Port also has a DELICIOUS fusilli with parmesan sauce...it's billed as "chicken fusilli", but there's never a problem if you ask them to leave the chicken off of it, as they don't plate the pasta until you order it

Good to know! I still have never waited in that scary line...despite all my advice to eat at off times, the few times we've gone to Pizza Port it's been straight-up lunchtime. And there's never been guidance from CMs (when we visit) about if you have to stand in the full line, or if you can skip the salad people and jump to the pasta line, etc...

 

[sonnyjane]

Ooh, the rice noodles sound fab.



Good to know! I still have never waited in that scary line...despite all my advice to eat at off times, the few times we've gone to Pizza Port it's been straight-up lunchtime. And there's never been guidance from CMs (when we visit) about if you have to stand in the full line, or if you can skip the salad people and jump to the pasta line, etc...

Oops lol! I hope you're allowed to jump to the pasta line, because I always do! And that fusilli is AWESOME! I think it would be just as good without the chicken.

 

[spacemermaid]

Ooh, the rice noodles sound fab.



Good to know! I still have never waited in that scary line...despite all my advice to eat at off times, the few times we've gone to Pizza Port it's been straight-up lunchtime. And there's never been guidance from CMs (when we visit) about if you have to stand in the full line, or if you can skip the salad people and jump to the pasta line, etc...

The line can be , but the fusilli is SO worth it! I'll put it this way: it's so good that I got the recipe & make it at home sometimes!

You don't have to wait in the salad line unless you're getting a salad (I asked a CM once when the lines were SUPER scary )