Blue Bayou or Cafe Orleans?

[Alby]

I’m still deciding if DH and I going to have a sitting lunch at DL or not, but if we do, as we are huge Monte Cristos fans, it must be Blue Bayou or Cafe Orleans. I just can’t decide which one…

Money is not really an issue, as we want to thoroughly enjoy DL experience, but we’d like to spend it wisely.
Ambiance would really push us towards BB, everyone writes great reviews about that. On the other hand, it seems that BB is always crowded – would it be even at 2 pm or so?- and that even with PS, a longish wait is needed to get a waterside table (I’m not really sure if I need one or not).
Finally, Café Orleans pommes frites and beignets appeal to us more that BB sides and desserts. I know, I know, The Flying Dutchman Cookie Boat … but I’m not really into chocolate desserts!

What do you think?

 

[iceskatejen]

I ate at both a couple months ago--lunch both times and my friend and I (we were both at both restaurants) preferred Cafe Orlean's. At CO we basically shared the 3-cheese Monte Cristo and the Ratatioulle (both were delish) and her daughter had the kids chicken drummettes (also delish). At BB I got the traditional Monte Cristo (I don't eat pork so I had to pull the ham out) and she got the chicken. Both of us were dissapointed in our veggies (she got the creamed spinach and I got the seaonal veggies. They were plasticy tasting. I'd go back to CO in a heartbeat, but it's gonna be a while before I go to BB again.

 

[actionvaughn]

If money isn't an issue, Blue Bayou would be a great choice. I have to say though, that a lot of people say that when you do go to BB, you're just paying for the experience... (I've heard terror stories about the food quality) Sitting waterside is great, but I'd have to disagree about the cover charge..

I'm sure you know the the Monte Cristo is the same at both places, so if you like the sides and the BB deserts aren't pulling you in, maybe it's better to save the extra money you save and put it towards something fun. Your rationale sounds like you're leaning towards Cafe Orleans anyway, so my advice is make sure you get the gumbo! :

 

[disneegrl4eva]

I’m still deciding if DH and I going to have a sitting lunch at DL or not, but if we do, as we are huge Monte Cristos fans, it must be Blue Bayou or Cafe Orleans. I just can’t decide which one…

Money is not really an issue, as we want to thoroughly enjoy DL experience, but we’d like to spend it wisely.
Ambiance would really push us towards BB, everyone writes great reviews about that. On the other hand, it seems that BB is always crowded – would it be even at 2 pm or so?- and that even with PS, a longish wait is needed to get a waterside table (I’m not really sure if I need one or not).
Finally, Café Orleans pommes frites and beignets appeal to us more that BB sides and desserts. I know, I know, The Flying Dutchman Cookie Boat … but I’m not really into chocolate desserts!

What do you think?

it totally depends on when you are going...if you go when its crowded even 2pm will be crowded....Monte Cristo is good at either place...its made the same so if everyone is going to eat that then I would suggest doing CO...however, BB offers alot of other things that I like including their Prime Rib and especially their Jambalaya...its very spicy and made just the way I like it...I like the desserts at CO better than BB...I recently had the creme brulee trio and was disappointed...didnt have much flavor at all and at CO I had the chocolate crepe (to die for) and I've had the beignets are good as well...the pommes frites eh its ok...so after reading your post I would suggest going to CO since its to eat and you seem to gear more towards what they offer...

 

[Alby]

Your rationale sounds like you're leaning towards Cafe Orleans anyway, so my advice is make sure you get the gumbo! :

I'm leaning towards CO for the food and towards BB for the ambiance, that's why it's hard to decide...
Anyway, I'm going on April the 30th

 

[mystic_path]

Cafe Orleans in my humble opinion. I havent found too much of a difference between CO and BB except for the price. I rather pay less for something thats so similar and I find that the service is better at CO as well.

 

[Lou-Ann]

What elsr does CO serve? Do they do prime rib as well? Is there a big difference in price?

 

[2GuysSeattle]

BB is crazy expensive for what you get. We ate at CO and had a lovely experience. Dining outside on the patio overlooking the Rivers of America should be great in April. So, CO gets my vote.

 

[DizMe]

My experience appears to be atypical, but we were very disappointed in CO. We ate lunch there once and ate lunch at BB twice during our Oct trip. We loved BB and didn't find the price to be that awful. However, we shared the MC and dh got the crab cakes and a split plate charge that gave him equal amounts of the side dishes, which were wonderful. The service was great and the ambiance unbeatable. My 3 kids (4, 4, and 7) thought it was fabulous.

OTOH, we were all very let down by CO. The service was atrocious, which I don't think is the norm but for whatever reason, it was terrible the day we went. The food was so-so but it was hard to get excited about it when it finally showed up over an hour after we'd ordered it. 3 children don't do well with that kind of wait for food. They never brought us drinks, didn't come by to ask if we wanted something to ease the wait, etc. The girls had macaroni and cheese, which was the most hideous stuff I've ever seen. They couldn't eat it and after trying a bite, I couldn't blame them. I finally got a cup of coffee with my meal but no one ever returned to refill my cup. The prices were very high and personally, I'd just as soon pay just a little bit more and go to BB.

The first time we went to BB we had PS reservations and got a fantastic waterside table. We enjoyed the meal so much and thought it was such a good deal (total cost of our meal was less than what we paid for burgers elsewhere) that we decided to see if we could get reservations for another day of our trip. There were no PS reservations left, but we were told to show up at 11:15, and once they'd seated the PS people, they'd seat the rest of us as space allowed. We got right in and did not try to wait for a waterside table since we'd already done it, but we got a very nice table just back from waterside. The kids loved the pirate hat menus, which they also have in CO (or something similar) but did not interest them at all when we were not next to the pirate ride.

As you can see, my vote is for BB! And remember, if you want to save some money, order an appetizer and pay a split plate charge with someone in your party who orders an entree. Both get full sides of veggies, salad/soup, bread, and potatoes au gratin at a much lower cost than buying 2 entrees.

 

[fairycat]

I never do CO, because I way prefer BB. I have never had a problem there, and always found the food very good as well as the service. I do it when ever I can.

I also have to say I am not a big chocolate fan, but taking off the chocolate syrup and keeping the carmel I would so eat that boat again. The cookie and the ice cream was delicious!!

If I want beignets I always get them at Jazz Kitchen at DTD (they also have an express place outside to get them hot, warm and fresh), they are the best at DLR!

 

[Lou-Ann]

Thanks so much for the split tip at BB. We shall have to try that as I hate having way too much food anyway.. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Vanvmom]

I would say go for Cafe Orleans. The waterfront tables are fun at BB, but the food quality at BB is not "better" than at CO.

My only bad experience at CO was when we showed up 5 minutes before 8pm, and they told us since they were closing in 5 minutes that they could not seat us (even though we all knew exactly what we were going to order and could tell them as they took us to the table). To me, that was not good customer service - esp. during a holiday week. The food is excellent at CO though, and if you go in the afternoon, you will not encounter the problem we did.

 

[audrabolster]

I think the BB is worth at least 1 trip for the experience. Just call for a reservation, and you won't have to wait! The service is bit long, but it gives you time to really enjoy yourself there, so don't expect to be in and out. We were there for almost 2 hours!

 

[Amy&Dan]

I like both. We have had some really great meals at BB, but we also have had some mediocre ones. And I agree that BB is about the atmosphere which is why it really stinks when you get stuck in the back! We sat in the last row once and another time right next to the restroom. So those two times it was a bit of a bummer, not everyone gets to sit on or near the river so just be aware. You can request but you won't be guaranteed. I offered to even wait one time for a waterside table and was told no. Its also very dark inside there. Still, I love BB and we are going there next trip, we haven't been in awhile so I'm excited.

Cafe Orleans was wonderful the night we ate there in June. The menu isn't huge but it has some nice selections, it was packed, we sat inside and it was still a nice enough atmosphere. And the Monte Cristo is exactly the same.

You cannot make a bad choice in my opinion.

 

[Lou-Ann]

We may just have to try both as we will be there a few days.

 

[blackjackdelta]

it totally depends on when you are going...if you go when its crowded even 2pm will be crowded....Monte Cristo is good at either place...its made the same so if everyone is going to eat that then I would suggest doing CO...however, BB offers alot of other things that I like including their Prime Rib and especially their Jambalaya...its very spicy and made just the way I like it...I like the desserts at CO better than BB...I recently had the creme brulee trio and was disappointed...didnt have much flavor at all and at CO I had the chocolate crepe (to die for) and I've had the beignets are good as well...the pommes frites eh its ok...so after reading your post I would suggest going to CO since its to eat and you seem to gear more towards what they offer...

Have to agree with Lynn. I have had very good food at both places and prefer the WS table at BB because I love the experience. Their prime rib has always been very good for DLR.

Jack

 

[mariezp]

We may just have to try both as we will be there a few days.

This girl has the right idea! Of course, if you can't go that route I vote for BB. We have always had excellent meals there. Okay, the service can be slow but who cares when you are at DL! Plus, IMHO, they have a better selection of food. We have NEVER had to wait even near 30 minutes for a waterside table even though that seems to be the common time estimate. I do always make PS arrangements to cut down on the wait and ensure we can get in. This is my entire family's favorite place to eat, which says a lot because my kids can be picky eaters.

We have only eaten at CO once but I found their menu selection limited. Their service was just as slow as BB. And of course, there just wasn't the atmosphere of dining inside BB.

You might check their menus and that might help you make your decision.

 

[DevilDuckie]

I’m still deciding if DH and I going to have a sitting lunch at DL or not, but if we do, as we are huge Monte Cristos fans, it must be Blue Bayou or Cafe Orleans. I just can’t decide which one…

Money is not really an issue, as we want to thoroughly enjoy DL experience, but we’d like to spend it wisely.
Ambiance would really push us towards BB, everyone writes great reviews about that. On the other hand, it seems that BB is always crowded – would it be even at 2 pm or so?- and that even with PS, a longish wait is needed to get a waterside table (I’m not really sure if I need one or not).
Finally, Café Orleans pommes frites and beignets appeal to us more that BB sides and desserts. I know, I know, The Flying Dutchman Cookie Boat … but I’m not really into chocolate desserts!

What do you think?

I was much happier with Cafe Orleans on my last trip than the sadly reduced quality of service at the BB.

If you want beignets, however, I'd skip them at CO and instead pick some up at the Jazz Kitchen in DTD. (At the take away counter in the morning, not the sit down restaurant.) The CO ones are okay. The RB version are exquisite!

 

[lulubelle]

I know I am chiming in late, but here goes...
Cafe Orleans is our favorite restaurant at Disneyland! We have tried just about everything on the menu and it is all fabulous. BB is way overpriced and the food is not as good to me. And it is very dark in there. Almost too dark to read the menu or see much. It is cool to see the Pirate boats going by though. If you are planing to go for lunch, I highly recommend an outside table at CO. The view is relaxing and the people watching entertaining. Good luck deciding.

 

[samkj]

IMO, the 3-cheese monte cristo at CO is much better than what is offered at BB (at least on menu, I never asked at BB if they could make it) We usually do sit down meals once a day as a break, so I will agee with those that said "try them both!"