Blue Bayou versus Cafe Orleans?

[Alixandria]

Can someone give me a recommendation for which is better? We will have grandparents and four kids 11, 6, 6, and 4 with us.

Thanks!

 

[SMD]

BB is indoor seating, CO has limited indoor seating. BB is more expensive, but if price is not an issue I'd check the menus, as one may have more limited appeal to your group.

 

[Lilly Belle 84]

We sometimes have a hard time finding something for everyone on the menu at Cafe Orleans, but it is a family favorite. Blue Bayou is good, the real appeal is sitting inside POTC, since we're not local anymore we don't mind paying the premium prices for the experience and we're doing the F! package this trip otherwise we would definitely stick with Cafe Orleans and the Pommes Frites!

 

[mcjaco]

If you're going for the Monte Cristo, either is fine. And really, is there any other reason to go?

 

[figment_jii]

I like both Blue Bayou and Cafe Orleans and found that while they have a similar feel in their overall cuisine, they do have different menu items and an overall different atmosphere. Blue Bayou has all indoor seating and is located in the PotC building. Some of the tables (those nearest to the water) can watch the PotC boats float by (as they head through the bayou portion of the attraction). The restaurant is dimly lit (supposed to re-create the feeling of evening on the bayou). I've had pretty good luck with the items I've ordered and with the service. The prices are on the high side.

Cafe Orleans has a mixture of indoor and outdoor seating (most is located outdoors). It's a great spot to do some people watching if you have a table near the railing. With a lot of the seating being located outdoors, it's subject to the weather (so hot if it's hot or cold if it's cold). I've also had pretty good luck with the menu items I've ordered (I really like the pomme frites and gumbo) and the service. The prices are a bit lower than Blue Bayou.

If your main interest is in the Monte Cristo sandwich, then most folks recommend going to Cafe Orleans because the price is lower for the essentially the same thing (although, CO has two types and serves it all day long - there is only one type at Blue Bayou and it's only on the lunch menu). If that's not your main focus, then I would look at the menus and see which one interests your family more.

 

[plutos1fan]

Hi,

I would recommend Café Orleans instead of Blue Bayou for a couple of reasons. The food is better at Café Orleans than at Blue Bayou. A couple of years ago, my cousin went to blue bayou and she got food poisoning from the food there. The other semi-down side of Blue Bayou is the lighting is not very good in the restaurant. If decide to eating there make sure you bring a flashlight so you can read the menu or at least usr your cell phone. Our family's personal opinion is that Café Orleans is better overall. Have a great trip!

 

[jammyjam25]

If you do decide to go with Café Orleans be sure to make a reservation! Since it's such a small place (I think there's maybe 5 tables inside) and you've got a relatively large party it would suck to be turned away at the door or have to wait a long time for a table. We made a reservation for our party of 4 in December even though it was a slow week and it definitely was the right call as we saw many walk-up parties being turned away.

 

[4Siamese]

Figments post is almost word for word what I would have wrote . Actually we eat at both during our trips so we don't have to chose.

 

[maltdizzy]

I have never been satisfied by a meal in BB and we quit going. The food was never better than "good" for us, which just didn't justify the price. The ambiance is cool...doubly so on the edge of the water...and may be worth it if this is a once or occasional trip.

I have had a few good things at Cafe Orleans. I'm no Monte Cristo fan these days (way to heavy), but I used to enjoy them. And I still laugh at the look on the face of the inevitable guest that orders one without realizing they are battered and deep-fried.

The one thing I can't understand is the popularity of the Colgate-flavored virgin Mint Julip at either place.

 

[NiceOneSimba]

Cafe Orleans has the pomme frites and the three-cheese Monte Cristo. So. Good. (But very, very rich).

BB is great if you're planning to do the Fantasmic! Dining package. I thought my recent measl there were quite good, but that might have just been the half marathons talking!

 

[ImDMous]

We usually go to BB. We love the food and the ambiance.

We went to Cafe Orleans once but the menu didn't really appeal to me.

I would check both menus out and decide which one looks better to you.

 

[LALA8971]

A vote for Cafe Orleans, simply for the Pomme Frites. They are a family favorite. I love the outdoor seating (people watching, great view) at CO, but you can't really beat the atmosphere of BB. We are hitting up both on our next trip!

 

[thumpie's mom]

The Blue Bayou used to be one of our favorite places to eat, but over the years the quality has gone down and the prices up. We now eat at Cafe Orleans (gumbo is soooo good!) But as other have noted, the atmosphere in the BB can't be beat, especially if you get a table by the water. If this is something you may not be able to do again, the BB is pretty special and does have a bigger menu. Have fun no matter what you decide!

 

[calilou]

I think everyone should dine at Blue Bayou at least once in their lives! It's a Disneyland cornerstone so go there. Make a reservation and arrive a little early to request a waterside table (or one close by). Better yet plan a late lunch/early dinner there and combine it with the Fantasmic! dining package for great seats to the show.

 

[Belleandtinker]

BB
* Inside with AC
* Nice atmosphere
* Pricier than CO
* Appears to have a bigger menu
* Would go back for a special menu (we went on Easter and loved it)
CO
* Seating mostly outside
* Great people watching is seated outside
* Inside seating has AC but boring
* More limited menu
* Less priced than BB

I always suggest reviewing the menu to see what appeals to you.

Enjoy!

 

[tarheelalum]

Cafe Orleans.

 

[whoever]

Love them both. If I had to choose it is usually going to be the Bayou though.

 

[carisa81]

We our BIG fans of the Blue Bayou. Blue Bayou you almost always need reservations for. I love the ambiance. If it's hot outside, it feels great because it's inside of the Pirates ride. So it's very cool. The food is the best in Disneyland, too. Cafe Orleans is great too, though.

 

[l4dyj8]

It's been some time since we've eaten at BB. We used to like it and ate there often. It was a special treat. Then we returned semi-recently and didn't care for it. I think it still holds up for atmosphere and that's what you are paying for. But for the price, you can get better quality and better tasting elsewhere in the resort.
We prefer Café Orleans

 

[ashleysev]

I think it really depends on what you're going for (as mentioned by others). I haven't had a bad experience at BB yet.