Cafe Orleans or Carnation Cafe

[jsmla]

We're planning a visit to Disneyland next spring. Since we'll probably be staying off-site I'm looking for a mid-range table service restaurant where we can have lunch and decompress a bit. I've looked at the menus and reviews and can't decide between Cafe Orleans and Carnation Cafe.

If we go with Cafe Orleans we probably wouldn't order any of the Cajun/Creole inspired dishes. (Louisiana natives) I prefer lighter dishes (lots of salads, no fried) and DH is a basic meat and potatoes guy. We would prefer a nice atmosphere where we can relax a bit while we eat.

Anyone have a preference for one over the other?

Thanks!

 

[Vegasnine]

I've been to the Carnation cafe, and while it was nice to sit and relax, the food was only OK. My personal favorite is the fried chicken - it comes with mashed potatoes and gravy. It is amazing.... I haven't been to Cafe Orleans but always wanted to try.

 

[jsmla]

Thanks! How is the atmosphere at Carnation Cafe? DH is reall not a theme park person so I'm hoping for a quieter lunch. We're planning on doing the WOC package lunch at DCA so I'm trying to go with a less expensive option at DL.

 

[Vegasnine]

It was very nice. You can sit inside or out. The line seemed long for dinner (they do chicken then too) but it moved fast. You can have one person sit at a table while the other stands in line. It's sort of cafeteria style but you just go pick up your food and drinks and go sit. I found it very nice on the patio. Also they have a 60 Diamond celebration chocolate cake that is to DIE for if you're going soon.

**Edit - cost wise it is not bad. I think it is $19 PP at dinner for the chicken. Not sure what lunch was - a little less. They have salad and pasta as well.

 

[gottalovepluto]

We enjoyed the atmosphere at Café Orleans more and the food last trip. At both you sit inside or out. Outside at Carnation you are in this alcove like part off main street between the restaurant and shops , at Café Orleans you are overlooking New Orleans Square, I find there is just more to see. When we did Carnation Café a couple weeks ago we were rather disappointed in the food quality. The lettuce was wilted (and a couple pieces outright bad) in both of our salads and the shrimp was overcooked on our salads and served barely luke warm on top of that, we were so looking forward to the dish having had it prepared perfectly on two different occasions on our previous trip. I know we should have returned it but we were starving after waiting for an hour, make an ADR if you are going over summer.

 

[SMD]

At CO if you're seated near the perimeter you're right in a main theme park walk way. Carnation has more indoor seating and is set back more. While it's not table service, look into French Market. Their seating area is covered and they have live music every so often.

 

[figment_jii]

Both places are very good and worth a visit. Given that you want to avoid the Cajun/Creole dishes, that would probably rule out Cafe Orleans because most of their items have some Cajun/Creole-twist to them. They do have a very good salad (Crescent City Salad), but I'm not sure if you'd consider the blackened chicken a Cajun/Creole-twist. The gumbo is very good, but again, it might not be what you are looking for. In terms of atmosphere, most of the seating is outdoors and you can people watch while you dine. It has a relaxed atmosphere, but given that most seating is outside, it is subject to the weather (i.e., hot, cold, etc.).

I also do like Carnation Cafe and have had several good meals there. They also have some very good salads (both the Warm Spinach Salad with Grilled Chicken and the Romaine Salad with Shrimp are good choices), but they don't have a steak on the menu (they do have meatloaf and a burger). In terms of the atmosphere, it kind of depends on when you go and where you are seated. They have both an indoor and outdoor seating area; either of which can be nice. The outdoor area is nice, except if you have a railing table during one of the parade times, when it feels a bit cramped because of all of the people waiting for the parade and those trying to walk down Main Street. Inside can be nice (air conditioning!), but it can also be loud depending on your fellow guests.

Ultimately, I think both are good choices so I would go with the one that has the more appealing menu.

 

[ImDMous]

It was very nice. You can sit inside or out. The line seemed long for dinner (they do chicken then too) but it moved fast. You can have one person sit at a table while the other stands in line. It's sort of cafeteria style but you just go pick up your food and drinks and go sit. I found it very nice on the patio. Also they have a 60 Diamond celebration chocolate cake that is to DIE for if you're going soon.

**Edit - cost wise it is not bad. I think it is $19 PP at dinner for the chicken. Not sure what lunch was - a little less. They have salad and pasta as well.

I think you're talking about Plaza Inn... That is cafeteria style and has the best fried chicken. Carnation Cafe is half way up Main Street and is table service.

 

[Vegasnine]

I think you're talking about Plaza Inn... That is cafeteria style and has the best fried chicken. Carnation Cafe is half way up Main Street and is table service.

Oh my...yes I don't know where that went in my original post but I did say Plaza Inn. I see now it's not on there! It is on the corner of the "circle" by the Walt Disney Statue.

 

[heidica]

I think you're talking about Plaza Inn... That is cafeteria style and has the best fried chicken. Carnation Cafe is half way up Main Street and is table service.

Thanks for clarifying this. I was getting confused. We have a trip planned in August with a group of 12 and I'm in the process of trying to figure out places to eat (we are going to have 1 group meal a day) and I am trying to decide between Carnation Cafe and Cafe Orleans as well. I've eaten at Cafe Orleans before so was leaning toward Carnation Cafe. Because of our group size, our preference is to eat at a place where we can make a reservation.

BTW when I did eat at Cafe Orleans, I really enjoyed it. I thought the food was good. We had a table outside and while we were eating, some Pirates were singing and entertaining. They weren't there for the restaurant but just performing for guest in New Orleans Square but it was fun having them there. My DS (age 3 at the time) really enjoyed it.

 

[4Siamese]

We love the food at both places so you can't really go wrong at either place.

To throw a curve ball at you... if your DH is a meat and tater kind of guy then i would suggest trying Big Thunder Ranch Barbecue. It is an all you can eat western style BBQ open for both lunch and dinner. We tried it for the 1st time in April and LOVED LOVED LOVED it. Well priced and very good food.

 

[Vegasnine]

Thanks for clarifying this. I was getting confused. We have a trip planned in August with a group of 12 and I'm in the process of trying to figure out places to eat (we are going to have 1 group meal a day) and I am trying to decide between Carnation Cafe and Cafe Orleans as well. I've eaten at Cafe Orleans before so was leaning toward Carnation Cafe. Because of our group size, our preference is to eat at a place where we can make a reservation.

BTW when I did eat at Cafe Orleans, I really enjoyed it. I thought the food was good. We had a table outside and while we were eating, some Pirates were singing and entertaining. They weren't there for the restaurant but just performing for guest in New Orleans Square but it was fun having them there. My DS (age 3 at the time) really enjoyed it.

Sorry about that!
On the other site that people visit frequently, there is a group for Disneyland and DCA foodies. I learned a LOT there!

 

[Vegasnine]

We love the food at both places so you can't really go wrong at either place.

To throw a curve ball at you... if your DH is a meat and tater kind of guy then i would suggest trying Big Thunder Ranch Barbecue. It is an all you can eat western style BBQ open for both lunch and dinner. We tried it for the 1st time in April and LOVED LOVED LOVED it. Well priced and very good food.

Be aware you likely need reservations though ahead of time. We walked ALL the way up there only to be turned away. We were trying at 130 and were told they had nothing until 3.

 

[SMD]

Carnation also has fried chicken. Not sure if the line comment was about Plaza Inn or Carnation, but I've been given a buzzer for Carnation, there may still be a line to get the buzzer, though.

 

[Vegasnine]

Carnation also has fried chicken. Not sure if the line comment was about Plaza Inn or Carnation, but I've been given a buzzer for Carnation, there may still be a line to get the buzzer, though.

I was only talking about the Plaza Inn. The line for dinner wrapped around the front but it moved very quickly.

 

[tlovesdis]

CO is our favorite place to eat and we eat there every trip! My niece and I share the three cheese monte cristo and pomme frites! SO DELICIOUS!!!!

We've eaten at CC a few times and it's ok.

Both have a nice outdoor eating area and at CO if you get a table by the rail you can people watch!!

 

[4Siamese]

Be aware you likely need reservations though ahead of time

We might have been lucky then with the time of year it was for us, We walked up with no rezzies and we were sat right away.

But yes rezzies are probably a good idea if you really want to eat there, but that is a good rule of thumb for any must eat at place in DLR.

 

[texasmom45]

We ate at both places last year in July. We did the Carnation Cafe at lunch. The atmosphere seemed to be what you are looking for. It was nice and quiet, and the service was good. I had the meatloaf (I love meatloaf) and I did not think it was great. We will be skipping CC on our next trip. We liked the food at Cafe Orleans much better, but my husband loves Cajun/Creole food. We sat outside for an evening meal, and it was a great atmosphere, but not quiet.

I second the recommendation for French Market. They seem to have more homestyle-type foods, and the price is right.

What about the restaurant next to the Winnie the Pooh ride (sorry, can't remember the name)? It has nice, shaded outside seating. I'm not sure about the salad situation, but the burgers are good.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

 

[figment_jii]

What about the restaurant next to the Winnie the Pooh ride (sorry, can't remember the name)? It has nice, shaded outside seating. I'm not sure about the salad situation, but the burgers are good.

That's the Hungry Bear. It's another counter service option.

 

[peterpanandwendy]

I second the vote for Big Thunder Ranch BBQ. All you can eat chicken, ribs and sausage, cole slaw, corn bread, baked beans etc. Super yummy, but make reservations for sure. It is very quiet there, tucked away from the park and surrounded by tall beautiful trees.