California Grill Vegetarian/Vegan Options?

[kiwicake]

I heard you can call ahead and let Disney know you're a vegetarian so they prepare something special for you? How soon do you call and does anyone know what they make? Do they make awesome vegetarian sushi? Food porn would be awesome!

 

[disnut1149]

I've been there twice. I don't eat at any meat. The first time I only had a salad and the goat cheese ravioli which was an appetizer. It's just one ravioli, and it was delicious.The second time I had an entree which they made for me. It was veggie lasagna and was inedible. It tasted awful. I didn't call ahead, but you can too see what they have on their menu or what they can make you. They usually have a vegetarian option. Service was great and it was really fun going out on the balcony to watch the fireworks. Have a great time.

 

[kiwicake]

eeek.. Hope they improved on that if that's what they serve...

I've eaten there before and absolutely loved it but that was before I went vegetarian. So I'm really curious what they will make if you tell them ahead of time. I have a feeling I probably have to let them know a few weeks ahead of my reservation. If anyone has experience with this please let me know!

 

[Melanie B]

It looks like they have a few vegetarian options and they all look very good. As much as I enjoy meat I may have to sample some of the veggie options on my next trip.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

In our experience (and we visit CG about once every 3 months), if they have the ingredients, they will fix it for you.

There is always a vegetarian option on the menu. I am not a vegetarian & have ordered this from time to time & have thoroughly enjoyed.

I would suggest having it noted on your res & make sure to discuss with you server once you arrive.

FWIW, the goat cheese rav is AMAZING!

 

[seetheworld]

I was there in July and had a potato dish that was their new vegetarian option. It was potato and some veggies and that is it. It was horrible & boring! I enjoyed the fireworks and view though. I have seen people post on here you can ask for the mixed vegetarian dish that I did not know of when I ate there. It has 3 or 4 different veggie dishes on a divided plate to try. I wish I could remember where I saw pics of it. It looked great!

 

[Chaitali]

It's been a couple years since I've gone so I'm not sure if things are the same but my experience was pretty good there. I asked for veggie sushi and they were able to make something for me. My dad had the ravioli and loved it. My mom had the vegan unplugged (the dish people were talking about earlier in the thread where 4 little dishes are served together on a plate). It included something salad-y, a piece of vegan flatbread, some potato dish, and I forget the 4th thing. I found a couple reviews of the unplugged dish - http://thecrunchfactor.wordpress.co...–-california-grill-at-the-contemporary-hotel/

and

http://thesplitplate.blogspot.com/2012/09/day-2-vegan-unplugged.html

They're all from a couple years ago, as is my experience, so I'm not sure if they still do it but I would think so.

 

[roxy84]

I ate there late September and really enjoyed my meal. I had the Ravioli for an appetizer, and when I asked it a specific entree was vegetarian, the server said yes, but recommended the Vegetarian unplugged (not on the menu). They pass four little plates around with the chefs and whatever they have and want to make they will, every time will be something different as it depends on what the chefs feel like/have access to. I liked every dish I had, and am glad I've become more adventurous with my food otherwise I probably would have passed on this.

 

[kiwicake]

Was the veggie sushi really good? Was it a little more special then just cucumber and carrots? hehe! I really love sushi and I know CG is one of the top 5 in America. So I'm hoping their veggie sushi is really awesome I had their fish sushi years before I went vegetarian and it was soo good!

Sounds like the Ravioli is fantastic!

I really LOVE the idea of the Vegetarian unplugged!! I think I'll ask for that if they still do it! I love surprises! I'm so excited!!!

 

[Chaitali]

Was the veggie sushi really good? Was it a little more special then just cucumber and carrots? hehe! I really love sushi and I know CG is one of the top 5 in America. So I'm hoping their veggie sushi is really awesome I had their fish sushi years before I went vegetarian and it was soo good!

I've actually had it twice and it was a very different experience. One time was just the standard cucumber/avocado but the second was fun with different types if rolls with different veggies. One was mushroom, one was pickled daikon, and one was some type of greens. So I think it depends on the sushi chef who's there at the time.

 

[itchin2go]

I have eaten here twice. Both times, there has been a vegetarian entree on the menu. I tend to order straight off the menu, and I was not disappointed.

There are always some other menu options too - salads, appetizers, flatbreads. I agree with the other posters that the signature ravioli dish is outstanding.

Menu: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/contemporary-resort/california-grill/menus/

 

[TipsyTraveler]

I got to the point where I stopped notifying Disney of my vegetarian diet ahead of time (with the exception of the dinner shows -- those need to be notified). There are vegetarian dishes on just about every menu in every restaurant. Even for the few that don't have them listed, I'm pretty sure they could roll with it. Vegetarian is pretty well understood at this point. I haven't been back since becoming vegan. For that, I imagine I'll need to give advance notice.

Cali Grill has veg options on the menu. Veg appetizers can be served as an entree portion if you ask. They do the Unplugged dishes where they pass the plate around the kitchen and have the four chefs create something on the fly. They offer this for both vegetarian and vegan. I think Cali Grill could probably handle vegan requests without advance notice, but it wouldn't be a bad idea to give them a heads up. For vegetarian it's really not necessary.

FTR, the best veg sushi I've ever had was the vegetarian roll at Flying Fish. Never ordered sushi at Cali Grill though.

 

[kaytieeldr]

You really, truly don't need to call ahead for vegetarian meals. There's at least one option on every menu, and if that doesn't work just ask at the restaurant.

 

[kiwicake]

I've actually had it twice and it was a very different experience. One time was just the standard cucumber/avocado but the second was fun with different types if rolls with different veggies. One was mushroom, one was pickled daikon, and one was some type of greens. So I think it depends on the sushi chef who's there at the time.

Awesome! Thank you for the information! I'm so excited!

 

[kiwicake]

You really, truly don't need to call ahead for vegetarian meals. There's at least one option on every menu, and if that doesn't work just ask at the restaurant.

I think I'm going to still call anyways because I prefer having at least two options available. My mom and I like getting different things so we can try each others dish It will probably help them knowing ahead of time. Haha maybe even get the chefs creative minds cooking!

 

[jrmint427]

When I ate at California Grill last year I was eating vegan at the time. I did call ahead to let them know my preferences and they told me they would be able to accommodate.

When we got there, I reminded our host and server that I was eating vegan. The server initially told me I could order anything on the menu and they could make it vegan, so I ordered the only vegetarian item on the menu, the pumpkin-fig ravioli. He came back and told me they could not make that vegan, could I please pick something else. I asked what he recommended and he started listing meat items I reminded him that I do not eat meat, so he said he would be right back. He came back and said, "Don't worry, the chef will make you a surprise."

I was a little nervous but agreed. This is what he came out with:

Flatbread pizza, rice and mushrooms, I think butternut squash risotto and a salad with no dressing. I didn't eat the salad because I don't like plain lettuce. I thought the meal was good, but expensive for what I got (I think it was about $18).

 

[robinb]

We just ate there 3 nights ago. My DD ordered a veggie flatbread and vegetarian sushi. There were 12 pieces total of sushi and it was under $30.