Can't get excited about DL dining.

[GoofItUp]

We are going to DL for the 2nd time this Jan. I can't seem to get excited about any of the dining venues. I only remember two meals from our last trip (approx 1 year ago): Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen & the Test Pilot counter service place. I understand that the Test Pilot place does not serve the same burgers anymore (no bleu cheese burger IIRC), so I don't know that we will go back there. RBJK might be a return trip for lunch one day. And I think we will try HoB just because we can get the certs off rest.com and we enjoyed HoB at WDW. I'm glad we're staying at VGC so we can order groceries and pop up to the room for a quick meal.

At WDW I enjoy the WS dining, the themed restaurants, etc. I'm just not getting that same feel from the DL restaurants.

Am I missing something? Does anyone else feel underwhelmed by the dining options?

 

[SplashMo]

I would love to go to the Napa Rose again.

I like BB on a hot day for Lunch. It is a nice downtime activity.

Based on feedback form the board. We are going to the following on our trip:

Pizza Port pasta (Lunch First Day)
Carnation Cafe
Pacific Warf Café
Café Orleans
River Bell Terrace
Plazza Inn
White Water Snacks (Lunch)

 

[JessicaFaye508]

are you going to ariel's grotto at CA park??? that is my FAVORITE. i also love napa rose and goofy's kitchen.

 

[oc_tony]

Am I missing something? Does anyone else feel underwhelmed by the dining options?

I understand where you are coming from. When you are used to the dining at WDW, the dining at DLR pales a bit. That being said, my family and I do have a few favorites, including Steakhouse 55 and Napa Rose (on the high end), the fried chicken at the Plaza Inn and the pizza at Naples (on the "medium" end) and the baked potatoes at Troubadour Tavern (on the low end). And we enjoy Storytellers Cafe for breakfast.

My family and I also love WS dining as well as the many other eateries at WDW. We'll be trying some new ones this Dec. Can't wait!

 

[jimreuter]

Last time I checked (10 days or so ago) the menu at Taste Pilot's had not changed - their special burgers were still on the menu.

 

[tlovesdis]

Cafe Orleans and Plaza Inn are our favorites in DL park. In DTD we love Tortilla Joes. They have the best chips!!!

 

[sonnyjane]

Last time I checked (10 days or so ago) the menu at Taste Pilot's had not changed - their special burgers were still on the menu.

Confirmed. They still have the bleu cheese burger as of two days ago.

 

[Cartcanuck]

the bleu cheese burger IS definitely on the menu at Taste Pilots. I had one 8 days ago

 

[Shakthi]

I know exactly what you mean. I can't find anything at DL that excites me in terms of food. I've been in the pursue for a long time but every single time I get disappointed. Although many might disagree, everything is pretty much very expensive average food, nothing to die for. I would say "to each, its own". If we are in the park, we just eat the food because we don't want to go out, but we don't have high hopes and expectations anymore.

 

[HydroGuy]

DLR does have some nice dining venues but does not have the breadth of WDW. Traditionally they have catered to locals on day trips who prefer counter service - and those are pretty good BTW. We like Redd Rockets Pizza Port at DL and Taste Pilots Grill which you found yourself.

Other spots we like are Blue Bayou (pricey), Ariels Grotto, Storytellers, Tortilla Jo's (in DTD) and RainForest Cafe.

 

[Meriweather]

DLR isn't as exciting as WDW, that is for sure.

We have enjoyed our meals at:
Napa Rose
Ariel's Grotto
White Water Snacks
Pacific Wharf
Cafe Orleans
House of Blues
Rainforest
Tortilla Jo's

 

[disneyfaninaz]

On our recent trip, the best meal we had was at the Carnation Cafe. That being said, we also enjoy the carver sandwiches at The River Belle Terrace.

I have also heard very good things about the Wine Tratorria in DCA.

 

[GoofItUp]

Glad to hear the Taste Pilot's specialty burgers are still there. We'll make that stop again.

It's hard for us to get excited about Blue Bayou or Cafe Orleans. DH's family lives very near the Tx/La border and has a heavy Cajun influence. In fact, his family farms crawfish. When you can get really good Cajun food there, I'm afraid the Disney version would disappoint.

What do you think about AG for boys? My boys are 2 & 4, so I don't know that it would interest them. I don't think they've ever even seen Little Mermaid. (I know, GASP!) Will AG be worth taking them to?

I may have to just try something for the fun of it. Maybe I'll be surprised and find something that I really like!

 

[tdashgirl]

What do you think about AG for boys? My boys are 2 & 4, so I don't know that it would interest them. I don't think they've ever even seen Little Mermaid. (I know, GASP!) Will AG be worth taking them to?

Maybe I missed it but have you tried Goofy's Kitchen? I really like their breakfast (we go for the later, 11 am or so, seating). The characters are better for boys, IMO. Ariels Grotto, I think their food is good, but it's definitely princess overload

My family really likes Naples also. YUMMY pizza that you can share.

You're just not going to get the wide variety themed restaurants that you get at WDW, sorry I wish we had those too

 

[tdashgirl]

I may have to just try something for the fun of it. Maybe I'll be surprised and find something that I really like!

Just had another thought, looking at the bright side of things , at DLR you can almost always follow your whim-of-the-day for dining! I've heard that's not the case at WDW

 

[Goofy_Mom]

We like the Plaza and Riverbelle for counter sevice. It'll be our 1st time at Cafe Orleans since they switched to a table service.

 

[DahliaRW]

I personally LOVE Carnation Cafe for breakfast. It's a must in my book. Best food in the park, IMO. And it's a treat when Chef Oscar comes out to chat as well! (not guaranteed, but he did last time we were there!)

 

[jacky b]

Plaza Inn has a great character breakfast, White Water Snacks at the GCH is great for breakfast as well and you are close to that. Goofy's is also great for breakfast. For lunch we like ESPN Zone, Rainforest Cafe, Carnation Cafe, Riverbelle Terrace. For Dinner we like ESPN Zone, Ralph Brennons, Storyteller's Cafe.

 

[Sherry E]

Glad to hear the Taste Pilot's specialty burgers are still there. We'll make that stop again.

It's hard for us to get excited about Blue Bayou or Cafe Orleans. DH's family lives very near the Tx/La border and has a heavy Cajun influence. In fact, his family farms crawfish. When you can get really good Cajun food there, I'm afraid the Disney version would disappoint.

What do you think about AG for boys? My boys are 2 & 4, so I don't know that it would interest them. I don't think they've ever even seen Little Mermaid. (I know, GASP!) Will AG be worth taking them to?

I may have to just try something for the fun of it. Maybe I'll be surprised and find something that I really like!

If you want really good, authentic New Orleans food in SoCal (not the Disney version of Cajun food), take a little side jaunt up to L.A. while you're in town. In the Original Farmers Market (at Third and Fairfax) is the Gumbo Pot - and it is very well-regarded for its food. It's just a walk-up/counter service place - nothing fancy - but it gets rave reviews.

 

[pixarmom]

Hi OP!

We are WDW vets, and Disney dining is a very important part of our vacation. Of course, dining at DL is different, with a different reservation system and lots of counter service options. But we really enjoy several DL restaurants, and we're happy with the options. Blue Bayou is a great experience, for example. We all enjoy the food, and you really can't beat eating dinner inside the Pirates ride! It's a huge hit with our boys!

We also like Wine Country and Carnation Cafe for lunch. In August, we sat outside at Wine Country and really enjoyed the atmosphere, food and quick service. Carnation Cafe is fun and lively, with a great view of Main Street and outstanding service. As many others report, the loaded baked potato soup is very yummy!

We like Storytellers for both dinner and the character breakfast, and we think Cucina Cucamonga Mexican Grill is one of the best counter service restaurants at either DL or WDW! The food is really fresh, the tortillas are amazing, and the view of Mickey's Fun Wheel from the seating area is so festive!

I hope this helps a bit as you plan your dining - have a great trip!