Counter service recommendations

molly2004

DIS Veteran
Joined
May 13, 2005
Messages
742
We are going for the first time in 10 days and would love some recommendations for places to eat. We are splurging one night and eating at Emerils. We are only going for the weekend so do not want to spend too much money.

So please list:
Fav counter service restaurant
Which park
What is the best thing they offer

Thanks!
 
I like La Bama's at US and Enchanted Oak Tree? in IOA.

Jenn
 
My picks are:

US - anywhere but Monsters' Cafe (cute theming but, filthy:eek: & gross food - would have walked out, but DS & DH really wanted to eat there!)

International Cafe was adequate - at least there was something to pick from besides chicken strips & hamburgers.

IOA - Enchanted Oak (great theming - you might see Merlin, pretty darn good chicken and beer too!

Good Luck
 
Try the Green Eggs & Ham in Seuss Landing.

Richter's in USF has good burgers and shakes, much better than Mel's.
 

Richters (hamburgers) or La Bamba in Universal. Enchanted Oak in IoA.

I like Monster's. It's never been dirty when I've gone. I don't really enjoy the food at International though. Maybe I'm just choosing the wrong food.
 
Bring a lot of money. It is not inexpensive. We like an italian place that is near (across from) Jaws and Rosie's Second Hand Store. The burger joint isn't bad (towards entrance), but for whatever reason, DH and I get annoyed there (????).
 
Laurajean1014 said:
Bring a lot of money. It is not inexpensive. We like an italian place that is near (across from) Jaws and Rosie's Second Hand Store. The burger joint isn't bad (towards entrance), but for whatever reason, DH and I get annoyed there (????).

The Italian place is Louie's but it isn't near Jaws. It is a cheap place to eat if you order a whole pizza and share.

The burger joint is Mel's across from Horror makeup show. It has a fun atmosphere but the burgers are a little bland for my taste.
 
phamton said:
Richters (hamburgers) or La Bamba in Universal. Enchanted Oak in IoA.

I like Monster's. It's never been dirty when I've gone. I don't really enjoy the food at International though. Maybe I'm just choosing the wrong food.
What really creeped me out about Monster's was the fact that we were their 1st customers of the day - food was spilled all over the counter area & floor & the tables/seats/floor underneath were covered w/food crumbs & stickly:scared:

We don't eat breakfast, so we're usually starved by 11:00 a.m. Nothing opened up until 11:30 a.m or later when we were there - used to WDW opening for lunch @ 11:00 a.m. Gross to think it wasn't cleaned from the night before...hope we just hit them on an "off day". Think the "Creature of the Black Lagoon" mural & the alien are a hoot.

Had something "oriental" @ International, nothing memorable; just nice to have options...we like buffets & it's the closest thing we found.

Know it's not a CS but have you eaten @ Finnegans, if so what do you think?
 
I'd be upset also if I came into a messy food establishement. My father was a health inspector for the state of Texas for years until he retired and so I'm a little picky about cleanliness in places that sell food. I don't blame you for being creeped out. The times I have gone it has been clean but I would definitely complain if I saw a mess.

Finnegans is really good. It seems to get some great reviews on this board. I have had corned beef and cabbage there that was great and also a fish platter. I can't remember what all my husband has ordered there but whatever it was, he loved it.
 
I say Cafe 4 at IOA and Louies at Universal for cheap eats--if you like pizza. You can get it by the slice or a whole pie if you have a crowd.

We have had bar snacks at Finnegans. DH liked the wings. I had a few black and tans :drinking1 at the time so the food is not that memorable to me! I think I had fish and chips on another occasion, but it was not much to write home about. If you like the Irish Pub atmosphere, go during HH and sit in the back--there is usually a musician who improves as the beer level increases. The disappointing thing about Finnegans is that HH prices are for domestics only. In an Irish Pub, it would be nice to have specials on Guinness and Harp!
 
I really like the Burger Digs at IOA. The food is good (great fixings bar) and the view from the terrace in the back of the restaurant has a great view of the park over the lagoon.
 
Green Eggs and Ham is not open right now no word on when it will be again.
 
My fav is the Burger Digs in IOA. My kids LOVE Circus McGircus (spelling?).
I have only been to the Monster Cafe a few times and it was always clean when I was there.
 
love Burger Digs. we really don't have a favorite counter in US, but Monster's Cafe has really wood-fired good rotisserie (sp?) chicken.
 
The rib platter at the Enchanted Oak (in IOA, as mentioned above) is a TON of food for ten to twelve bucks (if you're not starving, there very well may be enough for two folks to share). You get the ribs, some fries, a (usually) large ear of corn-on-the-cob (cooked on the grill, not on a stove), and a piece of cornbread (with real corn!).

They also have a chicken 'n rib combo also, but the chicken is less than memorable when its compared to the ribs.

Over at the Studios, the Boulangerie is a nice cheaper option as well. Just your standard sandwiches on a croissant faire, along with pastries and deserts. They're not horribly overpriced, and the quality is generally quite good.
 
We really enjoyed Wimpy's at IOA, but that's probably because we both love Popeye!
 
at IOA we love burger digs; it was a nice view of the park and good food
at us we love the international food court
it has a wide variety of food types and it was pretty good
the food can be cold at times though

also richters is good
 
At US- we like La Bamba- great food that is not too pricey. Don't eat at Monster Cafe- super theme but the food is not good at all
At IOA we like to eat at Confisco Grill at port of entry. They have wonderful chicken.
 
you are asking the wrong person here as i think all the food at universal is sooooo good.

without looking at the guide map i am afraid i will forget some of the good places but wil try. believe me, i have eaten at most of the places there.

at universal:
international food bazaar....tried different dishes here, the chinese didn't cut the mustard with me, too industrial style. but, the fried chicken dinner is very scrumpious........lots of food and excellent on taste.

la bamba.....ribs, great....can't go wrong with it.
la borgi whatever the way you spell it....the corner shop that also has bakeries and sandwiches are excellent, when you enter the park after the ticket turnstyle, it is on the first corner to the right. lots of choices also for picky eaters.
captain quint......good fish/shrimp platters.
catty corner across it is ..can't remember the name but they have hot dogs chicago style. i am from chicago and they are the real thing.

finnegans, sit down and a great choice of food. have had the burgers, fish and chips and corned beef and cabbage.....can you say yum yum..yes, that good.
mels is okay, their shakes are good. my kids liked their burgers more than i did.
richters.......try either the chicken sandwich or the burger. they have a fixing bar, no limits put it all on your sandwich......
lombards is fine but not counter service.

for island of adventure......i like comic strip cafe.....tacos were tasty
circus mcgurkus.......good choices for good prices lot of food very filling.
captain america for burgers or chicken strips.......excellent burgers.
enchanted oak for ribs, chicken......lots of food, worth the price.

fire eaters inn is one of my all time favorites, always get something here.
love their gyros, just like the ones i get in chicago. foot long dogs also...they have specials on the combo meals...you know, drink fries/sides etc.
burger diggs......fixing bar, fine and kept clean.......if you like burgers, you will like this place like capt america

mythos, but not a sit down. only do this if i have the time. great food, great service.

i know i am missing a few places where i always grab something.
it will come to me after i sign off tonight i just know it.

i have eaten at some of the places others have mentioned so did not repeat them. not as fond of louies as others are but i hit that place during hhn last year and it was packed.

at us, did enjoy monsters cafe for the ribs.

at all the places mentioned, you can get a 10% discount off all you order if you show your AAA card, universal mc, universal fan club card or ap.
 


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