Dining for Family essentials #2

[hawkeyesparks]

Im taking my family to DL for the first time this summer. The food is an important part of the vacation for us. My last question was about table service restaurants, and everyone was very helpful!

This time I need help with the counter service. What are the 4-5 counter service places that are your favorites that you wouldn't want to miss when you go?

 

[figment_jii]

For my family, we like:

• French Market (DL) - good variety of dishes, outdoor seating only (lunch/dinner)
• Plaza Inn (DL) - the fried chicken is one of the most popular dishes here on the Disboards (note that the Plaza Inn is a character buffet at breakfast and then switches over to a counter service venue for lunch/dinner)
• Redd Rockett's Pizza Port (DL) - we like the salads (lunch/dinner)
• Jolly Holiday (DL) - very good desserts and snack items, but also pretty good salads, sandwiches, and soups; outdoor seating only (lunch/dinner)
• Tangaroa Terrace (DLH) - a fun selection of foods, including yummy flatbreads; mixed seating (lunch/dinner)

My family has the hardest time finding meals in DCA. The CS locations there are okay, but nothing has really stood out for us. In a pinch, we've eaten at Pacific Wharf Cafe (Boudin's Bakery), Flo's, 3 Pig Cafe (aka Starbucks), and Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta. They were fine, but not places we make a point of going to. We've had more "fun" picking a mixture of things (kind of like munching our way through DCA) at places like Award Weiner, the Cozy Cones, etc.

 

[tzeitel]

We went this past Oct and I had a huge list of places I wanted to try. Some of the CS that stood out for us -

DLR
The Plaza - DH had the chicken and said it was pretty good. I had the pasta and it was ok. Lots of seating, nice to sit outside in the early evening.
Bengal BBQ - loved the skewers! Did not have it as a meal, more like a snack Right across from Jungle Cruise and Indy.
Rancho del Zocalo - our first meal at DLR and it was great. The tacos were very good and they have cinnamon chips that I still dream about.

DCA
Cozy Cones - Wanted the chili cone but they did not have it so I had the mac 'n cheese cone. Nice and creamy, the cone was really good too.
Lucky Fortune Cookery - I had the spicy Korean beef and it was ok, nothing spectacular but it filled us up.

DtD
Jazz Kitchen window was fantastic!
Earl of Sandwich is a fave at DLR and WDW

 

[ShaunaM]

In DCA
We indulge in the caloric count at corn Dog Castle.

We really enjoy sitting outside after dark at Flo's watching Radio Springs Racers.

The wharf has some good options..Chinese. .Mexican and of course the soup bowls made of sourdough. We often stop at the bakery too and get a sourdough mickey head and will snack on it through the day and then even for breakfast the next day.

In DLR

@the TikiRoom...Always a dole whip not the floats none of us cared for those found it diluted the whip too much..OK not a meal but a must for us.

We enjoy the out of the way quiet tables behind Hungry Bear.

 

[firefly87]

We like Hungry Bear too. Good burgers there and then we sit outside overlooking the Rivers of America. Its usually a nice quiet area.

Have been hearing about the baked potatoes at the Harbour Galley right on the river and near the drop on Splash Mtn. Says there is a baked potato with bbq shredded pork on top along with coleslaw. I am hoping to try one in a few days!

We have eaten at Rancho del Zocalo as well. Good food there and another vote for their cinnamon chips. They are delicious! We have also eaten back in Fantasyland at Village Haus. Nothing stands out in my memory so it must not have been horrible or I would have made a mental note not to go back!

In DCA, we do enjoy the wharf area. Its the only place where everyone can go get whatever they want and then we all come back and sit together to eat. My kids love the chinese place and DH and I love the Boudin bakery. Last trip, we brought home a Mickey head sourdough loaf.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

The baked potatoes are no longer available at Harbor Galley. They are now sold at Troubadour Tavern by the FL Theater. I've heard that the choices are limited, so the bbq pork potato may not be on the menu.

We like Paradise Garden Grill in DCA. The Greek salad is good and large enough to share. If we also get a skewer plate, that is plenty of food to share. And if the Ellis Island Boys are playing, that seals the deal!

 

[firefly87]

The baked potatoes are no longer available at Harbor Galley. They are now sold at Troubadour Tavern by the FL Theater. I've heard that the choices are limited, so the bbq pork potato may not be on the menu.

Thank you for that update!

 

[tlovesdis]

Our favorite CS places...

DL - Rancho del Zocalo, Plaza Inn, Carnation Cafe and the corn dog cart

DCA - Corn Dog Castle (we like the cheese stick), Pacific Wharf Cafe and Garden Grill