DTD/Disney Hotels Restuarant Suggestions?

[Shock13]

I would love to hear some of the suggestions/advice/experiences about the restaurants in DTD or the Disney resort hotels, preferably table service. I'll be staying at DLH and need 3 nights for dinners. I'm open to any kind of food except probably Mexican. I come from a Mex-Am family and we have that food every day.
Also any restaurants that have a well-lit dining area would be nice. Thank you!

 

[nannyz]

We always have at least one meal at Naples. Their pizza is pretty good.
When we go this summer, we will definitely eat at Earl of Sandwich. I know it's just a sandwich, but a very good one and certainly good enough to have for dinner.

 

[crystal1313]

We like Naples as well. The pizza is really good. And yummy drinks. We also LOVE Steakhouse 55 in the DLH. It's pricey but really good! Like a high end steak house. And we also like Storytellers cafe too at the Grand.

 

[Shock13]

Mmm...pizza is my favorite. I will definitely try Naples.

 

[DarthMole]

The pizza at Naples is very underwhelming. I was so excited to try it on our prior trip in 2012. When you walk into the restaurant, the smell is amazing. However, the dough and sauce were pretty bland. If you can't get those two right, forget about the rest. Anyway, we went back to Naples last week and my wife ordered pizza so I had to try it to see if it was any better than I remembered. It wasn't.

We did split a caesar salad which we all agree was good. So was the spaghetti & meatballs which I split with my son. So for us, the food is good but the pizza is sadly lacking. We'll be back, but not for the pizza.

You mention "well lit" and I will say Steakhouse 55 is not well lit at all. They keep it pretty dim in there. So if you need well lit to accommodate someone with sensory issues, I'd probably avoid Steakhouse 55 even though the food is great there.

Take a look at Catal. We've never been but it's touted as one of the best in DTD.

Then there's always Tortilla Joes.

 

[YukonMommy]

We really enjoy the Rain Forest Café, although you might not consider it well lit. We also like Earl of Sandwich....super yummy!

Have a magical time.

 

[tlovesdis]

I've tried all the places in DTD and the only two I like are Earl of Sandwich and Rainforest Cafe!

Make that three! Tortilla Joe's is actually are #1 favorite, but you said no Mexican food

Jazz Kitchen and ESPN are ok, but nothing special and I would never eat at Naples again. The pizza was not good at all.

At the DLH we love Trader Sam's. They have a small menu, but the food is good as so are the drinks!!

 

[figment_jii]

My favorite restaurant at DTD is Brennan's Jazz Kitchen. The menu has lots of yummy options, but my favorite is the BBQ Shrimp & Grits and the Grilled Medallions of Beef. I wouldn't say it's a well-lit restaurant, but it's not super dark/dim either.

 

[lucysmom]

We really love Storyteller's in the GCH. Every meal we have eaten there has been superb. The portions are a good size. The service is excellent. At night you can choose from their buffet or their menu. In the morning they have a character breakfast. It really is my favorite restaurant at DLR.

 

[SMD]

The pizza at Naples is very underwhelming. I was so excited to try it on our prior trip in 2012. When you walk into the restaurant, the smell is amazing. However, the dough and sauce were pretty bland. If you can't get those two right, forget about the rest. Anyway, we went back to Naples last week and my wife ordered pizza so I had to try it to see if it was any better than I remembered. It wasn't.

We did split a caesar salad which we all agree was good. So was the spaghetti & meatballs which I split with my son. So for us, the food is good but the pizza is sadly lacking. We'll be back, but not for the pizza.

I ate at Naples once several years ago when staying for a few days with friends from out of state. At the time I felt like I could get a better margherita pizza at a cheaper price at my neighborhood CPK. The prices have since increased at CPK, and I haven't felt like I need to back to Naples, so it may have improved, but eh, it's pizza, I can get it lots of places.

I like the entrees at ESPN Zone, and the novelty of the reclining chairs, if they're available. I wouldn't call it well lit, but I guess the main dining room is pretty bright. PCH Grill is well lit, I just don't love their most recent menu changes. My usual go to DtD dinner is La Brea Bakery, although, again, not as much of a fan of their most recent menu, the prices have really gone up to the point that I'm more likely to drive elsewhere.

 

[Astylla]

Here is my list and experiences :

Downtown Disney

ESPN Zone : Bar style/TGIF Fridays type food but good quality. Can be a little pricey and waits can be LONG if you don't arrive early.

Some favorites include their nachos , steak dishes , philly cheese steak sandwiches.

Pros: Great portion sizes , variety , great drinks , fun place for adults and kids

Cons : Long waits possible as they don't take reservations aside from 15 people or more ( I believe) ; If a sporting event is going on it can be a madhouse

Naples : Italian food - can't comment on pizzas specifically but their entrees were delicious.

Pros : Delicious food and fun atmosphere. Fun to watch the pizzas made and come out. They smelled super yummy !

Cons : Small space that is misleading from outside. Tables are fairly close to each other but not too uncomfortable. Gets busy - make reservations for sure - we saw so many families turned away or on an hour wait !

See below :

Appetizer : Panzerotti : Fried pizza dough filled with cheeses - AMAZING. Not greasy at all , fluffy and the marianara was fresh.



Entrees :

Chicken Parmesan ( Pollo on menu) - Lightly breaded chicken tender and crispy but not burned at all - flaky breading that adds not takes away from the flavor. Creamy mozzarella cheese. Hubby loved this !



Lasagna :
Fresh noodles ( could be house made) , sausage , cheeses , everything tasted soo fresh and was delicious. It is filling despite it's seemingly small size.




Rainforest Cafe - I find the food mediocore and overpriced , b ut fun to do at least once especially if you have kids or like the atmosphere. It can get loud so if you have children or adults sensitive to sounds please be aware.
PLEASE MAKE RESERVATIONS AND SAVE YOURSELF A WAIT.



Pros : Fun atmosphere with the animals and huge fish tank/gift shop out front. Varied menu.

Cons : ALWAYS busy. Without reservations we have seen waits as much as 1- 1/2 hours. Food is mediocre but has a slightly varied tropical feel menu.

Jazz Kitchen ( Full service) - Cajun inspired food with the feel of New Orleans/Mardi gras inside.

Pros : Gumbo is probably the best I've ever had hands down. Portions are about average but all tasted fresh. Service has been good here and attentive.

Cons : Only been here once - I suppose cons could be slightly slow service on refills/drinks. Low/dim lighting adds to the mood but could be hard for others to see.



Disneyland Hotels :

Steakhouse 55 - Disneyland Hotel

There is nothing bad I can say about this place - It is an expensive steakhouse but earns every penny we have spent there..three times now.
Wonderful service , drinks , steaks , just treat yourself someday if you get a chance !

Hope this helps.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

Jazz Kitchen and Storyteller's are our go to every trip!

 

[jplum13]

Our favorite dining experience at DL is Napa Rose in The Grand California. The food is excellent and the service has always been superb. They also do a fantastic job with the wine pairings.

 

[TNS_Tinkerbell]

We love Trader Sam's. It's in the pool area at the Disneyland Hotel, but is walkable from DTD .

It's a bar, yes, but kids can go too.

Think Tiki Room, in a bar setting, with amazing food, atmosphere and fun.

Tortilla Joes rocks, too.

Ralph's is good too...but it spicy, so I found it to be heartburn city.

Goofy's is fun for dinner to, if you like character dinning.

 

[Malcon10t]

Naples and Earl are on my "NEVER AGAIN" list. That said, my daughter does love *1* sandwich at Earl's. The Holiday Turkey sandwich. Other than that, all the sandwiches we have tried (4 others) were dry and lacking. (We are used to Togo's, and Earl didn't match up.)

My #1 is Tortilla Jo's. Love the place. And the taquiria is great. Love being able to get something to go quickly. But, you said no Mexican.

My next choice is Steakhouse 55. (It is dimly light, mood lighting.) But the food is excellent. I will be eating there Friday!!!

Also, Storytellers.

 

[hmurra75]

Earl of Sandwich is definitely one of my new favorites!! Their sandwichees are so scrumptious and delicious!

Rainforest Cafe is another jewel in DTD.. though we usually only go for breakfast and at that time there are NO waits/ no customer's really so the service is really top notch while still experiencing the atmosphere of the rainforest . Super recommended!

I've also heard Trader Sams Tiki Bar at the Disneyland Hotel is really good too and I think it's right next door to DTD so not much further of a walk. Like other posters have said, yes it's a bar, but also very kid friendly I plan on experiencing it next time I go based off that information and I'm hoping to score a special mug too

Anyway, hope this helps!

 

[nannyz]

To the OP, as you can see, you will get likes and dislikes on almost any restaurant anyone names.
Just go for it and hopefully you will enjoy whatever you choose.

 

[TheChapman6]

I'm a big fan of auntie Ann's pretzels!

Loved tortilla joes! We did the express and shared a big order of nachos, we did jazz kitchen express and had burgers with Cajun fries and Benniets

 

[TheChapman6]

We loved tortilla jo we shared a huge order of nachos one night and we did burgers and Cajun fries from jazz kitchen express one night too. Followed by Benniets for dessert. We also did Goofys kitchen for dinner which has a huge variety and everything was yummy!

 

[crystal1313]

Naples and Earl are on my "NEVER AGAIN" list. That said, my daughter does love *1* sandwich at Earl's. The Holiday Turkey sandwich. Other than that, all the sandwiches we have tried (4 others) were dry and lacking. (We are used to Togo's, and Earl didn't match up.)

My #1 is Tortilla Jo's. Love the place. And the taquiria is great. Love being able to get something to go quickly. But, you said no Mexican.

My next choice is Steakhouse 55. (It is dimly light, mood lighting.) But the food is excellent. I will be eating there Friday!!!

Also, Storytellers.

Good to know about Earls, we are used to Togo's too (it's our families favorite). The line has been crazy long every time we are there so we never have tried it.

OP, check out http://allears.net/dlr/din/menu/menus.htm#dtd you can look at the menus and see what place sounds the best to you.