Favorite counter service?

[Dduckmom]

We are WDW vets headed to DLR resorts for the first time at the beginning of August. I am wondering what everyone's favorite counter service restaurant is? We are looking for both parks and are willing to head to DTD or one of the resorts. Hoping to find somewhere where we may be able to sit and chill for a while, since we will need a rest during the day. and also more "eat & run" type places. We will not need breakfast, just lunch & dinner. It will be myself, DH and 2 DD (teenagers) and we all eat everything - we are not a picky family. As always, your advice is much appreciated.

 

[gerilyne]

One of my favs for CS is Hungry Bear restaurant. The fried green tomato sandwich is really yummy and it is a great place to sit and relax. We usuay head down to the lower level near the back by the water and just sit and enjoy the river and the boats going by.

Plaza Inn for the fried chicken meal is also a favorite but we go in summer so seating seemed to be harder to find there.

 

[Cheshirecatty]

We like Plaza Inn(Disneyland) for the Fried Chicken(We like to sit outside best), and Flo's(DCA)for the Turkey Dinner(but everything else is good there, as well, and we like to sit on the patio which overlooks radiator Springs Racers---so fun!)

 

[kitayama]

The places the people listed above are great!
Let me also add French Market. The beef dip is great! Their beef stew is also good.

 

[dragonflycurls]

A lot of people don't really like it but I love Taste Pilots. There is something nice about being able to put my burger together the way I like it that is so appealing

 

[rizzle64]

+1 on the Hungry Bear. I think it's one of the best places in the park. Big portions, good food and you can't beat the location, find a nice, shaded spot on the upper patio and enjoy the Rivers of America and a quieter corner of the park. The chili cheese burger is great!

 

[Midnightred]

My vote goes to Paradise Garden Grill all the way in the back of CA. You can get the Kebobs, delicious rice, and cucumber salad with your choice of sauce. I love the Beef with the Chimchurri sauce!

Midnightred

 

[DznyPrnces]

I really love the Jolly Holiday on Main Street. Everything we tried has been so good. Also, another vote for Flo's, yum! I have always also liked Tomorrowland Terrace, but it is just your standard burgers. Riverbelle Terrace is another good one.

 

[Drusilla99]

The plaza for dinner is great, I used to love hungry gear, but when they quit serving reg fries, only sweet potato fries, they lost me. We like village haus in fantasyland. Once we've eaten my teens take off & do a lot if the little kiddie rides & I stay & chill.

 

[wenrob]

Our go to in DL is Jolly Holiday and in DCA it is Flo's. Servings are big enough to split and everything is relatively tasty. I also stopped going to Hungry Bear because they don't have regular fries.

 

[Mouseketeers4]

We really liked Plaza Inn at DL and Flo's at DCA.

 

[Dot2Vegas]

For atmosphere and an decent (but not great) burger we love Village Haus. Our favorite food is at the Hungry Bear, which is also fun to sit at. We love the setting!

 

[figment_jii]

For my family, our favorite Counter Service venues are:

• French Market - lots of variety in the food (especially like the salads) and live jazz music (Royal Street Bachelors) periodically.
• Jolly Holiday - good salads and nice place to relax a people watch.
• Plaza Inn - another vote for the Fried Chicken!

 

[shocker]

After several visits, we still haven't eaten at Hungry Bear or Plaza Inn, so those are on my list for next visit.

But, the places we like to visit multiple times are Rancho de Zocalo with a food court feel for Mexican food and the kids beg for Golden Horseshoe even with the limited menu ( I think the ice cream dessert options have something to do with it). We also like Flo's for the homecooked meal vibe they give off. I've also eaten multiple times at Lucky Fortune Cookery and love that I can get brown rice inside a them park (food similar to Panda Express).

 

[BriannaRuth]

Hungry Bear. Love the Fried Green Tomato Sandwich and I normally don't even like tomatoes on my sandwiches! Very nice setting.

I also really like the food at Bengal BBQ but it's really difficult to get a seat there and the line is often way long.

 

[crystal1313]

Jolly Holiday and Plaza Inn at DL...Flo's and Pacific Wharf at DCA. And of course, the Corn Dog wagon at DL or Corn Dog Castle at DCA.

 

[cinderbellasmom]

Hungry Bear. Love the Fried Green Tomato Sandwich and I normally don't even like tomatoes on my sandwiches! Very nice setting.

I also really like the food at Bengal BBQ but it's really difficult to get a seat there and the line is often way long.

I'm totally with you BriannaRuth! I hate tomatoes but that sandwich sounds so good! I do like green salsa though so maybe that's why We love to just sit & relax by the river at Hungry Bear. The food is good too. And love the Banyan Beef Skewers, Asparagus & Bacon & Tiger Tail Bread at Bengal! Good choices

 

[bellazachmom]

My vote goes to Paradise Garden Grill all the way in the back of CA. You can get the Kebobs, delicious rice, and cucumber salad with your choice of sauce. I love the Beef with the Chimchurri sauce!

Midnightred

I agree!!!

Hubby and I love the kabobs and as a family of 6 we can easily get something for everyone with the couple of eateries all together right next door with lots of variety and kid friendly options. I had a delicious chicken pasta dish there last year after getting the kids pizza and pasta.

 

[Jagdcarcajou]

Heya,

For Disneyland it's Bengal BBQ. Everything is tasty, is relatively quick, and 3 skewers split between two people is generally enough to get you going again.

For California Adventure, Paradise Garden Grill. It's better than any of the sketchy burgers in the park, there is usually live entertainment nearby, and the value is relatively good (by park standards).

Have fun!

 

[tiffjoy]

As WDW vets, I think you will be pleasantly surprised by CS. I much prefer CS at DLR over WDW. Also, don't ignore the TS options at DLR just because you don't have reservations, if that is a concern of yours. ADRs are just not as critical at DLR as they are at WDW for most of the TS restaurants.

At DLR, my favorite CS is Hungry Bear for the tomato sandwich. My DH's favorite is the French Market for the French Dip, while I share the stew with my DD4. They often have a band playing at French Market, and it is such a great people watching location. My favorite part? Just pop right around the corner for dessert at the Mint Julep Bar for the amazing Mickey Beignets. SOOO good!!!

At DCA, all of us love Flo's. My two girls share with each of us. I always get the turkey meal and share with DD2, and DH lets DD4 pick, and she changes it up each time. I love the rolls! So tasty!

At DTD, we like the Mexican restaurant, the counter service one. The name is escaping me right now... sometimes, when in DCA, we hop over there for a quick meal and then head to DLR after. It takes such a short time compared to park hopping at WDW that it's easy to do. We also like EoS, but they have that at WDW.