FAVORITE MAGIC KINGDOM COUNTER SERVICE RESTARUANT FOR LUNCH

[JerseyJanice]

The braised pork dish at Be Our Guest was fantastic, but getting and keeping an ADR is a hassle so I wouldn't rate it as best.

I am a huge fan of the tuna sandwich at CHH so that's my go-to although the fajita platter at Pecos Bill is a great deal if you split it with someone. Cosmic Ray's rotisserie chicken is a long time favorite, and I was crazy for the fries at Casey's.

The only place listed that I would skip is Pinocchio. From photos I have seen, the flatbreads look miniature, and for whatever reason, Disney just can't seem to get Italian right.

 

[totallyhufflepuff]

I picked Cosmic Ray's. Can't get enough of that guy!!! LOL.

 

[disnmooner2013]

I think Cosmic Rays is off my list from the lack of menu options we like.

 

[gharter]

It depends what you like.
Be our Guest is great for lunch, but you really need ADR unless you want to wait a long time. Love the food and atmosphere, really hard to beat. Cross between counter and table service.
Jungle Cruise is a lot of fun (ate there in November). Enjoyed the food, the staff were awesome, they make the Jungle Cruise bad jokes proud, definitely table service, so might not be what you want.
Pecos Bills is hard to beat for counter service. I like the fajitas or the taco salad.
CHH is another good quick counter service that is alway consistant and good. Can be very busy, but upstairs os often less crowded.

 

[David Brent]

My tradition which isn't a healthy one is to lunch at CHH, then "snack" at PBill with some loaded nachos!

 

[willmccready]

I picked Cosmic Ray's. Can't get enough of that guy!!! LOL.

I previously picked BOG but Cosmic Rays was great because it gave my kids something to watch while we waited for my wife to get the food

 

[johnsgrl]

I have always loved CHH, but last time we went in October it was really...flat. The options seemed to be reduced, the wait to order was insane and no one was thrilled with the food (and I usually love it, but everything was lacking in flavor). Pecos Bills that same week was fabulous! Lots of choices, and my 2.5 year old grandson picked from everyone's plate and enjoyed all of the items from the topping bar. I think it was the most he ate at one sitting that week.

 

[portocall]

I chose Columbia Harbor House for two reasons. The last time I ate there, the food was delicious and I don't normally like seafood. But more importantly, it is sentimental. My first trip to Disney World was right around the time I was turning 4. I don't remember having to use the individual ride tickets, or most of the things we did but I do remember sitting at a window table overlooking Fantasyland thinking I was actually in Cinderella's castle. It is still one of my favorite memories. My aversion to seafood kept me away from figuring out where I actually was for 31 years after that but once I did, I had to go back to see it again and it was just as magical as my memory.

 

[mrswillson]

I fell in love with Sleepy Hollow Refreshments! While it's walk-up and quick service, they offer absolutely killer (and filling!) waffles and a nutella and fruit waffle sandwich that is sooooo worth it.

Be Our Guest is another favorite (due to ambiance and food both). The braised pork is delicious, as is the french onion soup.

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

I fell in love with Sleepy Hollow Refreshments! While it's walk-up and quick service, they offer absolutely killer (and filling!) waffles and a nutella and fruit waffle sandwich that is sooooo worth it.

Be Our Guest is another favorite (due to ambiance and food both). The braised pork is delicious, as is the french onion soup.

Our youngest son (who isn't that young - 16 at the time I think) LOVED the braised pork when we went to BOG for lunch, and he isn't the type to act too excited about anything. I also really enjoyed my roast beef sandwich, though I read recently that it is now served cold and isn't as good that way. Anyway, I'd probably say that BOG is the best QS in all of Disney World, at least at the parks, since I think Wolfgang Puck Marketplace in DTD is still the best.

 

[GPC0321]

I'm going to put a word in for Casey's, because for some reason it was one of my favorite lunches of our trip in March. I guess after some questionable food that had been touted as good here and other places online, it was nice to grab a simple hot dog and fries. Plus, I just love sitting at the outside tables and people watching. We got there early right after they opened, so the wait was minimal and tables were plentiful. It was a lovely day outside, and we just thoroughly enjoyed it.

In contrast, we went to CHH in the middle of a strong thunderstorm along with a ton of other people (some of whom weren't eating, they were just hiding out from the rain). It was so crowded and noisy. The food WAS good, I will say that, but the experience overall just wasn't as nice as eating hot dogs outside on a pretty day at Casey's.

We had breakfast at Be Our Guest and I was not impressed. The food wasn't bad, just nothing spectacular. I'm sure lunch is a different story. The restaurant is cute, but it's basically a crowded, noisy cafeteria with a fancy facade. If it didn't require a reservation, I would probably try lunch, but I don't think it's worth making a reservation. (Dinner is another story entirely,obviously.)

It's been years and years since I ate at Cosmic Ray's, but the distant memory is a positive one. Again, crowded. And it seemed like navigating with a tray of food was somewhat of a trial, but that could be just an individual experience as well.

My main thing for lunch is trying to schedule it so that you'll be hungry for lunch early. If you're hungry and truly ready to eat, whatever you get will probably satisfy your taste buds. If it's early enough that the crowds haven't descended on the place yet, your experience ordering, getting the food, and finding a seat will be positive. Any of these places can be good or bad depending on your appetite and timing when you get there.

 

[DreamIsaWish]

Is there enough for a 2-1/2 year old to pick from at BOG? Also, is there any character interaction at lunch?

No characters at BOG at lunch.

I think the most likely option for a 2 1/2 year old is the grilled cheese with tomato soup. I haven't checked the menu lately to confirm it's still there, but in the past that would be the one I'd think is likely for the youngest diners. There might also be a macaroni and cheese (check allears for the menus). The other options are more adventurous -- no chicken nuggets, for example. Note also that the kids' meals are more expensive than at the other places. About $3 more I think.

 

[Wilderness_Lodge]

My choice would have been Peco's up until the recent menu change-up. Columbia harbor house has now become my go to quick service in MK, usually get the salmon w/ side of broccoli, surprisingly good!

 

[disneypaws]

I voted for Be Our Guest - have eaten at the others and would go CHH second then Peco Bills. I had the carved turkey sandwich and French onion soup, husband had French onion soup and steak sandwich and my son (aged 8) had the kids carved turkey sandwich. My food was great - I probably would just order the sandwich next time as the soup was really filling. Steak sandwich also got great reviews. My son liked his sandwich but was disappointed his cane on bread rather than the baguette mine came in - I would order him an adult next time for this reason. He has the grey stuff cupcake and enjoyed it. I was pleasantly surprised by this meal - I thought it would be overrated because of the theming but the castle was great, service great and food was not great!

 

[jdisnut]

Definitely Columbia Harbour House. I like the sandwiches and the grilled salmon. Really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Be Our Guest would be my second choice if you can snag a reservation, but it's more for the atmosphere than the food.

 

[MsFrazzledFro]

I'd say Be Our Guest probably has the best (or at least most interesting) food, but I wouldn't call it a favorite because of the need for an ADR. I feel it's way too much hassle for a QS restaurant, though I will say it's worth eating there at least once just to see the decor. I haven't been since 2013 but both times I went I thought the food was good. It's definitely noisy inside - not a lot of sound-absorbing elements in there so it echoes a lot.

My personal favorite has become Columbia Harbor House - I had never been in before my first visit in 2015 but I was pleasantly surprised with how good the food was. Boyfriend and I both had sandwiches (I think one had hummus on it and the other was tuna) and it was probably the best QS I've had at MK in a while. It was also nice and quiet, especially the second floor - I'll echo what another poster said in that it feels like a TS restaurant upstairs. We'll definitely go back on our next trip if possible.

 

[CHIPSTER]

Love the shrimp - such a good value and good food.

 

[disnmooner2013]

I have been to CHH many many times

 

[DisMommyTX]

Since no one else has said much about Pinocchio's, I'll chime in. My kids love Pinocchio's because they can sit by the window and wave at all the IASW boats going by! The Caprese pizza is decent (considering other bad options for pizza on property), and in the middle of summer their chicken caesar salad is usually a hit.

My kids liked to watch Sonny Eclipse singing in Cosmic Rays as well, if you want burgers and chicken fingers.

Food wise, I'd go for the lobster roll at CHH.

No characters at lunch, but BOG is a nice, cool place to relax and their quinoa salad is refreshing. My kids like their grilled cheese sticks, but not everyone has to order. Little ones usually just ate off our plates. We also love their strawberry and triple chocolate cupcakes!

DH has to have a sauerkraut sausage dog from Casey's corner every trip.

The fruit and nutella waffle at Sleepy Hollow is more of a snack (maybe breakfast?), but a great one to be sure!

 

[JustinD]

Cosmic Ray is what I like. Ya, it is just burgers and chicken strips. But the food is hot and the service is fast, and I can get a seat. The place is well lit and just makes me happy.