First Time Visitor - What Foods are Not to be Missed

[fantasia73]

I'm a food writer headed to Disneyland in 17 days, staying at the Disneyland Hotel. I have dining reservations at Blue Bayou, Tortilla Jo's (lame, but this Rhode Islander craves Mexican food), Carthay Circle and Steakhouse 55.

What are some "not to be missed" snacks, dishes and/or cocktails? I'm looking for classic Disneyland fare and also what YOU are the most passionate about? I've got my Disney Gift Cards loaded and I want to try everything!!

 

[tlovesdis]

Dole Whips & Churros!!!!

 

[chickapin parterre]

turkey legs shredded over Pizza port pasta.

 

[CherylGonz]

Monte Cristo sandwich. It is served at the Blue Bayou but you can also find them at Cafe Orleans for cheaper.

 

[jammyjam25]

My "not to be missed" snacks - Dole Whips and churros, definitely! Am also a fan of the cookies at Marceline's or the chocolate pb square at Main Street Bakery. The cream cheese stuffed pretzels from the Coke Refreshment Corner are good too. The skewers at Bengal BBQ make a great protein snack. The chicken one is my favorite.

My favorite cocktails - There's a fun (not so) secret drink menu at Cove Bar in DCA. You can order a Mickey's Fun Wheel, a Black Pearl or other "off menu" drinks. I had the fun wheel on my last trip and loved it! - http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2015/...e-at-cove-bar-in-disney-california-adventure/

There are also lots of fun specialty drinks at Trader Sam's at the Disneyland Hotel!

General list of favorite foods:

Carthay Circle - Be sure to get an order of the house biscuits, so good!
Café Orleans - Pomme Frites
Hungry Bear - crispy chicken sandwich with onion rings on the side.
Wine Country Trattoria has a great antipasto plate. Also enjoyed the fried risotto bites!
Tortila Jo's - I always enjoy the verde enchilada!

So many more but these are some of my favorite off the top of my head. Enjoy your trip!

 

[amyg1975]

Cafe Orleans: Monte Cristo with pomme frites

Corn dog

Mexican food from either place at Disneyland or DCA.

Pasta from Pizza Port.

 

[Abbey1]

My favorite table service restaurant is Cafe Orleans. Their pommes frites are what dreams are made of. We also get beignets from Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen Express every trip. These are so delicious, and much better than the ones found at the Mint Julep Bar in my opinion. Dole whips are a must-eat, of course.

We'll finally be trying the Cove Bar during our upcoming trip. I'm really looking forward to trying the lobster nachos I've heard so much about. I was reading about their "secret drink menu" and look forward to trying the Mickey fun wheel and the zombie.

 

[figment_jii]

I'm a food writer headed to Disneyland in 17 days, staying at the Disneyland Hotel. I have dining reservations at Blue Bayou, Tortilla Jo's (lame, but this Rhode Islander craves Mexican food), Carthay Circle and Steakhouse 55.

For the places you mention...

• Blue Bayou - every entree comes with a starter and I highly recommend the gumbo.
• Carthay Circle - I really like the House Biscuits

What are some "not to be missed" snacks, dishes and/or cocktails? I'm looking for classic Disneyland fare and also what YOU are the most passionate about? I've got my Disney Gift Cards loaded and I want to try everything!!

Other items that I highly recommend include:

• Gumbo and Pomme Frites at Cafe Orleans (TS, New Orleans Square, DL)
• Deep Fried Pickles and Loaded Baked Potato Soup at Carnation Cafe (TS, Main Street, DL)
  
• Mickey Beignets and Mint Julep at the Mint Julep Window (CS, New Orleans Square, DL)
• Fried Chicken at the Plaza Inn (CS, Main Street, DL)
• Dole Whip Float at the Tiki Bar (CS, Adventureland, DL)
• Funnel Cake at Stage Door Cafe (CS, Frontierland, DL)
• Oswald Sundae at Clarabelle's (CS, Buena Vista Street, DCA)
• Popcorn (non-park specific)

 

[aj6502]

The chili cone queso at the cozy cone in cars land is really good. It comes in a really good cone shaped bread bowl.

 

[snowybelle]

Headed to DLR for my first time in May! Following this thread because it looks like there are some great suggestions!

 

[MICKEYFIL]

Most of my favorites will be covered by others, but for me it is the hard pretzels, dipped in caramel and chocolate and rolled in mini m&ms. They are sold on the main street bakery.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Lobster Nachos at the Cove Bar in DCA.
Greek Salad and Beef/Chicken Skewer Plate at Paradise Garden Grill in DCA.
Corn Dog (Little Red Wagon in DL) or Spicy Corn Dog (Corn Dog Castle in DCA).
Cheese Plate and wine in the NR lounge or at the Sonoma Terrace in DCA.
Safari Skewers (bacon wrapped asparagus) at Bengal BBQ in DL.
Chocolate Dipped Pineapple Spears (Trolley Treats in DCA and Candy Kitchen in DL).
Dark Chocolate Hot Fudge Sundae at Ghirardelli's in DCA.

 

[Indiana Scott]

DL= Dole Whip (not ice cream BTW) and the chicken dinner at The Plaza Inn.
DCA= Lobster Nachos ($15) at the Cove Bar (kids welcome).

 

[Skiton]

Bengal BBQ! It's simply the best for a light lunch or heavy snack, and it's so tucked away that casual visitors to the park never even seem to know it's there. It's our go-to for lunch when we're at Disneyland. (Although I've gotten some great suggestions here for other healthy options, so I'm sure we'll branch out next time.)

 

[smiles33]

Many of my favorites have been listed:

- Dole Whip (I like the Dole Whip Floats, which is in a cup of pineapple juice!)
- churros
- corn dogs (Little Red Cart in DL or Corn Dog Castle at DCA)
- turkey leg (DH loves this with a baguette from DCA)
- Fried chicken from Plaza Inn
- We liked the beignets from the Mint Julep window better than the ones from Ralph Brennan's

Two I haven't seen listed yet that are more sentimental than must-eats:
- Mickey Mouse ice cream bars (more for the novelty of the shape, as it's just a vanilla ice cream bar dipped in chocolate, but in the shape of Mickey ears)
- The frozen lemon ice drink (which isn't unique to DL but we love having it on a hot day before going on Splash Mountain!)

I tried the Monte Cristo but it's too heavy and rich for me. Have fun!

 

[goooof1]

Dole Whips, churros, cream cheese filled Mickey pretzels, Mickey macaroons, matterhorn macaroon......wow, lots of snacks!!
Paradise Garden Grill for Mediterranean skewers with rice and cucumber salad......YUM!
check out the in the parks options for Mexican food....DL: Rancho del Zocalo and DCA: (forgot the name....on the wharf).....very large portions, perfect for sharing.

 

[fantasia73]

Great ideas so far!! I'd better bring some loose fitting clothing!

 

[Pakey]

Those biscuits at Carthay are worth the trip just by themselves.

You aren't going there but you did ask what I'm passionate about and I'd have to say the doughnuts at Napa Rose get me pretty excited.

Favorite counter service/snack are the skewers at Bengal BBQ. I think the meat skewers are good and so is the asparagus one.

For an alcoholic beverage, I'm very partial to Trader Sam's Tiki Bar at the Disneyland Hotel. I have enjoyed a wide variety of their specialty drinks over the course of many trips there. The appetizers are also pretty decent; the ahi poke is my favorite.

 

[Canadian Harmony]

The foods that stands out for me are:

1. The WoC Lunch at WCT in DCA. The Italian Wedding Soup was incredible. The desserts were to die for. I had the Tucsan salad. You need to know - we were still stuffed from breakfast only 2 hours earlier and couldn't stop eating our lunch it was SO delicious.
2. The Chicken at the Carnation Cafe. Out.standing. The combination of the gravy, chicken and mashed potatoes (PERFECT mashed potatoes, not all dry and crumbly like my hubby makes ) on my fork was a little bite of heaven.
3. The Mint Julep at NOCafe. The rest of the food was good too, but this Mint Julep was not too sweet and minty and limey and refreshing... so delicious.
4. Hubby said the corn dog at the corn dog wagon by the Plaza Inn was the best one he'd ever had. Ever. And he's had a lot )

 

[Canuck16]

Corn Dog at The Corn Dog Castle in DCA
Fried chicken at the Plaza Inn at DL
Chili Cone Queso at the Cozy Cone Motel in DCA
Broccoli and cheddar soup in a sour dough bread bowl at the Pacific Wharf Café in DCA
Any cocktail at Trader Sam's