Fun and yummy resturants near the park

[frazzle]

Hi guys... I Have ANOTHER question

We are coming from New Zealand to visit DLR June 22-26. I was thinking that one night it might be good to venture a little way away from the park for dinner with the family. Being foreigners I have no idea what are the good "chain" family restaurants in the U.S.

Can you guys recommend any fun places to eat, close to or up to 2 miles to the park, that both the kids and the parents might enjoy.

Anyone have any opinions on Joes Crab Shack? I saw that on the net and it looked pretty yummy.

Thanks gurus

 

[Somegirl]

Hello, I'll be at DL around the same time, can't wait!
I've never been to Joe's Crab Shack, so can't help you there. I can say that Cheesecake Factory is really good! Their portions are massive, even by American standards so be prepared. I like their chicken salad on brioche, also they have the best onion rings I've ever had. Try to save room for cheesecake if possible. If you like cocktails try the mojito.
House of Blues is pretty good. I've only been to their West Hollywood location and I really liked it. The Downtown Disney one gets ok reviews. HOB has a fun atmosphere.
I've been to the Jazz Kitchen express and really liked it. The shrimp po' boy was my favorite. I'm looking forward to try the the main restaurant there this visit for a sit down meal.
We tried the Rainforest Cafe and thought it was ok food wise, but the fun atmosphere made up for the so so food.
In 'n' Out Burger is a California institution so give them a try. They only serve burgers, fries, shakes and soda. It's fast food but everything is made when you order with quality ingredients.
If you're looking for more ideas or reviews try www.yelp.com. Take some of the reviews with a grain of salt, some people can complain about everything!

 

[mystic_path]

Joes Crab Shack is one of my favorite places to eat. Its about a 10 minute cab ride up the road. Too far to walk so keep that in mind. The menu is a good size, the food is to die for, the service is wonderful and even once when we were there Michael Jacksons song "Thriller" came on the radio and all the employees stood in the middle of the room and danced to it and even got some guests to join in. It was like a fun shock. Something totally out of a movie musical where everyone breaks into song and dance for no reason what so ever.

For another fun dinner I will recommend to you "The Rainforest Cafe" which is in Downtown Disney. About a 5 minute walk from the Disneyland resort. The food is soooo good, and its like your eating in a jungle with animated animals around you, animal sound effects, actual water falls, fish tanks, trees, and even fake but realistic thunder showers.

I also really like the Cheese Cake cafe which is a 5 minute walk down Harbor from the Disneyland hotel in the Garden Walk. HUGE menu, and the food is wonderful.

But if you want quick sit down, great prices, large portions and good service. Then I am going to suggest Mimi's which is also on Harbor and a 5-10 minute walk from the main gates of Disneyland.

 

[brergnat]

Cheesecake Factory is a favorite of mine (just ate there earlier this week!)

I'd skip Joe's Crab Shack. Try Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. instead. That place is good and very fun for the family (cool theme)! It's a spin off from the movie Forrest Gump.

In-N-Out burger if you want a GOOD fast food burger. Try the double double! And, ask for your fries "well done".

I've been underwhelmed by Mimi's Cafe every time I've been there. It's sort of not good American food, IMO.

I LOVE the Jazz Kitchen (the sit down restaurant, not the "Express"). It's at Downtown Disney.

If you want to try some "California Mexican" food, see if there is a Rubios around (not sure on that one).

 

[mystic_path]

Where is the Inn and out Burger?

 

[MickeyManiac]

I second the skip Crap Shack for Bubba Gumps at Garden Walk. That has become a must do for us.

 

[Lissame]

We enjoy the Buca di Beppo up by the Embassy Suites for a fun family style Italian meal.

Personally we're always underwhelmed by the Rainforest Cafe.

 

[pixiewings71]

We like Bubba Gump and the Cheesecake Factory, both very good places to eat. If you know the movie Forrest Gump well then you'll probably love it, especially if your server does the trivia with you. Joe's Crab Shack is sooooooooooooooooooo good...........I wish we had one closer to home, I'd eat there all the time. We ate there almost every trip we went. We also really like the RFC, just take the monorail inside TL to the DTD station, exit and go right, RFC is right there. We also really like Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen, also in DTD but to the left of the monorail station instead of the right.

 

[skiingfast]

Where is the Inn and out Burger?

In and Out is not close, it's a car or cab ride away. I think there is one on BrookHurst, from the park take either Katella or Ball west to Brookhurst. go north about a quarter mile from ball, it's on the corner of Brookhurst and Orange ave.

It's more a of a classic american fast food burger joint. Like I said if you have a car it may be easier to get one coming to or leaving the area than making a special dinner trip.

 

[frazzle]

Thanks for the feedback. The cheesecake factory sounds yummy though the website menu dosen't have the prices. Can anyone tell me how much a meal for a family would cost there? And are the meals REALLY big enough to share? My boys are big eaters!

Thanks for the tips so far

 

[Somegirl]

At the Cheesecake factory I would say burgers and sandwiches are about $10. Fish or steak is probably $15 to $20 at the most. The cheesecake is around $7, but the slices are HUGE! The prices are really good imo. If you have a fridge in your room then go ahead and get full orders, you can always get some togo.

My daughter and I will share a sandwich and fries and then get a side salad and we are stuffed. Oh and try their ranch dressing too. I usually order blue cheese dressing with my salad but their ranch is out of this world.

 

[spacemermaid]

Another vote for Buca di Beppo...yummy food, fun atmosphere

If you go to bucadibeppo.com, you can sign up for their online mailing list; they often send coupons for $10 (or more) off, and sometimes coupons for free appetizers or desserts.

 

[specialks]

I really like Rainforest Cafe but it is quite loud and active. Not a great place for a family conversation but definitely lots to look at.

My one experience with Joe's Crab Shack was when some friends took me to one in KS a few years back and I was SO embarassed when they asked me to stand on my chair and sing happy birthday to myself. They always make birthday guests do over the top things so I would never want to go there again. But, others may be into that stuff.

Just down Harbor at the Chapman intersection there is a Red Robin. They are a really great "American" food family restaurant. This one often has the mascot "Robin" out doing meet n greets with the kids. Again, large portions that you could share or take back to the hotel with you. Although my husband has no problem eating his entire burger. They are really known for their hamburgers. If you like onion rings you should try their onion ring tower!

In-n-Out is a CA experience that we hit every Disneyland visit. Many of my friends here in Seattle clued me into it. It is total fast food greasy food but so yummy. If you don't like fast food burgers than don't waste your time & money.

 

[farmfresh]

Hi there - I'm also from NZ. Two questions: is this your first visit? Are you staying in the resort itself?

Reason for asking is that it looks to me like you are there for four nights. I would try one character dinner (goofy's kitchen maybe) Storytellers is also good as a hotel restaurant, but doesn't do character dinners. Both offer buffets with a good selection of food including vegetables!Sometimes buffest work well if your kids are tired too.) Then I would consider the DTD restaurants for one/two meals. Personally we like the pizza place, ( one pizza is very large and will feed more than one person)and the Jazz cafe is ok too. Again, though portions are generous.

We travel a lot around the US, love it, but often have to pick and choose carefully food wise. This is largely because there is a higher percentage of fried and sweet food, and not always lot of vegetables (hence we pick buffets!) Also portion size is enormous (compared to ours).

This is particularly true in a place like the Cheesecake factory. Prices there are reasonable, but you definitely can share a meal between two adults - don't be afraid to ask. Likewise the take home option.

We don't rate the rainforest cafe food that highly, but it is a fun environment depending on the age of your kids. La Brea bakery is good for salad/sandwiches, worth hopping out of the parks for.

Hope that helps - others have covered the zillion fast food options that are out there!

 

[chickyann]

Hi there, we're from Sydney

Bubba Gump is fun & had great food & Cheesecake Factory had a huge menu & huge servings (we've only been to the ones in Honolulu though) We loved Ralph Brennans Jazz Kitchen & can't wait to go again soon

 

[Huff]

Joes Crab Shack is really good! One of our favorate off site restaurants is Bennihanas. They do have them all over the world so not sure about NZ. They are a ton of fun for a great family dinner.

 

[Aussie Princess]

I love ESPN Zone in Downtown Disney!!! Especially if the family is into Sports!! i enjoyed the food as well (also large portions)

Im from Sydney area as well!

 

[aussietravellers]

Try PF Changs!

Cheesecake Factory is great too! You don't even have to eat there, a piece of the godiva cheesecake to take away (or take out as it's called in the US) is wonderful.

Just near Cheesecake Factory is PF Changs, it is SO good . It is now a must do for us on a trip to the US if there is one near by, just like a visit to the Cheesecake factory. PF Changs have their menu online I think. We would eat there then head to Cheesecake Factory for dessert or a takeaway dessert then walk back to Disneyland to walk off the huge meal we had consumed.

 

[NorCalDisney]

My votes -

Red Robin
Bubba Gumps
PF Changs

 

[skiingfast]

Another vote for Buca di Beppo...yummy food, fun atmosphere

If you go to bucadibeppo.com, you can sign up for their online mailing list; they often send coupons for $10 (or more) off, and sometimes coupons for free appetizers or desserts.

This place is so good, they are kind of rare and I've only been to a couple. A good semi authentic Italian resturaunt too. Versus every other of the "Italian" place that is really American food.

Great stuff, good suggestion for something not as common like a Chiles or Apple Bees.