Gluten Free Dining at the Disneyland Resort: A Superthread

[tjcrabb]

Does anyone know if it is possible to get the fried chicken at the plaza inn gf? I know that at WDW the 50s diner can potentially do so but I was wondering if it was possible at DL or anywhere else at the park.

 

[ashley0139]

Does anyone know if it is possible to get the fried chicken at the plaza inn gf? I know that at WDW the 50s diner can potentially do so but I was wondering if it was possible at DL or anywhere else at the park.

No, they do not offer fried chicken. They do have a gluten free baked chicken that is good.

 

[jina]

I was at Carnation Cafe last week for lunch (I tried posting the menus here from my phone but it failed- here is try #2 now that I'm on a PC). They indeed do not have a dedicated frier so no french fries. I had fruit with my burger (we loved our server "Tuesday" and DH loved his salad - I had a burger which was majorly overcooked and not very good on the super dry GF bun (next time I'd just go bunless). Later in the week I had a burger @ Carthay Circle for lunch which cost nearly twice as much ($24) as that Carnation Cafe burger ($13) but was 500% better. Even the bun was better -I think Carthay Circle uses a different baker than Udi's (someone local, our server told us, and they make their gluten free bread for garlic bread on site). One of the best burgers I've ever had actually, and they had a dedicated frier and the fries were good too. I really dislike Udi's - I am a total convert to Canyon Bakehouse breads and buns - so close to the real thing but I was definitely an Udi's regular before Canyon Bakehouse came along a few years ago.

 

[StormyCA]

Thanks, Jina, for confirming no more fries at Carnation.

The burgers I've had there in the past were excellent, but then again, Oscar was there to take care of me!

I've never tried Carthay. The prices have always scared me off, but if I can get fries with my burger it's worth the extra $11.00! GF fries are always worth the money!! Amirite?

 

[honicakes]

We are planning on making a grocery stop between LAX and DLH. What is the best grocery store along that route with the most GF options?

 

[lovetogowdw]

Just back from DLR and had some good experiences:
- Rainforest Cafe has dedicated french fries fryer so son got GF fries with his roasted chicken kids meal
- Chef at Blue Bayou knew all about GF as his mother has celiac disease. Made sure we had warm GF rolls and made GF pasta with butter as side for son's steak kid's meal
-Chefs at Goofy's Kitchen had GF waffles and GF PB&J pizza out to the table in record time. As soon as our server came over I asked if either/both were possible, she said she would talk to the chef, and two chefs personally delivered both moments after I got back from getting fruit and bacon from the buffet (which were fine). I've never had such quick service and the pizza was a work of art!
- RR Pizza Port had decent cheese pizza. I asked where to go as soon as I walked in and they gave me a special order slip to take to the cashier. By the time I got our drinks and paid it was only a few minutes until we had three fresh/hot GF pizzas.
- ESPN Zone's chef made special (pan) batch of nacho chips for my son, as he was craving chips with cheese sauce.
-Bubba Gump Shrimp had kid's grilled chicken with rice and blue jello for dessert. Jello!
- Minnie's character breakfast at the Plaza Inn was a huge hit. I was single mom with two kids seated away from buffet and chef understood. She made family style platters -one with fruit and GF mini-Mickey waffles and other with bacon, sausage, eggs and hash browns.

 

[tjcrabb]

How was the peanut butter and jelly pizza? I have heard rave reviews from gluten eaters but I have never experienced it myself. Is it really just peanut butter and jelly cooked on a pizza crust?

 

[lovetogowdw]

PB&J pizza is very sweet. My GF son just had one piece and one bite of a second piece and he was done. "Too sweet" he declared and then he shared the rest with us. Little bro and I really enjoyed it and each had two pieces. Very different. Definitely a dessert. And yes, it is crust, peanut butter and jelly.

 

[SeattleSuz]

Oh wow, so glad I found this thread. We will be spending 2 days in the park at the end of September and DH is GF. I will be delighted to let him know that there are so many options, especially with the awesome chef at Blue Bayou (one of our faves). Oh yaay!!!

 

[JessieD]

Has anyone done the River Belle Terrace F! Package? Are they accommodating for gluten free customers?

 

[Baxhappyplace]

So unfortunately I have to be gluten and dairy free for medical reasons. Does anybody have pictures of the allergy menus that they would be willing to post especially for the quick service places. My family loves to just stop and grab a bite between rides so I was hoping to be able to already know where to go and what to order prior to getting there in a few weeks. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[disneychrista]

So unfortunately I have to be gluten and dairy free for medical reasons. Does anybody have pictures of the allergy menus that they would be willing to post especially for the quick service places. My family loves to just stop and grab a bite between rides so I was hoping to be able to already know where to go and what to order prior to getting there in a few weeks. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Your best bet is the ones posted in the first few pages. They no longer give our an updated list. If you are unsure about something you will have to ask.

 

[violentlyserene]

So unfortunately I have to be gluten and dairy free for medical reasons. Does anybody have pictures of the allergy menus that they would be willing to post especially for the quick service places. My family loves to just stop and grab a bite between rides so I was hoping to be able to already know where to go and what to order prior to getting there in a few weeks. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Ive been going through the menus in the apps to weed out places and note whats a good bet. The allergy menus would be better but thats going to take a bit to filter down im sure.

 

[StormyCA]

Not all places have a specific allergy menu and they really aren't posted anywhere nor do there seem to be many pictures circulating. The lists on the first page are a guide but are not to be relied on.

Most places have GF/DF options. I'm a picky eater and find the GF (I'm ok with dairy) options in NOS (Cafe Orleans, French Market) the most 'restricted' just because I'm picky. I also don't recommend River Belle Terrace, the sandwiches there are dry and pretty tasteless. Anywhere else I've eaten have ranged from 'OMG this is FABULOUS' to 'Hey, this is pretty good'.

Is there a particular type of food you're trying to avoid (for me, that's fish, yuck!)? If it's just that you're new and nervous (been there, done that 11 years ago!) let me assure you that Disney food staff will take VERY good care of you! The first time I went to DL after I was diagnosed with Celiac I was really nervous and also wanted to have all my meals planned out ahead. It's a scary thing when you have to worry that you won't find anything safe to eat! But that will NOT happen to you! When you enter the eatery or get to the ordering counter, just tell the CM that you must be gluten/dairy free, they'll have a chef come to your table or to the counter and they will discuss your options with you. At most TS places, if they don't have something that appeals on the menu, they'll make you something special using ingredients they have on hand.

 

[MeeskaMooska13]

I was at Carnation Cafe last week for lunch (I tried posting the menus here from my phone but it failed- here is try #2 now that I'm on a PC). They indeed do not have a dedicated frier so no french fries. I had fruit with my burger (we loved our server "Tuesday" and DH loved his salad - I had a burger which was majorly overcooked and not very good on the super dry GF bun (next time I'd just go bunless). Later in the week I had a burger @ Carthay Circle for lunch which cost nearly twice as much ($24) as that Carnation Cafe burger ($13) but was 500% better. Even the bun was better -I think Carthay Circle uses a different baker than Udi's (someone local, our server told us, and they make their gluten free bread for garlic bread on site). One of the best burgers I've ever had actually, and they had a dedicated frier and the fries were good too. I really dislike Udi's - I am a total convert to Canyon Bakehouse breads and buns - so close to the real thing but I was definitely an Udi's regular before Canyon Bakehouse came along a few years ago.

I have to agree! We went to Carthay Circle twice so that my DD could get their yummy GF burger and fries! Hands down worth the cost for us!

 

[DahliaRW]

So unfortunately I have to be gluten and dairy free for medical reasons. Does anybody have pictures of the allergy menus that they would be willing to post especially for the quick service places. My family loves to just stop and grab a bite between rides so I was hoping to be able to already know where to go and what to order prior to getting there in a few weeks. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I don't have menus, but the "buns" at most places is Udis, which is DF (and gf obviously). So any sandwich or burger without dairy (probably can get the made without cheese, etc) will work for you. The Jolly Holiday Bakery would probably be a good option. They will bring the chef out to talk to you (and they will check ingredients and custom make your sandwich). Any of the sit down places are really accommodating, just push to speak to the actual chef. BB, Cafe Orleans, and Carthay for sure have entrees that would probably be easy to do DF (anything that is largely vegetables and/or meat tends to be easy). I think even Carnation Cafe would be a good option.

 

[mt mommy]

We were there 3 weeks ago. And I am GF also. I really liked Hungry Bear restaurant. It doesn't tell you on their menu, but ask for GF fries. They have a separate fryer to make you some fresh fries! So yummy. They also have GF buns that I thought were really good. (they weren't Udi's.) Jolly Holiday bakery has a GF brownie. They are delicious and very chocolatey! Carnation cafe used to offer GF fries, but doesn't offer them any longer. If you order a menu item there that is suppose to come with fries, they will bring you fruit instead.

Just always ask for GF/DF items, they have them at every place I wanted to eat at. You just have to ask. We went to River Belle Terrace for breakfast and I had eggs, sausage, potatoes and they said they had a roll for me that was GF. (and the roll was really good!) They are very accommodating with allergies, just ask.

Have a great trip!!

 

[jina]

If you search for my posts on this thread you'll see I've posted a few of the menus - Carnation Cafe and Jazz Kitchen I think.Your server (or the CS manager) will be able to help you pick out safe food given your allergies. Sometimes the chef comes out as well to take and make your order. I have a blog and posted my top 11 places to eat at DL (glutenfreetop10.com) - here is a summary of my favorite places to dine:

1. Blue Bayou - lots of options. GF rolls at table. Favorite meal: steak
2. Hungry Bear - burgers on GF buns, chicken salad, fries (regular and sweet potato). Favorite meal: burger & sweet potato fries
3. Carthay Circle - lots of options. GF rolls at table. Favorite meal- I've only eaten there twice (burger for lunch, pork chop for dinner) - have loved everything.
4. Rancho Del Zocalo - lots of options. Favorite meal: roast chicken w/ rice and beans and corn tortillas
5. Storyteller's Cafe - lunch - all sandwiches can be made on GF flatbread (Venice baking company, my favorite!). Breakfast - chef can make you safe platter if you not want to go to buffet. We had GF pancakes, GF waffles, fruit, eggs, potatoes, sausage and bacon.
6. Big Thunder Ranch BBQ- nearly everything is GF (except for cornbread and dessert I believe). Bring your appetite.
7. Ariel's Grotto - had breakfast and lunch here w/ the princesses. Nice gluten free appetizer tray, lunch food was OK except pasta was disgusting. Enjoyed breakfast offering too. Tri tip was very good.
8. Redd Rocket's Pizza Port - great gluten free pizza (I do not know if they have dairy free cheese). They use the Venice baking company crusts (my favorite -I buy these online and keep them in the freezer for when I make pizza, which is often...)
9. Wine Country Trattoria - lots of options. favorite meal: Osso Bucco
10. Plaza Inn - did Minnie's breakfast. Chef came out and offered to bring us a safe platter of gluten free waffles, fruit, sausage, bacon, potatoes and scrambled eggs.
11. (because I could not settle on 10) Flo's V8 Cafe - not a huge number of options but we really enjoyed turkey and beef (no bread) with veggies and gluten free rolls on the patio while overlooking Radiator Springs Racers when it was actually operating.

I really want to try the baked potatoes at Harbour Gallery but we never made it there before our AP's expired. Hopefully we'll be back in the next few years. We had a wonderful 18 park days in that year .

 

[SeattleSuz]

So, I was told that the chef at BB would be willing to make a GF Monte Cristo, but would need to know the day of. Who would I call to notify about this? I was told to call BB directly. I told DH that this might be a possibility and he stopped mountain biking on the spot, turned and said "Are you serious?! That would be AMAZING!"

 

[Wonder2008]

I would add the Tangaroa Terrace (Disneyland Hotel) to the list. I was there in August, and their GF buns were the best of all the ones I had at Disneyland. Flo's V8 Cafe (California Adventure) would probably be good too. The chef may let you mix and match the side orders that most menu items come with. I would not, however, recommend the Smokejumper's Grill (formerly Taste Pilots). We had a very long wait there and the buns were just OK.

Robert