Gluten Free Dining at the Disneyland Resort: A Superthread

[Dinohood]

so when it comes to cs places do you ask for the chef or do you say you are gluten free? I ask cause this time when i go for my trip will be different the only thing that makes my happy is at the pizza port is my food will be hot.

 

[StormyCA]

As a rule at CS you tell the 'order taker' that you need to eat gluten free. Some CS you place your order across the counter, others you get to a cashier first where you place your order and pay. Whichever it is, that's who you tell and they will call a chef to talk to you.

I'm not a big 'pizza person' so I never eat at Pizza Port. I recommend Hungry Bear (burgers/fries) and Rancho Zocalo (Mexican) in DL. For DCA, Flo's V8 ('diner' style food), Smokejumper's (burgers/fries), but especially the Lucky Fortune Cookery (delicious Teriyaki bowls!!! ). I've never had a problem with my food not being served at the right temperature.

 

[DahliaRW]

so when it comes to cs places do you ask for the chef or do you say you are gluten free? I ask cause this time when i go for my trip will be different the only thing that makes my happy is at the pizza port is my food will be hot.

I would go in, let them know you are allergic to gluten, are celiac, have an intolerance (however you word it) and ask what can be safely made for you. They will then go pull the chef. Or you could identify your allergy and ask to speak to the chef. Either way, I think it helps for them to know why you are asking to see the chef.

 

[Wonder2008]

@Dinohood, Pizza Port is one of my favorite places to eat at Disneyland. I was there last month. I just told the cast member at the entrance that I eat GF and they would direct me to an area just across from the soft drinks where the chefs come in and out. Either someone will see you waiting or you just have to get someone's attention. The pizza takes about 5-7 minutes and it is really, really good!

 

[Dinohood]

thanks has for the hot food for people who eat at pizza port you know the set up when i was there before being gluten free i got past and they only had once cashier working so once i sat down my food was warm to cold, I will be checking on here more often through.

 

[Sagginit]

i keep seeing waffles, but can someone clarify which breakfast place has a griddle for GF mickey waffles? i know in WDW there were only some of the places with that, otherwise you got frozen ones. we will only be having maybe 1-2 meals in the parks a day and this is at the top of my list. i can just taste those little maple syrup filled ears as i type this.

 

[mt mommy]

I never got GF waffles in the park, but I had them at both Goofy's kitchen at Disneyland hotel and at Paradise Hotel's Mickey's Surfs Up breakfast.

 

[violentlyserene]

i keep seeing waffles, but can someone clarify which breakfast place has a griddle for GF mickey waffles? i know in WDW there were only some of the places with that, otherwise you got frozen ones. we will only be having maybe 1-2 meals in the parks a day and this is at the top of my list. i can just taste those little maple syrup filled ears as i type this.

I believe Plaza Inn has them. Waffles are a big priority for me too. We'll be going next week so ill be updating on food here after that if you arent in a hurry.

 

[Sagginit]

I believe Plaza Inn has them. Waffles are a big priority for me too. We'll be going next week so ill be updating on food here after that if you arent in a hurry.

That would be fabulous. I will be there the first week of November (I was trying to avoid the Halloween rush). Since I will be paying my meals out of pocket and have a hotel room with fridge/microwave, I really don't want to pay for any meals where they are just given me frozen items (pizzas, waffles, chicken nuggets, etc).

 

[Dinohood]

Has anyone ate at Big Thunder Ranch BBQ? If so how was it and did any of you had to meet with the chef?

 

[StormyCA]

Yes, I've eaten there, it was fabulous! The only 'no no' IIRC was the cornbread. A chef did come to the table, but pretty much just to confirm the offerings and reassure me that they took precautions in the kitchen.

I'm so so sad it's going away!

 

[violentlyserene]

That would be fabulous. I will be there the first week of November (I was trying to avoid the Halloween rush). Since I will be paying my meals out of pocket and have a hotel room with fridge/microwave, I really don't want to pay for any meals where they are just given me frozen items (pizzas, waffles, chicken nuggets, etc).

We had breakfast this morning and there are indeed waffles. The chef came out and verified food requirements and offer waffles, bacon, hashbrowns,fruit and eggs. I did get the impression there was more possible but that's all I wanted. We had a 7:30 reservation and that worked well. Food arrived pretty quick. The waffles are good, though a bit doughy for my taste due to how thick the Mickey shape is. Everything else was good as well, especially the pineapple.

 

[violentlyserene]

Does anyone know what bun brands the Village Haus and Smokehouse grill use? They seemed different brands but both very good. I had to double check the gf disney app to make sure i read correctly. Village Haus' was more visually similar to wheat but had a slight grainyness eventually while Smokehouse was not at all grainy but was visually different. Both restaurants were great with gf. My husband ordered there and at Award Weiners and had no issues. The gf app was super helpful for a quick reference as i have zero memory.

 

[hanna-nana]

What's the app called? That sounds handy!

 

[Sagginit]

We had breakfast this morning and there are indeed waffles. The chef came out and verified food requirements and offer waffles, bacon, hashbrowns,fruit and eggs. I did get the impression there was more possible but that's all I wanted. We had a 7:30 reservation and that worked well. Food arrived pretty quick. The waffles are good, though a bit doughy for my taste due to how thick the Mickey shape is. Everything else was good as well, especially the pineapple.

I ended up at Goofy's kitchen as I couldn't get reservations for breakfast elsewhere. I got mickey waffles but it was one giant one instead of a few little (i swear i have seen that waffle griddle at walgreens, so i wonder if the official mini ones aren't provided for GF food to the kitchens at DL). it was a bit doughy and dense, but not bad. The staff there seemed rushed and it was an 11am reservation and was half empty. My waiter took our receipt and didn't even notice the allergy even though it was hilighted in green! The chef then came out and rushed me through the buffet and I could barely understand his accent. I don't think he understood me well either so I stuck to safe foods. I was offered a waffle or pancake, but no bagels/bread/muffins/donuts/cookies like I have in WDW.

I thought Flo's cafe had good options, sandwiches, chicken, and even the ribs. My best meal was at the Mexican place in DCA at the wharf. Because we stayed at the Camelot we also had meals in our room and ate at the restaurants that were just .5 mile away (California Pizza Kitchen and PF Changs). Overall it went very smooth. I found that the quick service were more organized than the one buffet I ate at. Also the Dole Whip stand could confirm it was GF, the turkey legs and nothing at that stand at the pier area were not GF, and the ice cream stand (mickey bars) had no allergen information but they did allow us to check the label before finalizing the purchase to make sure it was still safe.

 

[MeeskaMooska13]

What's the app called? That sounds handy!

I used one called "Gliten Free Disney Dining"

 

[hanna-nana]

I believe Plaza Inn has them. Waffles are a big priority for me too. We'll be going next week so ill be updating on food here after that if you arent in a hurry.

That would be fabulous. I will be there the first week of November (I was trying to avoid the Halloween rush). Since I will be paying my meals out of pocket and have a hotel room with fridge/microwave, I really don't want to pay for any meals where they are just given me frozen items (pizzas, waffles, chicken nuggets, etc).

If you can, I'd be interested in the places you guys ate safely. I'm getting nervous about our upcoming trip. We're likely looking at counter service places, I'm worried since things aren't labeled, I'll get up to the counter with my crew and not know what to get myself.

 

[StormyCA]

If you can, I'd be interested in the places you guys ate safely. I'm getting nervous about our upcoming trip. We're likely looking at counter service places, I'm worried since things aren't labeled, I'll get up to the counter with my crew and not know what to get myself.

Seriously, you'll be OK. Disney trains its CMs and the kitchen mgmt & chefs are very knowledgeable. What I usually do is take a look at the menu while I'm in line and pick 2 - 3 things that look 'good'. Obvs avoid breaded/fried items and things that as a rule have gluten (i.e. meatloaf, gravies). I usually pick one sandwich, a salad, and a relatively 'plain' meat entree. Inevitably one of them can be done GF. When the chef comes to talk to you, some of them will just ask 'Do you know what you might want?'. Tell them what you'd 'like' and if it can't be done GF, they'll tell you what can.

I'm a really, really picky eater (besides being GF), and there have only been two places I've ended up leaving without eating. One just didn't have anything that appealed to me, the other told me (incorrectly, it turns out) that they could not accommodate me.

As far as places I've eaten (this isn't a complete list, just off the top of my head);

DL
Carnation Cafe
Hungry Bear
BTMBBQ
Rancho Zocalo
River Belle Terrace (but it was pretty bad. Safe, but bad)
Blue Bayou
There's a cafeteria-style place in NOS, can't think of the name of it
Jolly Holiday

DCA
Flo's
Wine Country Trattoria
Smokejumpers
Pizza place over by Paradise Pier
Lucky Fortune Cookery (teriyaki bowl to die for!)
Mexican place over by Lucky Fortune Cookery


HOTELS
Storytellers
Steakhouse 55
Whitewater Snacks

You know, you can look at most menus on line. If you see something that sounds particularly good, post it here. I'm sure someone can tell you if it's OK or not.

 

[hanna-nana]

Thank you. My biggest hang up is exactly how to ask. "I have a gluten allergy....."then what. If there's a special noted menu to see, that's easy. I watched some walk throughs on YouTube and often there is no one to talk to until you're at the counter. I've looked at ALL of the menus online, so I have an idea of what "should" be doable. Would just be nice if it were noted. And I'm not picky. I'd just like to have something other than baked chicken and salad all week. I'm so excited for this teriyaki bowl I keep hearing about!!

 

[hanna-nana]

I like your suggestion of picking 2-3 options I'd be ok with. That sounds like the best plan.