Go to 'Ohana for a great VEGAN meal!

[Walt Disney Worlders]

My family and I had the pleasure of having a custom made vegan feast at 'Ohana in Jan 09.

I spoke with Chef TJ down in Captain Cooks about our dietary restrictions, and he walked me around captain cooks showing me all the vegan items (there were even choc chip cookies available!). He made my 3 year old a special pizza and then recommend I make a reservation for 'Ohana and he would make us a full vegan meal (there were at least 8 courses that I remember)! He will do vegetarian, vegan, Gluten Free and with a few weeks notice, he will even do RAW VEGAN! I couldn't believe it! I thought 'Ohana was just a meat fest and that we would have nothing to eat there. I was wrong, so , so wrong. I wish I had pics to add to this...

We were able to get a reservation and it rocked! I loved the atmosphere, but the food was to die for! We had salad, 3 different kinds of hummus, bread & sauce (for the kids), potato/mushroom poof thing, sushi-type rolls, papaya soup, a huge 3 flavored stir fry, and a yummy cake/ice cream dessert. I think there may have been more, I don't remember! I do remember being so stuffed I could not eat another bite! My husband and I also got drinks in a pineapple! mmmmm! For the 4 of us (2 adults, 2 kids age 3 & 2) plus our drink (they were $25 themselves) plus a tip we paid about $140. I will be sure to be on the dining plan next time! (also, they charged my two year full price, he was supposed to be free...)

Please talk with Chef TJ about your dietary needs and then enjoy the best custom meal in Disney! I am so glad we stumbled upon this.

 

[AlohaPolynesian]

That's awesome and so great to hear!

 

[Selket]

Chef TJ is a gem - hands down THE most awesome chef in all of WDW.

He used to be a Boma - my son is food allergies and type 1 diabetes and he made him a wonderful meal there plus dessert which was cool enough to turn heads as he brought it to the table.

We were back at WDW before a cruise last Sept and went over to the Poly QS place to eat dinner (the CR QS place was limited due to construction) and I couldn't believe it when Chef TJ appeared when the chefs called for someone to help us with the menu! He made the kids a safe ramen dish - they were thrilled and he remembered us from our March trip.

We definitely plan to eat at O'Hanas if he is there this summer. I'm glad to hear an update that he is still there and Chef TJ is well known among many of us with food allergies in the family - he is an incredible chef!

 

[CoolPool]

I remember meeting a young (ahem) good looking chef who helped my family with our dining needs at Ohana in 2007. He was a delight...he "got it" without making us feel uncomfortable for having our special needs. No eye-rolling and "ah, pleeze" attitude. What a delight Disney is in these matters.

 

[lkrasnavage]

oh that is great to hear. I actually emailed someone about this at disney and they never replied back. How did you let them know, did you tell them when you checked in or did you call before? thanks

 

[Walt Disney Worlders]

oh that is great to hear. I actually emailed someone about this at disney and they never replied back. How did you let them know, did you tell them when you checked in or did you call before? thanks

I am testing out that email thing right now too. I haven't heard back either, so I don't think it works anymore. I will update if I ever get a response!


I found out about this because I asked to make a Noodle Dish vegan at Captain Cooks, and was told I needed to speak with the chef at Captain Cooks. The chef came down, and it was Chef TJ, who also runs the kitchen upstairs at 'Ohana. Chef TJ opened Boma at Animal Kingdom and worked there until 2008 when he came to the Polynesain to work at 'Ohana/captain Cooks (and maybe Kona, too?) He recommended I make a reservation for 'Ohana and said he would cook a vegan feast just for us! he also encouraged us to eat at Boma, as it is very vegan friendly he said.

IN ADVANCE: Make you ADR through Disney Dining (407)-WDW-DINE and tell them of your "allergies" (egg, milk & shellfish) and they will give you the number to the Food & Beverage manager for that restaurant. Call the food & bev folks and tell them you need a vegan meal and they will tell you you options for that location. This can be done anywhere at the resort, but some Chefs are more accommodating then others! Chef TJ is the best!

If you are already at WDW, go talk to the Chef ASAP and see what can happen.

 

[Walt Disney Worlders]

Chef TJ is a gem - hands down THE most awesome chef in all of WDW.

Carol -- I couldn't agree more! He is fantastic! I have been writing a blog post about him and titled it "Disney's Hidden Gem"! lol! Great minds, right?

 

[Walt Disney Worlders]

I remember meeting a young (ahem) good looking chef who helped my family with our dining needs at Ohana in 2007. He was a delight...he "got it" without making us feel uncomfortable for having our special needs. No eye-rolling and "ah, pleeze" attitude. What a delight Disney is in these matters.

That is such good news! I'm not sure if Chef TJ was there in 07, I was under the impression it was 08 that he came to 'Ohana. It very well could have been him though! I will have to ask him when he switched places the next time I see him! (I will see him again, and I can't wait!)

 

[v_gan]

On one hand, I'm so sad that Chef TJ won't be at Boma when we go. I was really looking forward to seeing him!

On the other hand, it's amazing that he's at 'Ohana, considering their menu! I always thought it would be fun to go, but I knew there wouldn't be much for me to eat.

I just checked out your blog, and I have a few questions I'd like to ask, if you don't mind:

- Will CMs really not note that you're vegan when making reservations? Each time I've asked them to do it, they said that our dietary restrictions have been noted (or something along those lines). Were they just saying that, or did they put it down as allergies? Should I call back and get them to change it?

- If you had to pick one of these two choices, which would it be? 'Ohana with Chef TJ, or Jiko with their all-vegan menu? We're considering staying an extra night this May, so I'd like to try to get a reservation at one of these places.

We'll also be eating at Boma and Tusker House on this trip, so I think we may be a bit tired of the African-style food by then. So 'Ohana would probably be a better choice. But I wouldn't want to go if Chef TJ wasn't there to help us.

 

[wellesleyprincess]

I have a question, will he do multiple needs? I'm gluten free, lactose intolerant, and have recently gone vegetarian and don't want to spend all of my disney trip eating salad.

 

[jenn10a]

I am glad you posted that. We have an adr for DS birthday and I was worried about dessert as they have just the one. DH and DD are both allergic to Bananas. I did not put this on the reservation. I put my allergy on the reservation because it is harder to tell what has onions in it than Banana plus my allergy is more severe. I wonder if I can go back and add the banana allergy to all our ADRs.

 

[Walt Disney Worlders]

On one hand, I'm so sad that Chef TJ won't be at Boma when we go. I was really looking forward to seeing him!

On the other hand, it's amazing that he's at 'Ohana, considering their menu! I always thought it would be fun to go, but I knew there wouldn't be much for me to eat.

I just checked out your blog, and I have a few questions I'd like to ask, if you don't mind:

- Will CMs really not note that you're vegan when making reservations? Each time I've asked them to do it, they said that our dietary restrictions have been noted (or something along those lines). Were they just saying that, or did they put it down as allergies? Should I call back and get them to change it?

- If you had to pick one of these two choices, which would it be? 'Ohana with Chef TJ, or Jiko with their all-vegan menu? We're considering staying an extra night this May, so I'd like to try to get a reservation at one of these places.

We'll also be eating at Boma and Tusker House on this trip, so I think we may be a bit tired of the African-style food by then. So 'Ohana would probably be a better choice. But I wouldn't want to go if Chef TJ wasn't there to help us.

v_gan -- I have been told by more than one CM that they cannot note vegan on the reservation, only your allergies. I would call back to double check, and then ask for the food & bev number to talk directly to the rep.

JIKO OR 'OHANA? Well, 'Ohana is great, lots of food and it is all one price (Plus TJ is so great!). Jiko is wonderful, but less selection and much pricier. I love the Poly, so I would choose 'Ohana, especially if you have kids -- they will love it there. Jiko and Boma are quite similar, although I am not too sure on what Tusker house is like off the top of my head.

Hope this helps!

 

[Walt Disney Worlders]

I have a question, will he do multiple needs? I'm gluten free, lactose intolerant, and have recently gone vegetarian and don't want to spend all of my disney trip eating salad.

wellesleyprincess -- Yes -- Chef TJ was really accommodating, and I am sure with advance notice (about 3 weeks) he can help you with multiple dietary needs!

 

[Walt Disney Worlders]

I am glad you posted that. We have an adr for DS birthday and I was worried about dessert as they have just the one. DH and DD are both allergic to Bananas. I did not put this on the reservation. I put my allergy on the reservation because it is harder to tell what has onions in it than Banana plus my allergy is more severe. I wonder if I can go back and add the banana allergy to all our ADRs.

jenn10a -- Not too sure if you can go back to add the banana allegy to the ADR (I would try), but you can request the food and beverage number and tell them exactly what your allergies are! Please let us know how it goes!

 

[Walt Disney Worlders]

v_gan -- I just realized who are are (I was reading your review thread!) Just want to say, this is my favorite pic ever!

 

[v_gan]

v_gan -- I just realized who are are (I was reading your review thread!) Just want to say, this is my favorite pic ever!

Aw, thank you! hehe. I really enjoyed getting that picture taken. I just couldn't go to Tony's and not relive such an awesome Disney movie moment

v_gan -- I have been told by more than one CM that they cannot note vegan on the reservation, only your allergies. I would call back to double check, and then ask for the food & bev number to talk directly to the rep.

JIKO OR O'HANA? Well, O'hana is great, lots of food and it is all one price (Plus TJ is so great!). Jiko is wonderful, but less selection and much pricier. I love the Poly, so I would choose O'hana, especially if you have kids -- they will love it there. Jiko and Boma are quite similar, although I am not too sure on what Tusker house is like off the top of my head.

Hope this helps!

I called yesterday and got a reservation at 'Ohana for dinner on May 16! (That was me that commented on your blog, by the way! ) I asked the CM that was helping me if I could get the "egg, dairy, and shellfish" allergy noted on the rest of my reservations as well. He said, "One moment," and there was about a minute of silence (with the exception of clicking noises) before he told me that it had been noted on all my reservations. So I assume he actually did it. I think I'll call back to make sure, and see if I can get the numbers to the restaurants I already had ADRs at so that I can talk to them about having a vegan meal available.

Thank you so much for all your help! I'm really excited about trying 'Ohana now. I think it'll be a great ending to our trip.