Jazz Kitchen or Cafe Orleans for Beignets

[jenanderson]

Hello Everyone! My DS has decided that he must try some beignets on this trip after watching the Princess and the Frog! He LOVES donuts and so I figure this would be a hit with him. I see you can get them at a couple of locations and so we have some questions...

1. Is Jazz Kitchen or Cafe Orleans beignets better?

2. Would you eat at (recommend) these restaurants or just get the beignets to go?

3. If the Jazz Kitchen ones are better (which is what we have read a lot of), would you recommend eating at the Jazz Kitchen Express or at the Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen? I assume that these are at the same place but one is more of a counter service and one is probably a fancier table service option.

We are not planning many sit down meals and are wondering if either of these are really worth it or if we should just get beignets to go and call it good.

Thanks!
Jen

 

[nicolispicoli]

I think the general consensus is that jazz kitchens are better, I like both. I've only had the mickey ones when from the stand behind French Market (The Mint Julep stand), but they were delicious. We got them to go while waiting for Fantasmic to start and we waited and they were warm and fresh and we all thought they were good. The Jazz Kitchen's were obviously superior in flavor, but either way, you can't go wrong.

You can get them at Cafe Orleans or I imagine French Market, but you don't have to eat there to get them. Just grab them from the to go counter, unless you do want to have a sit down meal. I love Cafe Orleans and we always go there at least once, but either way.

 

[blackjackdelta]

I always seem to go against the grain but i like CO better, have a nice lunch and the beignet just tops it off, powdered sugar all over my beard, what a slob.

Jack

 

[DizMe]

I find the ones at CO okay, but LOVE the ones from Jazz Kitchen.

I usually get them to go from the Express part because I rarely take time for a sit-down breakfast when I'm ready to go into the park! However, Jazz Kitchen is a wonderful restaurant (not the Express side) if you do choose to have a nicer dining experience. I personally prefer to be outside, either in the courtyard or upstairs balcony. I don't like the inside where it's crowded and noisy, but outside it's delightful! Some people love being inside near the band, but it's too loud for me.

You can order beignets all day.

 

[Susie63]

Hmmmm.....I guess I will have to try both places on our trip

 

[pixiewings71]

Jazz Kitchens are better, but we like both. You are correct in your guess that JKE is more a quick service type of place and RBJK is more a full service restaurant. JKE you order at the counter, get your food and go outside to eat, no inside seating, RBJK you are seated by a hostess, served by a server and seated either inside or outside. We sat outside on Sunday and listened to the birds playing in the fountain and singing. It was pretty neat!! I had the Shrimp Po' Boy, DBF had the Chicken & Waffles, both were very very good!! If you just want beignets go to JKE and get them to go. But I do recommend the full service RBJK, the food is amazing!!!!

You can get the Mickey ones at Cafe Orleans, but you canNOT get them to go, you can only get them if you are seated at CO and eat them there. If you want them to go you have to go the Mint Julep bar which is behind the French Market (next door to CO). They are NOT available at the FM itself, only at the MJB behind the FM. They are also good, but not quite as tasty as the ones at the JK.

OP instead of worrying about which ones to get why not get both? That way you can decide for yourselves which ones are better.

 

[jenanderson]

Thanks for all the input. Sounds like we will at least get the ones from Jazz Kitchen to go. We might have to sample all of them!

We will keep the Jazz Kitchen in mind for eating but haven't finalized what 2-3 sit down choices we will go with.

DS is now even more hungry for the beignets!

 

[nicolispicoli]

I agree with Kerri, try both!! We loved both and I would eat both again on our next trip!

 

[Eclectic Goddess]

I like the Jazz Kitchen's better too.

One caveat to getting them at the Jazz Kitchen Express...Depending on how busy they are, they sometimes make the beignets in advance so they can just hand them to you when you order them. Not far in advance, just a few minutes, but it makes a big difference. You want them fresh from the fryer, almost too hot to eat. As they cool, the batter toughens up quickly.

Last time we were there and I saw them sitting out, I asked for a fresh batch. They were very nice about it. I just had to wait a few minutes, and it was totally worth it.

 

[Mama Who]

While I enjoy CO in general, the beignets at JKE are MUCH better. No need to do a sit down, just take the paper bag, give 'em a shake and enjoy. Uh... don't wear black.

We enjoyed dinner at RB, mostly the bananas foster but I don't know that they do breakfast. Seems like they're always closed when we go to the Express- maybe they do a weekend brunch?

If you are not doing many sit downs, I'd save them for other places. Our favorite is Storyteller's.

 

[Mama Who]

OP instead of worrying about which ones to get why not get both? That way you can decide for yourselves which ones are better.

You're an enabler, that's what you are!

 

[jenanderson]

You're an enabler, that's what you are!

I am totally open to having people enable us!

I love all this information about these food choices! We are really studying menus at this point and I will admit that I find that I am more drawn to the counter service choices at this point and am thinking we will only pick 1-2 sit down places at this point. I have a hard time justifying the price of many of the DL restaurants when the counter service choices look really good.