Just Keep Swimming-March 31-April 7, 2013-Dining Review (updated 5/16)

[jecskc]

So glad to have found your dining review.

My mom had 2 screws and a plate put in her ankle 20 years ago and now she's doing great. Hope you recover just as well as she has!

Sounds like she had a bad break. I had tendon damage and that takes longer to heal. By now, I wish I HAD broken it. I think it would be better by now if I had broken it. My doctor it would take a year and it looks like he is right ...darn it.

I remember your last reviews! Good to see you back and doing more reviews!

Yay !! Glad to have you reading along !!

Looking forward to reading your reviews. I also remember your last trip/reviews and thoroughly enjoyed reading them.

I am so happy you are here !! I have started a TR as well. Same title. Come join me there !!

Joining in!

Thanks for following along !!

 

[jecskc]

March 31, 2013

Waffle House

One the way to Disney (we drive) we stopped at Waffle House for breakfast.

The kids love this place, but it think it is dirty and seedy. The food is pretty good though, so I tolerate it. In college we called it the Awful Waffle.

The kids always order way too much food, so I just ordered some rain toast to eat while I waited for them to get full. I ended up with a full waffle, some bacon and some hash browns that they couldn't eat.

Here is the only photo I took.

I promise I have tons more photos, so stick with me. The food was good, the waffles were great, but I felt like I needed a bath when left.

 

[jecskc]

March 31, 2013 - Lunch

Wolfgang Puck Express

We were on the dining plan for the first five days. We always try to get to Wolfgang Puck’s because I believe it is the best counter service value in Disney. COUNTER SERVICE y’all !!!

You order at the counter and then get a number.

You take it to your table and then a waiter brings your food. They will get you refills as well. We always get the same thing because when we find something that works, we stick with it.

DH and I split the Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf and as always it was delicious.
Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf - mashed potatoes, port wine sauce and crispy onion rings $15

I always take the bacon off my portion because I just prefer it without. The rest is very yummy though. The onion straws are particularly amazing.

The meatloaf is really good and the port wine sauce adds a nice element to the dish. It is much better than gravy, I think. We share this because it is plenty for two people. Plus, if we share a meal each time we eat, we can extend out dining credits and get more out of our plan.

We got the cheesecake for dessert.

Vanilla Bean Cheesecake $5

I love this cheesecake. It has a crème brulee like crust on top and the cheesecake itself is light and very creamy. It isn’t heavy and dense like some cheesecakes are. Not that that is a bad thing …. This one is just really good.

The kids each got a chicken tenders platter

Crispy Chicken Tenders and French Fries $12

These are your basic Disney chicken tenders. Good and crispy and kid friendly. They give them plenty, so no one left hungry.

DD got a brownie for dessert

DS got a sugar cookie which he scarfed down before I could take a photo.
This is a place I highly recommend. They seem to have an excellent breakfast menu as well, but we never seem to make it over there for breakfast.

 

[jedijill]

March 31, 2013 - Lunch

Wolfgang Puck Express

We were on the dining plan for the first five days. We always try to get to Wolfgang Puck’s because I believe it is the best counter service value in Disney. COUNTER SERVICE y’all !!!

You order at the counter and then get a number.

You take it to your table and then a waiter brings your food. They will get you refills as well. We always get the same thing because when we find something that works, we stick with it.

DH and I split the Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf and as always it was delicious.
Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf - mashed potatoes, port wine sauce and crispy onion rings $15

I always take the bacon off my portion because I just prefer it without. The rest is very yummy though. The onion straws are particularly amazing.

The meatloaf is really good and the port wine sauce adds a nice element to the dish. It is much better than gravy, I think. We share this because it is plenty for two people. Plus, if we share a meal each time we eat, we can extend out dining credits and get more out of our plan.

We got the cheesecake for dessert.

Vanilla Bean Cheesecake $5

I love this cheesecake. It has a crème brulee like crust on top and the cheesecake itself is light and very creamy. It isn’t heavy and dense like some cheesecakes are. Not that that is a bad thing …. This one is just really good.

The kids each got a chicken tenders platter

Crispy Chicken Tenders and French Fries $12

These are your basic Disney chicken tenders. Good and crispy and kid friendly. They give them plenty, so no one left hungry.

DD got a brownie for dessert

DS got a sugar cookie which he scarfed down before I could take a photo.
This is a place I highly recommend. They seem to have an excellent breakfast menu as well, but we never seem to make it over there for breakfast.

Love WPE and you should try to make it for breakfast...it is excellent and the portions are gigantic. You can definitely split meals at breakfast too.


Jill in CO

 

[jecskc]

Love WPE and you should try to make it for breakfast...it is excellent and the portions are gigantic. You can definitely split meals at breakfast too.


Jill in CO

We have planned to go there for breakfast in the past, but have never gotten over there in time. I really want to try it because the photos I have seen look amazing. One day !!

 

[SRiley1985]

March 31, 2013

Waffle House

One the way to Disney (we drive) we stopped at Waffle House for breakfast.

The kids love this place, but it think it is dirty and seedy. The food is pretty good though, so I tolerate it. In college we called it the Awful Waffle.

The kids always order way too much food, so I just ordered some rain toast to eat while I waited for them to get full. I ended up with a full waffle, some bacon and some hash browns that they couldn't eat.

Here is the only photo I took.

I promise I have tons more photos, so stick with me. The food was good, the waffles were great, but I felt like I needed a bath when left.

I love me some Waffle House! I don't even care that my bathroom is probably cleaner than the kitchen LOL. The hasbrowns are my fave. I get them covered in cheese with jalepenos, tomatoes, ham and onions. YUM!

 

[jecskc]

I love me some Waffle House! I don't even care that my bathroom is probably cleaner than the kitchen LOL. The hasbrowns are my fave. I get them covered in cheese with jalepenos, tomatoes, ham and onions. YUM!

I love their waffles and hashbrowns. How does the waitress shout out that order?? "Scattered, covered, smothered with some heat ??" I would need 2 zantac after those. They sound good though !!

Susan

 

[auntfrannie]

Being dirty must be the theme that Waffle House is going for! I've yet to be in any that's clean. I would always pick something over WH but my mother likes it. They finally brought them up north and we have one in southwest PA. It too was dirty. I'm telling you, just like 50s Prime Time has a theme, Waffle House's theme is dirty. Apparently it works for them!

 

[jecskc]

Being dirty must be the theme that Waffle House is going for! I've yet to be in any that's clean. I would always pick something over WH but my mother likes it. They finally brought them up north and we have one in southwest PA. It too was dirty. I'm telling you, just like 50s Prime Time has a theme, Waffle House's theme is dirty. Apparently it works for them!

Sometimes I wonder how they pass health inspection, seriously .....

 

[smiths02]

Sometimes I wonder how they pass health inspection, seriously .....

"Now if you've never been to a Waffle House, just imagine a gas station restroom that serves waffles." Jim Gaffigan

I actually like Waffle House and so do my ILs. I am from CA and my BFF from CA was dying to go to one when she visited us in GA. I took her to the "original" one in Decatur (the original one is a museum but this one is down the street from the original) the first time she visited. Th next time I took her to one closer to our new house in the 'burbs. She was actually disappointed how clean everything was...not ghetto enough

I really like their raisin toast with apple butter though.


Thanks for the reviews! I am following along!

 

[jecskc]

"Now if you've never been to a Waffle House, just imagine a gas station restroom that serves waffles." Jim Gaffigan

I actually like Waffle House and so do my ILs. I am from CA and my BFF from CA was dying to go to one when she visited us in GA. I took her to the "original" one in Decatur (the original one is a museum but this one is down the street from the original) the first time she visited. Th next time I took her to one closer to our new house in the 'burbs. She was actually disappointed how clean everything was...not ghetto enough

I really like their raisin toast with apple butter though.


Thanks for the reviews! I am following along!

OMG !!! That Jim Gaffigan saying is sooo funny and so true !! Hahahaha. That just made my day !!

I am sure the only reason why they have stayed open is the fact that their food is good.

 

[jecskc]

Chef Mickeys

I made this dinner reservation early because I knew we would be tired after our travel day. Our ADR was for 5:30 PM and we arrived a bit early






We were given a pager and were buzzed right away. We got our picture taken and then we were seated. Later on in the trip I remember seeing a long line for the family photo, so I am going to say that it pays to get an early ADR for this one.



The kids were really excited to finally be eating at the monorail restaurant



and DD loves her some characters. It was DHs birthday a week or so prior to this trip, so they gave him a birthday button which he wore on this night.

It was Easter Sunday so there were several Easter Eggs around. I think they were made of chocolate, but I am not sure.





Anyhoodle, we were seated and we got an allergy warning on our ticket



DD is allergic to nuts, so the chef came out and he took DD and DH up to the buffet. She showed the chef what she wanted to eat and he said all of those things would be fine for her.

Pluto came out right away





And then Minnie





It looked like we were clear on characters for a while so we went up to get some food. Here is my first plate.



Starting at the broccoli going clock-wise  Broccoli (good), potatoes (yum), a roll and some butter (these rolls were sooo good), salmon (very good), and a salad (good).

DDs plate



Chicken fingers, pizza and macaroni. Yeah, I know. Some healthy stuff there. She liked the chicken and macaroni, but said the pizza was yucky.

Then the main mouse came by





DH was brought out a birthday cupcake





This is DHs plate



He said he liked it all. You can see chicken and cornbread on DSs plate in the background.

Then Donald Duck came out.



This was my second plate

Prime rib (good), Ham (this had some kind of cranberry glaze that made it really yummy), another yummy roll and some more yummy potatoes. I thought I had more of the salmon, but I guess not.

DD got some ice cream for dessert.



It was a weird color and consistency. I assume it was more ice milk than ice cream and DD said it was just OK.

Heres my dessert plate



Cheescake, rice krispie treat, key lime tart and a oreo bon-bon. I loved all of these and here is a close-up of the cheesecake

they had a little Easter theme going on that I thought was cute.

And then Goofy came out to round out the Fab Five



I am usually not a buffet fan, but I really liked this restaurant. No one else complained and DD says she wants to go back. The food was good, not great but good. We left stuffed and satisfied. A good experience !!

 

[abk96]

Enjoying your dining reviews. Wolfgang Puck Express is the best!

 

[jecskc]

Enjoying your dining reviews. Wolfgang Puck Express is the best!

Yes, we love that place. I keep meaning to get over there and try breakfast ...

 

[Leslieann1024]

I'm in ! Enjoying the ride so far, I love your trippies !

There are lots of Waffle Houses here in Texas, and the one closest to my home is actually very clean (it's only 3 years old or so, maybe it takes time to get that "polish" on them) !

Is it a bad thing when the staff knows what I order lol ? "Triple scrambled light, waaay light, hold the grits, wheat toast and waffle light, waaay light !"

If I can't sleep (which is often) I end up there in the middle of the night, and boy is that prime time to see some characters !

 

[jecskc]

I'm in ! Enjoying the ride so far, I love your trippies !

There are lots of Waffle Houses here in Texas, and the one closest to my home is actually very clean (it's only 3 years old or so, maybe it takes time to get that "polish" on them) !

Is it a bad thing when the staff knows what I order lol ? "Triple scrambled light, waaay light, hold the grits, wheat toast and waffle light, waaay light !"

If I can't sleep (which is often) I end up there in the middle of the night, and boy is that prime time to see some characters !

Hey !! So glad you stopped by !!

That is funny that they know what you order. I went there plenty during college so I know what you mean about characters. And not the Mickey Mouse kind of characters !!

 

[Pixie Princess]

SOOOO happy y'all like Chef Mickey!! We love it too. We'll have to make a point of going together.

 

[thejman]

Loved your review of Chef Mickey's. We will be going there very soon. My 3 kids are also allergic to nuts. We're there any other desserts your daughter could have besides the ice cream?

 

[Ro Z]

Thanks for your reviews! We were there the week before you. Leaving on the 31st. Sometimes the crowds were so bad especially MK we couldnt keep swimming. It was all we could do to tread water. Lol. Looking forward to the rest of your report!!

 

[jecskc]

SOOOO happy y'all like Chef Mickey!! We love it too. We'll have to make a point of going together.

Sounds like a great plan. We can try breakfast. YAY !!!!

Loved your review of Chef Mickey's. We will be going there very soon. My 3 kids are also allergic to nuts. We're there any other desserts your daughter could have besides the ice cream?

All of the things on my plate didn't have nuts, but I m not sure about cross contamination. The rice krispie treats were safe. I would have to say ask the chef when you go. This is always a concern for us as well.

Thanks for your reviews! We were there the week before you. Leaving on the 31st. Sometimes the crowds were so bad especially MK we couldnt keep swimming. It was all we could do to tread water. Lol. Looking forward to the rest of your report!!

Yeah, I heard that about the week before. I don't think our week was as bad. There were a few times we had to stop and wait for an opening, but I think you guys had it worse for sure.