Looking for counter service restaurants that mimic table service restaurants?

[tikilyn]

We are headed to Disney next May with some family from Mexico. This will be their first trip to Disney and are on a budget. We let them pick and choose what they want to do and see on this vacation, as we've been many times. They chose the do the quick service dining plan for cost and pre-pay factor. Normally when my family goes we would do the regular dining plan (pre-covid) for the table service meals. I'm now left trying to plan counter service meals that are not hamburgers and chicken nuggets. What would you all suggest for good counter service restaurants. It can be at the parks, resorts or Disney Springs.

We'll have one day at Magic Kingdom, one day in Hollywood studios and 2 non theme park days. Then were off to Universal Studios. The credits from our universal day will feed us for breakfast (resort counter service) and lunch (Earl of Sandwich togo) on our check out day before we leave.

 

[Rpo0921]

Geyser Point at wilderness lodge

 

[ForceofWill]

My picks for best value use of your QS dining plan credits in MK/HS and Springs would be Columbia Harbor house, D-Lux burger, Polite Pig and Docking bay 7.

 

[tikilyn]

Geyser Point at wilderness lodge

Thanks I'll check out the menu. I hadn't looked into wilderness lodge.

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

Hollywood Studios---I really like the Mediterranean salad at ABC Commissary with the hummus and pita bread. I also really like the Buffalo Chicken Grilled cheese sandwich with buffalo sauce and Arugula-Farro salad. Yum yum, if you like a little spice.
Magic Kingdom---I like Columbia Harbour House salmon best. New England Shrimp Boil looks good too, but I have not tried it.
Non-park day, Wilderness Lodge---I agree with previous poster about Geyser Point Grill. I love the Portabello mushroom salad which is not on on the current online menu. The multigrain steak salad is also very good. Most people rave about the Bison burger as the best burger at WDW.
Hope you all enjoy it.

 

[tikilyn]

My picks for best value use of your QS dining plan credits in MK/HS and Springs would be Columbia Harbor house, D-Lux burger, Polite Pig and Docking bay 7.

I have Columbia Harbor House and Polite Pig on a maybe list. My kids love D-lux burger! I personally didn't enjoy Docking bay 7 the last time we were there. But they may want to eat there for the theming.

 

[sponica]

I like Primo Platto and Bar Riva at Riviera.

 

[Jasper&Bowie]

This isn't the full list but something that I used when planning my last trip.

 

[tguz]

MK day - Pulled pork nachos at Capt Cooks at the Poly.

 

[BrianL]

I would have said Satu'Li Canteen, but it doesn't look like you are going to Animal Kingdom. That is the best counter service in the parks and you do get real silverware and access to the soda fountain, so it's a little more like real dining.

At HS, the closest thing is Docking Bay 7 in the Star Wars area, though no refills are available for soda. It's decent, though not as good as Satu'li. At MK, I think Columbia Harbor House is your best bet for counter service as it's som eof your better food. Sit upstairs for a more relaxing environment too.

 

[tikilyn]

Has anyone eaten at El Mercado at Coronado Springs? Allears says it a counter service for 2023. The menu looks decent. How's the food there?

Remember when we could go to Coronado Springs and get a ribeye steak as a counter service meal. Those really were the days! LOL

 

[Cramden]

I love Polite Pig and Pepe in Disney Springs. You could also take the boat from Disney Springs to Port Orleans French Quarter and check out Sassagoula Floatworks. I've really enjoyed the food there. I second Primo Piatto. On your Hollywood Studios day you could take the Skyliner to the Riviera and eat there or Bar Riva which serves food from there.

 

[Cramden]

Has anyone eaten at El Mercado at Coronado Springs? Allears says it a counter service for 2023. The menu looks decent. How's the food there?

Remember when we could go to Coronado Springs and get a ribeye steak as a counter service meal. Those really were the days! LOL

We ate at El Mercado in April. We were staying at Coronado and it was fine but I wouldn't go out of my way to eat there.

 

[philharmagic fan]

I love Polite Pig and Pepe in Disney Springs. You could also take the boat from Disney Springs to Port Orleans French Quarter and check out Sassagoula Floatworks. I've really enjoyed the food there. I second Primo Piatto. On your Hollywood Studios day you could take the Skyliner to the Riviera and eat there or Bar Riva which serves food from there.

Or take the boat from Disney Springs to Artist Palette at Saratoga. More choices and less crowded than many of the resort QS and nice areas for both indoor and outdoor seating.

 

[erinch]

Honestly, if you only have 2 park days and are introducing people to MK and HS for the first time, I would plan to eat QS in the park, and would plan the location based upon where you will be around lunchtime. I also would plan based upon where you can get mobile order. You can find SOMETHING that isn’t a burger or chicken strips at almost all of the QS locations, and you can see all the menus using the mobile order link in MDE. I would want to avoid, for instance, being in Tomorrowland at lunchtime, and having hearts set on a chipotle bowl at Pecos Bills. So I would either plan food around touring plans, or plan touring plans around meals. It certainly is a great idea to leave MK to eat anyplace else, but you will burn a couple of hours on your one day.

Since you have 2 non theme park days, you could do Disney springs one day, and a monorail tour or a visit to the Mara at AKL on the other.

 

[CoachBeard]

I like Satuli canteen in AK.

 

[1lilspark]

MK & HS is probably the weakest for getting QS that’s not just burgers/pizza/hot dogs/nuggets

That said I’d say docking bay for studios and CHH for magic

 

[notatallmagic]

For us -

Magic Kingdom - Columbia Harbor, Sleepy Hollow, Dole Whip, a Gaston cinnamon roll (and supplement with pocket snacks and a popcorn bucket)

Hollywood - ABC, Docking Bay, Woodys Lunch Box, Wookie Cookie/carrot cake at Starbucks/oreo ice cream funnel cake...and popcorn

Utilize mobile order to look and menus ahead of time and save wait time

Outside of parks - absolutely Polite Pig, quick service at POFQ, Artists Palette...and we loved the view and special experience of Sanaa.