Meals at DCA

[twinmommyks]

Can someone recommend some counter service restaurants in DCA? We will be eating both lunch and dinner there one day. Our 3 kiddos much prefer quick meals over table service. They would much rather spend their time on rides than in a table service restaurant.

Thanks, again, for your help. Just trying to get everything organized for our trip in 21 days.

Bren

 

[iceskatejen]

Taste Pilots is good. I like the chicken strips at Strips Dips & Chips (same chicken/fish/mozerella sticks are served at the Golden Horseshoe and Stage Door Cafes at DL). My recommendation, though, would be to leave DCA and go into the GCH to Whitewater Snacks. The food is so much better (same price as the parks and they're quick). I love the nachos and the charbroiled chicken sandwich.

 

[Snow Brite]

Taste Pilots is good. I like the chicken strips at Strips Dips & Chips (same chicken/fish/mozerella sticks are served at the Golden Horseshoe and Stage Door Cafes at DL). My recommendation, though, would be to leave DCA and go into the GCH to Whitewater Snacks. The food is so much better (same price as the parks and they're quick). I love the nachos and the charbroiled chicken sandwich.

Wow! Great minds think alike! I was going to make the same reccomendations!
Since Jen already covered that, I would also say that the Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill is good (they get their tortillas from the Mission factory display next door). Award Weiners is popular with my kids. And don't miss an afternoon snack at Burrrrrbank Ice Cream!

Also Downtown Disney is really not far away, especially if you slip out through the Grand Californian.

 

[nursemelis374]

I was also going to say to go to WhiteWater Snacks, it is way better! I am eating there this evening!!

Award Weiners is pretty good.

 

[twinmommyks]

Since several suggested White Water Snacks, I think we'll try doing that for one meal. Can anyone tell me from which area in DCA do you exit to the GC? Is it easy to get back and forth from GC to DCA. Being that I haven't been to DL for 20 years, everything is new to me.

Thank you so much for taking the time to help me out.

Bren
________________
WDW - AKL - June 2005
DL - Offsite - July 1986 - Honeymoon

 

[hlbtimes2]

The exit is near the redwood creek trail. If you walked past GRR, and Redwood creek, headed toward Condor flats (Soarin') the exit will be on your left. When you exit, you will walk straight in to the GC. At the end of the walk way, make a left. Its down past the bathrooms on the left.

As for good places to eat, we really liked the salads and soup in a sourdough bread bowl at the Pacific Warf area. The kids shared a sandwich and did find the sourdough roll it was on to be a bit hard to bite thru (not bad for adults, but a bit much for their little mouths). I had the southwest corn chowder. It was really good.

 

[Rence]

My experience at Taste Pilots was awful. It was a busy day but the service and food were deplorable.

The wait to order wasn't very long (about five minutes). We ordered standard items off the menu, no special orders, substitutions or anything like. From ordering one proceeds to the counter to pick up the food. It took 22 minutes from the time we ordered (not when we entered the line) until we got the food. There were several employees standing around behind the counter with no idea what to do, food was not coming out of the kitchen. After about 15 mintues we asked if there were any managers around because no one seemed to be doing anything. The only respose we got was a shrug.

We finally got the food. The burger was as bad as the worst burger that I've gotten at a theme park (cold and dry). I've had some bad experiences with food at Six Flags, but the food cost less and arrived faster. I have higher expectations for Disney. The chicken sandwhich not so bad (not great but edible), fries were cold. Based on this I can only assume that our food spent the entire 22 minutes sitting on a tray in the back before being served to us.

Long wait, bad food, staff that didn't seem to know what to do. I go to a lot of theme parks and this is the worst I have ever seen. Our other dining experience at DCA was slightly better (not good, but not deplorable). I would definately avoid eating the park.

 

[hlbtimes2]

My experience at Taste Pilots was awful. It was a busy day but the service and food were deplorable.

The wait to order wasn't very long (about five minutes). We ordered standard items off the menu, no special orders, substitutions or anything like. From ordering one proceeds to the counter to pick up the food. It took 22 minutes from the time we ordered (not when we entered the line) until we got the food. There were several employees standing around behind the counter with no idea what to do, food was not coming out of the kitchen. After about 15 mintues we asked if there were any managers around because no one seemed to be doing anything. The only respose we got was a shrug.

We finally got the food. The burger was as bad as the worst burger that I've gotten at a theme park (cold and dry). I've had some bad experiences with food at Six Flags, but the food cost less and arrived faster. I have higher expectations for Disney. The chicken sandwhich not so bad (not great but edible), fries were cold. Based on this I can only assume that our food spent the entire 22 minutes sitting on a tray in the back before being served to us.

Long wait, bad food, staff that didn't seem to know what to do. I go to a lot of theme parks and this is the worst I have ever seen. Our other dining experience at DCA was slightly better (not good, but not deplorable). I would definately avoid eating the park.

That sounds like my experience at the Hungry Bear in DL. It took forever to order, even longer to get the food, then it was cold!

 

[sammatt]

Taste Pilots is good. I like the chicken strips at Strips Dips & Chips (same chicken/fish/mozerella sticks are served at the Golden Horseshoe and Stage Door Cafes at DL). My recommendation, though, would be to leave DCA and go into the GCH to Whitewater Snacks. The food is so much better (same price as the parks and they're quick). I love the nachos and the charbroiled chicken sandwich.

That's what I was going to say! We LOVe that place...it's our favorite tried and true at DCA. no trip is complete without a meal there.

 

[CamColt]

One of my DSs really likes the popcorn chicken at Taste Pilots. The other loved the plain pasta at Pizza Oo Mow Mow. I have gotten the adult pasta there, and had my DS get the sauce and meatball that come with the kids meal on the side for me to eat (he wont touch them). The adult pasta with just 1 meatball from the kids meal is really a very filling meal, and I think the sauce is great, especially for counter service. I have to say I was impressed with Pizza Ooo Mow Mow.

We tried to eat at Whitewater Snacks during our trip in February but they were closed at 8:00 PM. I was really surprised.

And another vote for the Mozarella sticks at Golden Horseshoe in DL. Those were really good...again more than I expected for counter service.

 

[dornen]

lets see what hasnt been said about counter service at dca? oh yeah theres a smoothie shop on the corner across from off the page. it's supposed to be pretty good. and there's always the snack vendors hanging around the park.

 

[being-dragged-to-DL]

taste pilots kids meals are really good. The adults not as good... but Id go again if only for the little smile face potatoes!! Awesome!

 

[spazzyjazzy]

If all else fails there is Mcdonalds there also. SUPER expensive!

 

[Barbday62]

We love the huge corn dogs that they sell in that stand next to the sunglass hut. Taster pilot is my favorite in that park too. I like the chicken sandwich

 

[RangerPooh]

We typically eat at Taste Pilots Grill, Award Wieners, the Mexican place next to Mission Tortilla, and Boudine's Bakery (Veg chillie or just bread and butter!!!). Good food and decent prices!

 

[cinderella_mom]

I agree that the Fish & Chips and Mozzerella Sticks are great. The bakery at the wharf has soups and salads in sourdough bread bowls if you want something less greasy. The Mexican Grill is next door and shares the table area.

 

[50thisyeartoo!]

I Love The Ceasar Hot Dogs! The Place Is On The Left Side As You Are On Your Way To The Tower Of Terror! They Put Ceasar Salad On A Hot Dog And It Is My Favorite. The French Fries Are Really Skinny; Not Bad At All. The Corn Dogs Are Good Over On The Other Side Of The Park. The Mexican Food Over By The Wharf Isn't Too Bad; My Daughters Love The Soup Or Salad In The Bowl (sourdough Bowl). With All The Walking You Will Do You Will Be Starving...just About Anything Will Taste Good! Dont Forget To Go To The Big Candy Store On Your Way Out...across From The Toy Store; They Have Carmel Apples; And Apples Covered With Nuts, Candy, Etc.