Organic eating at DLR...is it possible?

[ebenmax]

Due to a number of health issues I need to eat organic foods/meats/produce. I realize that is not Disney's primary concern, however, I wondered if there were ANY organic offerings in any of the restaurants in DL/DCA/DTD. Most of my meals will be cooked in our room, but it's always a true treat to find something "out" somewhere!
Any close-by restaurants would be great, too!

Thanks tons!

 

[iKristin]

I don't believe they have any organic offerings. Even the fruit isn't organic.

 

[rms123]

I don't remember seeing any recently. The best you can hope for is healthy but not organic.

 

[MommyJKM]

I believe Carthay uses organic greens in their salads, you could call Disney Dining and ask.

 

[ebenmax]

I believe Carthay uses organic greens in their salads, you could call Disney Dining and ask.

I considered calling, but they often don't know the answers - I've tried before in WDW. They attempt to help but it's possibly a right hand left hand situation or you can never get a "sure" answer. I'm getting used to disappointment, but was more hopeful since it was CA. Thanks for the responses!

 

[ParkHopper1]

I am not an organic fanatic but do choose it when it is available and live in an area where organic is everywhere. There are little to no organic options within the DL Resort (Disney owned properties anyway)...and if there are, they do nothing to publicize or advertise it. I am there quite a bit and can not think of seeing one organic item.

DTD restaurants may have options but do not recall seeing any listed.

 

[MommyJKM]

I would also call the Patina Group which owns Catal and Uva Bar and some other restaurants in DD, they're really big on fresh local ingredients in LA and you may be able to find out if they use organic since those restaurants don't get as high of volume customers.

A lot of chef's prefer organic and local obviously so you may be able to check some nearby restaurants as well.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

We eat at DLR often, from CS to fine dining, and I don't recall seeing organic offerings anywhere. Will you have a car? That will make a big difference for you. Here is a link to Yelp Anaheim for organic restaurants: http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=organic+restaurant&find_loc=Anaheim,+CA&ns=1. If you can get to Tustin, the Whole Foods there is one of the nicest I've ever seen. Also, the Irvine Farmer's Market (on Saturdays) is very good.

 

[ADisneyFamilyof5]

I agree with looking into the Patina Group. I thought I saw that Naples in DTD has free range chicken.

 

[meggles]

Try Carthay or Napa Rose. Also, when we went to Catal in DTD they did have some natural/free range meat options. Maybe give them a call and speak with a chef?

 

[SMD]

I think I recall seeing a few ingredients listed as organic on some seasonal Carthay menus. The only problem is that it might be just the chicken or just one vegetable. The majority of the plate isn't organic.

 

[ebenmax]

Thank you for your advice! We have booked Carthay Circle and will look into Catal and Naples!!

Here's the reply from the Special Diets Team:

Good morning Ellen,
We do not have an Organic restaurant in the resort. I cannot speak for the Downtown Disney restaurants because they are all privately owned. I have never heard of any of them being organic.

I'll keep searching! Thanks again for your help!

 

[ebenmax]

We eat at DLR often, from CS to fine dining, and I don't recall seeing organic offerings anywhere. Will you have a car? That will make a big difference for you. Here is a link to Yelp Anaheim for organic restaurants: http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=organic+restaurant&find_loc=Anaheim,+CA&ns=1. If you can get to Tustin, the Whole Foods there is one of the nicest I've ever seen. Also, the Irvine Farmer's Market (on Saturdays) is very good.

Thank you for this link! We will have a car and are definitely banking on a Whole Foods run.
Is the Irvine Farmer's Market the best one in SoCal or just the closest to Anaheim?

 

[theluckyrabbit]

It's not the best one (maybe the Santa Monica Farmer's Market, especially the one on Wednesdays, would qualify for that; and the Hollywood Farmer's Market is pretty good, too), but it is one of the best in Orange County. And it isn't too far from Anaheim. A Whole Foods run will really help you. I've brought WF's ready made items (e.g. salads, deli items, etc.) in to the parks when I know my body won't tolerate non-organic foods. It brings peace of mind to know that I won't have to worry about allergies and other reactions while enjoying the parks. (Don't forget that Disney allows you to bring reasonable amounts of food into the parks, but nothing in glass containers.)

 

[ebenmax]

Thank you all for your suggestions!
I contacted Catal and Naples and spoke with the chefs. Catal said they have no organic anything. Their fish is farm-raised vs. wild caught. However, Naples said their meat is hormone and antibiotic free.
The dining reservation line would not give/did not have a phone number for Carthay Circle, but they gave me the email for special diets which I already had.
For now, we are going for the faithful Whole Foods and will hit a couple Farmers markets...then if I'm surprised by something organic at one of the restaurants, I'll chalk it up to Disney's magical pixie dust!