Pacific Wharf Dining

[Daisybelle]

As my daughter and I plan for our upcoming trip, we're trying to hit a few things we've never tried. There aren't many things, but it occurred to us that we've never eaten at the Pacific Wharf area. It looks like a really cute out-of-the-wayish spot and we thought we'd give it a whirl.

So I'm curious what y'all would recommend to try in that area! I see there is the Mexican Grill and Lucky Fortune Cookie and the Pacific Wharf Cafe. What's tasty? Or maybe there's a reason we've never eaten over there??

 

[alvernon90]

I would not say it is "out of the way" because it gets pretty darn crowded at meal time. The soup in bread bowls is the best thing offered in that area, in my opinion. Behind, of course, the beer truck.

 

[GatorChris]

This goes back to my earliest memory of DCA. We had the clam chowder in a bread bowl on a very chilly evening and it hit the spot. It always has a forever long line, so be prepared. The Mexican food ain't bad at Cocina and neither is the Chinese over at the Lucky Fortune Cookery. You really can't go wrong. It just depends on what you're in the mood for.

 

[BrianL]

Yes, the sourdough bread bowls from Pacific Wharf Cafe are amazing. The smell in there alone is the smell of heaven (the fresh-baked sourdough bread). They usually have good deserts in there too. It's my favorite place to eat in DCA.

 

[Niltiac]

My favorite is the clam chowder bread bowl, and I think for the Halloween season there's also going to be a cheddar ale soup. But the best thing about the area is that there are so many options around that everyone can really pick what they're in the mood for. It's true that it gets crowded during meal times, but there are a lot of seats so I've never had a problem finding space.

 

[agamble]

The bread bowls are the best. They offer soup or salad. The cheddar broccoli soup is yummy. The Mexican food is good too, comparable to Rancho Del Zocalo in Disneyland. I don’t care for what’s offered at the Chinese place, so I don’t eat there, but it seems that many enjoy it. Also, Ghiradelli Chocolate is over in that area. They give out a free square of chocolate for entering the store and also serve ice cream. And there are two alternate access points to Carsland from this area. One is pretty large (can’t miss it) and brings you to the side of the RSR ride. The other is somewhat hidden and brings you out near Fillmore’s, it’s just a path on the other side of Ghiradelli near the baby center.

 

[smartlabelprint]

I am not a fan of that food. The Mexican is way worse than Rancho del zocalo. I can't explain why. They should be the same!

 

[Astylla]

My husband loves the clam chowder bread bowls and we both love Cocina Cucamonga , their carne asada and tamales are wonderful! We eat here probably every other trip and love it.

 

[heffalumpz]

Ghiradelli has THE best sundaes... super recommend the salted caramel and chocolate, the sauces are out of this world

 

[Abbey1]

To echo what others have said, we like the bread bowls at the cafe, and my husband really likes the citrus chicken at the Mexican place. We like to sit in the space between Pacific Wharf Cafe and the water. It feels more "away" and secluded and gives us a nice little break from the chaos.

 

[GatorChris]

BTW, the seats for all three restaurants (and Ghiradelli if you count them) are all together. During the peak lunch hours, this area can get crowded. You'll need to get real comfortable with sitting very close to complete strangers. However, if one of those strangers is me, prepare to have your ears talked off!

 

[ncarrier]

Another vote for the cheddar ale soup in the bread bowl! My daughter and I both enjoyed it so much that we chose to have again for our final meal in the parks on our last trip!

 

[Daisybelle]

So much fabulous feedback!! Thank you Disers!!

BTW, the seats for all three restaurants (and Ghiradelli if you count them) are all together. During the peak lunch hours, this area can get crowded. You'll need to get real comfortable with sitting very close to complete strangers. However, if one of those strangers is me, prepare to have your ears talked off!

One expects squishyness at Disneyland to some extent so I'm cool with that. If you see a pair of redheads who are mom/daughter feel free to talk off our ears!

 

[krispin41]

I love the Chinese Food, everything I've had there is has been great. I eat soup in a bread bowl pretty often here (I work next to a Panera) but I've that and it's good too.

 

[GeneralTso]

Ghirardelli for the win!!

 

[lildreamer101]

The bread bowls are the best. They offer soup or salad. The cheddar broccoli soup is yummy. The Mexican food is good too, comparable to Rancho Del Zocalo in Disneyland. I don’t care for what’s offered at the Chinese place, so I don’t eat there, but it seems that many enjoy it. Also, Ghiradelli Chocolate is over in that area. They give out a free square of chocolate for entering the store and also serve ice cream. And there are two alternate access points to Carsland from this area. One is pretty large (can’t miss it) and brings you to the side of the RSR ride. The other is somewhat hidden and brings you out near Fillmore’s, it’s just a path on the other side of Ghiradelli near the baby center.

One of the reasons why I bring my many disguises.
One disguise for example...

 

[avalon451]

Um... would love to try those famous bread bowls, darn you celiac disease!

The main reason I go to Pacific Wharf is for Rita's margaritas.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

As others have said, the soup (chowder, cheddar, ale, sometimes broccoli cheese, etc.) is always a hit. Salads in a bread bowl are good, too. The servings aren't huge, but we ask for the bread on the side with butter. That helps round out the portions. Dessert at Ghirardelli's is a must. If you can time your meal for when the Mariachi Divas are performing, they are really fun (and Grammy winners, too!).

 

[Daisybelle]

As others have said, the soups (chowder, cheddar, ale, sometimes broccoli cheese, etc.) is always a hit. Salads in a bread bowl are good, too. The servings aren't huge, but we ask for the bread on the side with butter. That helps round out the portions. Dessert at Ghirardelli's is a must. If you can time your meal for when the Mariachi Divas are performing, they are really fun (and Grammy winners, too!).

That's a great idea to get the bread on the side! Then we can munch on it throughout the day.

 

[Daisybelle]

Um... would love to try those famous bread bowls, darn you celiac disease!

The main reason I go to Pacific Wharf is for Rita's margaritas.

Oh my stars, how did I not ever realize there was a margarita stand!?! Fabulous suggestion!! And sorry you are having to deal with celiac. That's a hard one in today's gluten-laden world! I work in a medical practice and we see more and more diagnosed with celiac.