Recent Experiences at Cafe Orleans?

[SOCALMouseMommy]

I have never eaten at Cafe Orleans and I’m thinking of taking my parents and kids there. Can anyone share recent reviews of the main dishes (other than the Monte Cristo, which none of us would be interested in)? It looks like the shrimp and grits is no longer on the menu, which is a little disappointing as that is what I would have likely ordered.

 

[Whistlebee]

Hey, I can’t give you anything specific, but my friends ate there on their last trip (last week of September ). They were really disappointed, in general. I don’t remember the details as to why. But, they aren’t going back anytime soon, lol. We used to eat there all the time, it was a must-do, but that was YEARS ago. They took away all of our favorite items, so we stopped eating there. Sorry I don’t have the specifics of my friend’s experience.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Hey, I can’t give you anything specific, but my friends ate there on their last trip (last week of September ). They were really disappointed, in general. I don’t remember the details as to why. But, they aren’t going back anytime soon, lol. We used to eat there all the time, it was a must-do, but that was YEARS ago. They took away all of our favorite items, so we stopped eating there. Sorry I don’t have the specifics of my friend’s experience.

Oh no! That is so sad! Hopefully it was just disappointment about their favorite things being gone. We don’t have favorite things as we’ve never been.

 

[Epicnemesis]

I feel like if you are not getting a Monte cristo you are better off going elsewhere for lunch.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

I feel like if you are not getting a Monte cristo you are better off going elsewhere for lunch.

Oops, no one in our party is interested in that sandwich.

Any thoughts? My parents are 71 and 79 so I wanted to sit them down for a rest somewhere nice inside DL (not counter service). Maybe Carnation Cafe? There's always Blue Bayou but its just so overpriced for the quality these days, I hesitate to even try for a reservation there.

 

[DLgal]

Just don't.

I get wanting to sit down for a nice lunch. Take them to Plaza Inn and sit inside on the right side (as you enter). It's beautiful with all the windows and the comfort food menu will likely appeal to your parents. My mother in law loves this place and we eat there for a nice lunch every time she visits. It's a perfect place to have a midday sit down.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Just don't.

I get wanting to sit down for a nice lunch. Take them to Plaza Inn and sit inside on the right side (as you enter). It's beautiful with all the windows and the comfort food menu will likely appeal to your parents. My mother in law loves this place and we eat there for a nice lunch every time she visits. It's a perfect place to have a midday sit down.

I thought about Plaza Inn, but the menu doesn’t work for us. Maybe I’ll try for Carnation. Mostly, I want to be able to sit them down at a reserved table and be served rather than ordering at a counter, carting trays, looking for a table, etc. I’ll also have my 3 and 7 year old boys with me and that can get a little nuts.

 

[pharmama]

Personally, I don't find CO a great option for a sit down, relaxed meal anyway- most seating is on the patio which is a bit cramped (in my opinion) and comfort can vary based on weather etc. There are a few tables inside but they feel crammed in to me and are on the main thoroughfare for servers going back and forth.

No comment on the menu as I haven't been in a long time and when we used to go it was for the MC.

Depending on menus and food preferences maybe River Belle if you can be seated indoors (definitely mixed experiences reported here though- thinking maybe you had a recent not so great one there)?

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Personally, I don't find CO a great option for a sit down, relaxed meal anyway- most seating is on the patio which is a bit cramped (in my opinion) and comfort can vary based on weather etc. There are a few tables inside but they feel crammed in to me and are on the main thoroughfare for servers going back and forth.

No comment on the menu as I haven't been in a long time and when we used to go it was for the MC.

Depending on menus and food preferences maybe River Belle if you can be seated indoors (definitely mixed experiences reported here though- thinking maybe you had a recent not great one so there)?

I did think about River Belle. I have had two good meals there lately and I know my boys would be happy, but I’m not so sure the menu would appeal to my parents. Some of the items are pretty spicy and very heavy.

On the flip side, it probably wouldn’t be crowded since we’re going during the week and there is no Fantasmic dining packages that day. Hmmmm, I need to consider this for sure.

(SIDE NOTE: Why are so many menus inside the DL park so HEAVY? River Belle, Carnation, Blue Bayou, Cafe Orleans, Plaza Inn … it’s ALL comfort food: fried chicken, pot roast, mashed potatoes, Mac n cheese, brisket, etc. It would be so nice to have more lighter options.)

 

[DLgal]

I thought about Plaza Inn, but the menu doesn’t work for us. Maybe I’ll try for Carnation. Mostly, I want to be able to sit them down at a reserved table and be served rather than ordering at a counter, carting trays, looking for a table, etc. I’ll also have my 3 and 7 year old boys with me and that can get a little nuts.

I get that. What about taking the monorail out to Downtown Disney for a sit down meal there?

I also don't find Cafe Orleans to be a relaxing atmosphere. It's very cramped both indoors and outdoors and they really try to rush you out of there.

Carnation is kind of similar outside on the patio. I like eating indoors there, but not outside. I would probably lean towards Carnation over Cafe Orleans and Riverbelle Terrace, personally, if you really want to stay in the park.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

I get that. What about taking the monorail out to Downtown Disney for a sit down meal there?

I also don't find Cafe Orleans to be a relaxing atmosphere. It's very cramped both indoors and outdoors and they really try to rush you out of there.

Carnation is kind of similar outside on the patio. I like eating indoors there, but not outside. I would probably lean towards Carnation over Cafe Orleans and Riverbelle Terrace, personally, if you really want to stay in the park.

I agree that Carnation is better inside than out. I think that menu would have the best options for us.

We could definitely eat outside the parks, Naples would be perfect. But my parents are probably only staying for 5-6 hours so it would be nice to stay put inside DL.

Maybe I’ll reconsider counter service. I just really don’t want to do the table vulture nonsense and carrying all the things with my two kids and my senior parents. Bengal BBQ would probably be a hit with them but tables are soooo hard to get there.

 

[DLgal]

I agree that Carnation is better inside than out. I think that menu would have the best options for us.

We could definitely eat outside the parks, Naples would be perfect. But my parents are probably only staying for 5-6 hours so it would be nice to stay put inside DL.

Maybe I’ll reconsider counter service. I just really don’t want to do the table vulture nonsense and carrying all the things with my two kids and my senior parents. Bengal BBQ would probably be a hit with them but tables are soooo hard to get there.

At lunch time, even on a weekend, I have never had a problem easily finding a table at any counter service place. I think having 3 adults helps you here, and using Mobile Order. You can have your parents watch your kids while you look around for a table, then leave the fam there while you pick up the food. You can make a couple trips up to the counter and back to carry your food. I see people doing that all the time.

 

[DiznyDiva]

La Brea is a really nice place for sit-down and lunch.

Or Hungry bear in the far back can be very peaceful. And you don't have to eat just there . You can get anything from New Orleans square and walk back. We do it all the time. The upper back is rarely crowded. My sister get the stew, hubby and I do hungry bear and kiddo does skewers... everyone wins and you usually get a nice breeze.

 

[DontSpamMe]

Cafe Orleans is really only good for refillable mint juleps. That's my experience at least. We gave it a shot twice and left mightily unimpressed each time.

I know it's blasphemy, but the Monte Cristo sandwiches are not good and I don't understand the hype.

The steak frites were ok.

There are much better options, such as the Plaza Inn. With proper planning you can get that done. Eating earlier than everyone else seems to work for us. I also absolutely hate trying to find a table at counter service restaurants. Get to the Plaza early and you should be able to find a table inside.

 

[Diana ZP]

Cafe Orleans is really only good for refillable mint juleps. That's my experience at least. We gave it a shot twice and left mightily unimpressed each time.

I know it's blasphemy, but the Monte Cristo sandwiches are not good and I don't understand the hype.

The steak frites were ok.

There are much better options, such as the Plaza Inn. With proper planning you can get that done. Eating earlier than everyone else seems to work for us. I also absolutely hate trying to find a table at counter service restaurants. Get to the Plaza early and you should be able to find a table inside.

I so have to agree with you on the Monte Cristo sandwiches, they are too fried and not very flavorful, but his is just my humble experience. The Plaza Inn is great

 

[amyg1975]

Their new fries are nowhere near as good as their old pomme frites.

 

[DLgal]

Their new fries are nowhere near as good as their old pomme frites.

I've never understood the hype over the pommes frites. You can make these at home SO easily with some frozen thin fries, a minced clove of garlic, some cheap parmesan cheese (the kind in the green can) and some chopped up Parsley. Just throw everything into a large bowl, add the fries right after baking and toss.

 

[kikismom]

Shoot. I love Cafe Orleans and booked for our Christmas trip. I have two girls who love steak and fries. I was planning on trying the shrimp pasta. Anyone have experience with those dishes recently? I'll most likely keep the reservation just to see if I like it still.

 

[DiznyDiva]

We were there two weeks ago. My hubby love the Monte Cristo and fries and was more than happy. My daughter got the steak and fries and was very happy and she's 12. I had the gumbo and chicken. Everything was very very yummy. Service was excellent.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

La Brea is a really nice place for sit-down and lunch.

Or Hungry bear in the far back can be very peaceful. And you don't have to eat just there . You can get anything from New Orleans square and walk back. We do it all the time. The upper back is rarely crowded. My sister get the stew, hubby and I do hungry bear and kiddo does skewers... everyone wins and you usually get a nice breeze.

Good to hear about La Brea. I have never eaten there before.

I'm going to have a stroller and a bunch of stuff so it's better if we all eat in the same place and sit close to where we are ordering.