Recommend some Places to Eat!

[califlorican]

We're going in November for 3 days, and would love some ideas for where to eat- I tried Carthay Circle and Blue Bayou on my first visit to DLR and honestly thought they were overpriced and not that great.
Table service wise we want to do Big Thunder Ranch BBQ (haven't been, and with the rumor of it closing in January, figure this will be our only chance). I'm trying to decide if Carnation Cafe or Cafe Orleans is worth it.

We will do mostly quick service though- definitely Plaza inn and corn dogs (we like corn dog castle in DCA).

So what are your favorite places for lunch and dinner? We're trying to stick with the free breakfast at the motel we're staying at, so just 2 meals a day! (And snacks of course )

ETA:
Places mentioned thus far and how many times-
Hungry Bear- 7
Cafe Orleans- 6
Plaza Inn- 5
DTD Jazz Kitchen- 5
Carnation Cafe- 4
Big Thunder Ranch- 4
Paradise Garden Grill- 3
House of Blues- 2
Corn dog Castle- 2
Storyteller's- 2
Pacific Wharf Cafe- 2
Rancho de Zocalo- 2
White Water Snacks- 2
DTD Earl of Sandwich- 2
Flo's- 1
River Belle Terrace- 1
Smokejumpers Grill- 1
Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta- 1
DTD Tortilla Jo's- 1
Blue Bayou- 1
French Market- 1
Wine Country Trattoria- 1
DTD Catal- 1
Bengal Barbecue- 1

And apparently a definite no to Pizza Port! haha

 

[VandVsmama]

Our favorite counter service is the Hungry Bear Restaurant on the Rivers of America. My DH eats vegan/vegetarian and he swears by the fried green tomato sandwich. I've tried it, too, and it's really good. Their other options are good, too. The tables are right on the water. It's very relaxing to hear the sound of the river boat and to watch the ducks swim by as you're eating lunch or dinner.

My 2nd favorite is the covered outdoor seating area at the French Market Restaurant. They often have jazz bands playing. You can hear the train going by in the background because NOS station isn't that far away. And right there at the Mint Julep Bar, you can get Mickey Beignets. It's a great mid afternoon or mid-morning snack. The atmosphere is really fabulous.

 

[sug78]

I second Hungry Bear!

 

[millie0312]

We LOVE the Hungry Bear as well! Plus it almost always has easy to find seating- yay for seats I think we actually ate here two or three meals even!
We loved the RBT and Flo's for breakfast as well, but I know that both serve either F dinner or lunch/dinner as well.
We also really loved Storytellers for breakfast, but they also serve lunch/dinner.
Another option is White water snacks at the GCH- its good food, decent prices and usually not busy.
(we tried some other places that are on our will never return list so those are the winners from our trip last year)
For snacks we have on our must have list: dole whips, tigger tales (super sweet but really good), some sort of ice cream (probably Gibson Girl), Beignets and caramel pop corn that is freshly made (warm and SO good!!).
I have been feverishly looking up new/good food spots and new stuff to try for this year's trip so I'll be following along to see what others mention too

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Plaza Inn and Hungry Bear in DL and Paradise Garden Grill in DCA. Also Smoke Jumpers Grill in DCA -- average burgers, but the help yourself condiment tables are a nice touch. Don't forget about the restaurants in DtD -- lots of choices there.

 

[NiceOneSimba]

Hungry Bear for sure! That fried green tomato sandwich is delicious! And, it's so relaxing to sit in the shade and enjoy the view.

For table service, I enjoy Cafe Orleans. I've been there twice, and everyone has found something they've been happy with. The pomme frites are awesome, and I love the three-cheese monte cristo--both of those are items you can only get there, which makes it worth a stop for me.

In DCA, Paradise Garden Grill is very good. It's Mediterranean-inspired, and I really like the chicken skewer meal--it's fresh and tasty. My husband and I also like the sundried tomato pasta at Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta. It shares a dining area with Paradise Garden Grill, which makes for more options.

 

[ADLFAN]

We LOVE the Hungry Bear as well! Plus it almost always has easy to find seating- yay for seats I think we actually ate here two or three meals even!
We loved the RBT and Flo's for breakfast as well, but I know that both serve either F dinner or lunch/dinner as well.
We also really loved Storytellers for breakfast, but they also serve lunch/dinner.
Another option is White water snacks at the GCH- its good food, decent prices and usually not busy.
(we tried some other places that are on our will never return list so those are the winners from our trip last year)
For snacks we have on our must have list: dole whips, tigger tales (super sweet but really good), some sort of ice cream (probably Gibson Girl), Beignets and caramel pop corn that is freshly made (warm and SO good!!).
I have been feverishly looking up new/good food spots and new stuff to try for this year's trip so I'll be following along to see what others mention too

Haha, What places ended up on your 'never return' list?

 

[califlorican]

Our favorite counter service is the Hungry Bear Restaurant on the Rivers of America. My DH eats vegan/vegetarian and he swears by the fried green tomato sandwich. I've tried it, too, and it's really good. Their other options are good, too. The tables are right on the water. It's very relaxing to hear the sound of the river boat and to watch the ducks swim by as you're eating lunch or dinner.

My 2nd favorite is the covered outdoor seating area at the French Market Restaurant. They often have jazz bands playing. You can hear the train going by in the background because NOS station isn't that far away. And right there at the Mint Julep Bar, you can get Mickey Beignets. It's a great mid afternoon or mid-morning snack. The atmosphere is really fabulous.

I second Hungry Bear!

We LOVE the Hungry Bear as well! Plus it almost always has easy to find seating- yay for seats I think we actually ate here two or three meals even!

Plaza Inn and Hungry Bear in DL and Paradise Garden Grill in DCA. Also Smoke Jumpers Grill in DCA -- average burgers, but the help yourself condiment tables are a nice touch. Don't forget about the restaurants in DtD -- lots of choices there.

I was thinking DtD has some great places I'd never heard of- like House of Blues and Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen. Mmmmm fried food!

Hungry Bear for sure! That fried green tomato sandwich is delicious! And, it's so relaxing to sit in the shade and enjoy the view.

For table service, I enjoy Cafe Orleans. I've been there twice, and everyone has found something they've been happy with. The pomme frites are awesome, and I love the three-cheese monte cristo--both of those are items you can only get there, which makes it worth a stop for me.

In DCA, Paradise Garden Grill is very good. It's Mediterranean-inspired, and I really like the chicken skewer meal--it's fresh and tasty. My husband and I also like the sundried tomato pasta at Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta. It shares a dining area with Paradise Garden Grill, which makes for more options.

Sounds like Hungry Bear is a definite yes! I didn't realize so many love it!
I really would like to do Cafe Orleans- I want to try the three cheese monte Cristo, but I hear it's VERY rich, so hopefully I can convince DH to share!

 

[DHSbutcher]

I love house of blues, cafe orleans, rancho del zocalo, plaza inn chicken.

I absolutely found redd rocket's pizza port the most disgusting disney quick service ever. I wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole. Other than that though, the rest were pretty average.

 

[tlovesdis]

My family's favorites and must eat on every trip...

Cafe Orleans
Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen
Tortilla Joe's
Wine Country Trattoria

We also enjoy...

Carnation Cafe
Rancho del Zocalo
Earl of Sandwich
Corn Dog Castle

 

[SeattleSuz]

We currently have rezzies for Big Thunder Ranch BBQ (hubby and his BFF are VERY excited for messy BBQ!) and Blue Bayou. Though DH is upset that he wont be able to have the Monte Cristo (he is GF). DD is excited for BB because of the atmosphere (she's been there before but she was not even 3, so she remembers nothing). Other than that, we usually just play it by ear, when we are hungry, we find something to eat. We also try and bring lots of snacks.

 

[califlorican]

I love house of blues, cafe orleans, rancho del zocalo, plaza inn chicken.

I absolutely found redd rocket's pizza port the most disgusting disney quick service ever. I wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole. Other than that though, the rest were pretty average.

May have to add House of Blues to the list then! It sounds (and looks, since I saw some pictures!) yummy!

My family's favorites and must eat on every trip...

Cafe Orleans
Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen
Tortilla Joe's
Wine Country Trattoria

We also enjoy...

Carnation Cafe
Rancho del Zocalo
Earl of Sandwich
Corn Dog Castle

Cafe Orleans is really popular it seems, I'll have to make reservations!

We currently have rezzies for Big Thunder Ranch BBQ (hubby and his BFF are VERY excited for messy BBQ!) and Blue Bayou. Though DH is upset that he wont be able to have the Monte Cristo (he is GF). DD is excited for BB because of the atmosphere (she's been there before but she was not even 3, so she remembers nothing). Other than that, we usually just play it by ear, when we are hungry, we find something to eat. We also try and bring lots of snacks.

Im excited to try the Monte Cristo! It looks delicioussss!

 

[Tyggress]

Another vote for the Fried Green Tomato sandwich at Hungry Bear! Super yummy and filling.

Also...consider the buffet for dinner at Storyteller's @ the Grand Californian....get a first seating @ 5pm...the food is fresh, piping hot, delicious and there is a HUGE variety. Easily one of the best buffets I've been to.
I love the meatloaf at Carnation Café...great homestyle food and the prices are really good compared to other TS places.

DTD...the Jazz Kitchen is amazing and House of Blues is fun. Tableside guacamole at Tortilla Jo's is a favorite of ours as well.

Everyone else has covered the snacks (more votes for the corn dogs, fried chicken @ Plaza Inn and a dole whip)...however; the beignets @ Jazz Kitchen Express in DTD are SO MUCH BETTER than the mickey beignets in DL.

 

[Nonsuch]

...I absolutely found redd rocket's pizza port the most disgusting disney quick service ever. I wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole...

I also avoid Pizza Port, although some of my friends love it -- not sure why...
Bengal Barbecue is also mysteriously (to me) quite popular, the food is "OK" at best (also minimal seating, and a slow line).

 

[thumpie's mom]

Our must do's are Big Thunder Ranch, Cafe Orleans and the Plaza Inn. All are consistently good.

 

[califlorican]

I also avoid Pizza Port, although some of my friends love it -- not sure why...
Bengal Barbecue is also mysteriously (to me) quite popular, the food is "OK" at best (also minimal seating, and a slow line).

I tried Bengal Barbecue my first visit and also didn't understand the hype...it was just ok, and kinda pricey for the amount of meat you get.

Another vote for the Fried Green Tomato sandwich at Hungry Bear! Super yummy and filling.

Also...consider the buffet for dinner at Storyteller's @ the Grand Californian....get a first seating @ 5pm...the food is fresh, piping hot, delicious and there is a HUGE variety. Easily one of the best buffets I've been to.
I love the meatloaf at Carnation Café...great homestyle food and the prices are really good compared to other TS places.

DTD...the Jazz Kitchen is amazing and House of Blues is fun. Tableside guacamole at Tortilla Jo's is a favorite of ours as well.

Everyone else has covered the snacks (more votes for the corn dogs, fried chicken @ Plaza Inn and a dole whip)...however; the beignets @ Jazz Kitchen Express in DTD are SO MUCH BETTER than the mickey beignets in DL.

So the Storyteller buffet is worth it?? It seems expensive but I guess we could switch it for the BTR BBQ- that's $24 a person, and this is $30 a person..anyway, good to know it has a good variety!

 

[Chrisfilm]

On our last trip a family came into the Storyteller's restaurant and just started chowing down on the buffet without paying or anything. I'm pretty sure they thought it was included with the price of their stay or something.

 

[Chrisfilm]

Also, what are the least crowded counter service restaurants at DLR? Hungry Bear was my favorite last time due to the great food but also how relaxing it was. Short lines, easy-to-find tables, space to walk around, quietness. What others are similar to that? We've been to several of the counter services that are highly rated for quality of food, but they were so crowded/noisy that the experience as a whole was not enjoyable.

 

[22Tink]

Carnation Cafe is great and the Pacific Wharf Cafe in DCA is awesome, too. They have delicious soups and salads in fresh bread bowls!

 

[Tyggress]

So the Storyteller buffet is worth it?? It seems expensive but I guess we could switch it for the BTR BBQ- that's $24 a person, and this is $30 a person..anyway, good to know it has a good variety!

I think it's worth it...they have really good, high quality food. Beef and turkey carving stations. They have many side dishes to choose from, my favorite being the sautéed green beans. Several different salads, which probably change seasonally, but I love the spinach and strawberry one! They have foods the kids will love, like mashed potatoes, pasta and mac & cheese...but all elevated in quality and fresh/hot. For desert, you get probably 1/2 dozen options, all small bite-sized, like petit fours...which is awesome because you can try a bunch since they are only a couple of bites each!