Resort Counter Service! Any Hidden gems?

[ChicagoFitnessClub]

Hey,
We are trying to find a few Counter Service restaurants outside of the parks that are worth trying for our trip in October.
Any tips would be great,
Thanks Guys

Hurricane Hannah's at Stormalong Bay (Beach Club). Delicious burgers!

 

[jacksmom]

We love Tangierene Cafe in Epcot! Also love Earl Of Sandwich in DD!

 

[ZoZo]

The Riverside Mill foodcourt at POR. They have a create your own pasta station and a create your own salad station, as well as the traditional offerings. So good!

I agree! Great make-your-own pasta (sun dried tomatoes - yum). they also have turkey/mashed potatoes/gravy/veggies that are really good. I preferred this food court to many of the CS offerings at the parks.

 

[fla4fun]

Another vote for Contempo Cafe! I really love their breakfast sandwiches and potatoes - and lunch and dinner are no slouch either. I really miss the Concourse Steakhouse though - I wish they could have put Contempo Cafe where the old Food and Fun center was and left the steakhouse alone.

 

[smidgy]

How about the CS suggested at the Poly and then head down to the beach to watch the electric water pageant and wishes?

great idea!

Earl of Sandwich at Downtown Disney...Yummy!!

yummy subs!

Hurricane Hannah's at Stormalong Bay (Beach Club). Delicious burgers!

we stayed at beach club villas, and the burgers at hurricane hannahs were realy good, and very reasonable!

while flame tree might NOT be a hidden gem, what IS hidden are the many tables hidden away. don't just sit at the first or 2nd pavillions. keep walking!!! there are MANY, down by the pond. everyne always sits at the first pavillion.

 

[nurse.darcy]

Another vote for the Contempo Cafe. They have an AWESOME grilled chicken sandwich (lime and cilantro marinated), a Mahi Mahi burger (awesome fish sandwich and so upscale), a marinated steak flatbread to die for, and many other options you can't find anywhere else.

I also love the Mara at AKL. Their African beef stew is to DIE FOR. It is in a lovely bread bowl and soooooooo tasty. MMMMM

Okay, now I am hungry and its too early to go downstairs for breakfast. . .lol.

 

[beroh2253]

The Riverside Mill foodcourt at POR. They have a create your own pasta station and a create your own salad station, as well as the traditional offerings. So good!

I am also a fan of the Pop Century food court. They have lots of good choices, plus tye-died cheesecake for dessert!

In addition to create your own salad and create your own pasta stations at Riverside Mill, they have a carving station in the evening. You can get turkey, or roast beef with mashed potatoes, vegetables, corn bread. Plus your drink and dessert. It's a really great use of a counter service for a "real dinner" not necessarily more fast food options.

Also at Riverside for breakfast made to order omlets.

 

[elizabethswan]

this is a great thread. lots of good ideas here. i am making notes for our upcoming trip. it's good to have an idea of where to go outside the parks when you need a break from the crowds. please keep these great ideas coming!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Another vote for Contempo Cafe! I really love their breakfast sandwiches and potatoes - and lunch and dinner are no slouch either. I really miss the Concourse Steakhouse though - I wish they could have put Contempo Cafe where the old Food and Fun center was and left the steakhouse alone.

Exactly where is Contempo Cafe at the Contemporary? I get the impression from your thread that it might be around where the Concorse Steak House was, but I don't know where that was either!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Exactly where is Contempo Cafe at the Contemporary? I get the impression from your thread that it might be around where the Concorse Steak House was, but I don't know where that was either!

Yes it's located where the Concourse Steakhouse use to be when they were still open.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Two other resort counter service locations I would recommend is Gasparilla's Grill & Games at the Grand Floridian and at the Boardwalk I would recommend their Boardwalk To Go stand.

 

[Yarna]

In addition to create your own salad and create your own pasta stations at Riverside Mill, they have a carving station in the evening. You can get turkey, or roast beef with mashed potatoes, vegetables, corn bread. Plus your drink and dessert. It's a really great use of a counter service for a "real dinner" not necessarily more fast food options.

QFT!!

The turkey & mashed potatoes as well as the pasta station at Riverside Mill are not-to-be-missed!!!

 

[Pat329]

Yakitori House (Japan, Epcot), The Mara (Animal Kingdom Lodge - Jambo House), Flame Tree Barbecue (Animal Kingdom Park), Captain Cook's for breakfast for the Tonga Toast or for lunch the Hawaiian Pulled Pork Sandwich (Polynesian Resort), Earl of Sandwich (Downtown Disney - Marketplace).

I'm having trouble getting reservations at Kona just so I can have the tonga toast. Are you saying they have the exact same thing at Capt Cook's? That would be great if it's so. And I wouldn't burn a TS to get it!

 

[JCMHutch]

We love Tangierene Cafe in Epcot! Also love Earl Of Sandwich in DD!

Couldn't agree more! Tangeriene is my favorite quick service. It's never been super crowded (I think people think it may be too exotic). They have the best falafal sandwich and couscous.

DH really likes Earl of Sandwich - he ate there 2x last trip and was thrilled because they offer a discount if you have a AAA card.

Another place we really enjoyed was the food court at the Pop Century. DH and I were surprised to see that they had linguica/chourizo omelets one morning and we both love that fact for dinner you can opt for a big old sundae for dessert instead of the usual cookie, etc.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Yes it's located where the Concourse Steakhouse use to be when they were still open.

But as I said, I didn't know where the Concourse Steakhouse was. Hopefully, someone on the monorail can direct me.

 

[marlower]

I'm having trouble getting reservations at Kona just so I can have the tonga toast. Are you saying they have the exact same thing at Capt Cook's? That would be great if it's so. And I wouldn't burn a TS to get it!

Yep, you can get the same exact Tonga Toast at Capt Cooks and cheaper too!!!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

But as I said, I didn't know where the Concourse Steakhouse was. Hopefully, someone on the monorail can direct me.

It was located on the 4th floor of the Contemporary Tower and once you get off the Monorail walk past the elevators and make a right, because it will be right there.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

We really liked The Pepper Market at CSR. It had a lot of variety.

But I don't know if I would bother going to any resort just to eat a CS meal. Maybe that's just me.

If you count Downtown Disney as "not a park", then Wolfgang Puck Express is a must. it's the best counter service on property.

 

[wishes69]

Thanks for so many great suggestions for CS out of the parks.
We want to go and explore some of the Resorts as we are staying for a longer time than usual
I think Comptempo is going to be a MUST as so many of you have recommended it along with Capt 'n' Cooks.
I am also considering changing our Kona Cafe TS as we are only going there to try the Tongo Toast, instead we might use a CS at Capt 'n' Cooks instead.
Thanks again for all your suggestions

 

[dopeydiva]

This is the BEST tool for planning a trip to Disney. We never used the dining plan before and I made a post, and many of you pitched in your ideas. Now this section for the best counter service meals, just priceless. I thank all of you for your fantabulous ideas. Our twins still don't have a clue about our trip next week. I'm so proud of myself for not spilling the beans. My biggest challenge will be how to get to each place from all star movies in the morning and from the parks. I'm hoping to find a thread here somewhere with traveling tips between the resorts and restaurants. Again, pixie dust to all for your help.
Stay well,
AnnMarie