Restaurants outside the park

[Kristi391]

I am trying to determine my options for eating for my upcoming long weekend trip with a 15 year old. I have been to DL several times so I kind of know what is available in the park, but I am thinking we may need a break during the day. We are eating at Ariel's Grotto for the WOC (a little skeptical, given all the negative posts about that) one night for dinner, but would like to know what family type restaurants are within walking distance if I wanted to leave in the afternoon to take a food break...I don't really care for McDonads or places like that. I know there is a Tony Romas and an IHOP nearby, but do I have other options?



Thanks,

Kristi

 

[Belle Ella]

My favorite place to eat on Harbor is Mimi's Cafe!! It's right across from the HOJO. Delicious.

 

[spacemermaid]

Anaheim Gardenwalk is within walking distance & has lots of places to eat, including a Cheesecake Factory & Fire and Ice. Here's a link: http://www.anaheimgardenwalk.com/dining/

 

[blackjackdelta]

I like Joe's Crab Shack, a bit longer walk but very doable. We do not have a good selection of eateries where I live.

Jack

 

[indiesgirl4ever]

My fav. is California Pizza Kitchen, a bit expensive but very good! Don't know how far it exactly is but it's great

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Are you opposed to eating in Downtown Disney? They have some very good restaurants. Our favorite is Naples.

 

[AmyPond]

A cheap alternative is the Denny's on Harbor.

 

[garettdoyle]

We ate at Ariel's Grotto last Thanksgiving week. I thought the food was below average and way over priced. I would recommend something in downtown Disney or one of DL hotels if you are going to spend that much money.

As for off site, Mimi's is a nice selection. I don't know if you consider Downtown Disney off site but we enjoyed several.

 

[goldies 5]

I am curious of anybody's experience at Bubba Gump's.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I've eaten at Bubba Gump's in Monterey. We loved it! I can highly recommend it.

 

[Kristi391]

Thanks for all the great suggestions! Gardenwalk looks great and I think I really would like to try Mimi's. We will probably do something in DTD as well.

Thanks again for all the suggestions...this is why I love these boards...so much information from everyone!

Krist

 

[blackjackdelta]

I am curious of anybody's experience at Bubba Gump's.

Had lunch at Bubba Gumps at CityWalk, good food.

Jack

 

[BELLEDOZER]

Mimi's is an excellent Jazz styled restaurant, and can highly reccommend it. Millies on the other hand the service and quality of food varies from day to day, and sometimes has monster portions (try the seafood platter enough... to feed 2 adults and 2 kids, I found this out the hard way Feb/09). I personally found Tony Romas overpriced for what you get, and liked MIMI's ribs alot better (and cheaper too!). Avoid Captain Kidds at all cost (have lots of horrible things about them). The Denny's down the street on S. Harbor is your typical one, the food and prices are what you would expect from them. The Mcdonald's is typical of what you can find in your neck of the woods and is not bad. I've heard the the IHOP is overpriced, but haven't eaten there yet, so can't confirm this info. Hope that this helps you out. Have a great evening!

 

[ChickenCarlos]

there are a ton of places to eat in Downtown Disney, like House of blues, and rain forest cafe, as well as the arleady mentioned Garden walk, im sure you can find plenty of options in those two very close locations.

 

[erinbharris]

Keeping my eye on this thread...

What's the name of the burger place that lots of people seem to talk about?

 

[amym2]

Keeping my eye on this thread...

What's the name of the burger place that lots of people seem to talk about?

In N Out burger? We ate there last week (there's one on Harbor, about a 10 min drive from DLR) and thought it was yummy. But it's definitely not walking distance.

 

[amym2]

We ate two meals at Mimi's last week, a breakfast and a lunch, and both were delicious. If you sign up for their e-club online you get coupons (BOGO breakfast and more). After one meal we got a survey on our receipt, called to complete it, and got a free 4-pack of muffins (yum!).

 

[erinbharris]

In N Out burger? We ate there last week (there's one on Harbor, about a 10 min drive from DLR) and thought it was yummy. But it's definitely not walking distance.

Yes, that's it--thanks! We don't have them here (Canada) but I've heard it's worth going to.

 

[tlovesdis]

Another vote for Mimis Cafe! Love that place! Good food and good prices. We have one about a mile from our house and eat there often!

In DTD I would recommend Rainforest Cafe. It's a bit pricey but the food is good and so is the atmosphere! It's the only place in DTD my family likes. We've eaten everywhere but Catal and RFC is the only one we eat at now!

 

[Tommy_B]

Bubba Gumps is okay if you are in the mood for shrimp and seafood, although I like McCormick & Schmick's better, less sauces, just well prepared seafood.

I too would skip Ariel's Grotto and look at places in Downtown Disney. Naples is nice for pizza and Italian food, but our two favorite places are Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen and Catal.

A Bananas Foster at the Jazz Kitchen would certainly impress a 15 year old. If you are there on a Sunday, seriously consider the Gospel Brunch at The House of Blues.

Mimi's is a nice themed diner with decent food, but not an amazing place by any stretch.