Solo dining at DLR

[pouncingpluto]

Hey guys... so I'll have an evening, a full day, and a morning/early afternoon by myself at Disneyland before I head up north of LA to visit my brother and his family. Since I'm by myself, I'm not big into the idea of sitting down at a table at a full service restaurant... I mean... it would be fine, but I'd rather be a bit lower key than that.

The first night, my flight gets in at 5 and the parks close at 8, so I thought I'd just hang out at Downtown Disney, getting dinner and shopping. Do any of the restaurants have a bar area where I could be served? What would you recommend?

Then the next couple days I plan to do both parks... what are the best counter service places, both in the park and at Downtown Disney?

Thanks!

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

How much do you want to pay for dinner?

You can dine at the bar at the Napa Rose in the GCH, at the Sushi Bar in Yamabuki at PPH, at the bar at Steakhouse 55 in DLH or at Hook's Pointe.

In DTD, all of the restaurants have something. You can especially eat at Uva Bar in the middle or at Brennans Jazz Kitchen.

Don't forget that you can also eat at the Cove Bar above Ariel's Grotto in DCA. A lot of solo adults head there. They used to have great lobster nachos.

As for counter service - we like the salads at Pizza Port, the chicken dinner at the Plaza, and the big sandwiches and choice of side salads at River Belle Terrace.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

Don't be afraid or uncomfortable eating solo at sit down restaurants. I've waited upwards of 30-45 minutes in line at counter service locations when the park was crowded with no sitting down and then struggling to find one empty table.

Conversely I've been able to get a table for 1 within minutes of the parade finishing at Carnation Cafe, which is very low key. It is very nice to sit down and relax and know that your table isn't going anywhere if you have to run to the restroom or something like that.

Now, if you still want counter service(which may not be quick), in Disneyland there's Rancho del Zocale, French Market, Redd Rocket's Pizza Port, Tomorrowland Terrace, Riverbelle Terrace, Hungry Bear Restaurant, the location inside the Golden Horseshoe, and Village Haus. There are also a number of "hole in the wall" places that have no seating, but just offer an ordering counter to get your food from.

I'm not too familiar with DCA. I know of Award Wieners and the hamburger place over by Soarin', but that's about it. There's also Whitewater Snacks inside the Grand Californian.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

In DCA, our favorite is the sourdough bread bowls with soup or salad from the Pacific Wharf Cafe. The Mission Tortilla counter doesn't give you enough food for the price you pay. The burgers next to Soarin are decent and Pizza O MowMow isn't bad, either. Or, you can run into the GCH and go to WhiteWater Snacks - just inside the park/hotel entrance to the left.

 

[pouncingpluto]

Thanks a bunch for all the suggestions... the hotel restaurants hadn't occurred to me. I'll have to take a look at some menus! I would be curious to try Napa Rose if I can find anything appealing on there (I'm a little unadventurous with my food). And the Cove Bar sounds great!

I have been to DLR a few times, but I'm by no means a regular. I do really like this one chicken salad from Pacific Wharf Cafe, and I've had a good experience at Carnation Cafe, too! So I may very well visit one or both of those again.

Does the Golden Horseshoe have a show these days? Does anywhere else have a show you can watch while eating?

 

[Sleepless Knight]

There is occasionally a show of some sort at the Golden Horseshoe. A couple of years ago I watched Billy Hill and the Hillbillies. There are some others here who will tell you much more information about that group.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Thanks a bunch for all the suggestions... the hotel restaurants hadn't occurred to me. I'll have to take a look at some menus! I would be curious to try Napa Rose if I can find anything appealing on there (I'm a little unadventurous with my food). QUOTE]

As a single diner, you can also eat at their chef's counter - right on the kitchen and watch them work! It's a wonderful experience and the chefs come up and chat with you. They have a wonderful beef shortrib dish - great for the unadventurous. They also make some killer mashed potatoes..... Don't be afraid of the food, they'll help you pick the right things. I find most of it oddly comforting - sort of like comfort food in it's Sunday best!

 

[pouncingpluto]

Well, I'm kind of limited, is the problem. I haven't eaten red meat (any kind of mammal, so this includes pork) in 14 years. Eating just poultry and seafood is easy to do in "normal" places, but it starts to get harder in more upscale places, especially since they tend to mix a lot of things... adding prosciutto to a dish I would otherwise normally eat, etc.

But the chef's counter sounds really cool... and they know what's in everything, of course!

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

They cater to dietary restrictions and you will certainly not be in need of anything, if you are a fish and poultry person. I pretty much get mostly that.

Oh yeah - the signature scallops with lobster vanilla sauce on a little lump of chive mashed potatoes are a small slice of heaven....

 

[Disneylvrforever]

Does the Golden Horseshoe have a show these days? Does anywhere else have a show you can watch while eating?

As Sleepless Knight said, Billy Hill & the Hillbillies perform at the Golden Horseshoe. They play country/rock 'n' roll music & it's great! They're all talented performers and it's hilarious. You'd want to go early to get in line for food & a spot for the show. The lines for food take forever and the place gets packed quick. If you're unfamiliar w/ the menu, they have chicken strips, chili in a bread bowl, mozzerella sticks, chili cheese fries, salads, and fish & chips. They also serve sundaes & a mile high chocolate cake.

As for other show/dining options, you can go to Tomorrowland Terrace & see the Jedi Training Academy show or whatever band is playing during the evenings. The times are listed in the show guide as well as for Billy Hill. The foods they have there are things like burgers and sandwiches.

At the French Market, a jazz band occasionally plays (forgot their name) and sometimes Queenie will be there singing as well, but their performance times aren't listed in the show guide that you get at the gate. Their foods include chowder in a bread bowl, chicken, roast beef, salmon, pasta, salad, as well as desserts.

 

[bumbershoot]

Well, I'm kind of limited, is the problem. I haven't eaten red meat (any kind of mammal, so this includes pork) in 14 years. Eating just poultry and seafood is easy to do in "normal" places, but it starts to get harder in more upscale places, especially since they tend to mix a lot of things... adding prosciutto to a dish I would otherwise normally eat, etc.

But the chef's counter sounds really cool... and they know what's in everything, of course!

Especially at Disney, tell them of the foods you don't eat! They don't want to hurt you, and they want you to be happy. Trust me, I had a long phone conversation with one of the chefs in charge of helping people with food issues; they want people to be happy.


I've always been very comfy eating by myself, and I've done two solo trips to DLR. No one looks at you to begin with, unless it's b/c they are jealous that you don't have anyone else to cater to or care about. I bring my notes/journal, or a book or something in my purse, I enjoy my food, leave when I want to, etc.


The key to the counter service places is going to be eating at non-meal times! You do NOT want to go to Pacific Wharf at lunchtime, when everyone else is going there...same for Cocina Cucamonga and Rancho del Zocalo. Go at 11ish, or around 1:30 for your lunch, etc.

Redd Rockett's makes me cry, it takes so long, no matter what time we've gone, though. And their food, IMO, is just awful. But that's just me...my son loves it, go figure.

Oh, and Cove Bar isn't open all the time, but their artichoke dip was delicious!

 

[Armadillo4]

Do any of the restaurants have a bar area where I could be served? What would you recommend?

It looks like you have plenty of counter service recommendations above! So I'll concentrate on this question.

I've done several solo trips as a local and have done the eat-at-the-bar-routine on many occasions. I love it and find that it's a terrific option for the solo diner.

DOWNTOWN DISNEY
1. ESPN Zone: they have 3 bars! Two downstairs and a smaller one in the game area upstairs. Plenty of TV monitors to keep you entertained while waiting for your food too.

2. House of Blues: just one bar downstairs and not that big, but I've never had a problem finding a seat.

3. Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen: one bar, whenever I've tried to eat at the bar, it's been full, but it's there as an option.

ANAHEIM GARDENWALK
It's a 10-15 minute walk from the DL/DCA turnstiles, but they have some good options.
1. California Pizza Kitchen: this is my default/standby at the Gardenwalk. There's always an open seat at the bar (even on a Saturday night) and they usually have the TV on a sports event or channel.

2. Cheesecake Factory: another good choice. There are tables in the bar area too, but they don't let solos take up tables. But I've always found seats available at the bar.

3. Roy's Hawaiian Fusion: I've tried this once and sat at the counter of the exhibition kitchen--I guess it's the same as a chef's counter. Pretty cool.

4. Bubba Gump Shrimp Company: there is a bar here too, but I've never tried it. I'm not a big fan of their food, but if you are, it's definitely an option.

Within the parks, I also echo YellowMickeyPonchos suggestion of the Cove Bar in DCA. I love their BBQ chicken pizza. I hope some of these suggestions are useful. Have a great trip!!!