Storytellers or Craftsman Grill w/ Gluten Free Consideration?

[gpjacobs]

On the last day of our trip, we're planning to rope drop and come back to the hotel in the late morning to officially checkout and take our bags to the bell desk. To make the return trip feel "worth it," we're considering just starting our day with coffee and a protein bar, then having a nice brunch at one of the hotel restaurants after we conquer as many rides as possible during EMM.

I have an 11:30 reservation for Storytellers but am thinking of canceling and checking out the Craftman's Grill instead. DH and I haven't tried either - which would you choose, esp. considering with one diner who is gluten free?

 

[Becca1007]

On the last day of our trip, we're planning to rope drop and come back to the hotel in the late morning to officially checkout and take our bags to the bell desk. To make the return trip feel "worth it," we're considering just starting our day with coffee and a protein bar, then having a nice brunch at one of the hotel restaurants after we conquer as many rides as possible during EMM.

I have an 11:30 reservation for Storytellers but am thinking of canceling and checking out the Craftman's Grill instead. DH and I haven't tried either - which would you choose, esp. considering with one diner who is gluten free?

I really enjoyed my meal at Craftsman. The relaxed atmosphere is nice and the food was really tasty. Unfortunately, I didn't look very closely at the GF options, but as with all disney restaurants they are fairly accommodating.

Storytellers is big and always feels busy to me.

 

[wowsmom]

At Storytellers, a chef will walk through the buffet with your GF person, to tell them what should be safe and what won't be.

At Craftsman Grill, the chef will come talk to your GF person and then make the meal specially for them.

I'm not GF but have many food allergies and I prefer going places where the food is made for me, so there's less chance of cross contamination.

 

[StormyCA]

I've never done the buffet, but the GF meals I've had at Storytellers have all been excellent. I've not eaten at Craftsman.

I'm highly suspicious of buffets due to the risk of XC, but I understand that if you tell the chef who walks you through what you'd like, they'll prepare a 'fresh plate' in the back for you. With refills!

 

[wowsmom]

I've never done the buffet, but the GF meals I've had at Storytellers have all been excellent. I've not eaten at Craftsman.

I'm highly suspicious of buffets due to the risk of XC, but I understand that if you tell the chef who walks you through what you'd like, they'll prepare a 'fresh plate' in the back for you. With refills!

Sadly, the buffet is the only option at Storyteller's now. They got rid of the menu quite a while ago. I still miss it!

 

[StormyCA]

Sadly, the buffet is the only option at Storyteller's now. They got rid of the menu quite a while ago. I still miss it!

I remember them doing that. We started going to Steakhouse55 for our traditional 'leaving breakfast' on our departure day when they did. But for some reason I thought they'd brought the menu back. What a shame!

 

[gpjacobs]

Thanks all! I think we're leaning towards Craftsman at the moment!

 

[wowsmom]

I remember them doing that. We started going to Steakhouse55 for our traditional 'leaving breakfast' on our departure day when they did. But for some reason I thought they'd brought the menu back. What a shame!

Unfortunately, they haven't brought it back (at least, it doesn't show on the app). I really miss going there - DH and I used to go every week - but I just can't justify paying buffet prices when there's so little I can eat due to my allergies.

 

[avalon451]

We did Craftsman for dinner a week ago Saturday, sort of a last minute thing. Maybe because it wasn’t breakfast- we weren’t impressed. We are all GF. We had several questions about what was available gluten free, and were surprised how little the server we talked to knew. They don’t have a gf pizza crust. They have a vegetarian burger that comes with a gf bun (I think it's premade or pre-packaged?), but oddly, they said they couldn’t make a regular burger with that bun, only the veggie one. (Seems like every quick service and table service inside the parks have GF hamburger or hot dog buns!) The server cheerfully went back to the kitchen at least twice to ask about things for us, but the chef didn’t come out, and at one point I saw her talking to him and he was visibly irritated with her questions. This is very different to what we’ve experienced elsewhere, when the chef will come out and go over the options with you. My DD17 ended up ordering the poke bowl, and they just put everything on the side for her, and told her the sauce was GF, but we didn't feel that confident about that. The fish was marinated, and we couldn't be sure there wasn't soy sauce in there. At least she had no reaction. DH had the nachos with beef on them, which everybody raves about, but again, we were less than impressed-- the cheese was very fake, like the stuff you get on nachos at the movie theater that they pump out of a huge jug.

All in all, I think I'd go for Storytellers. We did do Craftsman for breakfast back when it was Whitewater, 10 years ago, and it was good, but that was before we were GF. They still have good grab-n-go salads and fruit cups.

 

[wowsmom]

We did Craftsman for dinner a week ago Saturday, sort of a last minute thing. Maybe because it wasn’t breakfast- we weren’t impressed. We are all GF. We had several questions about what was available gluten free, and were surprised how little the server we talked to knew. They don’t have a gf pizza crust. They have a vegetarian burger that comes with a gf bun (I think it's premade or pre-packaged?), but oddly, they said they couldn’t make a regular burger with that bun, only the veggie one. (Seems like every quick service and table service inside the parks have GF hamburger or hot dog buns!) The server cheerfully went back to the kitchen at least twice to ask about things for us, but the chef didn’t come out, and at one point I saw her talking to him and he was visibly irritated with her questions. This is very different to what we’ve experienced elsewhere, when the chef will come out and go over the options with you. My DD17 ended up ordering the poke bowl, and they just put everything on the side for her, and told her the sauce was GF, but we didn't feel that confident about that. The fish was marinated, and we couldn't be sure there wasn't soy sauce in there. At least she had no reaction. DH had the nachos with beef on them, which everybody raves about, but again, we were less than impressed-- the cheese was very fake, like the stuff you get on nachos at the movie theater that they pump out of a huge jug.

All in all, I think I'd go for Storytellers. We did do Craftsman for breakfast back when it was Whitewater, 10 years ago, and it was good, but that was before we were GF. They still have good grab-n-go salads and fruit cups.

Was this at Craftsman Bar or Craftsman Grill (aka White Water)?

When I've eaten at CG/WWS recently, even though I knew what I was ordering was safe (since I had ordered it before), the chef came to the register to double check everything with me. I haven't eaten at CB since nothing on the menu appeals to me.

 

[MikeRx]

Contrary to the above post about the burger, we were able to get GF salads and burgers at the BAR a few weeks ago as they use the Grill for their food; however the GF menu is really limited. The fries are not GF as the kitchen is small and they dont have a dedicated fryer. They were able to substitute fruit and I ran into the park and got waffle GF fries at Smoke Jumpers to complete the meal. Not healthy, but tasty. They saluted me at SJs for being so dedicated! I returned just after our meal had arrived. The atmosphere and setting are awesome and it has become our new go-to place when doing a pool afternoon with our son and his friend. We educated the server about the GF bun for the burger...
Mike

 

[avalon451]

Was this at Craftsman Bar or Craftsman Grill (aka White Water)?

When I've eaten at CG/WWS recently, even though I knew what I was ordering was safe (since I had ordered it before), the chef came to the register to double check everything with me. I haven't eaten at CB since nothing on the menu appeals to me.

I should have specified; it was the grill.

 

[gpjacobs]

I should have specified; it was the grill.

Good to know! We're interested in trying the poolside bar area.

 

[StormyCA]

Unfortunately, they haven't brought it back (at least, it doesn't show on the app). I really miss going there - DH and I used to go every week - but I just can't justify paying buffet prices when there's so little I can eat due to my allergies.

I couldn't justify Disney's buffet prices even if I didn't have Celiac. They just don't put out much of a spread based on the online menu. Their prices are ridiculous.

 

[cruisehopeful]

When we had the buffet breakfast at Storytellers, we asked the server if he could get us any gluten free pancakes or waffles and he said he could get both. Warning, the gluten free Mickey waffles were raw on the inside and slightly burned on the outside. That was a couple years ago, so maybe they've got it down better now.

ETA: It was buffet only. We just happened to ask the server if there was anything GF that we could get and of course, none of that was out for the buffet.