Substitutions?

[Luisfba]

How much flexibility do the table service restaurants have with making modifications to menu items or even whipping something up that may not be on the menu?

Specifically, my wife is kind of a picky eater. She mostly has either turkey or chicken sandwiches (keeping them basic; lettuce, tomato, turkey, mustard - no cheese, no bacon, nothing fried), garden salads with grilled chicken (and either ranch or some light vinaigrette dressing), and sometimes maybe salmon.

As a result we often find ourselves with her not being a fan of the selections at the WDW restaurants.

One thing I've noticed is there's a bunch of places that have salads with chicken as options, but they are often Caesar salads. Is that something we can ask for a substitution on (get a garden salad - or maybe grilled chicken - even if not on the menu?)

 

[mjmgsssp]

I've always found the TS restaurants to accommodate some substitutions. However, I'm not sure how they handle requests for items not on the menu at all.

 

[imthemamahere]

Are we talking table service or quick service?

Most restaurants that have a chicken or turkey sandwich will easily make you one that leaves off some of the toppings. So, for example, having bacon left off a sandwich shouldn't be a problem. As for a salad, table service restaurants that have a garden salad and have chicken will definitely combine those for you. As for making something that's completely off the menu, it has to be something they have the ingredients for. So a place that doesn't have any ground beef dishes, for example, won't necessarily be able to whip up a burger. But if your wife wants a piece of salmon and mashed potatoes instead of salmon with a side of wheat berries and quinoa, again, as long as they have mashed potatoes, sure, they can do that...

 

[Luisfba]

(talking table service - I figured with most quick service you kind of get what you get)

My main concern is to be able to get a garden salad instead of a ceasar salad.

 

[imthemamahere]

What is it about caesar that she objects to? The cheese and dressing can be left off a caesar easily (even at quick service!). If they have tomato/carrot/cucumber - and most table service restaurants of course will - that should be an easy request for them to meet. Or if you're at a quick service place that has a fixings bar, she can easily customize her own salad - just ask for the things she dislikes to be left off, and add on her preferences instead.

Again, in my experience (and from what I've heard here), Disney will certainly try to be accommodating. As long as a restaurant has the items you want, they'll do their best to get them on a plate for you. If they don't have an item anywhere on the menu, though, you're SOL.

 

[Bob Dolewhip]

They are very accommoding. Reasonable requests within their power are granted.
Disney has all of its menus available at their website on each restaurant's page. She can see everything in advance so you guys don't pick restaurants where she can't find a meal.

 

[Sadie22]

Preferring to eat simple, healthy food is not being picky. I always check the menus before choosing any restaurant.