Suggestions for a "grownup" meal with my picky-eater DH?

[1rockinmamato2]

When we go again, what suggestions do you all have for us as far as dining in an adult atmosphere with my super picky husband?

He is definitely a french fry and pizza kind of guy and he will not/refuses to try anything new or different. However, I would like for us to experience a smidge of WDW for adults on our next trip. We'd prefer an outing to Epcot.

Any ideas? This is a crazy request I'm sure, but I'm desperate to have a "date" with my husband on our trip and would like a meal involved that doesn't require that I eat at a place that has the golden arches by the entrance.

Even a place just for dessert would be great!

Thanks!!!

 

[CamColt]

I too am a picky/plain eater. One of my favorite restaurants (anywhere) is Yachtsman Steakhouse. We have dined here on 3 of our last 4 anniversaries and its always been an amazing meal. If you are looking for excellent "meat and potatoes", this is the way to go.

While children are welcome here, being a bit more upscale it seems to be a quieter, somewhat more adult atmosphere.

You can walk here from Epcot too.

 

[disnut8]

Try the Yacht Club Galley. My husband likes his steak "naked" but still liked the sauce they put on it. However, you can ask for a naked steak if you want. Two version of steak there for dinner - 10 ounce New York strip and a Top Sirloin. The sirloin comes with oven roasted potatoes and the strip comes with root vegetables BUT fries are on the kids menu so they have them as a substitute. I KNOW my husband didn't get root vegetables. So you can sub the fries for anything on the menu. they also have pork chops and over roasted chicken (which I had and was excellent). All can be ordered naked and with fries. The clam chowder is very good and desserts are "safe" things like Boston Cream Pie and blueberry cheesecake.

Just remember that if a side dish is mentioned anywhere on the menu, you can get that instead of whatever is listed as part of your entree. And if the kids menu has fries listed, they can be a side on an adult meal as well. All you have to do is ask. Otherwise, my husband would never eat at Disney World.

 

[MycatlovesEeyore]

I would like to second the Yachtsman Steakhouse. It is an upscale steakhouse. It should offer plenty that a regular "meat and potatoes" guy would enjoy without to out-of-the-ordinary extras which might turn your husband off. As the earlier poster mentioned, it is about a ten minute walk from the international gateway between France and England.

If he is truly only interested in a burger there is the brew pub on the Boardwalk. It serves beer, burgers and fries, and other types of sandwiches. It is also only a ten minute walk, only cross to the Boardwalk instead of the Yacht Club.

 

[Pakey]

I'll throw in my vote for Yachtsman. We are taking my BF and her DH, who is very picky, for their first trip in a few weeks. Before making ADR's I printed every menu out and had them go through it because I didn't want to be responsible if he hated what I picked.

The very first place they chose was Yachtsman. I have eaten there at least 4 times and it's very standard fare.

 

[Booyakasha]

He is definitely a french fry and pizza kind of guy and he will not/refuses to try anything new or different.

Even a place just for dessert would be great!

Thanks!!!

I have never heard of a fry and pizza type of guy.

That cannot be real healthy.


B.

 

[pugluver31902]

You should take my husband out on a date, and I will go out with yours! Lol

No, seriously though, my husband has exquisite taste, and I have what he calls "child taste buds." Lol. For us, we went to a lot of upscale restraunts, and I just ate off the child's menu. I always offered to pay an adult price, but they never charged me for it except at places like the Castle and the Aloha show, were you are charged by your age. That seemed to work fine for us. They usually still brought me out an adult sized portion of chicken fingers or whatever I was eating, so I always made sure to tip on what the bill would have cost if we both ate off the adult menu.

Please no flaming...I got flamed on one board for not "trying new things at Disney." This is what I like and I am happy to accompany my husband to the places he likes

 

[TexasTodds]

Are you sure that we are not married to the same guy?? On our honeymoon many years ago, he actually ordered Pizza and a side of fries from room service.

I can't really tell you about many of the really "upscale" places at Epcot, but I remember that on our last visit we did go to the Sci-Fi Dine inn, for the atmosphere, and it was really fun, and we both also really like Coral Reef.

Sorry this isn't much help, but I truly do commiserate with you. I do really push the fact that he has to eat where I choose for my birthday without complaining, so I know that I get ONE meal a year for my adult tastes!

Staci

 

[1rockinmamato2]

Thank you all for your suggestions! I checked out the pub (forgot what it's called) and I also looked up the Beaches and Cream place. The Yachtmans Steakhouse is a no-go. He absolutely will not eat a steak or anything else I saw on their menu. I'm serious when I say that he will refuse anything but pizza or fries. I could go into detail about what he will and won't eat, but I'm afraid to bore you all with all the details. But, I will say, he's 38 and when we go to O'Charley's, all he gets is an order of fries and he eats the rolls.

I have never heard of a fry and pizza type of guy.

That cannot be real healthy.


B.

Let's just say his tastebuds have not advanced since he was two. And no, I doubt his diet is doing him any good.

You should take my husband out on a date, and I will go out with yours! Lol

No, seriously though, my husband has exquisite taste, and I have what he calls "child taste buds." Lol. For us, we went to a lot of upscale restraunts, and I just ate off the child's menu. I always offered to pay an adult price, but they never charged me for it except at places like the Castle and the Aloha show, were you are charged by your age. That seemed to work fine for us. They usually still brought me out an adult sized portion of chicken fingers or whatever I was eating, so I always made sure to tip on what the bill would have cost if we both ate off the adult menu.

Please no flaming...I got flamed on one board for not "trying new things at Disney." This is what I like and I am happy to accompany my husband to the places he likes

I'm glad most places would accommodate you and let you choose a food from the child's menu. No flaming from me, I know how DH has to live every day with his food issues so I'm very used to it.

Are you sure that we are not married to the same guy?? On our honeymoon many years ago, he actually ordered Pizza and a side of fries from room service.

I can't really tell you about many of the really "upscale" places at Epcot, but I remember that on our last visit we did go to the Sci-Fi Dine inn, for the atmosphere, and it was really fun, and we both also really like Coral Reef.

Sorry this isn't much help, but I truly do commiserate with you. I do really push the fact that he has to eat where I choose for my birthday without complaining, so I know that I get ONE meal a year for my adult tastes!

Staci

I had to laugh about the honeymoon room service because on our honeymoon, we ordered a pizza to be delivered the first night. The second day when I wanted to go in to eat a real breakfast, all he wanted was Krispy Kreme donuts.

I don't even push eating where I want to on my birthday because I'd hate to see DH sit there and not eat anything if there were no fries on the menu.

 

[pugluver31902]

You are a sweet wife to be so accomodating to your husband. When my husband and I got married a couple of years ago, he was always upset that I didn't like eating at the places he liked. He likes to get the most exotic thing on the menu, and really enjoys upscale dining and seafood. No way, not me. But we have found a good compromise. I don't mind going to the restraunts he likes as long as he doesnt bother me if I order a cheesburger off the kids menu, or just get the ice cream dessert they offer off the adults menu. Then, in return, he doesnt mind so much when I want to eat at much more casual places. We have even found a lot of compromises, like Chinese buffets. I do not enjoy chinese food at all, but my husband does. But..at EVERY chinese buffet they have a section with pizza, fries, chicken fingers, and other kid friendly items. They usually also have an ice cream bar!

 

[bdcp]

Those diets aren't healthy ever for anyone. I know you said his appetite hasn't advanced past a 2 year old, but honestly, most 2 year olds voluntarily eat better than pizza and fries and donuts. Those types of picky eaters are heart attacks and diabetes waiting to happen, not to mention obesity. I find it interesting that you have to eat where HE wants to. Does he not want to be healthy at all? Please don't be offended, but it seems like he's immature and doesn't know how to make good choices because he was either never taught or never had anyone who cared what he ate while he was growing up.

As a side note, my niece who is autistic, used to eat only pizza, chicken nuggets, french fries and pancakes. That is very common among autistic children. Her stepmother has her eating real, healthy food now and she is a different child because some discipline in all areas has been added into her life and she's making good choices now. She was the first thing I thought of when you mentioned pizza and fries.

Also, we don't find the restaurants in Epcot to be all that Upscale, ethnic maybe, upscale, no. Upscale doesnt' necessarily mean exotic, just well prepared.

 

[Hopefully]

I think checking out the menus here on the DIS on on allearsnet.com is your best bet. I think you will have trouble finding a place for him to eat at a TS meal in Epcot. All of the World Showcase TS restaurants feature the food of the host country. We LOVE eating there, but it is not Pizza and Fries.
I for one, will never return to the Yachtsman's Steakhouse. After 2 tries we found the food to just not be good. It is a beautiful setting, with great service but the beef was not good. It is too expensive for not good food.
I don't think the Big River Grill serves fries.
There is also the ESPN Club at the Boardwalk. They do have fries, but not pizza. He might like the Sports Bar atmosphere, but I don't know if that is the atmosphere you want on your "date".
Good luck in your choice. You are much more patient than I am, I would not put up with his diet.
Have a Great Trip.

 

[gigi1313]

we took my almost equally picky brother to coral reef in august and he was able to get the kids pizza as his appetizer, a plain steak and fries for his main meal... perhaps your dh would be able to get a few kids' pizzas and an order of fries and call it good?

also, mama melroses at the Studios made my brother a plain pizza that he said was the "best meal of the trip!" (LOL)

 

[Pirate's Princess]

Wow a pizza and fries guys who won't eat steak. Haha, anyway, there are some of the upscale places that make pizza. Wolfgang Pucks Cafe serves pizza and would surely have something you'd like. Plus being in a DTD, it's a nice change of pace. Or try some of the italian restaurants. I know one of the signature places serves pizza (from reading reviews) but I've never been.

On a side note, I have no intention to flame, but as someone with a degree in nutrition, I do hope he atleast takes a multivitamin, if he's not eating a variety of foods (especially fruits and veggies).

Anyway, have a fun date!

 

[bdcp]

Does Wolfgang Puck's make regular pizza or is it all gourmet? The menu says roma tomatoes, not sauce. I'm betting someone who is that picky won't eat that.

Unfortunately, vitamins won't replace the lack of fiber in his diet or make up for the fat being consumed.

All I can say to the OP, I hope you enjoy the meal that you are having to jump through hoops to locate for your DH.

 

[debbiedoo]

What about Garden Grill at Epcot??

I also recommend going through the menus at allearsnet

 

[CamColt]

Lets remember to keep this thread on topic about restaurants for picky eaters. It is not to rip apart other peoples eating habits or attack them for it. There are some borderline posts here and if those keep up this thread will be locked.

Also, to the OP, we also have the menus right here on our site.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/disneydining.cfm

 

[1rockinmamato2]

Also, to the OP, we also have the menus right here on our site.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/disneydining.cfm

Thanks for posting the link to the menus. These will help me a lot.

 

[phabric]

I have the same problem with my 2 DD's (27, 20). One likes hamburgers and Pizza Hut and the other chicken fingers. They will eat salads, or appetizer and dessert if they don't find something they like. I have found about 12 restaurants that MIGHT have something that they might eat. It is hard to please people that eat only certain type of food and still enjoy going to restaurants while at Disney without having counter service the whole time.

 

[baketank]

Does your husband eat hamburgers? I know the Le Cellier Steakhouse in Canada in Epcot has a hamburger on its lunch menu and french fries there I believe as well. My brother is a very picky eater, but that is a nice upscale type restaurant, at least in my opinion. It can be tough to get reservations there though, at least I know for dinner, maybe lunch is easier. If he does hamburgers that may be a good place to try. Also, there is a restaurant in Japan in Epcot and the name is escaping me (Teppo something), but you can check the menus and that has a breaded chicken breast and although I have never eaten there, we are trying this restaurant on our next trip there in May because it was something new and i think my brother would eat there. Hope this helps and good luck.