Tell me where to eat!

[StEpHandMiKe<3Disney]

I've done a lot of research on the Disboards about where to eat at DLR. On our 2008 trip, we ate at Hook's Point, Storyteller's Cafe and Ariels Grotto. Wasn't real impressed with any and wouldn't consider eating at any of these again except for Ariels just to meet the Princesses. For this trip, I have narrowed it down to Blue Bayou for sure, Cafe Orleans for sure and that is about it. We will have one more night so I'm not sure where we should eat. We are considering Ariels just bc of the characters but if we don't eat there, where should we eat? I haven't heard great things about Carnation or Plaza so what else would you recommend? Do you think it is too much to eat both Blue and Cafe orleans? Also, what is DLR cancellation policy at these restaurants?

 

[Sherry E]

When you ate at Storytellers, did you do the Critter Breakfast character meal, or did you do a non-character lunch or dinner?

Carnation Cafe gets pretty consistently good reviews on here. I have tried CC for breakfast, lunch, dinner and also dessert only. Most people seem to like it for breakfast, but I was underwhelmed by the CC breakfast. I prefer it for lunch, dinner or dessert only (delicious Matterhorn sundae and apple pie a la mode with whipped cream and strawberries). CC has very limited seating, and there are not a whole lot of items on the menu, but what they do have is appealing. I like the meat loaf stack. Others love the loaded baked potato soup.

I say try Carnation!! That's my vote!

 

[StEpHandMiKe<3Disney]

When you ate at Storytellers, did you do the Critter Breakfast character meal, or did you do a non-character lunch or dinner?

Carnation Cafe gets pretty consistently good reviews on here. I have tried CC for breakfast, lunch, dinner and also dessert only. Most people seem to like it for breakfast, but I was underwhelmed by the CC breakfast. I prefer it for lunch, dinner or dessert only (delicious Matterhorn sundae and apple pie a la mode with whipped cream and strawberries). CC has very limited seating, and there are not a whole lot of items on the menu, but what they do have is appealing. I like the meat loaf stack. Others love the loaded baked potato soup.

I say try Carnation!! That's my vote!

We ate at Stoytellers for dinner so no characters. We don't really sit down for bfast or we would definitely be trying CC for that. Other than the meatloaf, have you had anything else there you liked?

 

[Sherry E]

We ate at Stoytellers for dinner so no characters. We don't really sit down for bfast or we would definitely be trying CC for that. Other than the meatloaf, have you had anything else there you liked?

People rave about the loaded baked potato soup, but I haven't tried that yet. I usually stick with the meat loaf just to make my decision-making fast and easy, but I have considered trying the croissant sandwich (I believe it's chicken) or the turkey sandwich. My friend had the turkey pot pie. And those desserts are delicious.

I am trying to remember what else is on the Carnation menu to jog my memory of what else I have had. I am blanking out... I have to go find a menu on AllEars to refresh my memory!! But it's all been good.

I would say that Cafe Orleans and Carnation Cafe are two places that seem to get the best reviews on a regular basis. I don't hear too many folks saying anything negative about Cafe Orleans.

When I ate at Storytellers for dinner, I ordered the spaghetti and garlic bread - which I loved. It was really flavorful. All the steaks and things looked too expensive. I have heard other negative reviews of Storytellers, however, so it seems to have a very divided opinion among DIS-ers.

 

[StEpHandMiKe<3Disney]

People rave about the loaded baked potato soup, but I haven't tried that yet. I usually stick with the meat loaf just to make my decision-making fast and easy, but I have considered trying the croissant sandwich (I believe it's chicken) or the turkey sandwich. My friend had the turkey pot pie. And those desserts are delicious.

I am trying to remember what else is on the Carnation menu to jog my memory of what else I have had. I am blanking out... I have to go find a menu on AllEars to refresh my memory!! But it's all been good.

I would say that Cafe Orleans and Carnation Cafe are two places that seem to get the best reviews on a regular basis. I don't hear too many folks saying anything negative about Cafe Orleans.

When I ate at Storytellers for dinner, I ordered the spaghetti and garlic bread - which I loved. It was really flavorful. All the steaks and things looked too expensive. I have heard other negative reviews of Storytellers, however, so it seems to have a very divided opinion among DIS-ers.

Are the pot pies available all the time? I read somewhere that they are seasonal? If they're available in July, I'm on board!

 

[Lissame]

Our family really enjoyed the Big thunder BBQ when we were there last summer. We also like Cafe Orleans, and the Wine Country Trattoria (although you can't make a reservation for it yet I don't think, until they have a firm open date).

You asked about canceling or not showing up for a reservation--it's not really a "reservation" per se, it's a priority seating. If you don't show up it's not held against you, although it would be nice if you called to cancel if you decided not to go. I think the only thing you pay for in advance is the Fantasmic dessert thingy.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Every time we have eaten at Carnation Cafe, there was some type of pot pie available, and we have eaten there at various times of the year, including summer. DH has tried all three pot pies, beef, turkey, and chicken, and liked them all. DH and DS10 like the meatloaf a lot. DS8 always gets the half turkey sandwich on pretzel bread. I've tried both the croissant chicken club and the cafe steak melt. I found the steak melt really disappointing, but the chicken club was ok. My preference these days is to order a big bowl of potato soup and the chef salad, both very tasty in my opinion.

 

[Dobie]

We love Cafe Orleans for late breakfast.

We love Carnation Cafe for the first meal after we have arrived--we get to sit outside on Main Street in the middle of all the action, and don't have to line up to eat!

We love the dinner buffet at Story Teller's, and traditionally have dinner there our last night.

We also love Taste Pilot's in DCA.

 

[spacemermaid]

Are the pot pies available all the time? I read somewhere that they are seasonal? If they're available in July, I'm on board!

Yep; the pot pies are available year round. It's just the different varieties that are seasonal (ie: the delicious turkey/cranberry pot pie they have during the winter...SO yummy!!!)

You should definitely eat at Carnation Cafe'...it's been there "forever" for a reason!

 

[Flitterific]

Another vote for Carnation Cafe. The loaded baked potato soup is sooo yummy! Cafe Orleans is another must. I also suggest Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen in DTD. The food is very different from Cafe Orleans and is more authentic Creole/Cajun cuisine.

 

[Sherry E]

Steph - To follow up on what Flitterific just suggested, the Jazz Kitchen would be an interesting restaurant to eat in to complete the New Orleans-inspired trifecta!! You could hit Blue Bayou, Cafe Orleans and Jazz Kitchen all in one trip, to sort of keep a running 'theme' to your dining!! That would be cool.

And I agree with Lissame - I totally forgot about about Wine Country Trattoria earlier when I was talking about Carnation. WCT is a good place to eat as well - yummy meatball sandwiches, very generously-sized pizzetta salads, blood orange sorbet, Caprese chicken, breadsticks at the table and all sorts of other things. I think their lasagna is quite popular with DIS-ers as well.

 

[raftislander]

I agree with CC and WCT. There just aren't that many table service options inside the parks. For counter service options I like the Red Rocket's Pizza Port in Tomorrowland- just stay away form the pizza- It has great salads and some good pasta options. Atmosphere can be noisy but head out the back and you'll find seating overlooking the entrance to SM. While it is not great Mexican food, Ranch del Zocalo in Frontierland has a lovely outdoor seating area and the food is decent and filling. Tortilla Joes in DTD has a walk up counter that has better food. I think the food at BB and CO is pretty similar. Not sure I would do both. La Brea bakery has good food. I like Bengal BBQ for a light meal

 

[Kayla's Mom]

Another vote for Carnation Cafe and Loaded Baked Potato soup!!

 

[jtown]

BB and CO = Thumbs up. I ate at Carnation recently and had the steak melt. It was pretty "meh". Everything was fresh and the quality of the ingredients seemed good but the combination just wasn't that great. And the service was slow. Close to 10 minutes before the order was taken and a good 15 minutes between the time the meal was done and I had my change.

Haven't tried Roundup but I've only heard good things. Most items at French Market are good, tho I don't care for the Jambalaya. The corn dog cart is back. Gotta stop by there. And a float from the Tiki bar is probably the healthiest dessert in the park.

If you get over to the other side, Wine Country Trattoria is good. So was the burrito I got from Cocina Cucamonga. The BBQ chicken pizza at the Cove bar is very good and only $10 to feed 2 or 3. Skip the nachos, tho. Lucky Fortune is another 1-feeds-2 place tho, while the ingredients are fresh and good, the sauce seems a little bland. If you want a burger, Taste is the place to get it because you can load it up with your choice of toppings from the toppings bar.