Unique food at Disneyland vs. Disney World

[RemainSeatedPlease]

So to ask an additional question.... hope that’s ok OP.... which counter service does everyone think is best for a complete meal, not just snacks? Something other than chicken tenders and burgers?

Pretty much all of them. In fact, I'm struggling to think of a counter service place that only serves only burgers and chicken tenders. Besides Blue Bayou and Carthay Circle, all of the suggestions in this thread are from counter service places.

My personal favorite is gumbo in a bread bowl from Royal Street Veranda.

 

[gerilyne]

So to ask an additional question.... hope that’s ok OP.... which counter service does everyone think is best for a complete meal, not just snacks? Something other than chicken tenders and burgers?

For me it's Plaza Inn. The fried chicken is a good value (my BF and I can share it along with a dessert and be quite full). They also have pot roast and pasta so you get more than just chicken tenders and burgers. Rancho del Zocalo would be my other go to for counter service. I like the food and the amount you get for the price.

 

[craigkerstiens]

Will echo a few others from earlier, but also provide some originals here:

• Corndogs are definitely better at DL
• The cozy cone is fun
• Carthay circle is a great spot if you want sit down, even if you can't grab a reservation the lounge is worth a stop in
• Blue bayou is to me the most unique themed dining experience of any Disney park
• Churros are a must, but choose wisely. At any given time there are 4-8 different flavors (don't get fooled and go for the ones from downtown disney)
• The skewers are wonderful, we miss them anytime we're in WDW
• Skip the beignets in DL and go to Ralph's
• The drinks at the spot back by the marvel area are much better than the random mixed ones from WDW

Oh! I almost forgot. The Alfresco Tasting Terrace is a great spot if you want a lighter sit down meal and don't already have reservations somewhere. You walk upstairs and it's sort of hidden out of the way. Often not much of a wait if any, sit down, limited menu but their sausage/arugula flatbread is surprisingly good.

 

[Aurora0427]

Pretty much all of them. In fact, I'm struggling to think of a counter service place that only serves only burgers and chicken tenders. Besides Blue Bayou and Carthay Circle, all of the suggestions in this thread are from counter service places.

My personal favorite is gumbo in a bread bowl from Royal Street Veranda. It’s such a huge change from WDW!

Thanks! I’m going to have to make a list!!! So many great suggestions.

 

[Aurora0427]

For me it's Plaza Inn. The fried chicken is a good value (my BF and I can share it along with a dessert and be quite full). They also have pot roast and pasta so you get more than just chicken tenders and burgers. Rancho del Zocalo would be my other go to for counter service. I like the food and the amount you get for the price.

Yum! You had me at fried chicken and pot roast.

We tried Rancho Del Zocalo back in June and really liked it!!!!!

 

[ktlm]

So to ask an additional question.... hope that’s ok OP.... which counter service does everyone think is best for a complete meal, not just snacks? Something other than chicken tenders and burgers?

If you go to allears.net you will find all the Disneyland menus. This last trip, at California Adventure, DD was big on the pasta options at Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta. At Disneyland, her favorite this trip was probably Rancho Del Zocalo. We have gone to lots of different places in both parks. Unlike WDW where it can seem like chicken tenders and burgers all the time (although it has been better the last few years)- at DLR counter service there are lots of options outside of traditional fast food. We have had good meals at lots of counter service places. I would say look at the menus and see what appeals to you. We live in an area of the country where there is a lot of fried chicken and none of us liked the chicken at the Plaza- too greasy. DD rarely meets a piece of fried chicken or a chicken tender that she won't eat and we wound up throwing away most of her meal at the Plaza. Some people love it though so maybe we got a bad batch. It was a one and done for us.

 

[Chickinvic]

So to ask an additional question.... hope that’s ok OP.... which counter service does everyone think is best for a complete meal, not just snacks? Something other than chicken tenders and burgers?

Go to New Orleans Square and get a chowder in a bread bowl, or the Cafe Orleans selections. Pretty much all the quick service there are pretty good really. Also, if you've never tried it, get the Monte Cristo sandwich for lunch. Many people love it. It is different at Disneyland than the way other restaurants prepare it (the bread is dipped in egg like french toast would be and then the sandwich is deep fried).

 

[cdatkins]

-Matterhorn macaroon and Mickey macaron from Jolly Holiday
-A corn dog from the Red Wagon
-Skewers and jungle julep from Bengal Barbecue
-Mint julep and Mickey beignets from Mint Julep Bar (although I prefer the beignets at Ralph Brennan’s in DTD)
-Gumbo from Royal Street Veranda
-Lobster nachos and a cocktail from Lamplight Lounge
-Pommes frites and monte cristo from Cafe Orleans

And although the food isn’t my favorite, eating at a waterside table in Blue Bayou is such a great experience that you can’t have in WDW.

That is an outstanding list.

To which I would add: a marshmallow tail at Pooh Corner

 

[Chickinvic]

That is an outstanding list.

To which I would add: a marshmallow tail at Pooh Corner

Yes, a few of us have mentioned the Tigger Tails. They are to die for. I wasted years not eating them (I'm kind of "meh" about marshmallows). Everyone on the forums I used to visit about Disneyland raved so much about them I finally gave in lol. After that it was like "where have you been all my life?".

 

[Chickinvic]

Someone mentioned Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen in DTD. We really enjoyed our meal there. The bread pudding dessert there was really nice too.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Yes, a few of us have mentioned the Tigger Tails. They are to die for. I wasted years not eating them (I'm kind of "meh" about marshmallows). Everyone on the forums I used to visit about Disneyland raved so much about them I finally gave in lol. After that it was like "where have you been all my life?".

The chocolate-caramel marshmallow wands are so much better! Soooooo good. They used to have dark chocolate marshmallow wands that were REALLY good but I have seen those in a while.

 

[DeniseJH]

That is an outstanding list.

To which I would add: a marshmallow tail at Pooh Corner

Would you please tell me where Pooh Corner is? I'm thinking Fantasyland? I've looked, and I can not seem to find that info anywhere. Thanks!

 

[Blue32]

Yup, just saw that- sorry!! For DLR, we would do Ralph Brennan’s jazz kitchen.

Would you please tell me where Pooh Corner is? I'm thinking Fantasyland? I've looked, and I can not seem to find that info anywhere. Thanks!

It’s back behind the Winnie the Pooh dark ride and right across from the Splash Mountain exit

 

[DeniseJH]

It’s back behind the Winnie the Pooh dark ride and right across from the Splash Mountain exit

Thank you!

 

[Chickinvic]

The chocolate-caramel marshmallow wands are so much better! Soooooo good. They used to have dark chocolate marshmallow wands that were REALLY good but I have seen those in a while.

My favourite is the Tigger Tail, but there is something for everyone!

 

[DLgal]

So to ask an additional question.... hope that’s ok OP.... which counter service does everyone think is best for a complete meal, not just snacks? Something other than chicken tenders and burgers?

I really like Rancho del Zocalo, Plaza Inn, Flo's V8 Cafe, Paradise Garden Grill (these Mediterranean menu), and French Market. I also really like the GCH Craftsman Grill (former whitewater snacks at the Grand Californian...which is easy access from DCA).

 

[DLgal]

Pretty much all of them. In fact, I'm struggling to think of a counter service place that only serves only burgers and chicken tenders.

There are a few: Hungry Bear, Stagedoor Cafe, Galactic Grill, Smokejumpers Grill. These are primarily burgers and chicken with a salad thrown in on the menu.

 

[nkereina]

We visited DL for the first time in May. We LOVED Café Orleans - pommes frites and monte christo were awesome. Also loved the mac & cheese bread cone from Cozy Cone in DCA. There were some unique-to-DL snacks at Jolly Holiday as well.

 

[JiminyCricket!]

These suggestions have all been super fun to read - and now I can't wait to do my own taste-testing comparing east and west coast park foods! Especially: Tigger Tails. Honestly, I would never have put them on my "must try list" - and now they're at the top. Thank you, everyone!!

 

[DLgal]

These suggestions have all been super fun to read - and now I can't wait to do my own taste-testing comparing east and west coast park foods! Especially: Tigger Tails. Honestly, I would never have put them on my "must try list" - and now they're at the top. Thank you, everyone!!

Tigger Tails are a love it or hate it thing. My whole family hates them. They are just too sickly sweet. The chocolate dipped ones are more balanced. Tigger Tails are literally sugar, dipped in sugar, dipped in more sugar, rolled in sugar.