Vegetarian at Ohanas

[actress029]

I have a vegetarian in my family and somone who is lactose intolerant. Will Ohana's be able to cater to my needs? Please let me know! Thank you!!

<3

 

[actress029]

k

 

[MissionMouse]

Here is information I ran across awhile back...hope it helps:

Here are some tried and true tips for delicious meatless dining in the Vacation Kingdom.

1) Make your Priority Seating arrangements at the restaurant of your choice at least 24 hours in advance--we recommend at least a week's notice for vegetarian meals (and 60 days or more for WDW's more popular restaurants) -- by calling (407) WDW-DINE (939-3463). Priority Seating arrangements can be made up to 120 days ahead for most restaurants, although Victoria & Albert's Chef's Table reservations can (and should) be made 180 days before.

2) If you're a vegan or on a strict low-fat diet--or would simply like an extra-special vegetarian meal--call the Walt Disney World main switchboard (407) 824-2222 and ask to be transferred to the restaurant of your choice. Once connected, ask to speak directly with a chef, and explain your dietary needs. Have fun brainstorming with the chefs about your special meal. If you give them enough advance notice (usually a week will do), most Disney chefs are more than happy to purchase special items like rice milk, kamut or seitan to make your meal memorable. Remember to get your chef's full name and to let him or her know the date and time of your visit.

3) Check in at the restaurant as soon as the park opens and tell the host that you've made prior arrangements with Chef X for a special vegetarian meal. Be sure the host verifies this before you head off to enjoy the park. If you haven't made prior arrangements, do so now.

4) Upon being seated at the restaurant, let your server know about your special dietary needs. If you've made arrangements with the chef for a meal not usually on the menu, tell the server your name and the name of the chef with whom you spoke.

5) If you have not made any special prior arrangements, a meal can often be prepared for you "on the fly" at table service restaurants. Ask your server if you can speak with a chef at your table. Find out what ingredients are on hand in the kitchen, and have fun being creative with Disney's culinary talent!

6) If you're at a quick service location and a castmember tells you that special meals and substitutions cannot be made, ask to speak with a manager. Nine times out of ten, your needs will be accommodated.

While Ohana should be able to cater to your nedds with advance notice it is afterall a big meat place as you may already know. I would also note that Artist Point and the California Grill are two great places cited for vegetarians.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Originally posted by MissionMouse
Here is information I ran across awhile back...hope it helps:


While Ohana should be able to cater to your nedds with advance notice it is afterall a big meat place as you may already know. I would also note that Artist Point and the California Grill are two great places cited for vegetarians.

And Jiko.

But I'm glad you asked this question, MissionMouse. I've been curious about this as well. Would also love to know what they've done for vegetarians at the Polynesian Luau, Mickeys Backyard BBQ and Hoop de Doo.

 

[seallenz]

I eat fish but not other meat, and a few years ago when we ate at Ohana's, I was just eating the shrimp and sides. When I refused the meat, my husband told the server that I was vegetarian and a few minutes later he came back with a huge pasta dish. I was so full from everything else I couldn't eat it, but they definitely make an effort to accomodate everyone there. The server brought this to me without us asking so I'm sure if you let them know in advance of people's dietary restrictions you would have no problems getting something for everyone to eat there.

 

[actress029]

Thanks, this is good info. Sounds like O'hanas is NOT the place for us though

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Originally posted by actress029
Thanks, this is good info. Sounds like O'hanas is NOT the place for us though

To me, I'm always afraid of going to a place like this and not being able to have an 'entree' of sorts. As a vegetarian, you really get sick of eating salads, steamed vegetables and plain pasta when you go to a restaurant. That's why we like Boma's dinner buffet -- there are so many amazing choices!

 

[djm99]

Believe it or not - Pop Century has some really good Vegetarian Selections. My DH is a Vegetarian and he LOVED the Veggie Lasagna. He claimed it was the best he'd ever had (I was slightly offended about that. They also had veggie burgers. My DH and I had them and they were very good. They had that smoke taste. Although I'm not a Vegetarian, but both were really good. Whether or not those selections were diary free I'm not sure. But you could call.

Here are a few other suggestions....

Vegetarian/Vegan Counter Service Meals in the park

Vegetarian/Vegan Table Service meals in the park

Strategies for Vegetarian Dining at in WDW

 

[Tabetha]

According to the restaurant's page on the Disney website:

This location can accommodate most special dietary needs. Advance notice may be required and cancellation fees may apply. Please indicate any special dietary need at time of priority seating booking.

My sister and I are both vegetarians, and we never had a problem, and we never had to make a meal of side dishes!

When we ate at CRT for dinner, we had three different people with three different dietary needs, and the chef came out and showed us what on the menu would fit our needs, and offered special other options - like wheat free rolls. They really go out of their way to make sure your experience is good.

 

[erikthewise]

While it is best to notify them in advance, you could also ask whether it is possible to order a vegetarian dish from Kona Cafe, which is right next door. They do this on a regular basis with kids meals, and it's probably what they'll do anyway

 

[CheshireVal]

Even if they do cater to veggie needs, I'm not sure Ohana would be the best place for a vegetarian. Because the whole *point* of the meal is the meat skewers, that would just be weird!

 

[behappy]

Ate at 'Ohana Friday evening...DW is has lactose/gluten allergies. The chef came out and discussed all of the selections both from the grill and from the tray of 'finger foods'. As far as I recall, there was nothing that was an issue from the lactose perspective.

In addition, not for my wife, the chef brought out a delicious lo mein dish prepared with many goodies (mushrooms, veggies, tofu, etc). As Erikthewise points out, it may depend on the frame of mind of the individual...some vegetarians are put-off by the thought of eating meat, others simply choose not to eat it and will have no issue with the surroundings.

 

[bavaria]

I agree about the great selection at POP.

At Ohana's there were some of the appetizers, and they brought me a veggie plate which was fried tofu and tempura veggies. Too much fried for my taste, so it was a little disappointing. I didn't really eat a lot there.

Love Concourse Steakhouse, CG, for veggies.

 

[RoLaren]

We just got back and ate at Ohana. My FIL is a vegetarian and he didn't really find anything at all he could feel comfortable eating...even the rice at the table had chicken in it, I felt so bad! Then the waiter came over and said "Cousin, how come you're not eating?" and FIL explained. He said "You wait five minutes, I come back with something special just for you."

He brought back a huge dish with skewers of tofu squares, roasted vegtables. FIL was thrilled.

But I concur about it not being the best choice for vegetarians; I think the overwhelmingly carnivorous atmosphere would unnerve most vegetarians. I mean, skewers of meat everywhere; you might want to reconsider and dine elsewhere.

But if you go, just tell the waiter when you sit down and they should be able to fix you up something great FIL raved about his dish and was stuffed, too much so to order dessert.

Have a great trip!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Originally posted by RoLaren
We just got back and ate at Ohana. My FIL is a vegetarian and he didn't really find anything at all he could feel comfortable eating...even the rice at the table had chicken in it, I felt so bad! Then the waiter came over and said "Cousin, how come you're not eating?" and FIL explained. He said "You wait five minutes, I come back with something special just for you."

He brought back a huge dish with skewers of tofu squares, roasted vegtables. FIL was thrilled.

But I concur about it not being the best choice for vegetarians; I think the overwhelmingly carnivorous atmosphere would unnerve most vegetarians. I mean, skewers of meat everywhere; you might want to reconsider and dine elsewhere.

But if you go, just tell the waiter when you sit down and they should be able to fix you up something great FIL raved about his dish and was stuffed, too much so to order dessert.

Have a great trip!

I'm not sure if the smell of all the meat would agree with my senses. You've made some good points. I'm glad your FIL was able to get a good decent meal here, though.

 

[bavaria]

I should point out that they WERE willing to find me something else, but I just couldn't be bothered since we'd already requested a veggie plate and I didn't want them to trouble to make something else (ie not fried)

As I said elsewhere, I feel that Ohana is less about the food and more about the kids activities - the 3yo loved it, but the rest of us were disappointed. Best part though was watching Wishes with the lights down and music!