What do we HAVE to eat?

[Erica1016]

In two weeks, we're headed to DLR for the first time. We have several trips to WDW under our belt, but it'll be a whole new world for us at DLR.

We'll only have two days - one at each park - so we don't plan on taking the time for table service meals this trip. There's just me and DH, no kids. We usually aim for two meals/day. We're willing to share and go to multiple places so we can try more things.

My question to the group: What counter-service places and/or snacks do we need to add to our "must-do" list?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Cheshirepotamus]

Just returned from my first DL trip as a WDW vet! It was definitely a little strange feeling, but excellent! My favorite snacks were the safari skewer at Bengal BBQ and the lemon bumblebee cupcake at Hungry Bear. I'm not even a cupcake fan, but that frosting was perfectly sweetened and so light. I also admittedly ate Dole Whip for dinner one day My biggest disappointment was the pumpkin creme brulee from Jolly Holiday. Sounded great, but too runny and too much crust. Caprese sandwich from there was great though.

 

[tksbaskets]

In two weeks, we're headed to DLR for the first time. We have several trips to WDW under our belt, but it'll be a whole new world for us at DLR.

We'll only have two days - one at each park - so we don't plan on taking the time for table service meals this trip. There's just me and DH, no kids. We usually aim for two meals/day. We're willing to share and go to multiple places so we can try more things.

My question to the group: What counter-service places and/or snacks do we need to add to our "must-do" list?

Thanks in advance!

"Must do" As a WDW vet I must say that the food at DL is not nearly as plentiful as WDW. I'll tell you where we like to go (all adults):

Breakfast CS:
DL- Liberty Bell Terrace
DCA - Flo's V8 Cafe

Lunch/Dinner:
DL: Hungry Bear for Fried Green Tomato Sandwich, Plaza Inn for Fried Chicken, Corn Dog cart

DCA: Flo's V8 Cafe, Paradise Garden Grill (YUM), Corn Dog Palace

I agree with this article: http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201408/4180/
Hope this helps.

TK

 

[krispin41]

My favorites:

Something in a cone (I like the chili) from and Red's Apple Freeze Cozy Cone Motel
Gumbo in a Bread Bowl in NOS or Pomme Frittes at Cafe Orleans
CHURRO!

Dole Whip of course.

We also like the pasta dishes at Pizza Port in Tomorrowland

I liked my meal at Flo's too, but I hear the menu has changed.

And if it's your first time at DL, a meal at the Blue Bayou is a must.

 

[SweetAlex]

Our family favorites are churros (duh), pretzel and cheese bites and soft serve from Cozy Cone and breakfast at Flo's. Yum... so excited to eat it all in a week!

 

[mousecrazy]

Bread bowl at the Pacific Wharf Cafe (DCA)...sourdough bread is baked on site. You can ask for the soup on the side and save the bread bowl for later. You can also ask for butter. Yum.

 

[disneyobsessed808]

Fried Chicken from Plaza Inn! I will never stop singing its praises!

 

[figment_jii]

Meals at DLR are different than at WDW; there are fewer locations, but there is a lot of variety packed into the parks. With only two days, I can see where you'd skip TS locations, but I will say that you are missing out. DLR has a lot of really good TS locations.

Disneyland
-Jolly Holiday is one of my "go to" location for a CS meal. I really like the Jolly Holiday Salad and the Roast Beef sandwich. The JH also has really good desserts (I highly recommend the Mickey Rose Macaron).
-French Market is my other "go to" location for a CS meal in DL. The beef stew is vary flavorful (although a little small) and the Na'wlins salad is very good. They also have good desserts (e.g., Sally Coffin Cake or other seasonal offerings) and Disneyland's Mint Julep (it's a love it or hate it kind of thing).
-Plaza Inn is well known for their fried chicken. It's very tender and moist.
-Hungry Bear has a good Salad (Big Al's) and the Crispy Chicken Sandwich is pretty good.
-Rockett Redd's Pizza Port has good salads.
-Dole Whip and Dole Whip floats are available at the Tiki Bar.

California Adventure - I tend to eat less CS here
-Pacific Wharf has a wide variety of options (Chinese, Mexican, Boudin's). Nothing has really wow'd me here, but it wasn't awful either.
-Boardwalk Pasta & Pizza has some good flatbreads.
-Paradise Grill has special seasonal menu for Viva Navidad.

If you want one semi-TS meal, I highly recommend Carthay Circle Lounge. It serves small plates and they're very good (I highly recommend the lobster pad thai roll). It's a lounge, so it's not a typical table service meal (it can be faster).

Don't forget the snacks...popcorn, churros, and pretzels, which are available at carts all over the parks!

Downtown Disney - there are some CS-type locations in DTD that are worth condisering.
-Earl of Sandwich has good sandwiches, but the lines can be long.
-Jazz Kitchen Express has salads and other New Orleans inspired foods.

 

[Cate2020]

I'm CRAZY about the mint juleps! They are non-alcoholic and super refreshing! You can get them at the Mint Julep bar. I recommend the Mickey biegnets too. Yummy!!!

 

[cmpeter]

CS - I try to always get a salad in a bread bowl from Pacific Wharf Cafe (I get the bread on the side and order the Shrimp Louie.)

Then skewers from Bengal BBQ at DL and a corn dog at DCA.

 

[Aladora]

Fried Chicken from Plaza Inn! I will never stop singing its praises!

This, totally this!

 

[GatorChris]

We did the Gibson Girl ice cream on Main Street...twice. There's just something about putting Cookies&Creme into a chocolate covered waffle cone. I had that for lunch on my last day and it was gooooooood.

 

[aprincessatlast]

Corn Dog would be at the top for me!

Fried Chicken at Plaza a close second.

For a sweet we like the tigger tail at DL sounds gross but really is good!

WDW used to have so many must get food items but now with all the streamlining of food they did a few years back there are such few unique items. DL however has not lost the touch and there are so many unique items.

 

[jammyjam25]

The Disney Parks Blog posted this today - http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2014/11/plan-the-merriest-feast-on-earth-at-disneyland-resort/ for all of your seasonal food needs! I know I'll definitely be using it to plan some of my "must haves" for my trip next week!

 

[SplashMo]

If you have a night before the parks you could hit the Napa Rose Chef's table. My fav counter service is French Market. Only because I like to eat healthy. My fav counter service on hot days are ones inside such as Taste Pilots Grill in DCA and Pizza Port in DL. Weird thing is that many places in DL are not air conditioned and / or have somewhat limited seating... Inside areas are all air conditioned but some have outdoor seating.

I would break your rule and eat at the Blue Bayou at 11:30 AM. This is a nice break from the rope drop and a nice place to sit and rejuvenate. I would also recommend park hopers and hoping between parks each day.

 

[AZMermaid]

We love the pasta at Pizza Port and the soup in a bread bowl from the bread place in DCA, so yummy but lines get long here. I also love the Mediterranean stuff at Paradise Grill, but DH just isn't a fan of this type of food. But, the pizza place is next door and there is plentiful seating here!

 

[Erica1016]

Thanks, everyone. Those are definitely some great suggestions. Thanks for the links, too!

We're getting really excited....15 days!

 

[dsneygirl]

We just got back (and we are huge WDW vets). I think in many ways DL has better options. So much variety.

We did lunch at the Plaza and were in and out in 40 min for only a little more than QS prices. Dh had a burger and I had the famous baked potato soup.

Pacfic Wharf I did twice. Once for chowder, once for brocoli cheese. I believe it was $9.99 and more than enough for me.

At Boardwalk Pizza I had a chicken casear which was huge ($9.99) and a pasta once night also huge and $9.99. Next door had some great Mexican platters for about $11-$12 including rice, beans etc.

I was also really impressed with the Dole Whip line. It was easily 20 people deep and I got through in 7 minutes. WDW really needs a lesson here.

 

[Derb]

I was lucky enough to go to Disneyland for a convention recently, and had a short list of must-do's, and I got them all. A special effects drink with collectable mug from Trader Sam's at the Disneyland Hotel, beignets from Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen Express, veggie burrito from the Tacqueria, and a turkey holiday sandwich from Earl of Sandwich, all in Downtown Disney. And at Disneyland, at the Jolly Holiday Bakery, the special: grilled cheese and tomato soup with Practically Perfect Punch. But I forgot the Matterhorn Macaroon!

 

[WendyWhy]

Surprised no one mentioned the Monte Cristo at Cafe Orleans! We didn't originally order one, but kept seeing them served around us so our friend insisted we get one to share - it was heavenly - perfect for sharing too, as it would be really rich for one person! We have never tried the Monte Cristo at Blue Bayou so can't compare - going for the first time in January!

Dole Whip - such a nice light treat - I prefer it to the ice cream cones at Gibson Girl!

At DCA, we randomly had the most delicious fish off the kids' menu at Wine Country Trattoria! It was the special (I don't see it on the menu online) - and my DS6 wolfed it down! My foodie friends were bug eyed! - their kids only eat grilled cheese and mac & cheese

Churros - don't know why but they just taste better at DL than anywhere I have ever had them