Where to eat off property?

[IndayMichelle]

You're the experts!

Where do you eat outside the park? I'm looking for sit down restaurants not too far from DLR. I know some people like the Garden Walk, but I'm looking for local places. There's a PF Changs and Cheesecake Factory everywhere.

I live in Seattle. We don't have In n Out (even though that's fast food), Mimi's, Millie's or Coco's, even though they are chain restaurants. Those places will be on my list. Where else should I go? I'm thinking 5 mile radius? Renting a car works best for me, so it doesn't have to be within walking distance.

I've got at least three more DLR trips in the works this year. I'm taking full advantage of my AP. I wanted to build a list of places I could eat at during my visits.

TIA!

 

[Mugglemama]

If you'll drive about 10-15 minutes (city), you could go to the famous chicken dinner restaurant at Knott's Berry Farm (it's outside the park, you don't have to have a park ticket to eat there...call to see if they take reservations though, because a lot of locals go there and the wait can be long). We went once when we lived nearby (people at work ranted and raved about it). I thought it was good...but it was kind of a difficult place to eat with toddlers due to cramped seating (no room for a high chair). They have a website, check it out.

 

[Ingrid0382]

We signed up for emails from Mimi's Cafe and received a buy one, get one coupon immediately for breakfast meals. The dishes were huge and delicious, and they send out extra coupons for birthdays/anniversarys. It was a a great sit down meal and we ended up being content with snacks for lunch after eating there. It's right next to HoJo.

 

[mouseymommy]

My Dh and I make sure we go to a restaurant called "Slater's 50/50". If you like bacon, this is the place to go. We saw it on the travel channel a couple years ago, and we were hooked! They have burgers that are 50% ground beef, and 50% GROUND BACON!!!! Yes, you heard that right...GROUND BACON!! My DH tried the bacon milk shake, and he said it was awesome too. Like butter pecan. They did have a lot that was bacon free, and it was all really good. They are located in Anaheim hills, and was about 15 minutes away. They have a website with their full menu. OOOHHHH...I can't wait till March so we can go back!

 

[spacemermaid]

Marri's Italian Restaurant is my go-to place for yummy, inexpensive meals out of the Park but still nearby; it's in a small shopping center on Katella, next to the Best Western Pavilions. It's been there forever (well, since the 50s ), but I'd never been there until I saw a flier for it in the lobby at Pavilions. I've never had anything less than an excellent meal there (try the fettuccini with mushrooms!), and they offer free delivery to hotels in the area. Here's a link: http://marrispizza.com/

Also, I second the suggestion for the Chicken Dinner Restaurant at Knott's. Their Sunday brunch isn't talked about much, but I went to it for the first time in December & was not disappointed. It's not walking distance, but there's a city bus (the 460, IIRC) that picks up in front of Disneyland & drops off across the street from Knott's.

 

[IndayMichelle]

If you'll drive about 10-15 minutes (city), you could go to the famous chicken dinner restaurant at Knott's Berry Farm (it's outside the park, you don't have to have a park ticket to eat there...call to see if they take reservations though, because a lot of locals go there and the wait can be long)

Will DEFINITELY do this! I've been to Knott's a few times before. Wish I knew then!

We signed up for emails from Mimi's Cafe and received a buy one, get one coupon immediately for breakfast meals.

Love Mimi's! I didn't know about the coupon. I'll sign up before I go in February.

My Dh and I make sure we go to a restaurant called "Slater's 50/50". If you like bacon, this is the place to go. We saw it on the travel channel a couple years ago, and we were hooked! They have burgers that are 50% ground beef, and 50% GROUND BACON!!!! Yes, you heard that right...GROUND BACON!! My DH tried the bacon milk shake, and he said it was awesome too. Like butter pecan. They did have a lot that was bacon free, and it was all really good. They are located in Anaheim hills, and was about 15 minutes away. They have a website with their full menu. OOOHHHH...I can't wait till March so we can go back!

Yes! I would go here just for the bacon bragging rights!


Keep it coming guys! These are great suggestions. I LOVE the Dis!

 

[IndayMichelle]

Marri's Italian Restaurant is my go-to place for yummy, inexpensive meals out of the Park but still nearby; it's in a small shopping center on Katella, next to the Best Western Pavilions. It's been there forever (well, since the 50s ), but I'd never been there until I saw a flier for it in the lobby at Pavilions. I've never had anything less than an excellent meal there (try the fettuccini with mushrooms!), and they offer free delivery to hotels in the area. Here's a link: http://marrispizza.com/

Also, I second the suggestion for the Chicken Dinner Restaurant at Knott's. Their Sunday brunch isn't talked about much, but I went to it for the first time in December & was not disappointed. It's not walking distance, but there's a city bus (the 460, IIRC) that picks up in front of Disneyland & drops off across the street from Knott's.

I love Italian, especially when it comes with free delivery. And I'll definitely be trying the fried chicken at Knott's. I plan on renting a car when I'm there, so it should be easy!

 

[spacemermaid]

I love Italian, especially when it comes with free delivery. And I'll definitely be trying the fried chicken at Knott's. I plan on renting a car when I'm there, so it should be easy!

Cool I forgot to add: do try the boysenberry pie at Knott's; it's what made them famous!

 

[skiingfast]

This place. Warning it gets busy with workers getting lunch.

http://www.lossanchez.com/

 

[IndayMichelle]

Cool I forgot to add: do try the boysenberry pie at Knott's; it's what made them famous!

Will do! I saw on the website that there's a Pink's at Knott's too! That saves me a looooong late night drive to Melrose for chili dogs!

This place. Warning it gets busy with workers getting lunch.
http://www.lossanchez.com/

Ooooh I'm excited to try this! Nobody has ever suggested a Mexican restaurant to me in Orange County. It's all I eat when I'm in San Diego. Thank you!

My trip for leap day might be a solo trip, with a visit or two from some local friends. I'm excited to do things on my own terms, but I still want a list of things to do and places to go to make sure I keep myself busy.

 

[mouseymommy]

My DH wanted me to tell you about a mexican place called "El Pollo Norteno". We had this delivered to our room last year. It was really good, and quite inexpensive too. We found it in the little magazine they put in the hotel rooms.

 

[SunsetsOnTheBeach]

Ruth's Chris steakhouse is great. They are right off Harbor Blvd.

 

[SunsetsOnTheBeach]

Mimi's is great too. Thanks for the recommendation on joining their eClub! Excited to get B1G1 breakfast next time!

 

[rizzo0904]

I plan on trying Olive Tree...a Middle Eastern place with awesome reviews on line. Not far away, but not walking distance either.

 

[IndayMichelle]

I'm bookmarking all of these on my iPhone so that I have them handy. I'll get to try at least four of them in February and March.

 

[gokdog]

Some really nice places in Downtown Disney or at the resort hotels.

Here is a list of someone's top 10.

http://themeparks.about.com/od/disneyparks/ss/Disneyland-Best-Restaurants.htm

For my family and I, we loved Ralph Brennan's, which is on most list.

 

[IndayMichelle]

Also, I second the suggestion for the Chicken Dinner Restaurant at Knott's. Their Sunday brunch isn't talked about much, but I went to it for the first time in December & was not disappointed.

Do you know if you have to pay for parking if you're going to the shops and restaurants but not the park? Like Downtown Disney?

 

[spacemermaid]

Do you know if you have to pay for parking if you're going to the shops and restaurants but not the park? Like Downtown Disney?

Honestly I don't know; I don't ever drive there myself, and the last time I went with family, we parked in the Knott's parking lot (costs about $12, IIRC)because we were also going to Knott's amusement park. I can't find anything about it on the Knott's website; they do have a customer service phone number,(714) 220-5200), but they only answer during park hours. Hopefully, someone else here on the boards will know...

 

[jlmarr]

Do you know if you have to pay for parking if you're going to the shops and restaurants but not the park? Like Downtown Disney?

They do have free parking for long enough to shop and dine. DW says it's 3 hours, I thought it was less, but I know it's long enough.

 

[gokdog]

They do have free parking for long enough to shop and dine. DW says it's 3 hours, I thought it was less, but I know it's long enough.

You can also validate your parking pass and get an extra two hours. I have also gone over several times, once by about an hour and never have been charged. My DW on a trip where I was semi-working did get charged once, but she forgot to smile