DLR Food: Where to eat and where not to!

[rle4lunch]

You forgot our newest secret quick service option, the Cozy Cone! It's two different types of chili cones are some of the best new additions to the park.

And you forgot to add to your DO NOT EAT list, Award Weiners! That place just s u c k s. Long lines, cold food, mediocre taste, high price.

 

[Disneysea05]

Starting next week, Award Wieners at California Adventure will feature Inside Out inspired food and beverages. I'll be checking those out! I've always liked their Portabello and Peppers "Dog".

Angry Hot Dog - Spicy Link with jalapeños, bell peppers, pepper jack cheese and sriracha ketchup on a jalapeño cheddar roll.

Joy Hot Dog - Sweet Italian Sausage with bell peppers, cheddar cheese, honey mustard, bacon bits, and crispy onions.

Fearless Lemonade - Ginger Ale and Lemonade with pineapple, pear and chipotle Flavors.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Starting next week, Award Wieners at California Adventure will feature Inside Out inspired food and beverages. I'll be checking those out! I've always liked their Portabello and Peppers "Dog".

Angry Hot Dog - Spicy Link with jalapeños, bell peppers, pepper jack cheese and sriracha ketchup on a jalapeño cheddar roll.

Joy Hot Dog - Sweet Italian Sausage with bell peppers, cheddar cheese, honey mustard, bacon bits, and crispy onions.

Fearless Lemonade - Ginger Ale and Lemonade with pineapple, pear and chipotle Flavors.

The joy dog sounds delicious!

 

[Disneysea05]

I think that's what I am getting. That sounds the best.

 

[Stevek]

For the most part, I find the food at the parks to be very good with a few exceptions. My recos:

Disneyland
- Cafe Orleans
- Carnation Cafe
- Hungry Bear
- Jolly Holiday
- Corn Dog Cart
- Plaza Inn
And if the mood strikes me, Rancho del Zocalo

DCA
- Carthay
- Pacific Wharf
- Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta...but for the Pasta
- Wine Country Trattoria
- Cocina Cucamonga

There are other reasonably good places for a quick bite but these are just my favorites in the parks

Downtown Disney & Hotels
- Storytellers
- Whitewater Snacks
- Earl of Sandwich
- Napa Rose
- Steakhouse 55
- Trader Sam's...small servings but a few good things...we really go for the drinks and atmosphere

I really wish we would try more stuff in DTD. We've done Rainforest, ESPN, HOB, Jazz Kitchen, Naploli because the kids like the tourist traps (ex Jazz Kitchen) but have yet to try what are probably better places like Catal & Tortilla Joes. I really need to try the latter.

Bottom line, there's a great selection of food at the resort and it's improved dramatically in the 4 decades I've been visiting DL. But would it kill them to bring back Space Mist and Twinkies?

 

[rreading]

Carnation Cafe vs Plaza Inn? Price seems to be about the same...

 

[Californian Elitist]

Carnation Cafe vs Plaza Inn? Price seems to be about the same...

For breakfast, lunch, etc.?

 

[Californian Elitist]

Carnation has a larger menu than Plaza Inn, for what it's worth.

 

[JarretttheGuy]

Carnation TRUMPS the Plaza Inn.

I have no nostalgia in my judgement, as I was an East Coaster growing up so I have no loyalty to Disneyland food.

The Fried Chicken isn't THAT amazing, it's greasy and plain. You get the same product at KFC.

Carnation Cafe has better options and great service.

Tomorrowland Terrace is probably the BEST quick service. The burger isn't spectacular, but the chicken sandwich is excellent. The price is also right.

I do have to say I'm incredibly disappointed in DL food. I've never been wowed by anything.
As a new personal experience I've been trying to be vegetarian during the week, and I had a very difficult time last night.
I wanted the Fried Green Tomato sandwich from Hungry Bear, but forgot that the restaurant closes early.
The veggie skewer at Bengal BBQ is nice, but I wanted a MEAL not a snack.
My lady didn't want gumbo (which I should have insisted on, as I hear the veggie gumbo is quite good) so we went to French Market.

I got the sustainable fish pasta because the only veg option was corn chowder. It was ~$15 for pasta in vodka sauce with overly seasoned (Tony's, I would guess) talapia. No veggies. Boring, too salty, and definitely over priced I can make at that home for four humans for less than $10. (and yes, I know price is higher because costs, labor, ect; I worked in food service for a decade, I know how it goes.) The value/experience is just so low on that meal.

It was basically impossible to find a decent veggie meal, because a Veggie Burger seems to be the only option.
With the wide variety of dishes at most of the restaurants, I'm surprised by the lack of variety for people with alternate food desires.
Maybe there is just not enough desire, but I know WDW does a much better job at this.

WDW does a much better job in general when it comes to food.

I've found that quick service is usually the better choice. Sandwich, churro, turkeyleg, corn dog, ice cream; all that I'm satisfied with both eating and price wise. Sit down, I'm disappointed over and over.

The "warf" food extravaganza at CA does a great job of variety & price satisfaction; but DL just seems to drop the ball.

Maybe when I get more of the sitdown experiences I'll change my mind.
I need to hit up Blue Bayou, Rancho Zolaca, & Big Thunder BBQ.

But packing a lunch is now a must for me.
1: It saves cost.
2: I know I'm going to enjoy it, and I'm not a picky eater!

 

[Californian Elitist]

Anyone who compares Plaza Inn's delicious fried chicken to KFC's monstrosity they call chicken either has never had chicken from either place, or has screwed up taste buds.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Also Tomorrowland Terrace being the best quick service spot? In all of Disneyland? Gosh, NO.

 

[JarretttheGuy]

I've had very different experiences than you.

I'll defend Tomorrowland Terrace, I've not had a poor quality experience, Ive gone there almost every visit for my past dozen or so visits. I've been a passholder for just over a year now, so I go often.

But my one experience with the fried chicken has turned me off it. Maybe it was too hyped?
I'm Southern, I know fried chicken. Plaza Inn? just not that amazing.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Anyone who compares Plaza Inn's delicious fried chicken to KFC's monstrosity they call chicken either has never had chicken from either place, or has screwed up taste buds.

Can I like your post more than once? I can't stand KFC makes me sick every time I have tried it. I'll take the Plaza Inn any day!

 

[Californian Elitist]

I've had very different experiences than you.

I'll defend Tomorrowland Terrace, I've not had a poor quality experience, Ive gone there almost every visit for my past dozen or so visits. I've been a passholder for just over a year now, so I go often.

But my one experience with the fried chicken has turned me off it. Maybe it was too hyped?
I'm Southern, I know fried chicken. Plaza Inn? just not that amazing.

I'm Californian and I know burgers, those made of beef and chicken, and Tomorrowland Terrace just doesn't cut it.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Can I like your post more than once? I can't stand KFC makes me sick every time I have tried it. I'll take the Plaza Inn any day!

Same, girl, same. If we ever get together at the parks, we're going to Plaza LOL.

 

[JarretttheGuy]

I'm Californian and I know burgers, those made of beef and chicken, and Tomorrowland Terrace just doesn't cut it.

Burgers aren't made of chicken... maybe turkey... sometimes beans...

The chicken sandwich is their best product.

TT burger is just ok, they should bring In'n'Out to do it for them and we'd all agree.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Burgers aren't made of chicken... maybe turkey... sometimes beans...

The chicken sandwich is their best product.

TT burger is just ok, they should bring In'n'Out to do it for them and we'd all agree.

A piece of chicken between a bun is a burger, just chicken. I'm cool with calling it a chicken sandwich. My point still stands.

The burgers at Tomorrowland Terrace aren't even okay, in my opinion. They're awful.

In-N-Out in the park is a bad idea. Wouldn't happen anyway, they'd never go for it.

 

[JarretttheGuy]

A piece of chicken between a bun is a burger, just chicken. I'm cool with calling it a chicken sandwich. My point still stands.

The burgers at Tomorrowland Terrace aren't even okay, in my opinion. They're awful.

In-N-Out in the park is a bad idea. Wouldn't happen anyway, they'd never go for it.

It's not a bad idea, they've brought in Starbucks, and while I'm not crazy about Starbucks coffee, it is better than the coffee they were offering!

In-N-Out definitely won't go for it, as they actually pay their employees a great starting wage!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Same, girl, same. If we ever get together at the parks, we're going to Plaza LOL.

Sounds good to me!

 

[PalisadesPkteer]

Anybody know if Blue Bayou is still good. Have not been out to DL since 2007. Some reviews lately have me wondering if BB has gone down hill somewhat. Loved the prime rib there.