Snack stands and counter service/grab-and-go food recommendations.

[WithEerieEyes]

Sorry to start another thread with one going about reservations! Basically, heard a lot of good things about casual dining items of all sorts so figured I'd mine for ones I haven't heard about or may not know even exist in the four parks. Will be staying at Port Orleans Riverside, any special things/good bits from the food court there of merit?

My current list of things wanting to try that are just of the 'go up and get them on a whim' type category: Sleepy Hollow chicken and waffle 'sandwich', Starring Rolls cupcakes at DHS, Gaston's counter pork shank, the famous school bread at Norway, pastries from the new France bakery location. Am of course familiar with the perennial favorite Dole whip and such products from Disneyland, so that's not 'new'. Are there any casual, tasty grab-and-go vendors for Asian food at Epcot not during Food and Wine? And any place recommended for a quality pretzel?

Thanks in advance for all recommendations and answers to specific queries!

 

[Bairstow]

It's not EPCOT, but at Animal Kingdom Anandapur Local Food Cafes offers a large carton of beef lo mein for $11. It's not really a snack but you can easily eat it on the go.
Last time we were there we didn't want to burn time on lunch and were about to park-hop, so we bought an order and split it while walking back to Oasis Gardens.
Pretty tasty, but very salty.

Can't recommend Lotus Blossom cafe at EPCOT.

At MGM, Min and Bill's frankfurter in a pretzel roll is pretty darn good, as is their Italian sausage.

Try the pork shank at Gaston's if you must, but I wasn't too impressed with mine after the first couple bites.
IMHO they really need some condiments on hand, so if you're going to try one you might want to drop by Pinocchio's Village Haus and grab a couple packets of pepper and mustard.

 

[WithEerieEyes]

It's not EPCOT, but at Animal Kingdom Anandapur Local Food Cafes offers a large carton of beef lo mein for $11. It's not really a snack but you can easily eat it on the go.
Last time we were there we didn't want to burn time on lunch and were about to park-hop, so we bought an order and split it while walking back to Oasis Gardens.
Pretty tasty, but very salty.

Can't recommend Lotus Blossom cafe at EPCOT.

At MGM, Min and Bill's frankfurter in a pretzel roll is pretty darn good, as is their Italian sausage.

Try the pork shank at Gaston's if you must, but I wasn't too impressed with mine after the first couple bites.
IMHO they really need some condiments on hand, so if you're going to try one you might want to drop by Pinocchio's Village Haus and grab a couple packets of pepper and mustard.

Thanks very much for this advice! Will definitely scoop up some mustard in case with the pork shank to 'aid' the flavor if needed. That frankfurter sounds good, is Min and Bill's near Gertie? (which is where I am picturing it).

 

[Bairstow]

Thanks very much for this advice! Will definitely scoop up some mustard in case with the pork shank to 'aid' the flavor if needed. That frankfurter sounds good, is Min and Bill's near Gertie? (which is where I am picturing it).

Yes. It's on the opposite side of Echo Lake.

 

[englanddg]

Yes. It's on the opposite side of Echo Lake.

Just note, it's not open all the time. I go in August every year (still "busy" season) and I only recall seeing it or Gerty's open less than a handful of times.

They have a pretzel dog there though that is pretty good (as mentioned).

 

[zurgandfriend]

There is always the world famous turkey leg.

 

[Weather_Lady]

I've heard great things about the design-your-own-pasta dish from the PORS food court. It's reputed to be fresh and a huge, shareable portion of food for the money.

 

[disneygirl1024]

The design your own pasta at PORS is awesome and you really get too much!

 

[Darkzeid25]

The beignets at Riverside and French Quarter's food court are amazing. Last time we would get them early with coffee, and then have breakfast an hour or so later.
Sommerfest in the Germany pavilion is probably your best bet for a great pretzel.

 

[deanaandrich]

There are jalapeño cheese stuffed pretzels available at both AK and Epcot.

 

[WithEerieEyes]

I've heard great things about the design-your-own-pasta dish from the PORS food court. It's reputed to be fresh and a huge, shareable portion of food for the money.

Thank you and disneygirl both for this tip, shall have to look into it! Greatly appreciated.

 

[WithEerieEyes]

The beignets at Riverside and French Quarter's food court are amazing. Last time we would get them early with coffee, and then have breakfast an hour or so later.
Sommerfest in the Germany pavilion is probably your best bet for a great pretzel.

A well-made beignet is definitely worth having, excellent advice, thank you!

 

[WithEerieEyes]

There are jalapeño cheese stuffed pretzels available at both AK and Epcot.

Good to know, I do like the Disneyland Coke Corner 'standard' jalapeno pretzel so presuming this is a variation of that one (Mickey head shaped or not). Thanks!

 

[luv]

Honestly, OP, if I were going to waste the calories, I'd get better things than Disney serves up. I tried many thing people recommend, like the Strawberry Shortcake at Sunshine Seasons...most of it isn't worth the calories. The Shortcake is typical, like you'd get in a hospital cafeteria. That Magic Cookie Bar was...eh. Okay. I'd save my indulging for yummier food at home.

I've heard great things about the design-your-own-pasta dish from the PORS food court. It's reputed to be fresh and a huge, shareable portion of food for the money.

I am not up on how fresh it is, but can attest to the huge portions. I don't think anyone could finish all the food they give you. Maybe that guy on TV who gets paid to travel around eating massive amounts of food. Maybe he could!

But most people couldn't finish it. If you eat normal portions, it is totally shareable, as are most things at WDW.

It's a little greasy.

 

[dancingelkhound]

I found the create your own pasta very greasy. The amount of oil they put in the pan was unbelievable, maybe four or five times what was needed. Thankfully I was full after about a quarter of my portion, because the grease collecting at the bottom of the box was pretty horrifying.

I'd second the AK Anandapur Local Cafes. Their honey chicken is amazing, and comes in a box so you could easily eat it whilst walking.

 

[jw24]

In Epcot, while I can't recommend the China pavilion based on my experiences, I've been told Katsura Grill in Japan is a decent option for CS. Not really a grab and go per say but there are good options there. Otherwise, I've been told to head to Kimonos at the Dolphin and Swan Hotel if you're a big fan of sushi. It's a sushi bar basically.

As for pretzels, Fife and Drum Tavern in American Adventure is where to find the special jalapeno cheese or cream cheese pretzels at Epcot. But if you want a regular one, I'd say Germany in Epcot. They do offer Mickey head pretzels, too that should be found in all four parks.

 

[jlsHouston]

There are jalapeño cheese stuffed pretzels available at both AK and Epcot.

Yah and if you get the jalepeno one have water handy in case the chilies they used are on the spicy side...

 

[jlsHouston]

Here are a few of the things I like from the qs places I have been and the snack stands:

the sugar or the strawberry crepe from the kiosk in front of France at Epcot
the pot stickers over at the China Pavillion
I admit to eating the turkey legs too, I think they are at the American pavillion kiosk at Epcot but I have always gotten them at MK over in frontierland
the jalepeno and cheese pretzel from the kiosk at AK, and mine was spicy and I eat spicy food so have a water bottle handy
I love the pork nachos at Captain Cooks which is the qs place at the POLY
I love the steak salad they have on the lunch offerings at Gasperillas which is the qs place at the GF
I like a slice a pizza from the pizza window at the BWI

I went to POFQ qs place this summer and tried the beignets and didn't really like them...compared to Cafe du monde in NOLA and David's New Orleans Style Sno Cones in PCB....they were kinda uck

and thanks to this thread you started I now have a list of some other snacks an qs places I want to try on my upcoming trip

 

[DisneyDelirious]

Sommerfest at the Germany pavillion in Epcot. Brat and pretzel roll.

Funnel cakes from the stand by FOLTK in AK.

Preime Mickey Ice Cream bar are available everywhere and a must have daily for my wife.

There are some awesome cinnamon/ sugar roasted nuts by the BAH at DHS. Those things are an addiction for me.

It's messy, and a rookie could get lost, but I can stroll the park with my face hidden behind a hotdog from Casey's

Kaki Gori sp? (Shaved ice) from Japan Pavillion stand.

As you can see I can pretty much graze like a cow around World Showcase.

Those are some I think of off the top of my head.

 

[Innkeeper's Club]

If you visit the Boardwalk I would recommend Boardwalk To Go. It's located right across from Seashore Sweets and if you order any of their "basket meals" a soft drink of your choice is included.