Top 5 Restaurants at WDW

dsmith51

Member
Skipper Canteen

Oh yes, I loved this place in Adventureland in the Magic Kingdom! I ordered a dish that contained cilantro and the server came by my table and asked me what I was doing, and I said, "picking off the cilantro" (I can't stand the stuff), and although she offered to take it back and replace my meal with something else, I said it was OK and that I'd pick it all off and still eat what was left. For my trouble, she gave me a Fastpass! After my dinner, I was personally escorted around the restaurant for a fun and very humourous "tour guide" who cracked jokes with me and other diners as we were walking around. When we got to the room with the big China cabinet, he turned to me and said, "This is our Great Wall of China"... cracked me up!!! Kind of like being on the Jungle Cruise being subject to all those one-line groaners!


I've opted to add a few pictures of the event (hosted on my own website). Enjoy!
 
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dsmith51

Member
For me, I would have to say (not in order), and the reasons why:

1) Whispering Canyon Cafe at AKL, because I love the way that the food comes to you and the "entertainment" provided while you're waiting for your meal, especially breakfast. One time I was there and ordered something that came with hash browned potatoes. In response to asking for ketchup, the server put his hands up to each side of his mouth, and yelled at the top of his lungs, "Where's the ketchup???" Moments later, I had about 15 bottles of ketchup on my table! Such a unique and hilarious experience that you would probably never get anywhere else!

2) Prime Time 50's Cafe at DHS. This charming 50's-style restaurant has the look and feel of your grandmother's kitchen. Each table has its own Formica top and if you're lucky enough to get one with your own television set, you can watch clips from reruns like The **** van **** Show, I Married Joan, Dennis the Menace, Father Knows Best, and The Real McCoys while you're enjoying your lunch or dinner. Grandma may even come out and tell you to get your elbows off the table, or to eat everything on your plate!

3) Skipper Canteen in the Magic Kingdom for all the reasons listed above in my previous post.

4) Brown Derby at DHS. I had the cobb salad here and it was by far the best cobb salad I've ever eaten! Plus, it has its own uniqueness. Loved all the photos and caricatures of movie stars on the walls!

5) One other restaurant sticks out in my mind. It is one that will allow you to personally interact with the server, especially when he or she takes the time to actually talk to you about what's on the menu, or to sit down with you and help you with your selection. A great example of this one was Chef Art Smith's at Disney Springs. My server was very funny, knowledgeable, knew everything on the menu and on the liquor menu. He helped me select the catfish, which I'd never had before and this became one of my top favourite restaurants.

Honourable mention: Olivia's Cafe at Old Key West... great for their apple crumble! (Psssst... best in the World!) :)
 
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danyoung56

Well-Known Member
Kind of like being on the Jungle Cruise being subject to all those one-line groaners!

On my first visit to the Skipper Canteen my waiter didn't quite understand how to do the schtick. He asked me at one point if I'd like a Fastpass to the evening's fireworks show. When I said yes, he threw a straw at me (didn't understand it then, don't understand it now!).
 

Simba’s Mom

Active Member
Oh yes, I loved this place in Adventureland in the Magic Kingdom! I ordered a dish that contained cilantro and the server came by my table and asked me what I was doing, and I said, "picking off the cilantro" (I can't stand the stuff), and although she offered to take it back and replace my meal with something else, I said it was OK and that I'd pick it all off and still eat what was left. For my trouble, she gave me a Fastpass! After my dinner, I was personally escorted around the restaurant for a fun and very humourous "tour guide" who cracked jokes with me and other diners as we were walking around. When we got to the room with the big China cabinet, he turned to me and said, "This is our Great Wall of China"... cracked me up!!! Kind of like being on the Jungle Cruise being subject to all those one-line groaners!

OK, now I'm SURE I have to go to Skipper Canteen on my next trip. I love Jungle Cruise, and especially the corny jokes. What do you recommend to eat there? I don't like anything spicy. I really like salads, and I see they have an entree salad there. Also, the chicken looks interesting.
 

JoeT63

Well-Known Member
California Grill (never miss it, and it's always great)
Tiffins
San Angel Inn (apparently not a popular selection, but the mole is really good...and I'm a Texan!)
Liberty Tree (comfort food)
Narcoosee's

Honorable mention to Kona Cafe for Tonga Toast, cuz duh.
 

BoarderPhreak

Well-Known Member
That's a BIG "depends." Overall on property, or in the (or specific) resorts or parks? Here are some recommendations, property-wide:

Le Cellier (Canada)
Shula's (Dolphin)
Japan Dining (Japan)
Saana (AKL)
Flying fish (Boardwalk)
Victoria & Albert's (GFR)
Tiffins (AK)
 

dsmith51

Member
OK, now I'm SURE I have to go to Skipper Canteen on my next trip. I love Jungle Cruise, and especially the corny jokes. What do you recommend to eat there? I don't like anything spicy. I really like salads, and I see they have an entree salad there. Also, the chicken looks interesting.

I found the menu online (hoping the mods will allow me to post the link): https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/e...gdom/jungle-navigation-skipper-canteen/menus/

I can't recommend anything I haven't tried. The menu looks a little different from the time I went. I think my meal was the Crispy Fried Chicken with Jasmine Rice (also in the picture I posted). I found the Chili Glaze a little spicy, and I'm not a huge fan of spicy food either but it was pretty mild.

My best advice, go in, enjoy the experience, and try something you've never tried before. It could become one of your favourite restaurants!
 

larryz

I'm Just A Tourist!
Premium Member
In no particular order, a few places I wouldn't miss trying at least once...
The Yaking Yeti
Brown Derby
Skipper's Canteen
Tokyo Dining
50's Prime Time
 

larryz

I'm Just A Tourist!
Premium Member
I don't think the food at 50's Prime Time is especially good, but it's a very fun environment.
My group had the fried chicken, the meatloaf, the roast beast and the pork shank and there wasn't any food left on anybody's plate (so we got to order dessert).
 

awoogala

Well-Known Member
For me, I would have to say (not in order), and the reasons why:

1) Whispering Canyon Cafe at AKL, because I love the way that the food comes to you and the "entertainment" provided while you're waiting for your meal, especially breakfast. One time I was there and ordered something that came with hash browned potatoes. In response to asking for ketchup, the server put his hands up to each side of his mouth, and yelled at the top of his lungs, "Where's the ketchup???" Moments later, I had about 15 bottles of ketchup on my table! Such a unique and hilarious experience that you would probably never get anywhere else!

2) Prime Time 50's Cafe at DHS. This charming 50's-style restaurant has the look and feel of your grandmother's kitchen. Each table has its own Formica top and if you're lucky enough to get one with your own television set, you can watch clips from reruns like The **** van **** Show, I Married Joan, Dennis the Menace, Father Knows Best, and The Real McCoys while you're enjoying your lunch or dinner. Grandma may even come out and tell you to get your elbows off the table, or to eat everything on your plate!

3) Skipper Canteen in the Magic Kingdom for all the reasons listed above in my previous post.

4) Brown Derby at DHS. I had the cobb salad here and it was by far the best cobb salad I've ever eaten! Plus, it has its own uniqueness. Loved all the photos and caricatures of movie stars on the walls!

5) One other restaurant sticks out in my mind. It is one that will allow you to personally interact with the server, especially when he or she takes the time to actually talk to you about what's on the menu, or to sit down with you and help you with your selection. A great example of this one was Chef Art Smith's at Disney Springs. My server was very funny, knowledgeable, knew everything on the menu and on the liquor menu. He helped me select the catfish, which I'd never had before and this became one of my top favourite restaurants.

Honourable mention: Olivia's Cafe at Old Key West... great for their apple crumble! (Psssst... best in the World!) :)

they must hate us, or we have bad luck. after years of going, we finally went to 50's...and got..nothing. food was awful, no special interaction, felt like an awful diner.
we went to whispering canyon, and..nothing. we even tried every trick.. but nothing, no interaction. we got a few ketchups. food was ,well yuck.
brown derby. worst meal we've had at wdw. the cobb salad was. soggy, and terrible. the drinks were ok. no one was impressed.
love skipper, but if they ask if you've been there before and you say "yes!" excitedly, they stop telling jokes. :(
 

UNCgolf

Well-Known Member
My group had the fried chicken, the meatloaf, the roast beast and the pork shank and there wasn't any food left on anybody's plate (so we got to order dessert).

I didn't mean to say it was bad -- I don't think the food is the best among the in-park restaurants, but it's certainly not among the worst either. It's good enough that it's worth eating there for the combo of the food and the setting.
 

MikeyK72

Well-Known Member
Cal Grill
VIa Napoli
Le Cellier
Raglan Road
Yachtsman

Edit: trying Topolino's Terrace and Jiko for first time in April so will let you know after!

In January, Topolino's Terrace offered a braised lamb shank that was absolutely amazing! Can't say it will still be there in April as menus change quite frequently.
 

SpiteriFam

Active Member
I would add Crystal Palace. All the windows make for a beautiful setting, the characters and the procession are great, and the meat was lovely!
 

dsmith51

Member
Really like Garden Grill. The beef in particular was fantastic and the revolving is a nice gimmick

I've never been to the Garden Grill, although I know where it is, in the Land Pavilion. I've seen it, walked by it, and enjoyed looking at all the people meeting with the characters during their meal. The problem is, this restaurant is always full, and always hard to get a reservation at any time of day, and it's not a place you'd go to if you want a nice quiet sit down meal (meaning it's very noisy). One of these days before I kick the bucket, I'll get there, just for the sake of having said I've eaten there.
 

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