tcool123
Well-Known Member
For today’s question, we’re gonna be listing our top 4 favorite dining locations. These can be within the parks, or resorts, or elsewhere on property (Disney Springs, Downtown Disney, etc).
Honorable Dishes:
I can't say the whole restaurant is my favorite however specific dishes are amongst my top recommendations:
- Chicken and Waffles at the Grand Floridian Café: Surprisingly delicious as they come with a spicy honey drizzle, but it is only available during Breakfast and Lunch. I also don't care for the theming of the Grand Floridian, and rather spend less time there.
- Loaded Mac n Cheese at Steakhouse 71 - Lounge: One of the best mac and cheeses I've had while in my time up here in Orlando, and the Orange Sherbet Sunrise Cocktail was a refreshing delight.
- Banana Split at Beaches and Cream: I have yet to actually eat their food, but their banana split was delicious! It was a hefty serving and the price was very reasonable, it was a perfect treat to end off my first Valentine's Day date with my boyfriend.
- Tostada de Pollo at Choza de Margarita: The best Mexican-style tostada I have had hands down, and recently I discovered if I go into the nearby Cantina de San Angel to top it all with some of their red sauce it is even better. Much like the last entry this is a kiosk, and I simply can't say this is my favorite restaurant.
- Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese at ABC Commissary Lane: Everyone, I would like to give a round of applause to Hollywood Studios for getting decent, and great tasting food in this case. The sandwich is cooked with some sort of garlic butter, while the buffalo sauce isn't too salty and plenty of chicken to be had. Also the fries are top notch Disney fries as they are steak fries, and a perfect vehicle for utilizing the provided dipping sauce.
- Buffalo Chicken Chips at Trilo-Bites: Hands down my go to meal/snack at Animal Kingdom. Dinoland is often ignored while talking about food, but I find that the quality of this dish is consistently high. I however can't say in good faith that a kiosk is my favorite restaurant because it isn't. This is also a great value because for under $10 you can get pretty full from this.
- Waffle Fries at The Polite Pig: In my opinion the best waffle fries, and it is honestly a vehicle for the incredible sauces that the Polite Pig maintains. I have to go back one day and commit to a meal, not just fries.
- Croquetas de Pollo de Pepe/Jaleo: Son las croquetas de pollo más ricas que yo comido, bueno después de las croquetas que cocina mi abuela, jajajaja!
Top Four:
4. Blue Bayou - Monte Cristo and a Mint Julep while watching the boats sail by, name a more relaxing time while escaping the crowds in Disneyland.
3. Crystal Palace - I know what you may be thinking, tcool this is a character meal, they're typically overpriced and lackluster. Well that's only have true! While this remains to be overpriced, the restaurant received an updated menu for the 50th with many items sticking around afterwards. This updated menu is very tasty and an improvement over what they had there in the past, I recommend giving it a shot. I will add that there is bias with it being a tradition in my family that our first time in a year visiting MK with everyone present to eat at Crystal Palace.
2. Chef Art Smith's Homecomin' - While for the most part many of the Disney Springs restaurant tend to disappoint, Homecomin' is the exception. Whenever I am able to snag a reservation I will gladly be there to enjoy those Thigh High Chicken Biscuits which is honestly one of my favorite meals I've had on property.
1. Boma: Flavors of Africa - I am not the biggest fan of buffets, but Boma is just different. The theming is top notch - which is to be expected with it being housed at Animal Kingdom Lodge, and you can meander throughout the property afterwards to help in meal digestion while admiring the safari. Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner it doesn't matter every meal is a homerun here.
The Former "Greats":
A bonus section of where I used to hold these restaurants in high regards, but in recent visits a serious slip in quality has occurred.
Trattoria al Forno: Before we went to Beaches and Cream for dessert, my boyfriend and I celebrated Valentine's Day here with dinner. I was extremely disappointed with the quality and portions provided for the entire experience. I had eaten their twice less than a year prior, and both times left thinking how it was one of the best restaurants on property. This is no longer the case! Between the bread changing to be small knots, overcooked calamari, and tough chicken I have decided to not return. I can't remember what my boyfriend had, but he said it was mediocre as well.
Sebastian's Bistro: Before Covid it was all a la carte, but now it is a family style. My body cannot digest some meats, and I simply can't justify the price to eat just chicken. That said it is an excellent restaurant, and is one of the best on property - just no longer one of my favorite. The guava butter and onion jam for the bread in particular are standouts.