Review: Lunch at Animal Kingdom’s Flame Tree Barbecue — Including the New FULL Slab of Ribs!

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Considering the many up-and-coming events on the way to Animal Kingdom (kicking off on Memorial Day Weekend), it’s no surprise to see menu changes popping up in several eateries, too.

Animal Kingdom
Disney World Restaurants

We recently checked out the updated menu at DinoLand’s Restaurantosaurus, and we’ll soon be taking a peek at several news items that have shown up at Pizzafari. Today, though, we’re visiting Discovery Island’s Flame Tree Barbecue, which has recently received a menu makeover of its own (this follows up from the spot’s physical makeover last year).

Flame Tree Barbecue is absolutely a crowd favorite when it comes to full meal Counter Service options at Animal Kingdom. Similar to Pizzafari, the name tells you just about everything you need to know regarding the main attraction. Here, it’s barbecue. And I think some of the popularity lies in the fact that you can often pick up on the smoky and tempting fragrance in the air around it, even before you spot the eatery itself!

Flame Tree Barbecue Sign

Flame Tree Barbecue Sign

Once you get there, it can be pretty hard to resist. So let’s waste no time and get into our visit! [Read more…]

Dining in Disneyland: Table Service Dinner at Disneyland’s River Belle Terrace

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Welcome to Disneyland’s newest Table Service eatery, River Belle Terrace!

River Belle Terrace sign

River Belle Terrace sign

Of course, that’s not the whole story… not by a long shot. River Belle Terrace has quite the history in Disneyland, existing under its current name since 1971 (and the location itself operated under other names from the park’s first year). [Read more…]

Review: Lunch at Magic Kingdom’s Tortuga Tavern (Updated BBQ Menu)

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AHOY, me mateys!

Learn About:
Tortuga Tavern
Magic Kingdom
Disney World Restaurants

Are ye ready to join us for some grub and grog while we check out the updated menu over at Tortuga Tavern?

We let you all know a couple of months back that a new menu was being introduced at this seasonally-open spot in Magic Kingdom’s Adventureland. Granted, it wasn’t a huge surprise at the time, considering that Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café had also debuted a new Mexican-based menu of its own that greatly resembled the Tavern’s previous menu.

These days when you find the Tavern open, you’ll instead find barbecue options. Which makes total sense because everyone knows that pirates love nothing more than feasting on brisket and Texas toast or veggie salads while taking a break from all their pirate-y adventures. (I know, I know, there IS some great BBQ in the Caribbean. ;-D)

Tortuga Tavern Sign

Tortuga Tavern Sign

Either way, it’s time to step back into this hangout for land-bound pirates once more. Goodness knows it’s rarely serving, so we need to get it while the gettin’s good! [Read more…]

News: All-New Barbecue Menu Coming to Magic Kingdom’s Tortuga Tavern

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Hot on the heels of the menu changes at Pecos Bill’s comes a shift at another Magic Kingdom Counter Service option: Tortuga Tavern will introduce an all-new Barbecue menu tomorrow!

Learn About:
Tortuga Tavern
Magic Kingdom
Disney World Restaurants

Tortuga Tavern — a seasonally open restaurant in Magic Kingdom’s Adventureland, located across from the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction and themed as a hangout for pirates to grab some grub and grog, previously featured Mexican fare such as Burritos and Rice Bowls.

However, those options — along with a few new dishes such as Fajitas — moved over to Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe earlier this month, replacing the burger-and-barbeque eats the popular counter service spot was known for.

So, what’s a pirate haunt whose menu has been plundered to do but debut a new menu all its own? Beginning tomorrow, October 14th, Tortuga Tavern will reopen with a barbecue-focused menu.

Tortuga Tavern sign

Tortuga Tavern sign

Options will include a Pulled Pork Sandwich served on Texas Toast with Baked Beans and Coleslaw for sides. [Read more…]

Coming Soon! The Smokehouse at Downtown Disney!

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Who’s ready for some BARBEQUE?!

We sure are, and the folks at The Smokehouse are almost ready, too!

House of Blues The Smokehouse

House of Blues The Smokehouse

What’s “The Smokehouse,” you ask? It’s the soon-to-be-open Quick Service location at House of Blues in Downtown Disney, Orlando.

The panels covering the construction have just come down, and the sign below is evidence of all-things-scrumptious to come!

The Smokehouse is Coming Soon!

The Smokehouse is Coming Soon!

Located in Downtown Disney’s West Side, House of Blues is already home to Crossroads, a table service location featuring Creole cuisine and [Read more…]

What’s The Best Walt Disney World Park for Dining?

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There is so much to love about the parks of Walt Disney World.

What's the Best Disney World Park for Dining?

The rides and attractions. The sense of history — both in the parks, and the memories that we’ve all made in them. The incredible themeing that greets you at every turn.

But of course, what do we love the most? The FOOD!

I’m serious about eating when I’m in Disney parks. And I know you are, too! But which Disney World park is the best when it comes time for eating?

This is a question I get asked a LOT; and it’s always tough to make a choice. Sure — Epcot has the largest number of fantastic restaurants, but there are some snacks that can’t be beat in Magic Kingdom; and the other parks offer some not-to-be-missed items, too.

There are some seriously awesome, edible reasons to visit each park — and I’m going to share some of my favorites with you today!

Get ready, because I want to hear your point of view, too! What’s your favorite Walt Disney World Park for Dining…and why?

Magic Kingdom

Eating your way through Magic Kingdom seems to me to be one part fantasy food, and one part pure nostalgia. It would be hard to imagine not carving our a few days on my menu for some of my favorite stops here!

Nutella and Fruit Waffle Sandwich at Sleep Hollow

For brunch or lunch, I can never pass up the chance to have a Waffle Sandwich at Sleepy Hollow Refreshments. Choose from Nutella (!!!) and Fruit, Spicy Chicken, or Ham, Prosciutto, and Swiss.

Seriously delicious — and enormous. I like to get two and split them among friends for a little variety.

Spicy Chicken Waffle Sandwich

We can’t go very far in this conversation though without discussing [Read more…]

News! Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Menu Items Announced

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UPDATE: Check out this updated post featuring MORE menu items and PHOTOS of the food that will be available at the 2013 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival!!
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Awesome news! We reported late last year that the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival would be expanding their specialty food offerings this year. And according to the Orlando Sentinel, there have been a few menu items announced for the highly anticipated Garden Marketplace booths at the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival this year (March 6-May 19)!

For the first time, the Flower and Garden Festival will offer multiple food booths featuring regional goodies from the United States and some of the World Showcase countries.

Menu Items Will Include:

  • Shrimp and Stone Ground Grits with Andouille Sausage, fresh Zellwood Corn, Tomatoes and Cilantro
  • Angel Food Cake with macerated Florida Berries
  • Watermelon Salad with Pickled Red Onions
  • Baby Arugula, Feta Cheese and Balsamic Reduction
  • Sweet “Frushi” made with Fresh Fruits and Coconut Rice
  • Nonalcoholic drinks will include chilled rose blush lemonade and strawberry slush

AND….

Dole Whip with Spiced Rum!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, please!!

The Classic Dole Whip Float Will Get A "Floater" At The Epcot Flower and Garden Festival

Marketplaces Will Include:

To showcase these goodies, 12 specialty themed marketplaces will be set up around Epcot. These will include:

2013 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Will Include Unique Food and Beverages

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The 20th Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival will be in full bloom from March 6 – May 19, 2013 at the Walt Disney World Resort.

And best of all for us Disney food fans, the chefs will create exclusive festival eats at cooking stations around World Showcase – a festival first!

We don’t have a lot of info yet, but the booths may be like last year’s Haiti kiosk where we discovered the tastiest frozen lemonade!

Haiti Booth

While the chefs are creating the menu, we’ll be dreaming about the kind of festival flavors that might be offered at the multiple festival-themed food and beverage kiosks.

For now, we know the menu will include backyard barbecue and a multitude of [Read more…]

Menu Details! Stars and Stripes Celebration at WDW Swan and Dolphin

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The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin resort will celebrate independence with a family-oriented, all-American Stars and Stripes Celebration!

Imagine old-fashioned fun with a live band and carnival-like games as chefs create your family’s barbecue meal in the outdoor Fantasia Gardens Pavilion on Saturday, July 2, 2011 from 3:00 – 8:00 pm.

Summertime Senses

Luckily, we got the chance to speak with Chef Robert Ciborowski (a.k.a. Chef Cib), the Executive Chef at WDW Swan and Dolphin, about the menu for the event!

Robert Ciborowski, Executive Chef

It always amazes me how well the chefs at the Swan and Dolphin know both their craft and their audience, and Chef Cib clearly holds the reigns on creating that culture at the resorts! Check out these details on the food…

What’s the first sense that comes to mind at a barbecue? Smell! According to Chef Cib, “we tried to use that sense as the focal point of what we’re doing.”

To capitalize on this summertime sense of barbecue, the menu will feature all-beef hot dogs, hamburgers, pulled pork and traditional BBQ chicken, as well as some incredible side dishes and desserts that are sure to make your mouth water!

BBQ Chicken:
Chef Ciborowski elaborated on using the [Read more…]

Dining in Disneyland: Big Thunder Ranch BBQ Review

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Happy Cinco de Mayo!! Dining in Disneyland columnist Heather Sievers is back with more buckets of food ;-) Check out this Big Thunder Ranch BBQ review, then go check out a few more of her columns here.

Big Thunder Ranch BBQ

In my household, there has always been controversy surrounding the Big Thunder Ranch BBQ. We’ve been on and off supporters of it for about 15 years. The controversy? Over the years, it’s been good, it’s been bad, it’s moved around (for a while BBQ was being served at the Rancho del Zocalo location), it’s even been non-existent. We passed it by for the last few years and recently we decided to give it another chance. I’m happy to report that we are once again supporters.

Welcome Sign

Welcome Sign

Big Thunder Ranch BBQ is located in the corridor just outside of Fantasyland as you are entering Frontierland. There are no rides directly around it, making it a quiet area where you can get away from [Read more…]