barbecue | the disney food blog

Six Meals that Will Change the Way You Think About Fast Food at Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World is regularly stepping up its food game, and that includes quick service (a/k/a fast food) in its parks and resorts. In fact, some quick service dining is so good, it rivals some of the better table service restaurants in the parks and resorts!

Let’s take a look at six meals that will change the way you think about Fast Food in Walt Disney World!

Cinderella Castle

Satu’li Canteen at Animal Kingdom

When Satu’li Canteen opened in Pandora at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 2017, it ushered in a fabulous era of customizable, healthier quick service options. [Read more…]

News and Review: The Jungle Julep at Bengal Barbecue in Disneyland

By AJ and the DFB Team 4 Comments

Bengal Barbecue is one of our favorite places to pick up a quick and hearty snack in Disneyland. You already know that we can’t get enough of their meat and veggie skewers.

Bengal Barbecue sign

And it’s true: they put just about anything on a stick, with fun names like the Banyan Beef Skewer and the Safari Skewer. (Though we can never resist their stick-free signature, the Tiger Tail). [Read more…]

Review: BBQ Crunch Dog and Fried Bananas at Award Wieners in Disney California Adventure

By AJ and the DFB Team 3 Comments

Award Wieners is an old Hollywood style counter service joint in Disney California Adventure. It’s located in Hollywood Land, which isn’t surprising when you see the sleek art deco exterior.

Award Wieners Exterior

[Read more…]

First Look and Review: The Polite Pig in Disney World’s Disney Springs!

By AJ and the DFB Team 35 Comments

UPDATE: The Polite Pig takes one quick service credit on the Disney Dining Plan. (So glad this was changed!)

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We’re at The Polite Pig, where “Please and Thank You are still magic words!”

Learn About:
The Polite Pig

Disney World Restaurants

The newest fast-casual spot in Disney Springs is now open in the Town Center! The Polite Pig is the latest restaurant venture by James and Julie Petrakis in partnership with James’ brother, Brian. James and Julie Petrakis are the James Beard-nominated owners of The Ravenous Pig and Cask & Larder, both based in Winter Park, Florida (and Brian owns and operates Greens & Grille in Orlando).

Like its big sister, The Ravenous Pig, The Polite Pig focuses on local flavors and ingredients, and the emphasis here is on wood-fired, smoked “Modern Barbecue” with all drinks in the establishment on tap.

So let’s brush up on our manners and mind our p’s and q’s with our very first visit to The Polite Pig!

The Polite Pig

Atmosphere

Coming from the World of Disney Store in the Marketplace, head towards Amorette’s Patisserie in the Town Center. You’ll find The Polite Pig just a few more steps from there. Another landmark for you: it’s directly to the right of the stairs coming down from the Lime Parking Garage. [Read more…]

News: The Polite Pig Set to Open Monday, April 10th in Disney Springs

By AJ 7 Comments

The dining landscape in Disney Springs continues to evolve, and we’re preparing to welcome another new restaurant to the scene as The Polite Pig opens in the Town Center this coming Monday, April 10th!

The Polite Pig

James and Julie Petrakis are a husband and wife team who own The Ravenous Pig, Cask & Larder and Swine & Sons in Winter Park, FL. [Read more…]

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

By AJ and the DFB Team 20 Comments

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.

Learn About:
Flame Tree Barbecue

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

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

By Heather 6 Comments

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

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)

By AJ and the DFB Team 14 Comments

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

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

By Wendy 16 Comments

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

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!

By Wendy 12 Comments

Who’s ready for some BARBEQUE?!

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

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!

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…]