We’ve all experienced it — that moment when you first bite into something you’ve never had before…and realize you now have a new favorite food to add to your list of must-eats! I’ve had that experience multiple times in the past year, and thought it might be fun to trade stories with you guys.
First up, and probably my very favorite, is that completely-pre-processed-and-I-know-it fried ice cream at the American pavilion in Epcot stand on the Boardwalk! I mean, come on. Melty ice cream goodness covered in crunchies, fried, and drowned in dark chocolate syrup?! GIMB! (Translation — Get In My Belly!)
Fried Ice Cream Close Up
Next, I’ve got to give the spotlight to the Disneyland hand-dipped corn dog. I know this isn’t a “new” item at all, but it’s new to me this year, and I’m in love.
Corn bread just tastes better in Disneyland — at least I think so — and when you wrap it fresh around a savory hot dog and stick a few fries on the side, it’s like heaven in a basket. You may have had corn dogs before, but you’ve never had one like this…
Disneyland Corn Dog and Fries
And, finally, another new favorite is the Babycakes NYC frosting-filled chocolate chip cookie sandwich! Even though it’s vegan and gluten-free, it is amazing! I literally crave this thing these days.
When I finally get to Walt Disney World, I stop at the store in Downtown Disney on the first day to buy a couple of them to keep in the fridge at my resort. The frosting is made with agave nectar, soy milk, soy flour, and coconut oil, but, my friends, it’s so rich you wouldn’t believe there’s not butter in it! How do they DO that?!
Babycakes NYC chocolate chip cookie frosting sandwich
So I’ve shared mine — what are YOUR favorite new-to-you Disney foods? Let me know in the comments below so I can try them out!
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School bread! I’m not that big on sweets but after dozens of trips and never trying it, my wife finally talked me into having a bite. Delicious and not as sweet as I would have thought. Returning from that trip, I bought cardamom, which is the prevalent spice in Scandinavian baking, and have used it to make both the school bread and the almond pretzels they serve at the Norwegian bakery.
New to me? Dole whip floats! I had one with the pineapple/vanilla swirl and pineapple juice…it was so refreshing on that hot day!
I’ll have to try the school bread next time I’m down–I tried to get everyone to stop the last time, but they were all focused on hitting the candy section in Japan. 🙂
Macaroni & cheese at Le Cellier! I know, I know…who gets excited about mac & cheese? But this stuff is amazing! It is not the stuff Mom used to serve. The cheeses used are outstanding, along with the bacon inside. The whole thing is topped with breadcrumbs (panko?) and then baked to golden crunchy perfection. I just hope my favorite dish made it onto the new Signature Restaurant menu.
DOLE WHIP! I remember waiting in line 30 minutes to get one and just anticipating what the big fuss is all about. It was totally worth the wait! So refreshing and now something I crave on hot days
Carrot cake cookie at Writer’s Stop at DHS…
Lately, I’ve been into Red Velvet Cake – do they have any treats with that?
My latest new-to-me favorite is the pastitsio at Cat Cora’s Kouzzina. I haven’t tried making it at home yet, but it’s now at the forefront of my mind whenever I crave Disney dining.
The chorizo breakfast burrito at Pollo Campero was awesome. And I agree with you on those cookie sandwiches at Babycakes! I’ve ordered the oatmeal raisin one. 🙂
Alan — So glad you enjoyed it! I’m from a town that’s half Swedish and half Italian (I know — strange, right?), and we have lovely cardamom bread every Christmas at the bakeries. 🙂
Jen — Yum! Can you believe I’ve never had the pineapple/vanilla swirl? I’ll have to try it!
Sharon — The mac and cheese DID make it to the le cellier signature menu! And it’s still on the lunch menu, too.
Jessica — Totally worth the 30 minutes!
Janna — Yum, yum, yum!!
Sue — YES! Try the red velvet cheesecake cupcake at Starring Rolls Cafe in Disney’s Hollywood Studios!
Melissa — Awesome! I love dishes that use beefaroni noodles. 😉
Sarah — Ooh — oatmeal raisin! I’ll have to try it! Thanks for the tip!
The Oatmeal Raisin cookie drizzled in caramel from the Karamel Kuche in Germany 😉
I have to put in a vote for the caramel apple at Karamel Kuche in the Germany pavillion. I got lucky because a customer in front of me asked that it be cut up for them. It was a great idea! I asked for the same, and the apple was cut into 8 wedges, perfect for sharing or just keeping your face less of a mess. The caramel was soft and buttery, the perfect compliment to the crisp tart-ish apple.
Dale — YUM! Sounds delicious!! I tried the chocolate cookie with the caramel inside from there — awesome.
John Grigas — The apple cut-up trick is a great tip; I don’t know how people eat those things otherwise! I love your description of the soft and buttery caramel…must have one!
Where can I get a corn dog at WDW/
Love GIMB! Never heard it put that way before:)
I’ll let you know next week. It will be my first visit to the dole whip stand and starring rolls cafe among other eateries I haven’t tried. I am actually keeping a list of things I have to try on this trip.
I’m on a hunt to find new snacks too. Loving anything at Karamelle Kuche so far. And I MUST try a corn dog when I go to Disneyland in September! 🙂
mine would probably be the carmel chocolate cupcakes at Karmell Kultche. I also really enjoyed the smore dessert @ Le Cellier!!!! Next trip I have a huge list of things I want to try!!!!!
I’ve always wanted to try friend ice cream and we’ll be in Epcot next weekend! What a coincidence!! 🙂 I’ve also heard lots of rave reviews about Babycakes and need to try there. My son’s got a huge list of allergies so I need to make sure he can eat something there too. Thanks for the great suggestions!
Peanut butter mousse squares at Boma!! Really to die for if you are a peanut butter fan.
The cookie sandwich looks amazing! I have to go dairy free and I’ve been cutting back on gluten and soy… I’m drooling just thinking about how good this cookie might be. Thanks for sharing!
My new to me food = the cinnamon and sugar glazed almonds in Adventureland. Oh my. I had them for the first time last fall and they were so so good. They were hot and sweet and not at all dry. Mmmm..
Dole whips. After 35 trips last time I finally had one. WHAT WAS I WAITING FOR!
We had the Zeppole for dessert at Via Napole and I took the first bite thought………..I can die now!!
Definitely a Dole Whip with the pineapple/vanilla swirl!!! It is absolutely amazing and I’ve been craving one since last August! Also the Pineapple skewers with honey-vanilla sauce at Yak & Yeti – OMG they are DELICIOUS!!!!! Lastly, the ice cream cookie sandwich at the magic kingdom bakery. Wow! Definitely need to share it – but so worth every calorie!
I tried the Pithivier at the Patisserie in France and loved it! I really like marzipan and almond cream and this had lots of it but not overly sweet.
The strawberry crepes from the cart in France are one of my new favorites, also the Grapefruit Cake at HBD
A FRESH churro from Animal Kingdom near Dinoland! I had never had one until last summer and I was amazed at how delicious a hot churro was. The outside was perfectly crispy and cinnamon-y and the inside was soft and almost creamy. Sadly, we had one at MK near Fantasyland from a cart that was SO not the same experience (and one at Universal recently that was even worse!). You must get one freshly made. If you like donuts, churros are for you!
I would have to say the empanadas from La Hacienda and the Sweet Potato Hash (sans Turkey) from Kouzzina for breakfast.
I have to say one of my favorite meals from our April trip was the ham,swiss & proscuitto waffle sandwich at Sleepy Hollow in MK… It caught me off guard, thought I’d like the fruit & nutella one more… But it was beautifully made, delicious, and very filling!
I tried the spicy chicken waffle sandwich last month. I wasn’t sure about waffles for bread but it was very tasty!
We live about 20 minutes from Disney world and we have been to the new AOA a number of times to have both lunch and dinnnear in the food court
I have had the surf and surf burger every times it is great
My son had the sausage my husband has had the meatball sub
We have had the mini cheese cakes and the Mickey ears cupcake and the carrot and ginger soup
Everything has been great
I am just in love with the salmon, couscous, and broccoli from Columbia Harbour House. I would put this counter service food up against what you might get in a TS. Fabulous. 🙂 And only $10.
Banana Kulfi Sundae- Sanaa. Awesome! Can’t wait to get it upon return 🙂
My favorite treat at Disney is the big pretzel from a booth at Animal Kingdom that is filled with cheese and jalapenos !!! Amazing!
What about “Long Lost” Disney treats? I think it was called a “Simba Bar” at Animal Kingdom. Vanilla ice cream with a built in chocolate ice cream paw print with chocolate coating on one side only. It was my “must have” ice cream cart treat until it disappeared…
I wish that the cinnamon, butter Lefse at Kringla in Epcot Norway was more popular. Every visit I fear it will be dropped from the menu. I had it originally as a tourist in the real Norway and think it’s the best Kringla has to offer. It isn’t as decadent as school bread but it’s a tempered sweet taste of Northern Europe.
Not Disney World (yet…I’m going next week!), but Disneyland….
The Filet Mignon at Blue Bayou, with Boursin Cheese mashed potatoes. O.M.G.
I don’t even have words for how good it is! It was also my first medium rare (read: “properly cooked”) steak, and it was melt-in-your-mouth delicious!
The Tesoro Island chicken breast is another fave, and the creme brulee….so creamy and delicious!
Nudel Gratin from Sommerfest (Germany quick service) at Epcot. It’s mac & cheese, but, oh, so decadent. It almost tasted like savory custard, kind of egg-y and the cheese was so gooey and chewy. So yum. The taste lingers in your mouth keeping you wanting another bite.
We are at Disney now and it’s blazing hot. Trying to keep me and the hubby cool and hydrated. We stumbled upon The Joy of Tea in china at Epcot. We tried the mango green tea (iced) and it was awesome. We both agreed that we would definitely get that again!