Editor’s Note: The English Bulldog is not currently available.
One of my favorite food pastimes when I’m in Walt Disney World is grabbing a table at one of the resort’s fantastic pubs, bars, or lounges, and sitting down with friends for a nice long talk. There’s always so much to catch up on!
But in addition to the atmosphere and some nice cocktails, I also love Disney watering holes for some truly amazing eats! We are a snacking people here at DFB, so it’s no wonder the delicious pub grub you can find on property is one of our favorite ways to enjoy time with friends.
On this edition of “The Best Thing I Ever Ate in Disney!”, let’s check out some of our favorite Pub Grub!
Once you finish reading — share YOUR favorites in the comments! I love hearing about new things I’ve gotta try!
Cheese Fondue from Territory Lounge
When it comes to snacking, there are few foods in the world that I’d rather have than cheese! And one of my favorite ways to enjoy it is in the form of things being dipped in its melty self!
That’s right — we’re talking Fondue! And some of the best I have ever tasted is on the menu at Territory Lounge in Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.
This rustic, cozy lounge is themed with the great outdoors of the Pacific Northwest in mind. And the menu features hearty fare with flavors of the region as well.
But this cheese fondue is my absolute favorite option here! I can never resist getting it. It arrives in its own little cast-iron pot, complete with a flame to keep the cheese nice and warm.
The fondue is served with a variety of Fruits and Breads to dip, and every single thing we dipped in it was amazing!
Healthy apple…protein-y cheese…SO good for you! ;-D
It’s definitely the perfect snack for sharing with friends as you unwind with a beverage after a hard day of park touring! Whether it’s the Beer Cheddar Version, or the latest variety that uses Oregon Pinot Grigio in the mix, it’s completely awesome!
English Bulldog from Rose & Crown Pub
But there are also some great stops for amazing eats inside the parks as well.
If you find yourself at Epcot with no advance dining reservation but in need of sustenance, you should definitely check out one of our very favorite stops, the Rose & Crown Pub in the UK Pavilion.
I can’t resist stopping in for a pint or one of their specialty pub drinks. And catching up with the World Famous Carl is always the highlight of my visit here!
But after we’ve caught up a bit with our favorite bartender, it’s time to get down to the business of ordering. And our favorite nosh here, hands down, is the incredible English Bulldog.
So, how do you make an English Bulldog? Well, you split a banger (that’s a sausage just in case you’re wondering 🙂 ) down the middle, and then stuff it with mashed potatoes, bacon, and cheese. Served on a bun with a side of English chips, this is one of the tastiest meals you can get without a ressie in all of Disney! And at less than $10, it’s also a great deal!
Here’s a tip: the pub gets uber crowded at night, so hit up this fun spot when it opens at noon for lunch! 🙂
Dalkey Duo from Raglan Road
No conversation about pubs at Disney would be complete without a stop into Raglan Road.
The authentic Irish pub, located at Downtown Disney, continues to grow in popularity for a number of reasons. Their contemporary twists on classic Irish dishes make dining here a pleasure. And the beautiful surroundings and lively entertainment are some of the best reasons to plan an evening here.
But even if you’re stopping by for a late night drink, you have plenty of delicious options on the bar menu. When friends and I are looking for a bite to accompany pints of Guinness or a Celtic Martini, I love to dig into a Dalkey Duo. Battered Sausages — yep, you read that right!! — served with a creamy Mustard Dipping Sauce that’s outta this world. And sometimes, the sausages have a little kick from pepper!
Pair this with the AWECHUM mushroom soup (or, well, any soup here at all) and you’ve got a full meal!
Chips and Bacon Cheese Dip from Cookes of Dublin
The next stop on our pub grub hunt isn’t actually a pub per se. But just about everything there is pub grub-ish, and it’s located adjacent to bars (And, in fact, a pub.) So I think it should totally count.
Besides, when you taste this liquid awesomeness as a result of this post, you’ll be deliriously happy and will name me your new best friend anyway. So really, it doesn’t matter.
But back to the snack! It’s true: I love cheese. (Heck, if you didn’t know that before today, now you do.) But how awesome is it to find something totally artisan-cheese unique at a counter service spot??? In Disney????
Because that’s what the Irish Vintage Cheese and Bacon Dip at Cookes of Dublin is. It’s all of that. And more.
Aged Irish Cheddar — already some of the most wonderful stuff to eat in the universe — is skillfully combined with big chunks of Bacon to create a flavor sensation that you must experience.
And you can dip fish, chips, burgers, or any other thing you can think of into this stuff. I promise, you won’t be sorry.
Pulled Pork Nachos from The Tambu Lounge
Stopping by The Tambu Lounge in Disney’s Polynesian Resort for a Lapu Lapu is one of my favorite Disney first day traditions! Who can resist sipping a tropical drink from a pineapple while you allow the stress of the outside world to just roll right off of you?
But if you time your visit to this laidback, airy spot during a fit of hunger, no worries. Because they have an excellent menu of bar nibbles that will keep you going for whatever you have in mind. I recently tried the Pulled Pork Nachos and was very impressed.
Think of this dish as a riff on a classic, since normally, nachos have a Mexican flavor profile thing going on. Tortilla chips are replaced here with Housemade Potato Chips (Yessss!!!!), and are then topped with Pulled Pork and plenty of melted Cheese. Then, they’re finished with sweet and tangy Pineapple Salsa and a Spicy Mayonnaise. Supa fly.
And the serving when I’ve visited has been gargantuan! So either come hungry, bring a friend, or make one. You’ll probably need help cleaning your plate.
Wings! at CrossRoads at House of Blues
Even though Crossroads, the official name for the table service eatery at House of Blues, isn’t technically a bar, we can’t have a list of the best bar food at Disney without talking Buffalo Wings! It’s just not possible.
And, you know, since I’m a Buffalo girl and all, I’m pretty serious about my wings. Although there are lots of interesting wing varieties at Disney, finding the real deal — spicy as well as flavorful — isn’t all that easy.
But Crossroads has nailed it! This is my favorite stop when the craving strikes while I’m visiting Disney. Served on a bed of Coleslaw, this app was one of my favorite items during my first lunch here.
And these days, you can actually get your choice of sauces — BBQ, Jamaican Jerk, or Buffalo. Guess which one I’m going for?
Beer Cheese Soup from Big River Grille and Brewing Works
One often overlooked stop when we are talking about great bar food is Big River Grille and Brewing Works at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn.
And really, this is a case of Walt Disney World really having it all, something for everyone! Because Big River Grille is an actual, real live microbrewery. A full time brewmaster watches over the craft ales and lagers, some of which change seasonally.
But as much fun as it is to watch the beer being made, and to sample the final product, I also love tasting dishes that actually use the house beer as an ingredient.
For a great example, check out the Beer Cheese Soup.
Creamy with just the right amount of tang, it’s served with toasted croutons, which make for a nice textural contrast.
So, there it is then! My picks for the Best Thing I Ever Ate in the pubs, bars, and lounges in Walt Disney World! Don’t ever think that you have to book a table or stand in a long queue to get incredible eats in the ‘World. Your next memorable meal may be as close as the bar at the front of those restaurants.
Now I’d like to hear from all of you! What’s your very best, can’t miss pub grub in Walt Disney World! Join in the conversation and leave your suggestions below in comments!
Jill D says
I was at rose and crown in January with the hopes of getting a bulldog and it was no longer on the menu.
Is it still available?
Would have loved to try it.
SusieR says
This is a super fun post – I’m bookmarking this one! I’ve had a few (At Cookes and Raglan Road), but the others are new to me, and I’ll be trying them next time I’m down there. THANKS!
Mike L says
Another reason why I love AJ and DFB. Where else are you going find the terms “AWECHUM” and “Supa fly” used? Thanks AJ for your fun writing style in addition to the grat pics and articles!
BTW, the fondue and the pulled prok nachos are both awesome. I gotta try these other items.
Michael F says
Great suggestions!
I wish I could agree with you on the Dalkey Duo. The idea of battered sausages had my mouth watering and I couldn’t wait to try them when we ate at Raglan Road. Maybe we caught the kitchen on a bad night, but our Dalkey order was very lukewarm, practically room temperature, and excessively greasy. They left a very unappealing aftertaste. It was very disappointing, especially considering how much I wanted to enjoy them.
AJ says
Jill D — Menu items come and go at Disney restaurants. If you don’t see what you want, it never hurts to ask — sometimes they can make it for you!
SusieR — THanks! Let us know what you think!
Mike L — Ha ha! Glad you enjoyed!
Michael F — Bummer!!! Disney restaurants are inconsistent at the best of times, but Raglan usually pulls out winners. Sorry to hear you had a bad experience.
Nicky says
The Bacon Cheese Dip at Cooke’s and Pulled Pork Nachos at Tambu Lounge are great.
totalorlando (Kev) says
I think that the Dalkey Duo is without doubt the most overlooked delight of all menu items on WDW property.
It sounds just like battered sausage, but the quality of this spectacular dish has made it a long term favorite in our family. Everything about this quirkily presented dish is amazing and it is definitely one of those dishes that you should reserve judgement before trying.
Far from ordinary sausages!
Amanda says
OMG Pork Nachos…soo yummy! We usually grab them downstairs and take them outside. We grab a drink and a table by the beach and enjoy!
Jennifer says
Thank you so much for sharing this! I’m not much of a drinker, so I usually avoid the pubs, but this gives me a reason to try them out!
Angelina says
OMG I just want to leave work and hit up happy hour now!!!
Kerrin says
The first thing that popped into my mind when I read the title of this article was the Beer Cheese Soup at Big River Grille! Glad it made the list!
The best pub food experience I had was on the Disney Wonder. I travelled in January 2013, Disney served a buffet of pub food for those of us who abandoned our companions to sit in the “pub” on board and watch playoff football. I believe the menu included wings (these were the most memorable and unlike any I’ve had at WDW), hot dogs with all the toppings, veggies and dip, french fries, mozzarella sticks and nachos – and the ships have refillable beer mugs to top it off! It was the perfect Disney pub experience at sea!
Winston says
I’m sorry, but at the rose and crown you want…no…you need the Scotch Eggs.
Lynne B says
I absolutly love the artichoke dip at Big River Grille!!!!
Amanda says
Holy moly… The English Bulldog looks so delicious. I shall now crave that until my next trip. 😀
Stefanie says
My friend & I have tried the wings at Tambu Lounge (which we ordered hot) & the pork sliders there as well. We both really enjoyed them & it was filling enough to be our dinner for the night. We also like to hang out at Raglan Road & I like the calamari & smoked salmon appetizer there. The last visit there was a couple weeks ago & we tried the smokey city cheese dip which I thought was alright.
Thanks for posting this article as we are always looking for good suggestions about cheaper options for food in & around the parks. 🙂
Stefanie says
Oh..how could I forget to mention the queso cheese dip w/chips at La Cava in the Mexico pavillion?? Absolutely delicious!
Kevin says
I am sitting at the Rose & Crown now; it’s not on the menu and the server never heard of the English Bulldog.
AJ says
Kevin — Aw — thanks for the update! It’s still one of the best things I’ve ever eaten! 😀