Just a few days ago we let you in on a not-so-little secret menu item available at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe. This secret menu item is available when using Mobile Ordering, and it contains two of our favorite buzz words: pork belly.
Cosmic Ray’s Pork Belly Burger is a masterpiece of meat and fried things, and honestly, there’s no way it couldn’t be good if you’re into those two things. And I just so happen to be very into them!
The burger combines pork belly and Angus beef topped with a slice of smoked gouda, a drizzle of sriracha aioli, and a pile of crispy pork rinds. The whole thing is skewered and garnished with fried pickles and a pickled pepper.
You might be thinking to yourself “This is more like a financial marvel at $18!” And we hear you. It’s crazy expensive. I spent a LOT of time deliberating whether I could recommend it at that price.
After all, even if it IS table-service quality ingredients and food, it’s still Cosmic Ray’s; so it’s not like you’re getting an awesome sit-down restaurant atmosphere experience for the price. (I mean, there are some table service eats priced at less than $18 over that the awesome Plaza Restaurant just a few steps away.)
The burger itself is delicious and moist, flavored through and through by the pork and beef combination. The cheese and aioli add dimension to the burger, while that brioche bun works to keep it all together.
The pork rinds are an inspired touch, adding a ton of crunch to the sandwich. I loved that the aioli soaked into the rinds a bit. And while the sriracha aioli wasn’t exactly a spice-bomb, it adds a good flavor and a smidgen of heat.
So, the bottom line: I LOVED IT! I loved it, and I would totally order it again at that price. But take that as a guarded recommendation. If you’re after flavor and an incredible burger experience, then it will be worth it to you, too.
BUT…
If you’re with your whole family and rushing to eat and the baby’s crying and you’re trying to get Joey’s peeled apples from the bottom of the diaper bag and Susie just wet her pants and you’re late for your Goofy’s Barnstormer fastpass…yeah, in those circumstances you’re probably not in the right mindset to truly enjoy this $18 burger. And I get that. I BEEN THERE.
A few more things to consider: If you do choose to order this amazing burger — you’ve got the bonus of this being a Mobile Ordering secret menu item, so that means you’ll generally get your food faster than if you wait in the standard ordering lines. Double bonus? If you’re on the Disney Dining Plan, we expect this is included, making it one of the best quick service DDP credit uses on property!
Want More Straight Up Reviews and Recommendations?
The 2018 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, is now available!
With more than 650 pages, the 2018 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 20+ years of visits. We’ve done the research for you, so you’ll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family’s needs!
With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you’ll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2018 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2018 to save 25% today!
Use code WDW2018 at check-out for a 25% off the cover price! Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. 🙂
What’s your take on secret menu items? Wish there more? Don’t understand the appeal? Share your thoughts in the comments!
This sounds so delicious, but I’m not paying $18 for ANY burger ANYWHERE.
Well I wasnt going to try this until you *had* to go write a review and talk about how good it is and *had* to post those mouth-watering i-just-drooled-more-than-a-stbernard pictures….
I think I just found my birthday lunch next month!
Thanks from my belly but curses and not-nice-words from my thighs…
If you lettuce that thing (do they do that there?) it would be mighty keto friendly!
Had it this past weekend myself. Delicious. Big enough that me and my wife split it. Though, we waited quite a while for mobile order because they made it as fresh as the kitchen’s make anything because its a secret item. I waited more than 10 minutes after, I’m here, which led to a free second drink and a mickey straw. Still wasn’t that bad a wait and just the taste of the burger itself without the toppings was worth the wait.
Jeff C — It’s worth it! And you’re thighs are beautiful — don’t let anyone tell you different! ;-D
This looks amazing! Can you order off the secret menu during MNSSHP? Thanks!
That is a heart attack waiting to happen.
Humm, While $18 sounds and is HIGH. This is Disney pricing. Fools pay $13 + TIP for 8 oz burger at Red Robin. So Disney is not so far off for a specialty burger (with no tip it is almost a wash). I avoid eating in MK and stick with the resorts for good/great food. However, you could do so much worse with the 90% of the MK park menu items are skimpy, frozen preprocessed garbage. My 2 cents : stick with the dole whip and put the $18 towards a great resort meal and experience.
My question is…
1) And most importantly… was this a frozen cardboard patty or fresh?
2) You keep mentioning “Pork Belly”. Are you saying that the pork rinds are the pork belly? Because other than that, I didn’t see any pork on that sandwich. When in which case. Ewww!
3) Does it at least come with fries? Or some other side? I mean… for $18.
Regarding #1, if it’s a frozen cardboard patty there is absolutely NO way this is work $18.
Brandon, the patty is a combination of Angus beef and pork belly — hence the moniker. The burger comes with a side of your choice.
Ted, you should be able to order this during the Party since it’s part of the mobile ordering menu. Have fun and enjoy!