food IS a theme park
Are you ready for some TOT-CHOS?
If you’re asking, “Um, what?” Don’t worry. I did too.
Tot-chos and Slushies FTW!
But when we figured it out, we were all in!
Allow us to explain, thanks to the mad review and photo skillz of our Dining in Disneyland Guru Heather Sievers! [Read more…]
When you’re in Disneyland and in serious need of a hot dog, we have just the place for you — the Coca-Cola Refreshment Corner!
Refreshment Corner -- Outside View
This spot will remind East Coasters of Casey’s Corner with its decor and location. With a nod to early twentieth century vintage, this spot anchors Main Street U.S.A. with lots of charm as well as good eats.
And today, we’re bringing you news and pictures of a brand new menu item here. Let’s take a look!
Refreshment Corner occupies a corner of Main Street U.S.A., just before you get to Jolly Holiday Bakery and Cafe. It’s compact to be sure, and seating is all outdoors, but there’s plenty of fun decor to check out!
Tiffany-Style Shades with Coca-Cola Branding
This spot is best known for [Read more…]
We talk a lot around here about Disney’s sweet snacks — and with good reason: nothing says indulgence like a bit of Disney ice cream or a monster cupcake.
But everyone knows that sweet snacks are even better with a salty chaser! 😉
Salty indulgences abound at Disney World, too! And we think it’s time to give them their day in the spotlight!
So without further adieu, we’d like to take a brief look at some of our favorites in our salute to the Top 12 Salty Snacks in Walt Disney World!
Alrighty, folks, we have to start with the obvious one: Popcorn.
How can you discuss Disney World salty snacks and not mention it? In fact, how can you go to a Disney park and not end up munching on this snack favorite?
We love popcorn in all its personalities — from the standard (refillable!) bucket you buy as soon as you walk into Magic Kingdom to caramel corn at Big Top Treats or Karamell-Küche. And when popcorn started popping up on Disney menus a while back, we were all for it!
NEW Disney Parks Popcorn Boxes!
But the best version remains that classic Disney popcorn box full of buttery (flavored) yellow kernels of fluffy goodness. Do yourself a favor and don’t leave without trying a box.
Over at Sleepy Hollow Refreshments, you’ll find a lovely little assortment of waffles to satisfy your salt craving.
What? You ask. Waffles = salt? When they’re in the form of waffle sandwiches — they sure can be!
Sweet and Spicy Chicken Waffle Sandwich in Disney World
And my favorite when I’m satisfying a savory craving is the Spicy Chicken Sandwich. Sweet/spicy chicken with a touch of coleslaw offers a treat with complicated flavors, but a sure comfort food factor.
The perfect combo of sweet, salty, and slightly spicy, this sandwich will leave you full, happy, and ready to tackle the rest of those Disney miles! Just know that this thing can be uber messy, so bring lots of napkins!
I dearly love a plate of nachos, don’t you? And when I’m in the mood for this Tex-Mex treat, I head to La Cantina de San Angel in the Mexico Pavilion at Epcot.
Nachos with Cheese, Beef, and Jalapenos at Cantina de San Angel
The salty trifecta of chips, plastic cheese, and seasoned ground beef is perfection! And if you’re looking to add to it — try washing them down with a margarita, of course!
Want some less-fussy nachos? We’re also fans of the versions at Big River Grill and ESPN Club on the Boadwalk. Where do you find your favorite nachos in Disney World?
If you’re in the mood for a good bowl of soup (fitting during the relatively cold Orlando days this past weekend), then head to Pinocchio Village Haus for their [Read more…]
Recently, we told you about about a new menu at one of my very favorite spots in all of Disney World: Beaches and Cream at Disney’s Beach Club Resort.
With so many loyal fans, many of you expressed concern for the changes and wondered if the new options would measure up. I was right there with you! So does Beaches and Cream still rate as THE place to go for burgers and sundaes at Walt Disney World?
Time to find out! We headed over ASAP to try out the new menu…
Walk into Beaches and Cream, and you’ll feel that you just traveled back in time to that beach side soda fountain of family vacations gone by. From the tall and frosty Orange Sunshine to the flavored cokes, this place will definitely bring back memories.
Don’t you love the beach balls decorating the booths? They’re a completely awesome pop of color and immediately make me smile every time I see them.
Seating and Beach Balls!
Seating is comfortable (snag one of the three booths if you can!). And don’t forget to check out the ice cream cone-shaped lights…
Seating -- Up Close
Pastel musical notes and beach towels romp alongside some of the fun dishes served at the restaurant in this colorful mural.
Mirrored glass shelves host a collection of Coca Cola in glass bottles, as well as an impressive array of glassware. This is a great reminder that you can still get your “soda pop” as a fountain drink, or in a cool “nostalgia bottle.”
Murals and Vintage Coca Cola Bottles
It’s always fun to [Read more…]
With an original opening date scheduled early last Summer, Southern California sandwich lovers have been abuzz about the new Earl of Sandwich restaurant not opening their doors on time.
I am ecstatic to announce that the doors have been opened and those lovely golden bricks have been flying through that little toasty oven faster than you can say “Holiday Turkey Sandwich, please!”
Earl of Sandwich Downtown Disney
Located directly next to the AMC Theater Complex across from The Rainforest Cafe, the Earl of Sandwich has replaced the Compass Cafe and Bookstore.
And although the bookstore was fun to browse and the cafe sold Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, I’d much prefer a sandwich from Earl any day. Last week the doors soft opened with a 25% discount on all menu items, and then “officially” opened this past Friday. I snuck over Thursday to get my fix.
Main Entrance
The soft opening was no secret, and with the entire menu being 25% off I expected there to be a pretty substantial line. And I was correct.
When my boys saw the line they about had a panic attack because A: It was already 1:00 and they were beyond ready to eat lunch and B: They had never been to an Earl of Sandwich, so they had no idea how quickly the line moves. After visiting the Orlando and Vegas locations, I was fully aware of how well-oiled this sandwich making machine was.
I assured them that we’d move quickly and that it would be well worth the wait. I also bribed them and told them they could pick whichever dessert they wanted…
Hallelujah!
Menus While You Wait
My guess is that there were approximately 100 people in front of us in line, but we managed to order and have our food on the table in about 25 minutes. The line was outside the building and wrapped back to the temporary ice skating rink, but there were friendly Earl helpers [Read more…]
After about a year away, I headed back to Paradiso 37 in Orlando’s Downtown Disney recently to see what was new with the menu!
Since my last lunch there, there have been a few menu changes and updates, so let’s take a look!
The goal of Paradiso 37 is to offer an upscale, though casual and comfortable, dining experience, and I think it does a good job of that.
Personally, I love to visit Paradiso 37 during the quieter hours of the day when the sunshine is streaming in through the massive windows. While the evening features a fun nightlife vibe with live music and a hip crowd, the afternoon is laid back, and it’s easy to snag a table!
Paradiso 37
I was very interested to see that not much had changed about the inside of the restaurant since I was last there. You still have that fantastic floor-to-ceiling tequila bar that tells you THIS is a GREAT place for drinks…especially if you’re a fan of all things margarita like me!
Tequila Tower
One question we had when visiting: is Paradiso 37 appropriate for [Read more…]
The new Disney Food Blog Mini-Guide to Magic Kingdom Snacks lets you know what snacks are available for a Disney Dining Plan snack credit — including snacks that aren’t found on the menu!
Let me share this little tidbit with you — while it’s not listed on every menu, you can use your snack credit for a bowl of chili at Casey’s Corner. Oh, yes you can!
Casey's Corner Chili
Take your chili to the indoor bleachers where you can watch classic Disney film shorts, or sit under an umbrella-shaded table outside. Either way, you’ll know you’ve hit a snack-credit home run!
Don’t miss other delicious snack items in the Magic Kingdom! We’ve included over 70 photos and reviews of our favorite snacks throughout the Magic Kingdom theme park in the new DFB Mini-Guide to Magic Kingdom Snacks!
As bonus items, we’ve also included custom snack crawls, an index of snacks by location and snack credit, and even a list of great snack pairings! The colorful photos will show you just what you’ll get for your vacation dollars or snack credits!
Don’t forget to use code “MAGIC” for 20% off your Mini-Guide!
Do you know of other unpublicized snack credit options? Let us know in the comments below!
We were chatting in my house about some of our favorite Disney World appetizers and realized that we don’t hear people talk about these seven very often! Are they underrated? Simply unknown? Who knows. Either way, I want YOU to know about them, because they’re quite yummy indeed.
1. Citricos: Arancini-Crispy Risotto
This appetizer, with Italian Sausage, Quattro Formaggi, and White Truffle Aïoli, is different. And that’s what I love about it. Fried risotto. Cheese. Sausage. It’s like a little ball of comfort. I love that this is the way I begin my slow, relaxing meals at Citricos.
Citricos Arancini-Crispy Risotto
2. Beaches and Cream: Chili
Simple. Straightforward. The best chili on property. If you disagree, let me know your favorite!
3. Liberty Tree Tavern: Tavern Fried Cheese with Marinara Sauce
You may think these are just cheese sticks. But you’d be wrong. See those little pudgy ones on the side? Curds. Curds! DeeeLISH! There’s a completely different flavor here than your standard chain restaurant cheese sticks; at least WE think so!
Liberty Tree Tavern Fried Cheese
4. Le Cellier: Spicy Chicken and Chipotle Sausage with Roasted Corn Polenta and Sweet Onion Jam
While patrons (including me!) rave about Le Cellier’s cheddar cheese soup and trio of breadsticks, we were blown away when we tried this chicken and chipotle sausage. The corn polenta adds just the right texture to compliment the sausage. It’s a meal in itself, but don’t forget you’ve still got steak coming!
Le Cellier Spicy Chicken and Chipotle Sausage with Roasted Corn Polenta
5. Rose and Crown Pub and Dining Room: Meat and Cheese Selection for Two
All you have to do is take one look at this beautiful board and you know it’s delicious. Black pudding, Stilton baked into a flaky pastry, sharp Cheddar, mushroom-infused Brie, candied walnuts, gherkin, a little pot of onions — it’s a little bit of everything. Truly, the best “cheese plate” I’ve found in Disney World to date. Pair this with a cup of the potato and leek soup, and you have an unforgettable meal. Thanks to WDWforGrownups.com for the photo!
Rose and Crown Dining Room Cheese and Meat Plate
6. ESPN Club: Patriot Clam Chowder
Liberty Tree Tavern has great clam chowder, too, but as they’re already on the list we wanted to mention our runner-up clam chowder at the ESPN Club! Brimming with clams and potatoes, we always order it with LOTS of oyster crackers…
7. California Grill: Potato Celery Soup
Unfortunately, this is seasonal. But I’m hoping it’s back next Winter! We were skeptical about California Grill until we dipped our soup spoons into this rich, flavorful, creamy soup. I wish words could explain how decadent this stuff is, but, alas, we’ll just have to hope we can fit all of the Disney Food Blog readers into a meet-and-greet at Cali Grill next February. For a hint of the recipe, check our California Grill review post.
California Grill Potato Celery Soup
There you have it! Our favorites, so far! Clearly we haven’t tried everything on every menu, so if you’ve got a contender, let me know by posting a comment. Thanks in advance!
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