Dining at Disney is one of my favorite topics. Partially because there are so many great restaurants to choose from, but also because I love that Disney offers 3 great dining plans. For me, adding one of the dining plans is a great way to take care of a big part of your vacation expenses ahead of time. There are not many all-inclusive vacation destinations in America, but a Disney vacation package comes very close.
There are 3 dining plans to choose from and I am a big fan of 2, the Plus and Deluxe Plans. The 3rd plan, the Quick Service Plan has always left me a little lukewarm. Not because it isn't enough food, but because of the type of food that is usually available on the Quick Service Plan. The Quick Service generally equals counter service meals. Counter service meals usually equal hamburgers and hot dogs. Now don't get me wrong, I love a good burger or dog now and then, but not every day. So I always tended to shy away from the Quick Service Plan. But I have been really thinking about it and I think the Quick Service Plan is catching a bad rap. So I have decided to prove myself wrong and create a list of restaurants and dishes that will break you away from the typical counter service meals.
Park-by-park, here are some of my suggestions for restaurants and dishes:
Magic Kingdom
Friar's Nook-While not exactly healthy, Friar's Nook recently added 3 different types of gourmet mac & cheese menu. Granted one is a cheeseburger mac, it's still better than an actual cheeseburger.
Tomorrowland Terrace-You can get 2 different salads at the Tomorrowland Terrace that will take you away from the standard Caesar or House salad. The Citrus Shrimp Salad and the Beef & Blue salads offer some unique flavors to choose from.
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| Be Our Guest Braised Pork |
Diamond Horseshoe-The Diamond Horseshoe offers 3 really yummy sandwiches, the Hand-carved Turkey, and Hand-carved Pork Brisket, and the Portobello Sandwich. Bonus, you can get apple slices or chips as a side.
Columbia Harbour House-This restaurant has some really great options for the vegetarians with the Lighthouse Sandwich and Vegetarian Chili. Besides their famous Battered Fish Platter and New England Clam Chowder, they also have a nice Grilled Salmon plate as well.
Be Our Guest-The newest edition to the Magic Kingdom quick service restaurant collection is really breaking the mold and redefining "fast food". Not only because it's the only quick service restaurant that you can make a Fastpass plus reservation for, but the menu really stand out. The Braised Pork and Tuna Nicoise are two examples of this. Not to mention the Croque Monsieur Sandwich and Quinoa Salad.
Animal Kingdom
Yak & Yeti Local Food Cafes- This one is a favorite of mine. Asian inspired dishes served in easy take and go Chinese food containers like the Honey Chicken and the Teriyaki Beef Bowl are fun, fast and delicious as well. The Ginger Chicken Salad is another winner, and for vegetarians, the Roasted Vegetable Couscous Wrap is a great option.
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| Flame Tree BBQ Pork Sandwich |
Flame Tree BBQ- I would like to begin and end with the best thing to eat it the entire park-the Pork Sandwich. BUT-the whole concept of a pork sandwich isn't groundbreaking or new. But it is GOOD! There are also some other great dishes, like Smoked Chicken Salad and the Baked Ribs & Chicken Combo plate are both great.
Hollywood Studios
Min & Bill's Dockside Diner- Here we get to revisit Macaroni & Cheese with 2 fun combos, the Barbecued Pulled Pork Mac & Cheese and the Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese.
Starring Rolls Cafe-While you can get a few varieties of sushi rolls here, if you want to go the route of Marie Antoinette and "let them eat cake", then a stop in here is in order. I may or may not have been guilty of foregoing a traditional meal for one of their famous cupcakes. The Butterfinger, the Chocolate Peanut Butter and the Red Velvet Cheesecake cupcakes are decadent and HUGE!
Studio Catering Company- Sandwiches are the word here. Fresh flavors like Toasted Tuscan Deli, Spicy Buffalo Chicken, and Grilled Vegetable, are a nice change from the standard ham & cheese, and plain old turkey. And while they do have a Turkey Club-applewood smoked bacon, roasted red peppers and arugula give it personality.
Fairfax Fare-Now I said I was staying away from burgers and dogs, I think their take on hot dogs needs to be mentioned. Macaroni and Cheese & Truffle Oil Hot Dog, and Barbecued Pork and Cole Slaw Hot Dog, are more than your typical dog on a bun. Of course you can also grab a nice Chicken & Spareribs plate as well.
Epcot
Because there are so many great options, I am going to move a little quicker and break the park up into 2 sections-Future World and World Showcase.
World Showcase
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| La Cantina de San Angel Tacos de Barbacoa |
Lotus Blossom Cafe-Much like the Yak & Yeti, great Asian dishes.
Boulangerie Patisserie les Halles-Great soups. Great sandwiches. And a great place to have dessert first. What? It's vacation!
Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar-Antipasti, Paninis and Small Plates and wine! Nosh to your hearts delight.
Katsura Cafe-Sushi, Udon, & Teriyaki Plates. And if you're a sake or plum wine fan-this is your place.
La Cantina de San Angel-Tacos, FANTASTIC nachos, Margaritas and Paletas (Fresh fruit pops).
Tangerine Cafe-One word: Shawarma!
Yorkshire County Fish Shop- Fish+Chips+Cold Beer=Awesome. Enough said.
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| Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar Antipasti, Paninis & Desserts |
Future World
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| Sunshine Seasons Mongolian Beef |
Sunshine Seasons- This is easily the best quick service option in the park-maybe even all the parks, simply for how many choices there are at this restaurant. This is my go-to when I just can't look at another burger or even Caesar salad. Oak Grilled Salmon, Mongolian Beef, and Spicy Thai Green Curry Shrimp are just some of the delicious choices available in this restaurant. Selections change daily, but there is always so much to choose from that you are guaranteed to find something to satisfy everyone in the family.
Downtown Disney (Soon to be Disney Springs)
I couldn't compose a list like this and leave out THE BEST value in all of the quick service restaurants, Wolfgang Puck Express and it's close runner competitor, Earl of Sandwich.
Earl of Sandwich-Simple idea, done oh so right. Soup, salads and sandwiches. My personal favorite sandwich is The Original 1762, should be on every menu in the whole Kingdom. They also do some really fantastic wraps as well.
Wolfgang Puck Express-I truly saved the best for last with Puck's Express. At Puck's you can turn a quick service credit into Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf, Oven Roasted Salmon, Spaghetti & Meatballs, or a variety of delicious, huge pizzas. If you are a fan of Macaroni & Cheese-Puck's is NOT to be missed. Seriously-do not put off trying it. But no matter which great dish you have-make sure to save room for my absolute favorite quick service dessert-Creme Brûlée with Berries. I did mention this is all for 1 quick service meal credit, right?
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| Wolfgang Puck Express Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf |
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Wolfgang Puck Express Macaroni & Cheese
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**Besides being the owner and travel professional of Snapshot Getaways, Lisa is an avid traveler, food nerd, blogger & podcaster. Her answer to pretty much everything is food or travel, and is happiest when the solution includes both. You can contact her at Lisa@ SnapshotGetaways.com, to talk food, travel, Disney-whatever.
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