Any "must do" Disneyland dining for a newbie?

We will be visiting Disneyland for the first time in Jan. I don't want to be tied down to a bunch of dining reservations, but would like to have at least one nice, planned meal. If you could pick just one "must do" meal, what would it be? It can be in the parks, the resorts, or Downtown Disney.

As far as other meals go, we hope to just be able to "wing it". Are there any recommended TS meals that we could easily walk up to most times of the day? Any suggested QS places to try? Are there any special treats unique to Disneyland that shouldn't be missed?

Thanks!:mickey:

Must do: Napa Rose at the Grand Californian. It's my absolute favorite restaurant anywhere. But it's VERY expensive and not really for kids, although adventurous teenagers can appreciate it. I also love Carthay Circle in DCA. Very similar to Napa Rose.

As for casual TS, favorites are Naples and Uva Bar in Downtown Disney.

In the parks, at Disneyland I love Bengal BBQ (great for a light meal or snack... Grilled meat and veggie skewers). Gumbo in a sourdough bread bowl at New Orleans Square is great on a cool day. French Market CS is wonderful, especially the French Dip sandwich. The Plaza Inn is famous for its fried chicken. Rancho del Zocalo in Frontierland has good Mexican CS.

At DCA, Flo's V8 Cafe has some great food as well. Taste Pilot's Grill has excellent CS burgers and onion rings.

At the resorts, Tangaroa Terrace at DLH is great! Love eating on the patio there...reminds me of the Polynesian.

As for DL specific treats, at the Candy shop, they have THE BEST peanut brittle ever. Can't get it anywhere outside of Disneyland. Churros are better at DL vs. WDW as are Dole Whips, which are nice and creamy here. There are quite a few other DL exclusive treats, but I can't remember them off the top of my head. I'll have to get back to you on that.

Overall, food is generally better at DL IMO. There aren't as many restaurants, but the food options are more varied and fresher here.

Great suggestions BrerGnat!

I would also suggest a lunch or dinner at Blue Bayou in New Orleans Square (DLR). sitting on the "back patio" in the evening (no matter what time of day it is) and watching the POC boats float by is truly a unique experience and the food is excellent too.

JS:mickey:

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Originally Posted by Jack Skellington

Great suggestions BrerGnat!

I would also suggest a lunch or dinner at Blue Bayou in New Orleans Square (DLR). sitting on the "back patio" in the evening (no matter what time of day it is) and watching the POC boats float by is truly a unique experience and the food is excellent too.

JS:mickey:

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The atmosphere here is top notch, but I believe OP is from Louisiana and may feel insulted at what they pass off as Cajun/Creole food here. ;)

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Originally Posted by BrerGnat

The atmosphere here is top notch, but I believe OP is from Louisiana and may feel insulted at what they pass off as Cajun/Creole food here. ;)

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Funny you should say that! As a rule of thumb we typically try to avoid "Cajun" food anywhere but home! It's never authentic....not even close!

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Originally Posted by buzznwoodysmom

Funny you should say that! As a rule of thumb we typically try to avoid "Cajun" food anywhere but home! It's never authentic....not even close!

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I figured as much. I almost mentioned Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen at Downtown Disney, but I realized you can have that at home. :)

And although the gumbo in a bread bowl isn't super authentic, it's very good and filling on a cold day. They also have clam chowder in bread bowls at the same stand.

And entrees at Blue Bayou are in the $35-45 range each. That rivals Napa Rose pricing and when you compare the two, food quality wise, it's apples to basketballs.

Having grown up in the south and having a sister that was a French Quarter Chef, I agree the Blue Bayou food is not the same as you will get in Louisiana... but I always feel the atmosphere is worth the downgrade in southern food. Such a cool ambiance and a Disneyland classic. Worth at least one meal, even if it's lunch.

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Originally Posted by Patricia

Having grown up in the south and having a sister that was a French Quarter Chef, I agree the Blue Bayou food is not the same as you will get in Louisiana... but I always feel the atmosphere is worth the downgrade in southern food. Such a cool ambiance and a Disneyland classic. Worth at least one meal, even if it's lunch.

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Lunch and dinner are now the same menu. Prices are also the same.

Well, I definitely can't see us spending those prices for "pretend Cajun food"! Lol. As great as I am sure the atmosphere is at Blue Bayou I think this is one we would be better off passing on.

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Originally Posted by buzznwoodysmom

Well, I definitely can't see us spending those prices for "pretend Cajun food"! Lol. As great as I am sure the atmosphere is at Blue Bayou I think this is one we would be better off passing on.

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I agree. Honestly, you get to experience the atmosphere when you ride Pirates of the Caribbean. Just soak it in then.

We have visited Carthay Circle quite a few times since it opened several years ago. We like to take advantage of their World of Color Fastpass but we also go just because we like it. I would say we have never had a bad experience there with either the food or service, although some of the times I have been a bit disappointed with our table. I like to eat in the main dining room and this has not always been where we were seated.

If you want to start your day off fancy go to Steakhouse 55, at the Disneyland Hotel, for breakfast. I think I go there every time we visit for more than two days. The food is good, the prices reasonable, but the surroundings and service win for the real reasons I return again and again.

Was just thinking about having a nice breakfast the day we leave DL. When we leave DL we are headed to Redlands, California for a few nights for a football tournament. So I was thinking a good hot breakfast would be nice and could hold us over most of the day. Would Steakhouse 55 be our best option for breakfast? Was thinking of Chef Goofy' s, or whatever it's called. Characters would be fine, by not necessary. Any other breakfast options I should know about?

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Originally Posted by buzznwoodysmom

Was just thinking about having a nice breakfast the day we leave DL. When we leave DL we are headed to Redlands, California for a few nights for a football tournament. So I was thinking a good hot breakfast would be nice and could hold us over most of the day. Would Steakhouse 55 be our best option for breakfast? Was thinking of Chef Goofy' s, or whatever it's called. Characters would be fine, by not necessary. Any other breakfast options I should know about?

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Definitely Steakhouse 55. However, Catal at Downtown Disney also has a very good breakfast. Goofy's Kitchen is way overpriced for the food quality.

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Originally Posted by buzznwoodysmom

We will be visiting Disneyland for the first time in Jan. I don't want to be tied down to a bunch of dining reservations, but would like to have at least one nice, planned meal. If you could pick just one "must do" meal, what would it be? It can be in the parks, the resorts, or Downtown Disney.

As far as other meals go, we hope to just be able to "wing it". Are there any recommended TS meals that we could easily walk up to most times of the day? Any suggested QS places to try? Are there any special treats unique to Disneyland that shouldn't be missed?

Thanks!:mickey:

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I really enjoy the food, atmosphere and drinks at Carthay Circle. They have a great beer selection and every meal has been excellent. Our waitress was super friendly during our last visit and gave me the DVC discount even though I had left my membership card at home.

If you're looking for a good place to eat off-property, there is a cool place nearby called the Anaheim Packing House that has a great selection of local eateries and bars all in one building.

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