First time DL diner needs suggestions

[rain]

I expect to be going commando for the three days I have so DW and my breaks will be when we eat.

[tinkwest]

Since you plan on going commando I assume that you will eat when hunger hits you. So perhaps reservations would not be your style for this trip.

At DCA:
In Cars Land we like Flo's V-8 Cafe for a meal.
Pacific Wharf has three food service choices sharing a large area of tables - Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill, Lucky Fortune Cookery, and Pacific Wharf Cafe - with the beer truck right by all the tables.
Paradise Pier also has several places within the same area - Corn Dog Castle, Paradise Garden Grill, Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta. And Bayside Brews is right there as well.
If you are over in Condor Flats Taste Pilots' Grill has tasty burgers.
FF&P Cafe on Buena Vista Street for Starbucks.
Ghirardelli Soda Fountain on the Pacific Wharf for ice cream.
Cove Bar on Paradise Pier for a drink & appetizers.

At Disneyland:
For meals we have enjoyed Hungry Bear Restaurant in Critter Country, Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante in Frontierland, Jolly Holiday Bakery and Plaza Inn on Main Street, and Redd Rockett's Pizza Port in Tomorrowland.
Although Carnation Cafe, on Main Street, is table service we have rarely had trouble walking up and getting a table. We do tend to go during slower eating hours.
Market House for Starbucks.
Bengal Barbecue in Adventureland for a meaty snack.
Tiki Juice Bar at the Enchanted Tiki Room for a Dole Whip (you may take your snack in to the show).

Downtown Disney has a combination of table service, quick serve, and snacks. Do you think you will be venturing down there or mostly sticking to the Parks?

[rain]

I doubt we will make it to DD. But doing a table service is not out of the question. For example, there is the Cajun place (not Blue Bayou, but the other one) where you can get the Monte Cristo... I plan on stopping in there to try it. We will probably plan a mid day sit down just to relax for a minute. I also heard some restaurants have unlimited refills which would help.

[Carol]

I would not rule out DD. It's right outside of the turnstiles. Everything is a quick walk away. No transportation or chaos involved at all.

[BrerGnat]

I would not rule out DD. It's right outside of the turnstiles. Everything is a quick walk away. No transportation or chaos involved at all.

Naples at Downtown Disney is one of my favorite restaurants anywhere! And, it's at the far edge of DtD, so it's not far outside of the parks.

[Melanie]

Yeah, nothing at DTD is far. Think of it as walking to another section of a park (if you were at WDW). It's SO close.