Best CS and TS in DL

[clausjo]

I just booked our very first trip to DL for early June We're "experts" on WDW in FL, but know basically nothing about DL. What are the not miss CS and TS places there? It will be just me and my kids (11 and 8) and I'll be celebrating my 40th a couple of weeks early.

Thanks!

[Disney4us2]

My favorite places are not in the parks but over at the Grand Californian. For CS it is Whitewater Snacks for us. You order the food and they give you a number and then bring to food to your table. Like at Carls Jr. We both love their nacho's.

For TS we like Storyteller's Cafe. We have had all 3 meals there. Love their buffet character breakfast. The lunch is really good. My favorite there is the grilled chicken sandwich. For dinner we liked the buffet. Never had a bad meal there yet.

I also like to get out of the park for meals, it makes it so much more relaxing.

In the park, Disneyland: we like the French Market for CS. Plaza in has good fried chicken . For TS it has to be Carnation Cafe.

At DCA we like the Wharf Bakery for CS. Haven't eaten TS since Ariels Grotto went sky high with their prices, besides the fact Jessica is just not into princesses any more.

[BrerGnat]

I have lots of "favorites" in these categories. I'll happily share them with you.

In Disneyland Park:
-Village Haus (CS-Fantasyland)
-Hungry Bear Restaurant (CS-Critter Country)

These two above have recently come out with new (and MUCH improved) menus. The food at these locations is downright GOOD! Hungry Bear is the best value for the money...portions are HUGE here.

-River Belle Terrace (CS-Adventureland/Frontierland): great for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The carved meat sandwiches and sides are really good and filling!

-Bengal BBQ (CS-Adventureland): grilled meats and veggies on skewers...SO good! Definitely a departure from what you're used to finding at a theme park

-Redd Rocket's Pizza Port (CS-tomorrowland). Not the best pizza per se, but it is good and filling (i.e. my kids love it and the two of them can share one slice). What I love here more are the salads and pasta dishes.

-Rancho del Zocalo (CS-frontierland): good Mexican-ish food.

TS: Carnation Cafe on Main Street. Good, simple food in a great atmosphere.

In DCA:
Not much to choose from right now, I'm afraid, due to all the construction. Our standby here is Taste Pilot's Grill, but I'd just as soon head into the Grand Californian Resort (via the entrance inside DCA) and eat at Whitewater Snacks, as Marci does. That is a great CS location that is never crowded, and has a great menu.

-Pacific Wharf Cafe (CS)
-Cucina Cucamonga (CS): both of these are in the Pacific Wharf area of DCA, and both are worthy of eating at.

In Downtown Disney:

Favorite CS locations:
-Tortilla Jo's TAQUERIA (Great nachos here, and pretty darn good tacos too!)

Favorite TS locations:
-Naples
-Catal (pricey, but VERY good)
-ESPN Zone
-Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen (NOT the express, the sit down)

In the resorts:
-Storyteller's Cafe (Grand Californian...good dinner buffet!)
-Steakhouse 55 (excellent steak house)
-Napa Rose (the BEST meal I've ever had, but VERY expensive)

[clausjo]

Thanks so much! We've made reservations for Minnie's character breakfast. I was wondering if we need to make ADRs for any other sit down meals we may want. Since we've never been to DL and we only have 3 1/2 days because of travel time, I don't want to plan too much if I don't have to. I'm thinking of trying to do a sit down dinner one night, but I'm not sure. We'll be there 6/6 through 6/9, if that helps. I'd much rather "wing it" if at all possible. What do you think?

[BrerGnat]

Wing it! You can even walk up for the Minnie's Breakfast.

ADRs are not required. You will be there prior to the big summer rush, so just go with the flow. It does help to eat at "off' hours (lunch at 11am, or after 2pm; dinner at 5pm, or after 8pm).

I've been living here over 10 years. I've never made an ADR (even for Napa Rose, which used to have a waiting list a couple months long, we just called a couple hours before we headed over to put our name in).

[KatieDuck22]

Go to the lucky fortune cookie! we loved it and went three times (CS)
We also loved being at the carnation cafe. a great experience to be right there were all the magic starts!