My name is Lorissa (I’m Tina’s Sister). I have a confession, I am obsessed with Disneyland… And specially the food of Disneyland. I have been enjoying the magic since I was a little girl, and living in Los Angeles means at least one weekend a month, I get to suspended my disbelief and dive into the adventure. I love this opportunity to share some of my favorite nibbles from Disneyland, California Adventure, and Downtown Disney area.
Some of the Best Foods at Disneyland
Let’s start with chocolate. If you love chocolate and you love peanut butter, you better make a stop for what is called the “Peanut Butter Sandwich.” Just look at it….
The Corn Dogs are epic! Freshly dipped and fried to perfection. They come with chips or apples and are a perfect lunch or dinner on the go! They have them at the Little Red Wagon Corn Dogs at Disneyland Main Street and also at the Corn Dog Castle in California Adventure boardwalk.
Dole Whip and Dole Whip Float. Fluffy, creamy and delicious, can you ask for anything more? Well, you can if you get the float which takes the traditional Whip and adds pineapple juice. They are amazing on a warm summer day and there are two lines, with the one inside toward the Tiki Room generally shorter. It’s a wonderful way to cool off and enjoy your sweet treat and sing along with the birds!
The Fried Chicken at the Plaza Inn at Disneyland is to die for. It’s a whole half of a chicken, a biscuit, mashed potatoes with gravy, and green beans. They are so customer service minded, if you would like to double up on one side and skip the other, they are happy to oblige. Come with your appetite or plan to share, this meal can really can feed two people. The fountain drinks have complimentary refills and if you ask nicely, they will give you a to-go cup to keep enjoying your beverage out in the park.
Lobster Nachos at the Cove Bar in California Adventure are a tradition with my crew. A huge pile of fresh tortilla chips, chunks of lobster meat, cheese, beans, Serrano peppers and crema(a sour cream based sauce) are the perfect blend. Chefs note, I always ask for more of the crema on the side because it is amazing, trust me!
The Sonoma Chicken Salad at the Warf in California Adventure is a delicious option to fill your bread bowl needs. It takes fresh green apples, dried cranberry, walnuts and chunks of chicken lightly tossed with a fresh citrus dressing are piled high into the crusty sour dough bread. This is the perfect combo of salad and sandwich.
The Jalapeno Cream cheese pretzels can be found at a number of carts around both parks. The outside is covered in shredded cheese and the insides are filled with a slightly spicy creamy that is perfect with the salty exterior. They are a fantastic when standing in line for Tower of Terror, I mean, if you plan your snacks close to lines you appreciate standing in…. that’s a thing… right?
Once they put a Ghiradelli Soda Fountain in California Adventure, my life was never the same. Free samples of chocolate every time you visit, what a wonderful pick me up at the Happiest Place on Earth. I adore all their sundaes, and you can be as simple or as complicated as you would like. They let you change the favors of ice cream if you want a different combination for your magical moment. The offer dark and milk hot fudge sauce, and the salted caramel hot chocolate is divine.
The Bacon Wrapped Asparagus at the Bengal Barbecue brings me right back to my childhood. Maybe because it was a favorite treat when we would visit the parks, or maybe because it is the best blend of smokey, salty, and crunchy. It’s hearty asparagus spears literally wrapped in bacon as the name describes, but the ratio of bacon to bite is in the bacon’s favor, and when you squeeze the fresh lemon on top, it makes everything pop! Who needs fireworks, right?
At the Carnation Cafe, Disneyland Mainstreet, the cinnamon apple granola pancakes rein supreme. Light and fluffy, with more air then one would ever expect with a name that includes granola, they are so delicious. Served with bacon or sausage, or one of each, it’s a wonderful way to start your Disney adventure with a full tummy.
The Shrimp Tacos at Trader Sam’s in the Disneyland Hotel are divine. It’s a little off the beaten path as it is at the end of the Downtown district and inside the hotel, close to the pool, it’s well worth the journey. They have indoor and outdoor seating, but if you can snag a table inside, it’s a grown up version of the Tiki Room beverages with fun casual food to snack on. The shrimp is well seasoned and cooked perfectly, it’s a light fresh option with the slaw.
Funnel cake, need I say more. You can dress it up many ways at the Stage Door cafe inside Disneyland! They do offer a funnel cake special, so always ask, and there is an option with just powdered sugar. My favorite for a crowd is one of each, the brownie and strawberry. Freshly fried dough covered with decadent sugar and sauces, your mouth will thank you. This may sound like standard fair food, but Disney brings it up an unexpected notch!
Another Carnation Cafe classic is the Green Chili Cheeseburger with fries. I love a good burger, and this one hits all my bells and whistles. The bun was toasted nicely, the egg and salty cheese go so perfectly with the slightly spicy green chile. It’s a hearty lunch, or if you time it right, it’s a wonderful way to catch the parade if you want an early dinner. As for outside seating toward the front of the gate, and watch the parade pass by from the comfort of your dinner seat. The Fried Pickles are also amazing with a fantastic crunch, I mean, if you can’t wait for your meal, a snack is always an option. Oh, and they have a Peanut Butter and Jelly soda, yeah, you heard me, put it on your list if PB and J’s float your boat!
Napa Rose… How do I love thee, let me count the ways. So… this is the creme de la creme of Disney Dining. It is a beautiful restaurant with views of the park, and it is just tucked inside the Grand Californian hotel. If you can sneak away for a nibble sans children, this is what I would recommend to begin your meal. The Seven Sparkling Sins… it’s a lovely tour around the plate with each of the 7 bites a new adventure. Worth every moment!
So, when you plan your next Disney adventure, keep in mind that memories involving all of your senses are ones that last. Enjoy every bite!
What do YOU thing are some of the Best Foods at Disneyland?
If you haven’t bought your tickets or hotel yet, make sure to go through Getaway Today and use MOTHERSNICHE for an extra $10 off. To know why you should do this, and how it will save you the most money, refer to this article: Disneyland Vacation Planning Tips: 5 Things to Do the MOMENT You Decide to Go to Disneyland
Photos: Dole Whip, by Lucky 6.9 at English Wikipedia, unaltered.* Remaining photos Lorissa Hendricks.
Copyright protected by Digiprove © 2015 Kristina Manscill
I'm six-foot tall mother of three and I'm enjoying the view! I'm currently fighting a battle with Lyme disease and am determined to come out victorious. I enjoy warm summer rain, peanut butter everything, having dance parties with my husband and kids, natural remedies and healthy living. Most days I'm just looking for another excuse to avoid the piles of laundry.
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Okay I’m drooling!! We have our Disney trip planned for March and I can’t wait to eat!! More Disney (eating) posts please!!!
The filet mignon at the blue bayou in disneyland, the monte cristo at either the blue bayou or the French cafe in disneyland, the frozen cherry lemonade only sold at a few stands in Disneyland (one in tomorrow land between the nemo subs and pizza port and one across the road from the haunted mansion), the clam chowder in a bread bowl from the pacific warf in California adventure.
Great suggestions, and photography.
The Plaza Inn fried chicken is like crack!
You will be jonesing for more all week.
But you neglected the Carthay Circle restaurant!
Fried bisquits
Pork Chop w plum sauce
Duck Wings
Do it! You will thank me..
Oh, and the frozen Apple Juice in front of Casey Jr Train is great on a hot day.
Oh how I miss the crab chowder from Ariel’s Grotto! Hands down a family favorite! Wish I could get my hands on the recipe.