Best Value Lunch in All of Disney World
Inflation has run hot for the last several years. Food prices are up even more, increasing by over 30% since 2020. Walt Disney World prices are starting to cool thanks to more aggressive discounts, but are still higher than 2019 thanks to more expensive tickets, hotels, and add-ons like Lightning Lanes.
No further explanation is needed for any of this. If you’ve spent any time at a grocery store or pricing out a Walt Disney World vacation in the last few years, this is all very obvious. Everything is more expensive, everywhere you go. It’s usually not just more expensive, either. Shrinkflation is also a thing, unfortunately, and so too is corner-cutting to reduce costs.
Despite this, there are a couple of surprises when it comes to food and Walt Disney World. The first is that menu price increases at Walt Disney World in the last ~5 years are below inflation. Disney counter service restaurants don’t strike us as any worse than real world fast casual locales. It’s a somewhat similar story for table service restaurants, and our strong suspicion is that Disney already pushed prices as far as possible pre-closure. The second surprise is that one specific great dining deal at Walt Disney World we first found over 6 years ago still exists as of January 2026…
Disney Springs has emerged as the culinary epicenter of Walt Disney World. Restaurants like Boathouse, Homecomin’, Morimoto Asia, and a variety of other table service restaurants by celebrity chefs have impressed, and offered a better value proposition than in-park alternatives. This is largely because Disney Springs caters largely to locals, so its restaurants need to be competitive with real world options in Central Florida.
Despite this, one challenge has been finding an affordable and delicious lunch. The top-tier counter service restaurants at Disney Springs are not cheap, leaving something of a “value void” that’s really only filled by Blaze Pizza, Earl of Sandwich, and a variety of food trucks.
Nothing against any of those, but they’re not exactly exciting. The good news is that the embarrassment of dining riches at Disney Springs has driven competition, especially among table service restaurants before dinner. This has led to some great lunch and happy hour specials, and the champion here might surprise you.
It’s STK Steakhouse Orlando.
That’s right–the same restaurant that has a steak menu with prices ranging from $50 to $160. The first time I saw the sign outside advertising this burger, I did a double-take, as all of the sides at STK are more expensive than this delectable lunch!
Regular readers of the blog might be surprised to learn that STK has become our go-to lunch spot at Disney Springs, especially after some blistering criticism of this restaurant bringing a Las Vegas vibe to Walt Disney World and (initially) refusing to read the room and adapt for a radically different demographic in Central Florida.
Despite those early missteps, STK has emerged as one of the top dining options at Disney Springs.
While other Walt Disney World restaurants make a good first impressions and gradually erode once their positive reputation is baked-in, STK seems to be taking the opposite path. It is now fighting an uphill battle, and doing so with an assortment of promos and deals.
The best of these, and what has become our go-to lunch at Disney Springs, is the Wagyu Burger. (Previously the Linz Angus Burger.)
This is available as part of the lunch menu, available from 11 am to 3 pm: Wagyu Burger & Fries: 7oz beef patty – lettuce – tomato – onion – american cheese – special sauce – fries . add ons: egg 3 | bacon 3 | grilled onions 3 | avocado 3.5
Although not as prominent, the burger is actually also on the weekend brunch menu (Wagyu Burger BKFT: 7oz beef patty – american cheese – bacon – fried egg – lettuce – tomato – onion – special sauce – fries), which is likewise offered from 11 am to 3 pm. That burger is an even better deal, as it includes the bacon and fried egg, which are upcharges during the lunch special.
The STK Wagyu Burger & Fries is $9.99 during these timeframes. But wait, there’s more!
In addition to the lunch and brunch menus, STK also has an amazing Happy Hour menu that’s available during the following timeframes and locations (it’s a bit tricky):
- Weekday – Mon – Fri: 2:30 – 6:30pm
- Weekend – Sat – Sun: 2:30 – 5:30pm (Available in the bar, lounge, & patio only)
- Late Night – Sun – Thur: 10:00pm – Close (Available in the bar, lounge, & patio only)
We are really due to re-review this Happy Hour menu, but we’ve had it in the past several times (see below) and it offers amazing bang for buck. Honestly, I don’t know how they aren’t losing money on all of this. If STK pulled a Sprinkles Cupcakes and went out of business overnight, it would be a sad day for me and my wallet–but not a surprising one.
With those Happy Hour options, STK Steakhouse isn’t just the best value lunch in all of Walt Disney World. It’s also the best value early dinner on weekdays or weekends (if you sit in certain spots), or late at night after hitting the parks and most restaurants are closed. But all of that’s a mouthful (much like the Happy Hour menu) that wouldn’t fit cleanly in this post’s title.
One thing to note is that the burger is listed differently on the Happy Hour menu. Instead of being the Wagyu Burger, it’s the STK Burger. I’m not sure whether this distinction is meaningful, but I want to mention it because I did just receive an email in January 2026 specifically about this burger from STK (that’s the motivation for this update), and it didn’t mention Wagyu.
It’s possible that’s an oversight, or due to the STK Burger being available at all locations, but not the Wagyu Burger. This email was not specific to the Disney Springs location. It’s also possible that they’re in the process of changing from the Wagyu Burger to a cheaper patty to cut costs.
Another possibility is that these full line of products and prices are offered during the winter off-season. Everything here (and even a few steak deals at lunch) is on the STK Steakhouse Orlando menu as of January 2026. Just as it was last year. However, we heard from readers who visited later that some costs had increased in the spring. (Sounds like a research trip is in order!)
In addition to the email, we’ve actually seen this deal in the wild over the last year (not in 2026, but over the holiday season and prior). When I saw it again at Disney Springs for the first time in years, I was blown away to see that this deal was still available. Or rather, available again. We first spotted this deal back in 2018, before food costs rose by over 30% or Walt Disney World vacation prices shot up.
Against all odds, the STK burger deal is still around 6+ years later. Admittedly, we don’t spend as much time at Disney Springs as we used to when we were locals–and STK was part of our regular restaurant rotation–but I just assumed inflation or everything else had killed this deal.
Nope. Instead, the deal has gotten better over the last couple of years. At some point, the deal increased in price for $12.99 (if I recall correctly) and then I’m pretty sure it was unavailable for a period of time–possibly during peak pent-up demand. Regardless, it’s back now, and once again $9.99.
Suffice to say, the STK Burger is fantastic. A thick and juicy patty that’s a tad fatty and incredibly filling. I normally order burgers medium-rare, but think this one is better medium.
This is a “Wagyu” Burger with air quotes in the sense that it’s the (increasingly common) marketing use of the term rather than a signal of high-quality and a costly product. It’s wagyu in the same sense that dishes at food booths in EPCOT are wagyu. Still, the quality is there.
At this price, this burger is actually a couple dollars cheaper than specialty items at D-Luxe Burger, and the STK Burger comes with fries and is higher quality beef.
To put this deal into perspective, if you were to order these Snake River Farms Wagyu Patties yourself, you’d be paying $6.00 each for them. That’s not including the bun, toppings, labor, overhead, or anything else.
While I’d assume STK isn’t paying quite that much, it’s still a pricey burger for them. Honestly, I feel a bit bad about going and only ordering this without alcohol or anything else, as I know it’s a loss leader for STK.
Because of this, we always like to order something else to go along with it. Once at brunch, we also ordered the Cinnamon Monkey Bread with cream cheese icing.
This is also fairly inexpensive, and it’s a decadent and delicious way to start your meal.
They also accept Annual Passholder discounts for lunch (and every meal). That really sweetens the deal on this.
I’ve been told I don’t need to lecture readers about this, but we’d encourage you to tip above 20% on this meal if you’re only doing the burgers. This is an expensive steakhouse with high-dollar drinks.
It’s been a while since we’ve done it, but the afternoon happy hour is also fantastic, with a ton of deals.
You can easily make a meal out of just a few things, or split a half-dozen items between two people.
Since the burger deal runs from 11 am until 3 pm and happy hour starts at 2:30 pm, you can time your meal here so that you take advantage of both! (Be mindful that happy hour is available in the entire restaurant on weekdays, but the bar/lounge/patio only on weekends.)
Rounding out the deals, you might consider signing up for their email list. Once you get past the cringey “friends with benefits” name, you’ll receive a variety of special offers, including $50 birthday gift cards, free items, and more.
STK frequently offers discounted gift cards around the holidays, meaning that you can further sweeten the deal on this burger or happy hour. Frankly, I’m not sure how STK is still in business given all of this. (And since it’s an odd fit for Walt Disney World.)
The name of that email list should serve as a reminder that STK has a bit of edge to it, even if that has been toned down at the Disney Springs location. Lunch and happy hour are generally pretty chill, with the scene bumpin’ a bit more upstairs at dinner. (That’s the closest I get to hip language.)
Our favorite experience at STK, and one about which we still laugh, was last Christmas when someone was having fun with the playlist. It started out innocuously enough, with some 90s hip hop Christmas songs that you’d never hear in the parks but that are still perfectly tame.
Things continued to escalate with an uncensored version of Lonely Island’s “gift-giving” song, before going off the rails–and having the song quickly changed. It was actually a bit unfortunate, as you could look around and see people lifting their heads with a, “do I hear what I think I hear?” look, but no one seemed upset or offended. Ah, good times.
Overall, STK is still an acquired taste in terms of atmosphere, but the food is unquestionably good. It wouldn’t be a place I’d take kids after about 6 p.m., but the brunch, lunch, and happy hour experience is friendly to all ages. Perhaps more importantly, the price-points are friendly to all budgets. If you order that $9.99 Wagyu Burger & Fries, you’re getting the best value meal in all of Walt Disney World; something that likely wouldn’t even be that cheap at a “real world” restaurant in Orlando or elsewhere.
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Your Thoughts
What do you think of STK? Have you tried the $9.99 Burger & Fries or any other deals on the brunch, lunch, or happy hour menus? Do you agree or disagree with our take on STK? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
Tom how do you guys feed megaton when you are eating at wow? Does she eat from your plates or do you carry her food with you? Was just curious now that she is a toddler
Do you recommend making reservations? My luck would be having reservations and then arrive to a discontinued lunch deal.
We’ve never made reservations!
How much is the burger after 3pm?
It’s not available on the regular menus: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/disney-springs/stk-steakhouse/menus/dinner/
The cheapest salad is $24, entrees start at $49, and even sides are all $19 and up. STK is otherwise a very expensive restaurant, which is part of why this is such an exceptional deal.
I hate to disagree with my guy, Tom, but… the best value lunch in WDW, hands down, is at the Trail’s End Restaurant at the campground. 2 pieces of fried chicken, corn bread, and two sides for $10.79! And this is a counter service, so no tip. Delicious, filling, and usually very uncrowded. If you have the time, it’s well worth the relaxing boat ride over. P.S. If you still have room afterwards, top it off with some strawberry shortcake 🙂
Those patties from Snake River Farms are American Wagyu, which are from Japanese Wagyu cattle crossbred with US cattle, usually Angus. It’s not just a marketing term. It actually is a premium product (premium being a subjective term, admittedly).
Sorry – I didn’t mean to suggest it’s not a premium product. Just that it doesn’t mean the same thing as Wagyu use to, and (I assume) American Wagyu was created at least in part to increase the cachet (and marketing value) of the meat.
American Wagyu is fantastic, just not as much as the “real” thing!
Agreed, definitely created to capitalize on the cachet of the word Wagyu
Is STK still offering the Linz Angus Burger deal this spring? We would normally not go to STK as the Toronto location is an easy hop for us.
We are having an adults only trip late April and really doing this as dining trip with WDW as the bonus. Boathouse will not be missed. Your outside dining tips have been terrific and helpful.
We haven’t been to STK in a few months, but will make a point of checking it out and reporting back soon! 🙂
Why do you feel compelled to tell people they should tip more than 20% because they ordered a burger? What’s the difference relative to what they order? How patently absurd.
Because he is thinking of the servers. They are paid well-below minimum wage and rely on tips to make up the difference. I think Tom makes this suggestion knowing that the server could be earning significantly more by serving a table that makes an order more in line with normal prices. And considering Tom started the sentence, “I’ve been told I don’t need to lecture readers about this,” he anticipated people like you getting riled up about his thoughtful approach.
Wish I knew this two weeks ago when we were there! Although we did have a great lunch at Wine Bar George during our trip. Very good chicken salad with house made chips and a pickle….I believe it was about $10 or $11 also.
I seen this on mr morrows vlog he ate here with some friends on opening day and it looked amazing 11 bucks for a qagyu burger and fries is a bargain and it was a nice portion
Thanks for sharing this. I guess I’m confused, on the fine print at the bottom of the sign it says fries are not included but you said the were? Just wondering.
I wasn’t even sure what you meant at first, but I see that at the bottom of the sign now. For what it’s worth, we’ve done this several times and fries have always been included. Doesn’t mean that would always be the case (given the sign), but that’s been our experience.
With that said, I’d do this burger for $10 even without the fries.
That burger does look good. If I’m at DS at lunch time, maybe on a travel day, I might check it out. Hopefully they won’t be playing any no-talent rap-crap garbage. It’s bad enough some of that has leaked into the parks with the unfortunate too loud theme-ruining dance parties.
But I’m certainly not going to leave a park to go eat anywhere, especially not DS. That’s an absurd waste of ticket time! I’d bet some of the ones complaining about the new smoking policy wasting their time would go off site to eat. Sure, we’ll go there to hit up Raglan Road after a park closes, but we don’t budget a whole day at DS. Malls are everywhere…
I just returned home today from WDW, so sad that I didn’t read this yesterday. Thanks for the tips though! Looking forward to trying this soon.
Awesome reply! Totally agree Nick, that it is a waste of time/money to go to DS, which is just a fancy mall, when you are paying to go to the parks. I’m not sure how long it takes to get from a park to DS but when I stayed at the Dolphin in took a whole HOUR to get to DS and a whole other HOUR to get back to the Dolphin, this just to see the garbage Christmas tree lane. What a waste. Sure you can take a lyft and that costs what, 20 bucks RT with tip? So much for a low cost good meal. That said, this might be a good place for locals and those staying at a DS hotel to eat at.
With an increased emphasis on Central Florida, I’d love to see off the radar recommends (not I-Drive) of things to do and local spots – maybe on your other blog!
Tom, your photos are amazing – they get better and better – Either its great gaussian blur editing or you have one amazing lens!
Anyway, I think the changes you talk about above are probably sensible ones but the smoking thing might cause problems like you say with rogue smokers in strange places in the park – the pram aka stroller thing – is a fair point and if it genuinely includes double ones I can’t see why anyone will really have a problem.
I’ve been to Disney 15 times. Nothing is inexpensive. To me, they are pricing a lot of people out. I used to drive there from NJ and the fact I stay on property and park my car in the hotels parking lot. Now it’s 20.00 a day? The food is expensive. They nickel and dime you everyday they can. Well, now that I’m done venting have a nice day.
a hidden gem at disney springs for a fantastic QS value is wolfgang puck express in the marketplace by the christmas shop. we make it a point to dine there every trip on our disney springs visit. fantastic options, all wonderful, never had anything bad there, and it’s one of the best meals for only a QS credit.
I agree. I go there sometimes more than one trip. My friends go to Earl and I go to Wolfgang. Also the wait staff if exceptional. By the way didn’t find that to be the case at STK.for dinner.
Hope they still have that special in August!
Hahaha that bacon upcharge is amazing
I enjoyed the food at STK, but the music is way, WAY too loud – as if they’re trying too hard to be “hip”…
For the price of their regular menu, it’s not a refined, luxury experience in the way that almost every other signature dining location at Disney is.
At $9 it’s 8.99 over priced. That place is a dump. The service is horrible, the 1980 Vegas decor is a joke and the bathrooms are disgusting. Heck I’d pay them 9 bucks just to stay closed for lunch. Heck throw us a bone and stay closed for dinner as well.
Ah, Tom. Sometimes, I think you are reading my mind on these things. … I don’t know when your first visit to STK was. My first was back in September. One of the things I loved was that the blogging crowd felt they didn’t belong. That’s generally a good sign considering most of these people come off a little off. Was reading a Twitter thread when your pal (the one who loves Marvel and Cap in particular) said people in 2019 shouldn’t use a phone as a phone. Yup, the blogger sure are typical WDW consumers.
Anyway, I am sorry to anyone who feels STK is too edgy or too hip for them. All I know is the food is delicious and the service is great. The music has never gotten much of my attention. And I haven’t had the $9.99 burger yet. I have had the $99 steak (that can feed 2-3). I have had the great wedge salad. The bread. The creamed corn that is to die for. Multiple tater dishes. And great desserts.
They also provide a value, as you illustrate in your post above. Something that you have to contort yourself into a pretzel, and I have seen you do this time and again, for most Disney dining locations.
They won me over that first meal when we were five minutes late for an 8 p.m. reservation (made easily on Open Table, none of the insane credit card guarantees that Disney requires for its overprices, overrated, overhyped by bloggers locales) . They apologised to us and said they were running 30 minutes late and gave each of us two free drinks at the bar. These are not Disney quality drinks, meaning they have more than a teaspoon of alcohol in them. Real drinks. No souvenir glass to be found. I believe they were $16 each, so that was $64 in free booze. (We did give the bartender $10).
We then had a great dinner taking advantage of the Magical Dining Month three courses for $35 deal. It was spectacular. The hostess came over near the end to see how things were, we told her how great everything was and our appreciation for the drinks. She took my hand and placed two more vouchers for freebies in it ‘for next time.’
That’s how you do it. Real quality guest service with none of that ridiculous Disney smarminess.
BTW, at the holidays they ran a fantastic promotion with gift cards. Not the spend $100 and get $10 or $20 free. No, it was a free $50 for every $100 purchased. Obviously, we took advantage. They were also good at STK locations around the globe from NYC to South Beach to London to San Diego. You may have neglected to mention they are part of a chain.
In the meantime we were also able to get vouchers for more free drinks via the concierge at the Swan. I still have some certificates around the house.
I am just glad the frumpy Orlando bloggers will go to Le Cellier for overpriced dead cow, the waits to get into STK will be shorter for hipsters like myself and my crowd.
But, hey, maybe we can have burgers together one day and my ‘glow’ will raise your hip quotient by 3-4 points!
I am just happy that many people will
I first dined at STK a couple of years ago (September 2017, I think?), when they started doing the Happy Hour. It was actually a better deal then–that was right around the time of the really ambitious Magical Dining Month promos when many restaurants in Disney Springs and around WDW were getting aggressive.
Agreed regarding the service at STK being very good–at least, in our experience. I hesitate to comment on service much at Walt Disney World restaurants (even third party ones) as it can be very inconsistent, but we’ve had enough good meals at STK in the last ~6 months that I feel comfortable with that. They’re always nice and conversational even when we order those cheap burgers, which is pretty impressive.
I think part of the reason that STK has maintained a high bar is because it’s still working to find an audience. Places like Jock Lindsay’s or in-park venues can phone it in because they have a built-in or captive audience. Whereas STK does not, and as such has no laurels to rest on.
Per your mention of “Lonely Island’s “gift-giving” song” I don’t think I’ve heard a more delicately worded (yet delightfully accurate) description of a musical number… 😉