Top 7 Must Eats – Disneyland Counter Service Foods
Beyond the normal theme park food that you can find everywhere, Disneyland Resort has some delicious foods that you’ll be craving long after your trip. Choosing the right options at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure counter service restaurants can be difficult, so we thought we’d share our “Top 7 Must Eats,” and you’re here for it…how cool is that?
Of course, in typical “Top 7 Must See” fashion, this list might not be the actual Top 7. It’s the top 7 as of right now, based on what jumped out to me when I looked through my Disneyland food photos before writing this post. My stomach is a fickle creature, and an entirely different set of photos might jump out if I looked at them tomorrow. That said, this list has some pretty delicious options that everyone visiting Disneyland Resort ought to try!
Let’s dig in!
1. Plaza Inn Specialty Chicken, Plaza Inn
The Plaza Inn Specialty Chicken is the end-all, be-all of fried chicken. I don’t know what the secret ingredient in that breading is, but the fried chicken is the culinary equivalent of crack. The chicken itself is moist and perfectly breaded, with flavor that’s out of this world. There is a reason the Plaza Inn fried chicken has a cult-like following among Disneyland fans, and this one case where a popular food actually lives up to the hype. It’s some of the best fried chicken I’ve had. The price may seem a bit higher than other counter service options at Disneyland, but given the portion size, it’s actually a pretty good deal. This chicken is a Disneyland institution, and it should be a criminal offense to visit Disneyland and not try this. “Leave the churro, take the fried chicken.”
2. Lobster Nachos, Cove Bar
Your mouth is the “Happiest Place on Earth” after you take a bite of these nachos. A nice Zombie from the bar to wash them down doesn’t hurt, nor does the beautiful view out over Paradise Bay. The Lobster Nachos consist of tender lobster pieces atop fresh corn tortilla chips, beans, Pico de Gallo, Serrano Peppers, cilantro, Chipotle Crema, and shredded jack and cheddar cheeses (none of that fake squeeze cheese here!). If your mouth isn’t watering after reading that description, you are probably a communist. While the Cove Bar isn’t technically a counter service restaurant, this makes the list because these are about the price of a normal counter service entree, and the nachos offer great bang for buck thanks to their huge portion size.
3. Market French Dip, French Market
This used to be a French Market mainstay, and when it returned for “One More Disney Day,” the line for it was out the door and the wait was easily 30 minutes. That night guaranteed the sandwich’s return to the menu, and Disneyland guests are all the better for it. It’s no surprise that this is such a favorite: the meat is tender, moist, and flavorful, and the au jus dip helps make it all melt in your mouth. The Cajun Chips are pretty spectacular, too, with excellent seasoning that is almost addictive. French Market is one of the best counter service restaurants at Disneyland, and this is its best entree.
4. Steak Gumbo, Royal Street Veranda
This one is actually Sarah’s pick, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t include it because it’s one of two foods she must have every time we visit Disneyland (the other being the Matterhorn Macaroon). I’ll admit that this gumbo in a sourdough bread bowl is pretty good, but most of the time I can’t fathom eating soup in the hot Southern California weather, so I usually head to French Market while she orders this. The gumbo has a generous amount of steak and a hearty flavor, with the perfect amount of seasoning and vegetables. In other words, it’s far from the broth-water you might expect from theme park gumbo. The bread bowl can be a mixed bag, but I generally like it, especially for ripping off pieces and dipping into the gumbo.
5. Corn Dog, Corn Dog Castle
Some people think there’s no such thing as a bad corn dog, some people think there’s no such thing as a good corn dog. It’s a pretty divisive piece of food. I happen to think there are good and bad corn dogs, and the ones at Corn Dog Castle in Disney California Adventure’s Paradise Pier are decidedly good. Perfectly breaded with a crunchy, thin outer layer with moist breading underneath and a tasty hot dog underneath, these are a great snack to enjoy while walking around Paradise Pier and relaxing. There are also Hot-Link Corn Dogs and Cheddar Cheese Sticks (a corn dog with cheese instead of “dog”) for the adventurous types, but I recommend sticking with the classic.
6. Brioche French Toast, Flo’s V8 Cafe
We’re not generally fans of counter service breakfast at Disneyland Resort, so it’s somewhat noteworthy that one of our Top 7 favorite counter service foods is a breakfast item (the French Toast at Tangaroa Terrace just missed the list, so there were almost TWO breakfast items!). Actually, categorizing the breakfast categorization of this french toast is a bit suspect. With the sugary french toast and the sweet caramel sauce, it’s basically a dessert. Of course, it does have bananas on it, so that must count for something. Regardless of what it is, it’s incredibly delicious. Kids, if you can convince your parents that this is a nutritious breakfast, I would hazard a guess that you can convince them of just about anything. (Perhaps that one of the delicious Flo’s V8 Cafe milkshakes would be a good drink to accompany this…it does have milk in it!)
7. Trixie’s Pie, Hungry Bear Restaurant
Since its extended refurbishment and menu overhaul a couple of years ago, Hungry Bear Restaurant has been on a roll. There are a few items that could make this list from Hungry Bear, including the Lemon “Bumblebee” Cupcake and Fried Green Tomato Sandwich, but we’re giving the nod to Trixie’s Pie. You may recognize it as being named after the rotund Country Bear, Trixie. This nod to one of my favorite attractions gives it bonus points (and I’m guessing Trixie knows a thing or two about pies), but it’s a winner even without that thanks to its delicious taste. It’s more or less a brownie pie, with rich cream on top and a moist center. The texture here is varied, and the dessert is sizable and rich. We definitely recommend splitting this.
So there you have our “Top 7 Must Eats” from Disneyland Resort counter service restaurants! We know there are some snubs with which some of you may disagree (sorry, Dole Whip fans!), but with so many great foods at Disneyland Resort counter service restaurants, it’s pretty difficult to narrow the list down to just the Top 7.
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Your Thoughts…
What would be on your list of “Top 7 Disneyland Must Eats”? Do you like the items we’ve listed? Plan on trying some of them when you visit Disneyland? Share your thoughts or questions in the comments!
AMEN to the Chicken! Besides being really good every single time, the green beans on the side are the only green beans my husband will ever eat. They have a bit of garlic and they are never over cooked. We usually grab one chicken dinner, two side salads and share…the portions are enormous! We’ve never left hungry. PLUS- you can ask for a “to-go” cup and get a refill of whatever soda you’re drinking to take out with you. BARGAIN on a hot day!
May I also recommend “La Salade de Maison” if you want something refreshing yet filling, the “Crescent City” Salad with Blackened Chicken is hearty and delicious, and the “Mickey-shaped Beignets” -all at Cafe Oleans. The salads are amazing and substantial for the price, the beignets are great with the Fruit Coulis (berry) and Vanilla Bean Crème Anglaise (YUM)
I found out today the Mickey-shaped beignets are available from the Mint Julep Bar. Hooray for Counter Service beignets!
We’ve been going to Disneyland since our kids were babies and are still going, now with their little ones. We always have to have a breakfast of chocolate muffins at the Bakery, lunch at the Pizza Port one day for the alfredo pasta (extra sauce and no chicken, please) and a pulled pork sandwich at the Terrace with lots of bbq sauce!! Churros, cotton candy, and of course a Mickey ice cream bar! Some trips it seems like we spend almost as much time eating as riding rides 🙂
I have to give a shout out for the Banyan Beef Skewer at Bengal BBQ. I know it’s too spicy for most people, but if you can take the heat come visit this kitchen! (Note: There’s a tame version as well.)
We just had both types of beef skewers from Bengal BBQ. The sweet and the hot & spicy. Both were equally horrible! The meat was three irregular sized pieces of tough beef. My carnivorous 12 year old complained that the meat was horrible and the bacon asparagus spears were unevenly cooked because they were burnt on the edges.
We have two more days to go and I’ll be sticking to the French Market, Hungry Bear and corn Dog Cart in DL.
Well I have to have the All you can eat at the Thunder Mountain BBQ !!! Always the best & if you come away hungry from there you are well… stupid !!!
I agree with several of your choices! Corn Dog Castle is a must-stop every time we’re in DCA, and that french toast from Flo’s was much better than I expected.
I am highly allergic to shellfish, but I’ve had the Lobster Nachos with chicken instead and they were still great. (But let’s be real- I’m sure they’re much better with lobster!)
I’m generally not big on fried chicken, but maybe that’s just because I haven’t tried the fried chicken at the Plaza Inn? I’ll put it on my list for next time.
I haven’t tried that gumbo bread bowl, but I always go to the Pacific Wharf in DCA for one of their soups in a bread bowl. My favorite is the corn chowder.
Completely agree with the Plaza Inn Chicken dinner. I can’t go without a visit to the Plaza Inn without it. Although my wife and kids won’t eat it anymore because they always get tummy troubles afterwards. Not sure why but its heaven to me. Nice article here on counter service at Disneyland. What happened to the ribs at Taste Pilots? Why did they take these away?
I’ll be trying that fried chicken and french dip for sure on my trip later this month. It’ll be perfect right before I run the Disneyland half marathon.
Most experts recommend at least three servings of fried chicken before even THINKING about doing ANY running. Best of luck.
Let’s talk comfort food. As good as this list sounds (and is), after a few days of ice-cream, fried foods, pastries and candies, Flo’s Diner is more than a welcome respite. Great home-made, delicious comfort food is what fits the bill for us at the end of our visit. Our day at DCA isn’t complete without a good wholesome Flo’s dinner!
I’m all about the Thai coconut curry chicken from Lucky Fortune Cookery. It’s both my MVP (easily the Disneyland food I crave most often) and an unsung hero. Sweet and tangy with all the flavors of curry without an overpowering spiciness. Oh, and the Flo’s Apple Cheddar pie (though most of Flo’s can go on there).
Your blog is giving me serious urges to visit Disneyland. I live 3 hours from WDW so going there is easy, but reading up on Disneyland really makes me want to go like now!
I agree with the hot soup in 100 degree weather. Lets just say rarely eat soup living in Florida. It’s 98 degrees today…
We are seriously considering our first trip to Disneyland in 2015 when Star Wars Celebration comes to Anaheim. This post is my first bit of trip “research.” And what delicious research it is.
Little Red Cart on Main Street–best corn dogs–only because they are so hot and fresh AND–you get that great Disneyland Main Street atmosphere. Personally–I get my corn dog–and go to sit across the street at Coke Corner. I get a table right on the edge of the eating area, so I can both listen to the Rag Time Piano player–as well as watch the passers by on Main Street (and the horse drawn trolley, the fire truck, double decker bus), watch the mountain climbers on the Matterhorn…etc! Good times! (I was there this past weekend!)
Last night, I was in Disnland waiting for the parade and was googeing “top Disneyland Counter Service”. Looks like this post went up just a bit too late for me! (Well, not too late as we’re here for a couple more days. The fried chicken is definitely on my list, but my wife wasn’t interested last night.)
Addendum: I had the fried chicken today. It’s hard to live up to the hype your give it, but I believe it succeeded. Sarah must be crazy not to like the Plaza Inn. 🙂
Thanks for sharing! Can you tell me why neither WDW or Disneyland serves chocolate cake anymore? I’m talking about just a good old fashioned chocolate cake with chocolate icing! Sometimes you just want the basics for dessert not some of the fancy schmancy stuff they offer now.
There use to be a 7 layer chocolate cake served at the Main Street Bakery at the Magic Kingdom that unfortunately stopped being made about 11 years ago. It was the best chocolate cake I’ve ever had still to this day.
I haven’t found a great dessert like that anywhere on property since. They also use to sell small plastic boxes of rock candy that were awesome but I’m sure enough people complained that it wasn’t healthy and they stopped selling those as well around the same time.
Chandra, I’ve had the flourless chocolate cake from the Jolly Holiday Bakery recently (once in May & it was still on the menu in Sept), and I LOVE it! It’s just chocolate cake with chocolate icing, though it is not light & fluffy cake, but a fairly dense, heavy cake (presumably due to the lack of flour). Anyway, it’s delish, so give it a try! Because it is a bit rich, it can be good to share, though I’ve eaten a piece all by my lonesome! Hope you like it!
Where are those cupcakes with the little masquerade mask decorations from?
Those delicious little guys are “extinct” unfortunately.
Thanks to your DLR trip report recommendation we had the Plaza Fried Chicken for lunch during our recent trip. It was the perfect 4th of July lunch, and was my husband’s favorite meal of the entire trip! (Even after I told him I picked it based on the recommendation of “that crazy dude who stays in the Parks til like 3 am just to take pictures”. Which is how he refers to you.)
“Crazy dude” is probably the most apt way to refer to me. Glad he enjoyed the chicken!
What?!? Okay, the corn dogs at Corn Dog Castle are good, but they are not as good as the ones from Little Red Wagon!!! DCA corn dogs may have a castle, but the Little Red Wagon corn dog is definitely king!
I am afraid that I must concur with Jason here. There is an added amount of authenticity and possibly years of delicious corn dog residue in the Little Red Wagon. BTW, I suggest getting this on your way out of the park, as the deliciousness often fades into slight nausea about fifteen minutes into an intensive digestion.
The corn dog I had from the little red wagon was easily one of the greasiest things I’ve ever ate. I finished it and immediately felt nauseous. The Corn Dog Castle dogs have never given me that feeling, and I don’t know if I just got a bad corn dog from the wagon, but there’s only one place I’ll get corn dogs at in Disneyland/DCA
Plaza Inn Chicken is quite accurately described in your article as crack. It’s that good. We’re getting ready to head to Disneyland for the Expo and I’ve been reading up on all the menus to try and pick our places to go. So many places I love to eat in Disneyland – hope I get to hit them all!
Drooling…and furiously jotting down notes for my trip to Disneyland in a month 😀
Get the fried chicken…you know you want to! 😉
Long live number 5.
Are the hot dogs at Disneyland all-beef, or are they a chicken-beef mix like the Walt Disney World ones? Would probably try the corn dogs either way (love them), but just curious.
Same chicken/beef mix. Still delicious!