Dining Wars: Drinking's Edge - An August 2018 Dining Report - Updated 2/18: Completed

[dolewhipandpixiedust]

I can’t wait to head to Nomad on our Animal Kingdom day!

 

[buzzrelly]

…and to Flight of Passage by the skin of our 15 minute grace period teeth.

Phew!

Hungry since it was now noon and we hadn’t eaten since 4 the previous day we made a rare decision to mobile order some counter service from a restaurant we’d never eaten at before: Satuli Canteen.

Well, if you're going to eat CS, this is the place to do it…or my new fav Pecos Bills

Success….

Usually Casey will keep this in for a week or two before they fall out, but this little girl convinced me to let her rock this until after Thanksgiving! 3 months later!! Only the promise of Christmas was enough to get it out

Cute! When my Allie was 9, we went on a cruise in June where she got the front of her hair corn-rowed and kept it in until September. Her hair was so brittle and broken when she finally did take them out

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Sounds like a brilliant day all round!

 

[FSU Girl]

Turns out he just had no idea where he was going and we were at some kind of gardening center on the backside of Animal Kingdom. I was a little too worried to take pictures, but we eventually ended up in the right place after our harrowing adventure….

It amazes me when Uber drivers don't know their way around Disney. Not only should they know because they probably drive there a lot, but the signage is really good on property and if they just followed that they wouldn't get lost. We took one once that was terrible I had to tell him where to go he was not following any of the directions correctly.

Your food at satuli canteen looked great. It is definitely my favorite quick service on property. We went there on our last weekend trip, they've swapped out the rice for noodles now.

I feel bad for the servers in the lounge, if that creates one server having a ton of people and some having none. It's a shame they don't try and say something to these people.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

So with you on people rearranging tables and seating. What is wrong with people? I just don’t understand how people can be so oblivious. I could really go for Nomad Lounge today.

I haven’t tried Satuli or mobile ordering yet. Must fix this! I will not, however, be trying the tofu!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Glad you had a good counter service experience! I don’t like tofu but that does sound good with that onion hash!

I love Nomad’s drinks especially the ones you two order.

 

[Terra Nova guy]

Jason went with the Combination Grilled Beef & Chicken Bowl on top of whole grains and rice with the creamy herb dressing. This was unquestionably the best counter service meal to have ever graced our lips (cause you know I was stealin’ some of this). The beef in particular had a great garlic flavor and was cooked to a perfect medium rare. His rice was a bit overcooked and the dressing didn’t have a ton of flavor, but that steak was so good it eclipsed those issues.

I never did try Satuli. But it looks great.
Having the free QS dining plan, we ate at a lot of QS places and I found most of them pretty good. I needed to mix in a few TS meals, but overall I was happy with it.

After lunch Casey wanted to do a little shopping, which thankfully for my wallet turned into a hat modeling photoshoot instead.

As you know, my bunch are shoppers, so I didn't even set foot in that shop. They may not have been that interested, seeing how they don't care much for Avatar, but I didn't want to risk it.

Having our priorities Jason made a beeline for Nomads Lounge

Nomads is another place I wanted to get to - mainly from your reviews - but I never did. Always something for the "to do" list.

 

[jhoannam]

I am so glad we tried Satuli Canteen. Counter Service is a rarity in our Disney repertoire, but if they keep making counter service this good we may be changing our tune.

Totally agree, this is my favorite quick service on property. But all your awesome Nomad Lounge reviews are making me want to go there now!

 

[OasterP]

I can't believe how old Casey is looking!!! And full of sass in all the good ways. I actually laughed out loud at the entire post about Halloween party. From the protecting her makeup (brilliant) to her reaction to the spilled candy. I myself can be quite sarcastic and so can Owen (8) so I could just picture her comment about the candy. Love following along on your trips!

 

[kastoney]

I don't think my girls have EVER slept that late!

This may have been the latest she ever slept, but she's good for at least 10 once a month. Kid is a crazy sleeper.

This is on my must do this trip!

Hope you all enjoy it as much as we did! I was surprised it was as good as the hype.

Wait, so did she have that in for her school picture?

Yes she did, but I put her hair back in a bun so you couldn't see it.

I can’t wait to head to Nomad on our Animal Kingdom day!

Me too. We should be there at least twice, if not 3 times, on our next trip!

Well, if you're going to eat CS, this is the place to do it…or my new fav Pecos Bills

I'm not sure we've ever eaten at Pecos Bills. I have a vague memory of Jason and I maybe eating something there when I was pregnant, but I stopped about every 5 minutes on that trip for food.

Cute! When my Allie was 9, we went on a cruise in June where she got the front of her hair corn-rowed and kept it in until September. Her hair was so brittle and broken when she finally did take them out

I have a feeling if we ever go on a cruise Casey will want that too. We tried to take this one out but it had been in there so long we couldn't get it out. We ended up just cutting it and she now has a lovely 2 inch piece of hair sticking out of her head

Sounds like a brilliant day all round!

It twas It twas

It amazes me when Uber drivers don't know their way around Disney. Not only should they know because they probably drive there a lot, but the signage is really good on property and if they just followed that they wouldn't get lost. We took one once that was terrible I had to tell him where to go he was not following any of the directions correctly.

Yeah I couldn't believe that someone on Disney property didn't know where they were going. I thought he was going the wrong way but figured he knew something I didn't. Should have known to say something.

Your food at satuli canteen looked great. It is definitely my favorite quick service on property. We went there on our last weekend trip, they've swapped out the rice for noodles now.

I was wondering that. I couldn't find the rice on the menu and thought I was crazy and Jason had ordered something else.

So with you on people rearranging tables and seating. What is wrong with people? I just don’t understand how people can be so oblivious. I could really go for Nomad Lounge today.

I haven’t tried Satuli or mobile ordering yet. Must fix this! I will not, however, be trying the tofu!

There is nothing wrong with them and they aren't oblivious, they are just in Disney and entitled to whatever they want

And definitely try Satuli! And the tofu. Yum!!!!

Glad you had a good counter service experience! I don’t like tofu but that does sound good with that onion hash!

I love Nomad’s drinks especially the ones you two order.

Why I like tofu so much is a mystery to me, but I think I'll follow Jasons lead and go for the steak next time.

I never did try Satuli. But it looks great.
Having the free QS dining plan, we ate at a lot of QS places and I found most of them pretty good. I needed to mix in a few TS meals, but overall I was happy with it.

I'm sure QS has greatly improved over the years. We just so enjoy taking a longer break for lunch at the TS places we rarely get a QS in.

Nomads is another place I wanted to get to - mainly from your reviews - but I never did. Always something for the "to do" list.

That's the great thing about Disney. There is always more to do. And drink

Totally agree, this is my favorite quick service on property. But all your awesome Nomad Lounge reviews are making me want to go there now!

If I could get Satuli food served in Nomads lounge with their drinks I think we'd have the perfect Disney Oasis!

I can't believe how old Casey is looking!!! And full of sass in all the good ways. I actually laughed out loud at the entire post about Halloween party. From the protecting her makeup (brilliant) to her reaction to the spilled candy. I myself can be quite sarcastic and so can Owen (8) so I could just picture her comment about the candy. Love following along on your trips!

Hi there stranger!!! Hope you and the family are doing well. It's always good to see you here.

Casey is certainly getting older and with it the sarcasm is growing too . I think she looks a bit older than she actually is, but she's officially joining Owen in the 8 club next month.

 

[ncc1701]

Wow based on reasonably priced beer and Jason's bowl I may need to reconsider eating at Saulti. It looks like something DH would also like. If Casey's Pod came with fries I might need to order that just for the nostalgia of my youth.

 

[Niki Andiokno]

I LOVE Sa'tuli Canteen. I must try that bowl. I have only had the curry vegetable pods that are no longer on the menu. It looks really good. Nomad Lounge seems so awesome. I really need to try it someday.

 

[TeresaNJ]

We've eaten at Sa'tuli twice, once for breakfast, and once for lunch, and loved it both times! I was so sad when they stopped serving breakfast. Maybe the Nomad Lounge should go the way of Wilderness' Geyser Point, and have a cast member seating people. I'm pretty sure Geyser Point had the same problem prior to the new seating by host/hostess.

 

[Stacybaeasm]

I knew you would do an update while I was out sick. Just admit it, you have a camera in my office and you update when you don't see me. It's ok. I will eventually get caught up. I really need to take a trip with Casey - get our face painted, hair braided, do some silly photos. When can this happen?????

 

[followthatmouse]

Episode XV: Attack of the Counter Service
​

I went in the total opposite direction and got the Chili-Spiced Crispy Fried Tofu Bowl on the red & sweet potato hash topped with the charred onion chimichurri.

I’m sure I’ll get panned for this one, but I have what I acknowledge is an unnatural love of tofu and this did not disappoint. The tofu had a slight spice to it and was fried goodness on the outside and creamy on the inside. The hash and onion sauce were definitely the way to go, all that was missing was some of Jason’s beef.
​

We were also a tad bit hungry so we also got some Smoked Pork Ribs with Sweet Soy-glaze, Toasted Sesame.

These were nicely charred on the outside, but tender on the inside and it had some unique flavor from what I can imagine are some African or Indian spices. There was also a bit of lime on it which added a nice brightness.​

There is nothing wrong with tofu. Silken tofu is always acceptable ... even in mixed company! Now I'm intrigued by that chili-spiced variety at Satuli Canteen. This May we will have our first experience of Pandora and Satuli. The tofu bowl and that lovely, garlicky beef bowl look particularly good!

Oh, those ribs at Nomad. Yum, yum, yummy!

Now, where did I leave my pith helmet?!

 

[JeninTexas]

I just came across your report and have read all 25 pages! Love it! We are definitely putting Nomad Lounge on our list for the next trip. Looking forward to hearing about the rest of your dining experiences

 

[kastoney]

Wow based on reasonably priced beer and Jason's bowl I may need to reconsider eating at Saulti. It looks like something DH would also like. If Casey's Pod came with fries I might need to order that just for the nostalgia of my youth.

I was really surprised at how good Satuli was. Add in the "cheap" beer and it was a great meal. The pod most definitely could have used some French Fries, Though of the McDonalds, and not Disney, varietal. Disney does a lot of things well but french fries are not amongst them.

I LOVE Sa'tuli Canteen. I must try that bowl. I have only had the curry vegetable pods that are no longer on the menu. It looks really good. Nomad Lounge seems so awesome. I really need to try it someday.

Now that the pods are off the menu it sounds like it is definitely time for a bowl. And how have you not tried Nomads? It is totally up your alley!

We've eaten at Sa'tuli twice, once for breakfast, and once for lunch, and loved it both times! I was so sad when they stopped serving breakfast. Maybe the Nomad Lounge should go the way of Wilderness' Geyser Point, and have a cast member seating people. I'm pretty sure Geyser Point had the same problem prior to the new seating by host/hostess.

I don't even remember them serving breakfast. I'm sure it would have been great though, given how good our lunch was.

Thats a great idea that Nomads start working like Geyser Point. Now of course I like that we can almost always get right in, but the behavior we saw this time was beyond unacceptable.

I knew you would do an update while I was out sick. Just admit it, you have a camera in my office and you update when you don't see me. It's ok. I will eventually get caught up. I really need to take a trip with Casey - get our face painted, hair braided, do some silly photos. When can this happen?????

Oh no you figured me out Hope you are feeling better. I was actually sick myself and finally got the latest post up to help me feel like a normal person again. The flu took me down hard but I'm getting back to normal now.

Casey is ready for a trip whenever you are She is all girl but unquestionably got the wrong Mom so she is all about anyone that embraces all that I don't.

There is nothing wrong with tofu. Silken tofu is always acceptable ... even in mixed company! Now I'm intrigued by that chili-spiced variety at Satuli Canteen. This May we will have our first experience of Pandora and Satuli. The tofu bowl and that lovely, garlicky beef bowl look particularly good!

Good to know that I'm not rollin' solo in the tofu club! And how exciting you will get to experience the wonders of Pandora so soon. But be sure to not miss Nomads too. Satuli was great, but I'm a Nomads girl all the way.

Now, where did I leave my pith helmet?!

Better find it before May!

I just came across your report and have read all 25 pages! Love it! We are definitely putting Nomad Lounge on our list for the next trip. Looking forward to hearing about the rest of your dining experiences

And thanks so much for following along. 25 pages is some serious dedication. We clearly love eating and drinking and its so much fun for me to share it! Hope you continue to enjoy!

 

[disneyAndi14]

First, AK is my favorite park as well! Great minds think a like!
Second, Satu’li Canteen is wonderful, Andi tried the tofu bowl this trip and it was pretty darn good, I have loved every bowl I have had here. I have tried the one with the greens and the rice one. The breaded hotdog on the kids menu is super tasty food as well.
A definite win for QS!
Love the hat show! Andi use to love to get the braid each trip and man it can stay in a long time!
In May, I need to try your favorite drink at Nomads!

 

[Candycane83]

I’m trying to see where I can insert Nomad Lounge in my plans in July now lol! Maybe I’ll bypass the ROL package... lol!

 

[Jenny Sanders]

First off, I absolutely LOVE Casey's Zootopia tee. Do you think it comes in my size? Hee! Hee!
Second, I cannot wait to try Santu'li Canteen in May. It is at the very top of my list!!!! I'm glad you all liked it. I am totally getting those cheeseburger pods...