Favorite meals at DCA or DL?

Well there are a number of delicious options from luxury dining at Napa Rose to the most casual stroll-while-snacking-on-a-churro scenario. Yet if I had to pick my number one -- have to go every time, will be first on my list when we visit again -- I would have to say Plaza Inn fried chicken dinner. My family of 4 splits two dinners which provides plenty of food. I tell you when we sit down to dig in, there is a marked lull in the conversation, almost a hush as we focus wholly on those delicious, golden perfectly seasoned pieces of chicken. Heaven.
 
My daughter and I found the breakfast at the Red Rose Tavern about half way through our trip last year. Mickey Pancake, sausage, bacon and eggs. We loved it and look forward to having it again. Kind of bummed we couldn't get that at WDW this past February.
 
We also love Plaza Inn! The fried chicken is delicious and very shareable.
We found Garden Grill in DCA to be such a light and fresh meal.
Pacific Wharf Cafe has an incredible vegetarian chili in a bread bowl. (ask for the bowl on the side to enjoy that sourdough loaf)
For dessert, stop by the Mint Julep Bar at the back of the French Market.
 
I agree about the fried chicken at Plaza Inn. I have always eaten the entire meal myself.
 


Café Orleans * monte cristo, seared
Rancho Zocalo *yummy Mexican, charming patio, quick service
Plaza * Fried Chicken , cafeteria style
Flos V8 * Tamale, great view of Cars Ride, quick service comfort food
 
I’d say that a majority of the offerings in the park before the pandemic were quite good (Or at least had something that is above average for sure).

The only exceptions for me are the Galactic Grill in Tomorrowland which has always been just ok in my opinion, and the Hungry Bear restaurant which I‘ve yet to have anything I really liked at.

Frontierland and NOS have very good food options, and at different levels of service. Table service, counter service, there is something there for anyone and most of it I’ve enjoyed.

Fantasyland has a couple unique quick options that are pretty good. Some people forget about The troubadour tavern over by the Fantasyland theater which has some tasty options.
 
Plaza Inn is certianly a not miss for our family. We love it.

Another tip (that works best with some teamwork). We LOVE the Corndogs from Corndog Castle in DCA, but the come with a bag of CHIPS-uggh. My french fry loving family thinks that is just not ok. :-) So one of us goes to buy the corndogs, while the other goes to Smoke Jumpers Grill for fries. Then we meet up and enjoy.
We've even done while waiting for World of Color.
Also, we had a late breakfast at River Bell Terrace a few years ago and it was quite good. A nice time to relax after a very early Magic Morning. The monkey bread was really good!
 


Plaza Inn is certianly a not miss for our family. We love it.

Another tip (that works best with some teamwork). We LOVE the Corndogs from Corndog Castle in DCA, but the come with a bag of CHIPS-uggh. My french fry loving family thinks that is just not ok. :-) So one of us goes to buy the corndogs, while the other goes to Smoke Jumpers Grill for fries. Then we meet up and enjoy.
We've even done while waiting for World of Color.
Also, we had a late breakfast at River Bell Terrace a few years ago and it was quite good. A nice time to relax after a very early Magic Morning. The monkey bread was really good!
Last trip we did chicken thighs a la carte at Plaza followed by corn dogs no chips from Little Red Wagon.
 
No character meals or super fine dining/romantic atmosphere. Looking for high quality food though.

This is an odd juxtaposition. The highest-quality food is at the fine dining restaurants. People have offered lots of REALLY good suggestions for good food around the resort, but you're simply going to get a higher quality of steak (or whatever) at Steakhouse 55, Napa Rose, or Carthay Circle than you will at the less fancy places.
 
Carnation Cafe is our go to restaurant on Main Street. We eat there at least once (lunch), and if we can find the time, for a late breakfast and early dinner. One of the few places all 5 of us (me, dh, ds, dd, dd)enjoy without ANY complaints!
 
I’m in Northern Ca as well so “good” food in Disney does make me pause since there are so many amazing restaurants in the Bay Area.

Plaza Inn for fried chicken and that giant salad.
Cafe Orleans - Monte Crisco and Pomme Frites
Blue Bayou - Twice we had surf n turf and it was good. (I’m still wishing for wine to be served there!)
 
I had the hands down best theme park food ever at Craftsman grill (old whitewater) inside the grand Californian in February. Both the Salmon poke and the Avcado toast were amazing. My daughter had the PB and Nutella sandwich and loved it too.
 

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Am I the only one that finds the food much better in DL than in CA? I’m mainly referring to counter service.
 
Café Orleans was our favorite meal of the trip. Beautiful atmosphere different than anything they have at WDW, and unique menu offerings but ones that still cater to picky eaters like kids or me. lol!
 
For breakfast, we found the best bang for our buck to be at Red Rose Taverne. The breakfast platter is very filling and delicious. We love it with the Gaston's Brew.
 
Cafe' Orleans: monte' cristo sandwiches (we like the 3 cheese best), pomme frites, salad de maison and beignets
Carnation Cafe': Fried pickles and baked potato soup
Pacific Wharf Cafe': Chinese chicken salad in the breadbowl
Always corn dogs, dole whip and matterhorn cookies!
 

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