Disneyland isn’t typically known for its world famous cuisine, but there are some very delicious things to snack on when you are in the park. Some you’ll find at restaurants while other items you can find from outdoor vendors (ODV). Granted most of the items are fried, but one thing Disney knows is how to cater towards the fat tourist waddling around the park.
1. Corn Dog
The Corn Dog ($6) at the Red Wagon Corn Dog Cart is a favorite for kids and adults. Its a fat hot dog encased in a cornbread coating served with a bag of chips. Its so big that its actually pretty difficult to eat one handed especially if you like to dip it in mustard.
Grab a seat to eat at the Plaza Inn patio, the staff wont mind.
2. Monte Cristo
Back when i worked at Disneyland i was in the break room and got into a conversation with a fellow cast member who was so excited that the cafeteria was serving Monte Cristo ($16) and thats when i learned about this sweet/savory/fried concoction that is served at the Blue Bayou and Cafe Orleans. I’ve had a few outside the park, but i still think Disneyland still makes the best one. Its basically a deep fried ham, turkey, and cheese sandwich served with powdered sugar and jelly. Anyone who loves breakfast will love this thing.
You should also order the pommes frites which are perfectly crisp, with parmesan and garlic that literally will fly into your mouth without you even knowing it.
3. Churro
The cinnamon sugar fried piece of dough was the one treat that i always looked forward to when going to Disneyland and its still good as an adult.
If there’s a long wait at a Churro Cart, just keeping walking there will be another Churro Cart in the next Land.
4. Fried Chicken
The fried chicken meal ($13.99) at the Plaza Inn is my dad’s favorite. Its a very generous half chicken (breast/wing, thigh, drumstick) goldenly fried, served with mashed potatoes, and a vegetable. Big enough to share, and
The Plaza Inn is located at the end of Main Street USA, and if timed right you can get a great view of the parade as well.
5. Dole Whip
Hawaii, or Disneyland used to be the only place you can get a Dole Pineapple Soft Serve at the Tiki Juice Bar. You can get it by itself, or as a float served with pineapple juice and is located at the entrance to Adventureland.
During the summer the line can get pretty long but there’s a cashier on the Enchanted Tiki Room waiting area and is usually a shorter line.
6. Clam Chowder in a Bread Bowl
The Clam Chowder in a Bread Bowl at Royal Street Veranda in New Orleans Square is a tradition i remember back from childhood. Its really great in the morning or when its cold outside.
It looks really big, but they don’t really scoop out too much of the bread so it ends up being more a cup of soup rather than a bowl of soup.
7. Mickey Mouse Waffle
If you get to Disneyland early in the morning there isn’t too many place open and while the Mickey Mouse Pancakes at the River Belle Terrace in Frontierland, but i have to give it up to the new Mickey Mouse Waffles ($10.99) at the Carnation Cafe on Main Street. these were well done, slightly sweet, light, and crispy. Served with either chicken-apple sausage or bacon which adds salt to all the sweetness. I’m more a waffle person so if you want pancakes i can’t blame you.
If there’s a wait for a table, they’ll give you a pager which works all over Main Street so you can get some shopping done while you wait.
8. New Orleans Gumbo
Another favorite at the Cafe Orleans is the New Orleans Gumbo. Its a rich, and flavorful stew thats got chicken, andouille sausage and dirty rice. You can either get a cup ($3.99) which is perfect as a starter before your Monte Cristo or a bowl ($7.99) as a meal.
Skip the Mickey Beignets and head to Jazz Kitchen Express in Downtown Disney instead
9. Ice Cream Sundae
I don’t think there’s anything more intoxicating than the smell of freshly made waffle cones at the Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor. One of my favorite things i used to do after getting off an earlier shift of work at Disneyland was to go get a huge ice cream sundae in a waffle cone at the Gibson Girl
During the summer when lines get super long at the Gibson Girl you can head accross the street down the alley towards the lockers is another ice cream stand.
10. Market House Coffee
While nothing is actually very special about the coffee served at the Market House its got one really good thing going for it, Free Refills. Thats right, all day you can come back with just your receipt and get a brand new cup of coffee for nothing. Once, twice, i think i’ve gone up to 10 times in the same day. The funny thing is that Market House isn’t even considered a restaurant but a merchandise store.
They don’t provide real creamer but the little packets of cream, but if you want real half & half, and sugar just head over to Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe just down Main Street.
Other Notes
- If visiting the park with younger kids, the Redd Rockett’s Pizza Port is the best place to eat at. It serves a variety of pizzas, pastas, and salads with indoor/outdoor contained eating area in case your kid likes to run off on their own.
- There’s a little window at the back of the French Market in between the New Orleans Train Station and the Bathrooms. is a window where you can get a non-alcoholic Mint Julep at the Mint Julep Bar, but its really its just green punch.
- Don’t be the first to buy popcorn from a cart just opening up, they used to fill the bottom with leftover popcorn from the night before.
- There’s no free refills at soda fountains but they’ll rarely question you if you try.
- Most Outdoor Vendors accept credit cards.
