Cafe Orleans -- Lunch -- Table Service -- Disneyland
*This gluten free dining experience took place in October 2017.
Lunch at Cafe Orleans
Cafe Orleans, located in New Orleans Square in Disneyland, has been on my short-list of places to eat at Disneyland after reading a review of the gluten free monte cristo option from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures. So, I knew I had to make a reservation for our recent October trip to Disneyland. Unfortunately, as you'll read in this review, the restaurant experience I had was pretty awful, enough that I'm not sure I could ever back again (and I don't think I've said that about many Disney restaurants). It's a bit of a bummer, but I felt that my experience was worth sharing so that others do not get disappointed or have to experience what I did on our visit.
Atmosphere
The theming and location of Cafe Orleans makes it super charming. It is exactly what you'd expect from a classic N'awlins restaurant.
The outside and inside of the restaurant both have great seating.
Inside, don't forget to check out the vintage espresso machine that Lillian and Walt Disney purchased when they went on a trip to Italy. It's really cool to see this still in the restaurant to this day.On our visit, we were seated outside -- perfect for a sunny and cool fall day in Anaheim.
The Food
Cafe Orleans does carry an allergy-friendly lunch and dinner menu. This includes options like Shrimp and Grits and a Lobster Cobb Salad. But, the big reason I wanted to go to Cafe Orleans was to get the gluten free version of their famous Monte Cristo sandwich. I had heard nothing but rave reviews about this from Alexis and several others, so I knew I had to order it -- especially, since I have reintroduced some dairy back into my diet.Disneyland's Special Diets Department recommends that if you want this dish that you pre-order it ahead of time. So, I emailed them 2 weeks in advance with the request and received a confirmation that they would let the restaurant know of this request. I suppose that we should have stopped by earlier in the day, since after being seated we were told that the received no request and that they could not accommodate me, unless I wanted to wait an hour.Unfortunately, things didn't go very well from start to finish here. Our server immediately asked us for our order before we had even fully sat down in our chairs and when I asked my pre-order, she came back to our table and let me know they had no record of it. She told me I could order from the regular allergy-friendly menu or wait an hour for a Monte Cristo. At this point, I asked to speak to a manager but was told that this was not possible, and that it wasn't possible to speak with a chef either. After about 10 minutes of insisting, I was greeted by the head server of the restaurant who told me the same thing.At this point, I was nearly in tears just trying to figure the situation out. I even offered to come back in the evening if they could get a reservation for us so that I could get the Monte Cristo without an issue but was told that wasn't possible either. At this point, we decided we were going to leave the restaurant and just get food somewhere else, when Austin, one of the managers came to the table.He was nice enough and did work with us to get a Monte Cristo made in about 25 minutes. Like Alexis's experience, he told me that the Pommes Frites that Alexis got on her visit were not able to be made gluten free, even with a new pot of oil that they were already heating up because the fries contain gluten. When I asked, they refused to let me look at the ingredients and just said it wasn't an option (though, Alexis was able to get them, as they are the same fries used throughout Disneyland property and are actually gluten free). At this point, I was so embarrassed by the situation that I just let the Pommes Frites request go.
Austin asked if we wanted an appetizer while we waited and he brought me the La Salade de Maison with Baby Greens, Cherry Tomatoes, Candied Pecans and Goat Cheese with a Raspberry Vinaigrette. This is listed safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, and Soy Allergies and could be made dairy free by omitting the cheese.Unfortunately, this was a bland tasteless salad. The goat cheese was overly strong and didn't go well with the raspberry vinaigrette. It's rare that I don't I finish something, and I actually didn't eat much of this salad at all because of the overall taste.
Finally, my Monte Cristo Sandwich arrived. Monte Cristo's include Sliced Turkey, Ham, and Swiss fried in a light batter, dusted with Powdered Sugar, and served with a Berry Puree. The batter they use here is Cup4Cup Gluten Free Flour, which does contain dairy in it.After all of the drama and frustration, I have to admit, the sandwich was worth the hype. This was deep fried to perfection. Golden brown on the outside with a light dusting of sweet powdered sugar and piping hot and tender on the inside. The combination of the salty ham, turkey, and Swiss combined with the sweetness of the powdered sugar and berry puree were just perfection. In fact, I was seriously worried it wasn't gluten free. It was that good.Brandon also tried it and thought it was outstanding and one of the better gluten free fried dishes he's tried. And, he actually wish he had ordered one too. So, I suppose out of the frustrating experience, at least the sandwich was really terrific.
Overall
I don't know that I could truly recommend Cafe Orleans. As we were finishing our meal and paying, another manager came out and very rudely showed me that Disneyland's Special Diets had given them a different date and that I made a mistake arriving when we did. I was able to show her my confirmation and my email to special diets with a screen shot of our reservation that I had given to Special Diets as a back-up. But, I was informed that next time they wouldn't be able to accommodate. It was just a really disappointing end to an overall frustrating experience from start to finish.Both Brandon and I agreed that it didn't seem like the team at Cafe Orleans really wanted to accommodate special dietary needs and in fact, made it a point to let me know what a hassle it was. I've been to Disney restaurants more times than I can ever count, and this was the first time I've ever truly felt like my order was an annoyance for them. If you go to Cafe Orleans, I recommend not only pre-ordering your Monte Cristo with Special Diets but also going there before your reservation to confirm they have your order. I think that's probably the only way to ensure there are no surprises or let-down's in your experience. I would also insist on talking to a manager to discuss too. I will give a shout-out to Austin, one of the managers, because he was the only one who seemed to be apologetic or understanding of the situation.The Monte Cristo was amazing, but the experience we had, unfortunately, was not. On our next visit, I would probably skip this one for the experience alone, which is a bummer.Have you been to Cafe Orleans? What was your experience dining there?
Steakhouse 55 -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Disneyland Hotel
*This gluten free dining experience took place in October 2017.
Dinner at Steakhouse 55
Steakhouse 55, a signature table service restaurant at the Disneyland Resort, was high on our list when we recently visited Disneyland in California. I had been to Steakhouse 55 in 2006 with my mom and knew that for a great steak this was the place to go. Brandon and I wanted to have one "fancy" meal during our Disneyland trip. And, since we were staying at the Disneyland Hotel, Steakhouse 55 seemed like a great choice. As I learned from both breakfast and dinner at Steakhouse 55, they had plenty of great options that could easily accommodate special dietary needs.
Atmosphere
Steakhouse 55 is a classic steakhouse. The decor is refined and just a bit retro. In fact, you'd swear Walt Disney himself might just come through the door's -- that's how classic it looked inside.
Prior to dinner, we made sure to stop by the Steakhouse 55 Lounge. This is a great place to stop by for a cocktail or an appetizer or dessert. We loved all the vintage and classic cocktails on the menu too.
I ordered the French 75 -- a classic gin cocktail made with Gin, fresh Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup, and Sparkling Wine. It was the perfect drink before our dinner.
The inside of the restaurant has both booths and tables with cushy chairs -- all of which harken back to the 1950s and 1960s.
The Food
While we loved the classic steakhouse decor and retro vibe, our favorite part of Steakhouse 55 was the food. The restaurant has an allergy-friendly dinner menu. And, you can also speak to a chef for any questions that you might have. I opted to order off of the menu, since I was eating some dishes with dairy in it on our trip. (I have reintroduced dairy back into my diet in limited amounts)
Up first was the amuse-bouche. This is a fancy term for a small bite or taste to get you started for your meal. We were served a house-made burrata cheese with cherry tomato, basil emulsion, and balsamic vinegar. This was naturally gluten free and a great option for those who can have dairy. The flavors were bright and a bit sweet from the tomato and balsamic.
Next, I was served Ener-G rolls with some butter and thyme. I decided to eat the rolls plain (and save my dairy consumption for other dishes), but I could have also asked for extra virgin olive oil too. I really didn't eat much of the rolls because I was saving my appetite for the rest of the meal. The rolls were heated OK. But, they aren't my favorite.
I decided to order the Steakhouse 55 "Wedge" Salad to start served with Cherry Tomato, Bacon Lardons, Candied Pecans, and Blue Cheese Vinaigrette and is marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Soy Allergies.Wow. If you can have dairy and love a good classic wedge salad, this one is for you. It wasn't really a wedge per se, but I liked the thick slice of lettuce topped with all the steakhouse must-do's. The bacon lardons were incredible. Super rich and decadent. Add in the candied pecans which gave a pop of sweetness and the tart of the blue cheese vinaigrette for the ultimate steakhouse salad. I would definitely get this salad again.
For our steaks, both Brandon and I chose the Center Cut Filet Mignon 8oz. without any sauces that is marked as safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Soy Allergies.Each steak was served with a side of bone marrow. Mine was made gluten free and dairy free by omitting the breadcrumbs in it (Brandon's had breadcrumbs). This was another wow for both of us. The steak was cooked to perfection and super flavorful. Both of us agreed it was probably the best steak we've had at any Disney restaurant anywhere (including Walt Disney World restaurants). It was insanely good and exactly what you expect at a good steakhouse.
And, like any other steakhouse, sides are ordered a la carte. We decided to get 2 sides -- both of which were gluten free.Up first were the Yukon Gold Mashed Potato with Green Onion that is marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Soy Allergies. I ended up only taking a bite of these. But, they were really good. Super creamy, rich, and a solid side dish for those who can have dairy.
We also ordered a Loaded Baked Potato with Bacon Lardons and Broccolini. This is not marked gluten free on the menu because it normally comes with a Fontina Cheese Sauce that contains dairy. But, they were able to modify it to be gluten free (and even dairy free) by removing the sauce. You can also get shredded cheese on the potato if you want to add dairy back in too.This was actually the only "dud" in our meal. The potato was dry, bland, and just not at all that tasty. It was definitely "missing" something by lacking a cheese sauce. And, we realized we should have gotten another side instead. Still, it wasn't bad. It just wasn't very good either. We'd skip this on future visits.
Overall
If you're looking to have a meal that's a bit special or decadent at Disneyland, Steakhouse 55 is a great option. We thought the service was impeccable, the food outstanding, and the overall ambiance charming. We both said that on our next Disneyland trip, Steakhouse 55 will be a must on our reservation list for at least one meal. Both the breakfast and dinner were outstanding.Have you been to Steakhouse 55? What did you think of their special diets options?
Flo's V8 Cafe -- Lunch -- Quick Service -- Disney's California Adventure
*This gluten free dining experience took place in October 2017.
Lunch at Flo's V8 Cafe
Flo's V8 Cafe is a quick service restaurant in Cars Land in Disney's California Adventure inspired by the film Cars and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Before heading to Disneyland, both Brandon and I knew we had to eat at Flo's V8 for at least one meal while in DCA because it looked like a great quick service option in one of the coolest places in Disney's California Adventure (DCA).
Atmosphere
From the moment you step into Cars Land in DCA, you're transported to the Cars animated film. Every inch of the area is perfectly themed. It really does feel like you're in the film. Even better, while we were there, all of Cars Land was decorated and themed for Halloween -- making it extra fun and spooky!
Flo's V8 really makes you feel like you're in that classic 1950s diner. The color scheme, the booths, and the rest of the theming include tons of fun retro touches.
There is seating both inside and outside of the restaurant. If it's nice weather out, I highly recommend sitting outside where you can have a few of the Radiator Springs Racers attraction.
This was our view from the outside dining area, and it made for one incredible view.
The Food
Flo's V8 carries an allergy-friendly menu for all of the meals served there. There were actually several options for both gluten free and dairy free, which was great.
I ended up ordering the Roast Beef & Cheddar sandwich on a gluten free bun. This can be modified to be dairy free by removing the onions and the cheese sauce. Since I've reintroduced dairy into my diet in limited amounts, I splurged a bit on this sandwich. And, it did not disappoint.The beef was nice and tender, and the combination of the horseradish aioli (which is actually dairy free), cheddar sauce, and onions was super delicious. I also liked the coleslaw which was a nice side for the rich sandwich.Brandon also got this and enjoyed it too -- though he was able to sub out different sides, since he doesn't like coleslaw. So, it's nice to know that's an option too.
Depending on the time of year you go, you can even find themed cups, like at Disney World. I adore the Halloween cups as a nice added touch to get you into the Halloween spirit.
Overall
Flo's V8 Cafe was a really solid option in DCA for a quick service meal. We loved the outdoor seating and were impressed by the different options I had to choose from (many of which were super easy to modify to be dairy free too). Next time we go back to Disneyland, this will be a must-stop quick service location for us again. If you can have dairy, Alexis from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures shares her review of the milkshakes offered at Flo's V8 Cafe on her blog too. This was a bit too much dairy for me, but they looked incredible!Have you been to Flo's V8 Cafe? What did you order when you dined there?
Hungry Bear Restaurant -- Dinner -- Quick Service -- Disneyland
*This gluten free dining experience took place in October 2017.
Dinner at Hungry Bear Restaurant
Hungry Bear Restaurant is a quick service location in Critter Country in Disneyland. We stopped by Hungry Bear for dinner on our last night at Disneyland before going to Mickey's Halloween Party, a special ticketed event in the park. I had my heart set on dinner at Rancho del Zocalo that night. But, unfortunately, we didn't realized it closed early, and we missed the restaurant's operating hours by about 5 minutes. Talk about a bummer. Because we were further back in the park, we decided to go to a quick service restaurant that wasn't too far and that both Brandon and I would eat at. Hungry Bear, it was!
Atmosphere
Hungry Bear's atmosphere is super charming. It completely fits the Critter Country theme and has a rustic feel to it. It reminds me a lot of some of the areas in Ft. Wilderness or even the Wilderness Lodge resorts at Disney World.
Even at the ordering area, the restaurant keeps the theme going with all your favorite country bears.
There's also a lot of ample seating at Hungry Bear. Since the park was closing, and the Halloween Party was starting soon, the crowds were really low. This made for a nice easy-going dinner.
The Food
Hungry Bear Restaurant does have an allergy-friendly menu. I decided to get a burger, since that seemed like a good bet. But, before ordering, I did try to talk to a manager to see if I could get a modified version of their special Bison Blue Cheese Burger which had candied bacon on it. I'm a sucker for candied bacon, so I was just hoping I could get a regular burger with the bacon added. Unfortunately, I was told this was not possible -- even though they couldn't tell me what the gluten offending ingredients were in the sandwich. Honestly, I think they just didn't want to modify my order, so I ended up just getting the cheeseburger on a gluten free bun.
Both Brandon and I agreed that the burgers at Hungry Bear were a serious step up from the burgers we normally get at Walt Disney World quick service locations. These were thicker and had a lot more flavor in them, which was nice. The burger I ordered can also be made dairy free by omitting the cheese.The French fries were solid -- standard Disney fries. But, it was nice to have a hearty meal that filled us up for the night. Neither one of us thought it was our best meal of the trip, but we didn't think it was awful given it was basic burgers and fries.
Overall
We'd definitely go back again, if we didn't have any other options. We both thought it was decent but that there are so many other quick service locations in the park with more variety. Still, there's nothing wrong with a good burger and some fries when you're craving them. Hungry Bear Restaurant definitely fits the bill nicely on that. I'm still sad I couldn't get candied bacon. But, as we learned from our trip; Disneyland seems a bit less willing to modify dishes when you dine at restaurants.Have you been to Hungry Bear Restaurant? What did you think of the lunch and dinner options there?
Blue Bayou -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Disneyland
*This gluten free dining experience took place in October 2017.
Dinner at Blue Bayou
Blue Bayou, located in New Orleans Square at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, has been a restaurant I've always wanted to go to -- just for the theming alone. How often can you say you've dined inside an attraction like Pirates of the Caribbean?! On a recent trip to Disneyland, we made sure that Blue Bayou was added to our dining reservations during our short stay there. We also decided to book using the Fantasmic Dining Package, since we knew we wanted to see Fantasmic during our trip too and had heard good things about the package for reserved seating.We dined at Blue Bayou on our first day at Disneyland. After our amazing breakfast at Carnation Cafe, we opted to just snack here and there, so when it came time for our dining reservation, we were hungry!
Atmosphere
Being located in New Orleans Square means that Blue Bayou has that N'awlins vibe. We loved wandering the streets of New Orleans Square before our dinner reservation and checking it all out. Blue Bayou is slightly tucked away, but you'll see a brightly colored sign that will light your way to this wonderfully themed restaurant.
With the Fantasmic Dining Package being very popular and this being such a popular restaurant, we weren't able to check in for dinner early. But, one thing that was really important to us was getting a water view table in the restaurant. Like San Angel Inn in the Mexico Pavilion at Epcot, you'll be seating near the beginning of the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction and see the boats pass by on the water.Water tables can't be marked on your reservation. But, we were told that if you stop by early, you can get on the list for a water table (though, of course, it's never a guarantee). We stopped by about 45 minutes early and made sure to ask about this before coming back during our designated time.
When we arrived back, we mentioned the water table location again. The hostess mentioned it could be up to a 45 minute extra wait. We were OK with this, as we wanted to make sure on our first visit we got to fully experience the restaurant. Luckily for us, our wait in the parlour area was only about 10 minutes beyond our reservation time. And we were able to get a water table.
As you can see from the photos, this is not a large restaurant. And, it fills up pretty quickly. Our table wasn't too close to any others. And we had a nice corner table with a water view.
To fit with the theming, the restaurant is pretty darkly lit. You can see it's twilight on the bayou. And, you'll even catch a glimpse of fireflies and hear crickets in the background. With such incredible theming, we could have leisurely dined here for hours!
The Food
As a part of the Fantasmic Dining Package, our meal included 3 courses: appetizer, entree, and dessert. I was given both the Fantasmic Dining Package menu and the regular allergy-friendly dinner menu. I was also told that I could speak with a chef, if I had questions.
I did end up talking to a chef. But, I'll be honest that he didn't seem overly helpful. I had also decided to have dairy in this meal, since I've reintroduced it back into my diet in limited amounts.
Up first, I was served Ener-G rolls, which were heated OK, but weren't amazing. Disneyland does not carry any non-dairy / vegan butter options. So, you'll either want to ask for extra virgin olive oil or go without if you're dairy free. They do, of course, have regular butter on hand.
I didn't find the appetizer list for plentiful. And, the chef basically told me my only option was the Blue Bayou House Salad with Romaine and Frisee, Bell Peppers, Cherry Tomatoes, Red Onion, Caramelized Pecans, Blue Cheese, and Cranberries served in a Sherry Vinaigrette. It is listed as being safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, and Soy Allergies and can be modified to be dairy free by omitting the cheese.I really liked this salad a lot. It was bright, crisp, and super flavorful. I think the forgot to add the caramelized pecans to my salad. But, it was still great without it. I'd definitely order this one again.
For my entree, I ordered the Surf & Turf with Lobster Tail, Filet Mignon, Au Gratin Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables, and Bernaise Sauce. This dish is made to be safe for Gluten/Wheat, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Soy Allergies. I omitted the Bernaise Sauce, as I knew the dairy in the potatoes would already be enough for me. I was also served a dish of clarified butter. But, honestly, lobster tail is still amazing without it!I thought this dish was just OK. The steak was good, but nothing to write home about. The lobster tail was also good, but again nothing special. The seasonal vegetables were also just OK. The potatoes were actually my least favorite part of the entree, as they were entirely too spicy/peppery. I ended up not eating very much of them because they the spice in them was so unbalanced.Overall, I thought the dish felt a bit like a catered meal at a banquet. It just didn't feel super fresh or super special -- just adequate. There wasn't anything overly wrong with it, but I had expected a bit more from such a popular restaurant.
For dessert, I checked to see what the sorbet flavors were. They had mango, raspberry, and pear flavors as options, which was great. I decided to try the pear sorbet since it's one you don't see very often. This was definitely a really nice sorbet. And, it was a perfect palate cleanser after such a rich meal.
Overall
We absolutely adored the theming and atmosphere in Blue Bayou. It's definitely one of the best themed restaurants in Disneyland and even Disney World. We weren't super wowed by the food. But, we were still really glad that we dined here. It also made our Fantasmic experience amazing too, since it gave us priority reserved seating with a great view (and we got a seat cushion as a part of our dining package too). For the price, doing the dining package was a no-brainer if you already have your heart set on dining at Blue Bayou, because the regular menu is pretty pricey for what you get. We'd definitely do it again, but would go in with expectations that our food will be good, but not amazing. Still, it's a must-do, especially if you don't go to Disneyland very often!If you're interested in learning more about Blue Bayou gluten free offerings, check out Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures for her review of this restaurant.Have you been to Blue Bayou? What did you think of this Pirates of the Caribbean themed restaurant?
Tortilla Jo's -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Downtown Disney
*This gluten free only dining experience took place in October 2017.
Dinner at Tortilla Jo's
Tortilla Jo's is a table service restaurant at Downtown Disney at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. On my recent Disneyland trip, I knew I wanted to get some good Mexican food in, and I had heard great things about Tortilla Jo's from my friend Alexis at Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures. After our Disneyland vacation ended, I was at a work conference in Anaheim. So, without a park pass, I decided dinner at Downtown Disney was in order one night. So, some co-workers and I wound up at Tortilla Jo's.
Atmosphere
Because I was just finishing up a long day of conferencing, I totally forgot to take a lot of photos inside the restaurant or the exterior. But, it was brightly lit and the outside reminded me a lot of the bright exterior of Antojito's at Universal Studios Orlando.
The inside was spacious. And, we had a nice big table near the back of the restaurant.
The Food
I didn't get a chance to visit Rancho del Zocalo in Disneyland (which I really love). So, getting some Mexican food when I could on this trip was a welcome treat.
First up though, I had to order a Margarita. Although Alexis from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures had raved about the margarita flight, I ended up with a classic house margarita. It was super refreshing and oh so delicious. They definitely know how to make margaritas at Tortilla Jo's!
One of the things I was looking forward to most was the chips and salsa combo. Thankfully, Tortilla Jo's has a dedicated fryer for their tortilla chips, which is a nice treat. Their salsa was outstanding too -- a little spicy and super fresh, bright flavors. One of my co-workers and I shared 3 dishes of salsa before the meal was done -- a testament to how good it was!
I honestly could not decide on what to order for my meal. There were TONS of gluten free options -- many of which could be easily made dairy free. I opted to get a variety of street tacos - one chicken, one pork, and one steak. This dish was gluten free but could be made dairy free by omitting the queso fresco on the beans.This definitely satisfied my craving for good Mexican food. The tacos were all really great, and the corn taco shells were very flavorful too. I have to say the pork tacos probably were my favorite. But they were all really good. The refried beans were excellent. The rice was good, but I wouldn't say it was the standout of the meal.
Overall
If you are looking for a great meal with lots of gluten free options, Tortilla Jo's is a great choice. It wasn't my favorite meal of the trip. But, it was pretty good! It's also a perfect spot for anyone going to Disneyland who doesn't have a park pass or doesn't want to go into the park for a meal. We had a super attentive server and overall just really enjoyed the meal. I'd definitely go back again the next time we go to Disneyland!Have you been to Tortilla Jo's? What did you think of their gluten free options?
Storytellers Cafe -- Lunch -- Table Service -- Disney's Grand Californian
*This dining review took place in October 2017 at the Disneyland Parks & Resort in California.
Lunch at Storytellers Cafe
Storytellers Cafe is a table service restaurant located in Disney's Grand Californian Resort. On my final day in California after my work conference (and without a park pass), I decided to spend some time in Downtown Disney and at the resorts exploring. I'd already had some amazing meals at the Disneyland Hotel restaurants, so I decided to grab a meal at Storytellers Cafe at the Grand Californian. I ate at Storytellers once for dinner back in 2006 and prior to being gluten free, so this was going to be a new experience -- on that I was looking forward to.
Atmosphere
One of the things that I love about Storytellers Cafe is the atmosphere. It reminds me a lot of the area near Artist Point in the Wilderness Lodge at Disney World. The arts & crafts movement of the early 20th century is the theme of the Grand Californian, and you can see it beautifully reflected at Storytellers.
From the moment you step into the restaurant, you're greeted with a wonderful theme and story that tells you you're about to enjoy a delicious meal.
With the theme of California folklore, you see...well, stories...everywhere. From the lighting to carved benches, the rich history of California is in every detail of Storytellers Cafe.
I really wish I would have taken a bit more time to look around the restaurant. The details in it are incredible. From cozy fireplaces to rich dark wooden decor, you feel at home here instantly.
One of the first things you'll see too when you arrive is the buffet area of Storytellers. But, fear not. If you don't feel comfortable with the buffet (which is served only at breakfast and dinner), there's an a la carte menu that you can order from too. Lunch is only a la carte, which is when I decided to go. I went near the end of the lunch hour, so it was very quiet in here making for an even cozier meal.
The Food
Of course, I was excited to try the food at Storytellers Cafe. I remember enjoying my dinner, but I wasn't sure what I could get as a special diets diner. And, as I learned, there were plenty of options.
Storytellers Cafe does offer an allergy-friendly lunch menu, but of course, you can always speak to a chef if you have questions or wish to discuss any part of your meal.
Before my lunch arrived, I was given some allergy-friendly bread. At first I thought it might be Udi's Gluten Free Pizza Crust, which is both gluten free and dairy free, but I believe it was actually Deanna's Gluten Free pizza crust, which is also gluten free and dairy free. This was well heated and quite tasty as a bread service. I do wish they offered Earth Balance vegan buttery spread, but alas no non-dairy butter options exist at Disneyland as of this post.I didn't order any other appetizer, but I have to admit, I sort of wish I would have ordered the Grand Californian Roll which had Salmon-Bacon Salad, Avocado, Cucumber, Toasted Sesame Seeds, Green Onions, Wasabi, and Ginger and was listed as both gluten free and dairy free. Next time I go, if it's on the menu still, I will have to order it!
For my entree, I ordered the Turkey Clubhouse Sandwich served on Allergy-Friendly Bread with Bacon, crushed Avocado, Mayonnaise, Lettuce, and Tomato It is listed as gluten free, egg free, fish/shellfish free, milk free, peanut/tree nut free, and soy free. If you have an egg allergy, I would double-check this, as both Udi's and Deanna's Gluten Free pizza crusts contain egg in them.Overall, I absolutely enjoyed this lunch entree. Was it anything super special? No. Was it delicious and a solid lunch option. Absolutely.The turkey was a nice hand carved turkey breast, and I love the nice thick cut bacon, crushed avocado, and mayonnaise. Plus, the sandwich was served on the same flatbread I had as an appetizer. Super delicious. On top of this, I had some expertly fried French fries that were out of this world good.
Overall
I have to admit that Storytellers Cafe was a surprise hit with me. I expected an OK meal, and what I got was a delicious meal option at a restaurant that has a fairly extensive amount of gluten free options. I even loved how many flatbread options were available too. The next time we go to Disneyland, Storytellers is on my list. I'd love to go there for their character breakfast too!Have you been to Storytellers Cafe? What did you think of the options there?