1/29/21 1/29/21

Tiffins Dinner Review

Tiffins, located at Disney's Animal Kingdom, is a signature dining location that serves international cuisine inspired by the explorations and adventures of Disney Imagineers. Opening in 2016, both Brandon and I have been wanting to eat at this restaurant for a long time now. We finally decided to make a reservation and enjoy an early evening dinner there before the park closed at 5 p.m.

*This gluten free dining experience took place in November 2020. It includes information about dairy free options, as well as fish/shellfish, peanut, hazelnut, cabbage, and chicken & turkey allergies.

Dinner at Tiffins

COVID-19 & Reopening Notes

On this particular visit, we made reservations for the restaurant a few days before we dined there. I used the My Disney Experience app and found that there was a late afternoon seating, which we decided to book (the restaurant closed at 5 p.m.). The app worked as it normally does, and we were able to add in our special dietary needs in the app and alert cast members of our needs when we arrived at the restaurant. The last few months, we have had some pretty big challenges using the app to check-in, but we easily checked in with a cast member at Tiffins.

The restaurant itself featured many mechanisms to provide sanitization, social distancing, and safety for both guests and cast members. We were actually asked to wait outside versus inside before our table was ready to ensure social distancing. All cast members wore facial masks and some cast members also wore protective shields, as well. All servers in the restaurant wore both facial masks and protective shields.

As a note, at the time of writing this review, we have been to several of the Disney Resorts, including the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Boardwalk Resort, Contemporary Resort, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Old Key West Resort, Polynesian, and Riviera Resort along with all of the theme parks. All locations have the same protocols, as far as we have observed. Be sure to check with restaurants and the official Disney World website for additional information about current guidelines and recommendations.

Atmosphere

Tiffins is inspired by the globetrotting experiences of Disney Imagineers and animal experts who helped build and shape the Animal Kingdom theme park.

Tiffins - Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The restaurant is named after Tiffins which are little tiered lunch containers are used in many different countries, and most notably, India.

Tiffins / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

In fact, when you first enter the restaurant, you'll see several different kinds of beautifully decorated Tiffins on display.

Tiffins - Entrance / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The exterior of the restaurant features some wood carvings and is very welcoming. It's almost as if you're entering a lodge.

Tiffins - Interior Entrance / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Inside the restaurant's lobby area features a beautiful wood carved map of the world. It really lets you know that you're about to enjoy a global journey through design and food!

Tiffins - Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

There are several unique dining rooms in the restaurant. Each honors the spirit and design of Africa, Asia, and animals from around the world. We were in a room inspired by Africa, and as you can see there were some pretty amazing design elements and pieces of art all around the interior.

I especially loved the tiles and decorative woodwork that you could see as the basis for buildings, sidewalks, and furniture. Though not in our photos, there was also a small baobob tree on the wall that was actually used by Imagineers when designing the park.

Here is a view of one of the other dining rooms -- more inspired by Asia. While there are some similar design elements, I love how unique each dining area is. There was a lot to look at and the restaurant's aesthetics definitely made it feel like even more of a special dining experience.

The Food

Like most Disney owned restaurants, Tiffins does have an allergy-friendly menu. You can, of course, always speak to a chef when you dine at Tiffins too to discuss different options, modifications, and any questions that you might have.

On our visit, we not only looked at the allergy-friendly menu, but we also talked directly to a chef. The chef came to the table to discuss options and was very helpful and going through the ingredients on sauces and concerns regarding shared fryers and cross-contamination for products. We were both really impressed at how detailed the chef was when assisting us with our questions.

Both our server and the chef recommended the Tiffins Signature Bread Service. While the dish is normally only marked safe for Peanut/Tree Nut and Shellfish Allergies, the chef walked us through all the components and made versions safe for us.

For me, I was served a plate of papadums, which are crispy flatbreads made of chickpea flour. These are fried in a dedicated gluten free fryer and are also dairy free. But, they are fried in a shared fryer with fish, so they were not a safe option for Brandon. If you're vegan or vegetarian, you'll want to consider if you are OK with a shared fryer or talk to a chef about other options.

Both Brandon and I were able to eat the trio of dips served with the bread service. During our visit this included: Red Pepper Hummus, Spicy Coriander Yogurt, and Ginger-Pear Chutney. All of the dips were gluten free, fish/shellfish free, chicken & turkey free, cabbage free, and peanut/tree nut free. Both the hummus and ginger-pear chutney were also dairy free and vegan. The yogurt, of course, contained dairy.

We absolutely loved all of the dips. The red pepper hummus was flavorful and nice -- though a pretty standard hummus. The ginger-pear chutney was super flavorful with some nice ginger flavor and very inspired by the flavors of fall. The coriander yogurt was also good but quite spicy. If you're not a spicy foods fan, you might want to proceed with caution when eating the yogurt! Both of us thought our favorite of the three was the ginger-pear chutney.

Tiffins - Breads in Photo are NOT Gluten Free / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW — Tiffins - Breads in Photo are **NOT** Gluten Free / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

While I couldn't eat them, Brandon was given two of the other breads normally served with the bread service. This included a naan bread and a molasses pomegranate bread.

Brandon said the naan bread was nice and reminded him a lot of the naan from Sanaa. But, he was wowed by the molasses pomegranate bread and ate every last bite of it. It looked and smelled delicious, so if you can have gluten, this bread is sure to impress.

Having not been to Tiffins before, we couldn't resist some of the drinks there. Brandon opted for the Tempting Tigress, which includes a homemade tamarind syrup. This drink is also available at the Nomad Lounge too. Brandon absolutely loved this drink and said he would 100% order it again.

I decided to get a wine on this visit, particularly because Tiffins has a large collection of South African wines. I went with a South African Cabernet Sauvignon called "Tokara." The flavors were absolutely outstanding, and I would definitely get this wine again. It also paired beautifully with my entree.

Both Brandon and I ordered almost identical meals. At the recommendation of the chef and our sever, I ordered the Tamarind Braised Short Rib with Parsnip-Potato Puree, Cauliflower, Cipollini Onion, and Medjool Date Vinaigrette. This was marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, and Peanut/Tree Nut Allergies.

This was one of the best meals that I have had at Disney in a long time. The short rib itself was super tender, rich, and flavorful. The sauce served with it was incredible, and there was just so much flavor in every bite. The milder parsnip-potato puree and vegetables all paired really well with the rich meat. I can't recommend this enough. It was so good. Although I want to go back and try other dishes at Tiffins, it would be hard to resist this dish on future visits!

Brandon got essentially the same dish, except his was served with grilled beef tenderloin instead. His dish was also safe for fish/shellfish, chicken & turkey, peanut/tree nut, and cabbage. Sauces are often challenging for Brandon, because they tend to contain chicken broth or stock. So, he was very excited to hear that the sauce served with this dish was veal stock based and that he could have it.

Like me, Brandon absolutely loved the flavors of this dish and everything about it. I think his only complaint was that he wished there were a bit more of the parsnip-potato puree. Other than that, it was a huge hit. And, Brandon said he would be interested in trying the short rib next time too after seeing what mine looked like.

After seeing the dessert menu and some interesting items on it, we couldn't resist getting dessert. I opted for the gluten free, dairy free & vegan dessert -- Passion Fruit Tapioca Creme with Chocolate Crumble, Citrus Fruits, and Coconut Creme. This dish was marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, and Peanut Allergies.

This dish was not at all what I expected. But, it was really tasty. The tapioca was unlike any other tapioca pudding I've had. It was almost like boba balls in more of a jam than anything. The dessert was very citrusy, which I liked, and the coconut creme on top was outstanding. Overall, after such a rich meal it was nice to have something a bit lighter to round out the evening. I think I might want to try another type of dessert on our next visit, but I would recommend this dessert and would order it again.

Brandon ordered the South American Chocolate Ganache with Caramelized Banana, and Cocoa Nib Tuile. This dish was marked safe for Fish/Shellfish and Peanut/Tree Nut Allergies. It can also be modified to be gluten free by omitting the cake elements.

Brandon said this was extremely rich and fudgy. In fact, he could barely cut the dessert with a spoon and a knife when he was trying to eat it. So, if you like rich, dense, chocolate, you will probably enjoy this dish a lot. I don't think Brandon loved it, but he didn't hate it either. It was a very dark chocolate, which is not his favorite, so if you like dark chocolate this might be a great option for you.

If you want to get more information about our visit to Tiffins, we did film our visit for our YouTube channel.

Overall

We were both beyond impressed with both the food and the theme of Tiffins. The food options were interesting, unique, and really high-quality. We also really appreciated how attentive the chef and our server were to our special dietary needs and worked to ensure we had a safe and delicious meal. The restaurant itself is also beautifully designed and elegant -- making it a wonderful signature restaurant to enjoy a relaxed meal or special occasion at. We both recommend it highly and are looking forward to going back to eat at Tiffins again.

Have you been to Tiffins? What was your experience dining there?

2/16/20 2/16/20

Yak & Yeti Dinner Review

Yak & Yeti is our go-to table service restaurant located in Disney's Animal Kingdom. While not owned and operated by the Disney Company, we've been pretty impressed over the years by this Landry's restaurant. Recently, we stopped by for dinner with one of our friends and to redeem my $25 Landry's Select Club birthday reward.

*This gluten free dining experience took place in February 2020. It includes information about dairy free options, as well as a review of fish/shellfish free, peanut free, cabbage free, hazelnut free, and chicken & turkey free options.

Dinner at Yak & Yeti

Atmopshere

Because we've been to Yak & Yeti a lot, I do have a ton of reviews on the blog where I go into a lot of detail about the theme. In this review, we'll take a look at it briefly.

Yak & Yeti - Entrance / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Set in the Asia section of the Animal Kingdom, Yak & Yeti is perfectly themed and fits right into the fictional village of Anandapur. I especially love going here at night because it just looks so beautiful during this time of day.

Yak & Yeti - Entrance Area / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On this visit, we were with a friend, so I admit I didn't take a ton of photos. I don't think I've ever photographed the lobby area much. But, here it is. As you can see there weren't very many people there -- making it the perfect photo opportunity. I do love how the theming starts from the moment you step inside the restaurant.

Yak & Yeti - Seating / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We were seated on the first floor (the restaurant has two floors for seating), near the staircase. It was a little busy in this area, but as we enjoyed our meal, the restaurant did clear out quite a bit. I love the unique tables and chairs throughout Yak & Yeti.

Yak & Yeti - Stairs / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The restaurant is beautifully designed and decorated. I absolutely love the staircase to the second floor and the second floor seating area especially. Being seated so close to the stairs was definitely an interesting location to dine at!

The Food

Because Yak & Yeti isn't owned and operated by the Disney Company, they do not offer a traditional allergy-friendly menu. They do, however, have a gluten-sensitive / allergy-friendly menu. I highly recommend speaking directly to a chef any time you dine here, as many of the dishes on this menu may not be safe for those with celiac disease or those with allergies.

On this visit, we chatted with a chef who talked through the options. Since Brandon and I have eaten here a lot, we had a pretty good idea of what we wanted, which made it easy to discuss. Thankfully, I have found the restaurant to have a good amount of Asian-inspired options that are gluten free if you ask a chef about them.

Yak & Yeti / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On this visit, I didn't want anything super heavy. So, I decided to get the Atlantic Salmon which is grilled, brushed with garlic ginger butter and served with jasmine rice and sautéed seasonal vegetables. I was also able to get gluten free tamari on the side too. This dish is gluten free but contains dairy with the butter. If you're dairy free, the chef can omit the butter on the salmon -- everything else is dairy free.

Overall, I thought this was an excellent dish. It was exactly what I was craving that night. Nothing too heavy, but flavorful. The salmon was just slightly overcooked, but the flavors were great. I especially loved the sauteed vegetables, which were super yummy and well-cooked. This is definitely a dish I'd get again.

Brandon just about always gets his go-to -- the Beef Stir-Fry. It is made with rice noodles and gluten free tamari, so it's actually gluten free and dairy free on top of being fish/shellfish free, peanut free, cabbage free, and chicken & turkey free.

I've had variations of this dish too, and both Brandon and I are huge fans of this stir-fry. The chefs have been great at customizing the dish as needed too. I usually get bok choy in my stir-fry, but since it's a member of the cabbage family, they omit it for Brandon's. And, as you can see, they made sure in this version that Brandon had plenty of carrots, green onions and beef to round out the dish.

Overall

We always really enjoy our meals at Yak & Yeti. While it may not be everyone's favorite, we like it a lot for the variety of options we get and for something different. It's not that easy to get good gluten free Asian inspired fare out at a restaurant, so I really appreciate the offerings at Yak & Yeti. It's definitely a location we liked to visit when we can, and we always feel the chefs that we've encountered there have been excellent at accommodating our special dietary needs.

Have you been to Yak & Yeti? What did you enjoy when you dined there?

12/31/19 12/31/19

Restaurantosaurus Lunch Review

Restaurantosaurus, located in Dinoland U.S.A. in Disney's Animal Kingdom, is a quick service restaurant with a charming dinosaur theme that serves classic American style food. Recently, I stopped by Restaurantosaurus with my family (who were at Disney World on vacation) for lunch.

*This gluten free and dairy free dining experience took place in December 2019.

Lunch at Restaurantosaurus

Atmosphere

Dinoland U.S.A. is one of my favorite themed lands in any Disney park. I just love the charm and retro vibe of this dinosaur themed land. Restaurantosaurus fits right into this theme with a quick service restaurant set to resemble a dino-themed dorm room for the paleontology students who once stayed at Dinoland U.S.A.

Restaurantosaurus / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

If you or your family love dinosaurs, this is a great place to visit and eat.

Restaurantosaurus Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I especially love how the building and rooms look like essentially a summer camp bunkhouse filled with lots of paleontology decor. From the books to decorative elements and photos, there's a lot to look at and explore while you're dining there.

Every inch of the restaurant fits into its theme, with so many great hidden and not so hidden dinosaur touches.

For even more fun, I highly recommend dining in the Hip Joint. It's a rec-room style space that is supposed to be the entertainment room for the paleontology students who stayed there. From the outside, you can see part of the rec room is actually housed in a vintage RV. It's definitely very cute and super fun.

The Food

When it comes to meal options, Restaurantosaurus serves standard theme park fare -- including burgers, fries, sandwiches, and chicken tenders. If you have special dietary needs, you'll find an allergy-friendly menu for the restaurant. Guests can also speak to a manager at any time to discuss options too.

On this visit, I decided to go with something super simple -- the allergy-friendly chicken tenders. These tenders are gluten free and dairy free (and cover other allergens, as well, such as fish/shellfish and peanut/tree nut). The allergy-friendly chicken tenders are fried in a dedicated fryer, as are the French fries. If you have any questions about the frying process, be sure to speak to a manager about it.

The allergy-friendly chicken tenders at this location were Ian's Brand. I always really enjoy these chicken tenders, and I really love how crunchy they were on this visit. The manager did a great job frying these and not over or under cooking them.

This may sound odd, but I almost always eat my allergy-friendly chicken tenders with Ken's Steak House Cocktail Sauce, when a Disney owned restaurant has it. The sauce is marked gluten free and is also dairy free too. I don't know what it is, but I just really love the combination of the fried chicken tenders with this cocktail sauce. I found this pre-packaged sauce at the restaurant's toppings bar. But, in many Disney restaurants, you'll need to ask for it, as it's located behind the counter.

Overall

While nothing fancy, I always appreciate Restaurantosaurus' casual theme park options. It's definitely my go-to place in the Animal Kingdom for burgers and allergy-friendly chicken tenders.

Have you been to Restaurantosaurus? What did you enjoy when you dined there?

9/4/19 9/4/19

Yak & Yeti Dinner Review

Yak & Yeti, located in Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park, is a table service restaurant owned and operated by the Landry's that serves pan-Asian inspired cuisine. Recently, we stopped by Yak & Yeti for an impromptu dinner at a long day at Galaxy's Edge in Hollywood Studios.

*This post contains a gluten free and dairy free dinner review. It also includes information about fish/shellfish free, peanut free, cabbage free, and chicken & turkey free options.

Dinner at Yak & Yeti

We were staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge for a staycation and the Animal Kingdom park was a short bus ride away for us -- making it an easy option for us for dinner. We're also Landry's Select Club members. So, while we didn't make reservations in advance, we were seated within 5 minutes of walking into the restaurant. We definitely appreciate this perk of being club members!

Atmosphere

The theme of Yak & Yeti is one of my favorite things about the restaurant. Located in the Asia section of the Animal Kingdom, it's perfectly themed to its location.

Yak & Yeti Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The restaurant is supposed to resemble a village home in Anandapur -- the fictional kingdom located there -- that has been converted into a restaurant. From the moment you walk towards the restaurant, you'll be treated to an exceptionally well-themed restaurant.

Yak & Yeti Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We have been told on several occasions by cast members at Yak & Yeti that the restaurant contains authentic (along with prop) artifacts from Asia. You'll see lots of really neat items throughout this eclectic eatery.

Yak & Yeti Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On our last several visits, we have been seated on the first floor near a variety of Bollywood style posters. I really love this area and all of the detailed touches.

Another feature that I love about Yak & Yeti is that you'll find mix matched tables and chairs. It really lends to a unique and quaint vibe.

Yak & Yeti Seating / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Even the tables are beautifully constructed and reflect the mix and match style.

I do always recommend looking up, down, and all-around when you're at Yak & Yeti because there are artifacts and decor in every inch of the restaurant. I also recommend taking a bit of time to look around on both the first and second floors of the restaurant too as the themes and artifacts change throughout.

The Food

Because Yak & Yeti is not owned and operated by the Disney Company, they do not have the standard allergy-friendly menu. At the time of this review, they have a gluten sensitive menu. This menu is a great starting point if you're gluten free. But, if you have celiac disease and/or cross-contamination is a concern, do be sure to speak to a chef directly. Some items on the gluten sensitive menu (like French fries) are not celiac safe.

No matter your special dietary need, I always recommend you speak with a chef directly. They can customize dishes and talk through additional options not listed on the gluten sensitive menu.

Both Brandon and I spoke to the chef about options, and the chef was great at accommodating. Because we've been several times, we both had a good idea of some potential options, which helped.

My favorite dish at Yak & Yeti used to be the Malaysian Seafood Curry dish, which was both gluten free and dairy free. Unfortunately, it's no longer on the menu. So, I asked the chef if it was possible to make the Teriyaki Beef and Shrimp Stir-Fry on their seasonal menu gluten free. Essentially, the chef said she just needed to remove the teriyaki sauce and make a stir-fry with GF tamari instead.

The GF Teriyaki Beef and Shrimp Stir-Fry included flank steak, shrimp, stir-fried vegetables, and pineapple tossed in gluten free soy sauce and coconut-ginger rice. This dish was both gluten free and dairy free.

The flavors in this dish were fantastic. The beef was really tender. And the shrimp was perfectly cooked. The GF soy sauce along with the stir-fried vegetables and pineapple made for a great sauce. It wasn't too sweet, and it wasn't overly salty either. Add in some rice, and you have one excellent dish. I would 100% get this again. In fact, I think I was still raving about how good it was a few days later. After eating this dish, I've already decided we might need to make another visit again soon!

This was the first time we'd eaten at Yak & Yeti since Brandon's peanut, cabbage, and chicken & turkey allergy diagnoses. So, he was a little nervous about options. Thankfully, the Lo Mein he usually gets was easy to modify. Essentially, he got Beef Lo Mein minus the cabbage. The Lo Mein normally comes with chicken, shrimp, or tofu. But, the chef said it was no problem to substitute beef. She simply omitted cabbage from the dish and added in extra carrots. With these modifications, the dish was fish/shellfish free, peanut free, cabbage free, and chicken & turkey free.

Brandon was really pleased with his entree. He said it was just as good as ever. And, he really enjoyed the beef in place of chicken. Like me, he was also raving about how good it was, and we both agreed we'd like to go back soon!

Overall

Both Brandon and I have had really excellent experiences at Yak & Yeti. Of the Landry's restaurants on Disney property, it's by far our favorite. It's also the one where we both feel like we have a lot more options. The chefs at Yak & Yeti do a great job of accommodating. And, the food has been excellent, and plentiful, too. This continues to be our go-to table service restaurant in the Animal Kingdom and whenever we're both craving Asian food (which is hard for both of us to get).

Have you been to Yak & Yeti? What was your experience dining there?

5/31/18 5/31/18

Yak & Yeti -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom

*This dining experience took place in May 2018.

Dinner at Yak & Yeti

Yak & Yeti is a table service restaurant located in Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park. Back in April before we went to the DVC Moonlight Magic we had dinner with Brandon's mom at Yak & Yeti. This restaurant isn't owned and operated by Disney, but by Landry's. Brandon's family are members of the Landry's Select Club which offers priority seating and rewards, and we ended up signing up that night for the membership. Since we had a $25 reward to use from signing up, we decided to get dinner one night at the Yak & Yeti to use it.

Atmosphere

The theming for Yak & Yeti is quite lovely. It really fits in well in the Asia section of the Animal Kingdom.Both the food and the decor reflect Asian cultures, and we were told by cast members that much of the decor is authentic from Asian countries.On our previous visits, we have always dined upstairs on the second floor of the restaurant. On this visit, we were seating in the back corner of the first floor. It was nice to have a different seat and check out some theming and decor we'd never seen before.I absolutely love this quote and Bollywood movie posters that were on the wall near our table. It adds such a fun touch and gives the restaurant even more back story to its theme.There is definitely a lot to look at in the restaurant, and I would encourage you to wander a bit, if you have the time.

The Food

Having been to Yak & Yeti recently, I knew that the restaurant offered a "gluten sensitive" menu but that a chef would also come speak with me. On this visit, I was given the menu and asked if I wanted to speak to a chef or just order off the menu directly. I'm glad that I spoke with a chef, as I learned that the menu does not necessarily list items that are celiac safe.When the chef came to our table, I mentioned I was interested in the burger listed on the gluten sensitive menu. He said the fries were not safe for guests with celiac disease and that the burger would be served plain, as the regular menu toppings could not be made gluten free. I was a bit taken aback by this and did ask what the point of having them listed on a menu was. The chef's only response was that this is a gluten sensitive menu and not a gluten free menu. This is very disappointing to see that, especially since the chefs who have assisted me at the restaurant seemed to understand the need for safety. Personally, I'd rather they just get rid of the menu and come talk guests directly instead, since the menu really isn't meant for most of the people who might use it.Since the burger was not a great option, the chef recommended to me several items, including the Malaysian Seafood Curry which was not on the gluten sensitive menu. He said this is a naturally gluten free and dairy free dish. So, I opted to order this.I have to say that of the menu items I've tried at Yak & Yeti, this has been my favorite. The dish was super flavorful and packed full of seafood. It was also a huge portion. I definitely didn't leave hungry. It wasn't super spicy either, so if spice is a concern, you'll find this red curry dish to be quite flavorful and mild. I'd definitely order this again.

Overall

Despite the issues with the gluten sensitive menu, I really enjoyed my meal at Yak & Yeti. I do think there are better options in the park, but having the Landry's Select Club card means it's an easy spot to have a meal without a reservation at the last minute (which is great for us as locals). Thankfully, I have not had any issues with the food I've ordered here, and I've always been able to speak to a chef on each visit. I would recommend if you have celiac disease or allergies to ask to speak to a chef prior to ordering to ensure safety and not order directly from any special diets menus, like the gluten sensitive one they are currently offering.Have you been to Yak & Yeti Restaurant? What was your overall experience?

5/15/18 5/15/18

Yak & Yeti -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom

*This dining experience took place in April 2018.

Dinner at Yak & Yeti

Yak & Yeti Restaurant is a table service location in Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park. Though it is not owned and operated by Disney (It's a part of the Landry's restaurants chain), it has been an extremely popular dining location in the park for many years now. We visited last year after a pretty lengthy hiatus and really enjoyed our meal there. So, we decided to have dinner here before we went to a DVC Moonlight Magic event held in the park.

Atmosphere

One of the things that we really love about the Yak & Yeti is the theming. Located in the Asia section of the park, you can see the Asian influence in the restaurant's decor. In fact, we were told by cast members that many of the items in the restaurant are authentic from specific Asian regions.There is both downstairs and upstairs seating in the restaurant. We found the downstairs seating to be a bit more hectic than the upstairs seating.On this visit, we actually did not have a dining reservation, but Brandon's mom has a Landry's card, so we were able to get seated within 10 minutes of arriving, which was fantastic.We were seated upstairs, which was fine by us. While the dining area was a little crowded when we arrived, it got a little calmer about 20 minutes into our dining experience.As you can see, the seating areas are lovely. We found our table to be fairly spacious too.

The Food

Yak & Yeti does not carry an allergy-friendly restaurant per se. They do now offer a gluten sensitive menu, but even with this menu, they made sure a chef came out to talk to me about options.I was pleasantly surprised by all the options on the gluten sensitive menu that were available to me.Prior to our meal, we did opt for some drinks. I got a classic gin and tonic, but they have a variety of options for whatever drink you like.For a starter, I got the Chicken Consomme which came with tofu, scallions, and carrots. This was both gluten free and dairy free. I really enjoyed this soup -- it was super light and had great flavor. It's definitely a dish I'd get again, though I have to admit, I want to try the Lettuce Cups on my next visit.For my entree, I ordered the Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Chili Plum Sauce, Jasmine Rice, and Steamed Vegetables. I also got a side of gluten free soy sauce too. Like the soup, this dish was both gluten free and dairy free.While I wouldn't say this was the best entree I've ever had, it was good. The shrimp portion was generous, and I loved the sauteed vegetable blend that included bok choy (one of my favorite veggies). The Jasmine Rice with plum sauce was also really good too.

Overall

Everyone agreed that the meal experience overall was quite good. We had excellent service and were really surprised by how quickly we were seated using the Landry's Card (we actually got one ourselves that evening). The food was also decent, with lots of gluten free options. For the Animal Kingdom theme park, this is a great table service option, especially considering that the other table service locations are either an all-you-care-to-enjoy character meal or signature dining. We will definitely be enjoying a meal here again in the near future.

4/1/18 4/1/18

Satu'li Canteen -- Dinner -- Quick Service -- Animal Kingdom

*This dining experience took place in March 2018.

Dinner at Satu'li Canteen

Satu'li Canteen, located in Disney's Animal Kingdom, is a quick service restaurant that offers a bit more than just your typical burgers and fries fare. In fact, their lunch and dinner offerings are some of the more unique and healthful quick service meal options you'll find on Disney property. We recently stopped by Satu'li Canteen for a quick dinner while exploring Pandora: The World of Avatar where this restaurant is located.

Atmosphere

The theming, like the food at Satu'li Canteen, is unique. The building itself is an old mess hall that has been converted into a restaurant that highlights the art and the food of the world of Pandora.From the moment you arrive, you'll find bright, earthy tones and art made from natural materials. The combination of a modern mess hall mixed with the traditional Na'vi handiwork make for a rich and detailed setting to dine.There is both indoor and outdoor seating at Satu'li Canteen, and while we like the exterior seating, we really love the inside seating. It's cozy, and even on the busiest days that we've been, we have been able to find a seat.

The Food

Of course, the thing that keeps us coming back to Satu'li Canteen is the food. As a special diets diner, your best bet are the custom bowls. With lots of different combinations of proteins (from chicken to chili-spiced tofu), bases (including rice and salad greens), along with some tasty sauces -- you can mix and match with ease. If you're not sure where to start, Satu'li Canteen does carry an allergy-friendly lunch and dinner menu.On this visit, I chose the Mixed Whole Grain and Rice base, which is marked gluten free but not dairy free. But, in looking at the ingredients binder, I could not identify any dairy. You can see a screenshot of the ingredients on Vegan Disney World's blog.I chose wood-grilled chicken as my protein and asked for both the Charred Green Onion Vinaigrette and Creamy Herb Dressing on the side. The Creamy Herb Dressing is actually gluten free and dairy free but does contain egg, as it is mayonnaise based.This is probably my most favorite combination at Satu'li Canteen. I love the rice and the hearty chicken, and the creamy herb is perfect with the chicken. I also enjoy the Red & Sweet Potato Hash with Beef too (which is what Brandon usually gets). But, you really can't go wrong with any of the bowl combinations!

Overall

The only thing we noticed on our most recent trip to Satu'li Canteen is that the portions in the dishes seemed a bit smaller -- especially the meat portion. Mine wasn't as noticeable. But Brandon's beef was very skimpy. We're hoping it was just a random occurrence and not a sign that they've reduced the portion sizes overall. Still, we enjoy Satu'li Canteen for their variety of options and for something different. Plus, it's great to take just about anyone because the different combinations give everyone the flexibility to find what they like. It's definitely a must-do when we go to the Animal Kingdom.Have you been to Satu'li Canteen? What's your go-to bowl combination?

9/18/17 9/18/17

Nomad Lounge -- Appetizers -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom

*This dining experience took place in September 2017.

Appetizers at the Nomad Lounge

The Nomad Lounge, at Disney's Animal Kingdom, has quickly become one of our favorite lounges on Disney property. With lovely theming and a calm atmosphere, we've enjoyed resting and relaxing here on previous visits. We recently stopped by here for drinks and appetizers on a whim before heading to Pandora before the Disney Vacation Club Moonlight Magic event at the Animal Kingdom. We had originally planned to get dinner at Satu'li Canteen, but something about the Nomad Lounge drew us in that night.

Atmosphere

One of the reasons that we love the Nomad Lounge is the atmosphere. It's not too bright, and the decor is comfortable and makes you feel instantly relaxed.I love seeing the flags that decorate the restaurant encouraging the discovery of travel and adventure.On this visit, we decided to sit outside in a far corner with views of the water. It was quiet and calm, and the perfect way to enjoy a few drinks and food. Hurricane Irma had recently just hit, and we arrived just around sunset, so the outdoor seating wasn't as put together feeling as it normally does, but it was still very tranquil.

The Food

On this visit, we decided to try out more of the food options. But, first, drinks!I always get sparkling water with lime at the Nomad Lounge. I'm a huge fan of sparkling water, and as an added perk, it's complimentary at the Nomad Lounge. That rarely happens, so I'll take free sparkling water when I can. I also ordered a gin & tonic with lime which is fresh and inviting.While we enjoyed drinks, I had the chance to speak with a chef. The Nomad Lounge does not currently carry an allergy-friendly menu, so be sure to ask to speak with a chef. My server tried to tell me what was safe, but I felt safer speaking with a chef.Because I've reintroduced dairy back into my diet in limited forms, we did order the Nomad Lounge cheese plate. it's a must-do for us and always so good. This can easily be made gluten free by removing the bread component, which is great. I think I liked the previous cheese plate offerings from the Nomad Lounge (they do rotate cheeses), but this was also quite good. Plus, I love the accompaniments.For something more substantial, I ordered the Florida Lionfish Tacos. These were both gluten free and dairy free. If you've never heard of Lionfish, it's an invasive fish species, that is not so great in the ocean, but great to eat. It's a bit like whitefish such as cod, so it's tender and flaky and delicious.My tacos were served on homemade corn tortillas and charred pineapple and jalapeno. They were quite flavorful and fairly mild -- though I got a few bites of jalapeno in it here and there that were spicy. I would have liked to have seen a spicy mayonnaise or something to offset some of the dryness, but overall, I would get this again.It was a small portion, though, so keep that in mind if you're a big eater or on the hungrier side.But the shining star of our meal was dessert. The Nomad Lounge currently offers gluten free churros. Yes, you read that correctly, churros. They are gluten free, but they do contain dairy, as they are made with the cup4cup flour blend that contains milk. They are made in a dedicated gluten free fryer.Can I just say wow?!If you've ever dreamed of having a gluten free Disney churro, this fits the bill nicely. It's maybe not quite as crispy as a regular churro (from what I remember from my pre-celiac days), but it's still pretty amazing. Crispy on the outside, sugary without being too sweet, and a little spongy on the inside -- these are the stuff Disney magic and pixie dust is made of.The churros come with a chili strawberry sauce and a vanilla crema sauce. I didn't try the vanilla crema sauce, but I did try the strawberry sauce. It was good, but I think the churros are best eaten solo without a sauce, but it's amazing that there are even sauce options.

Overall

The Nomad Lounge continues to impress as one of the best chill and low-key lounges on Disney property. I love the atmosphere, and the fact that the food is very gluten free friendly. Plus, add to it that they have gluten free churros. Well, there's just nothing better. If you can have dairy, the churros here are a must order and the perfect snack for an afternoon or late evening in the Animal Kingdom. Plus, the other food is really great too. But, let's face it, it really is all about the churros! To read more about the Nomad Lounge's gluten free offerings, check out Alexis' Gluten Free Adventures blog for her review for even more info.Have you been to the Nomad Lounge? What have you ordered when you've dined here?

5/17/17 5/17/17

Satu'li Canteen -- Dinner -- Quick Service -- Pandora: World of Avatar -- Animal Kingdom

*This dining experience took place in May 2017.

Dinner at Satu'li Canteen

We recently had the chance to go to a Disney Annual Passholder preview of Pandora: The World of Avatar -- a new land located in Disney's Animal Kingdom. We were so excited to check out all the attractions, the new places to explore, and of course, the food! I'd been hearing great things about the quick service restaurant, Satu'li Canteen, located in Pandora and couldn't wait to check it out. Here's a recap of our visit. Since this was our first visit, this is a bit of a lengthy post with lots of photos of the atmosphere and the food!Be prepared to be hungry!

Atmosphere

The entire land of Pandora is beautifully themed. As you enter the Valley of Mo'ara where the land is located, you'll notice floating mountains, lush plants and flowers, vibrant colors, and lots of cool sounds. It's pretty impressive. Tucked in a corner of the land is Satu'li Canteen, a fast-casual quick service restaurant.When you enter, you notice that the Satu'li Canteen is a re-purposed mess hall, formerly used by the RDA, a group that previously (as we learned in the movie) tried to strip Pandora of its rich resources. No longer in use now that RDA is gone, ACE (Alpha Centauri Expeditions) has re-claimed the space for a new dining experience for visitors to Pandora. They serve food that highlights the natural abundance of Pandora.So, it's gotta be good, right?! But, first, let's explore the theming of the restaurant. The first thing that you notice is this combined use of a former mess hall and a new cafeteria. There's a bit of an industrial feel to it, but it's been transformed with local cultural decorations.There's both indoor and outdoor seating for guests. We chose to sit in a large booth inside, since we dined here about an hour before they closed for the evening.There's a lot of really detailed touches throughout the seating area, and I wish we would have spent more time here looking around. But, we had so much to get in on such a short amount of time!Here are a few more photos from the dining area, including the outdoor seating.Once we moved past the seating area, we went to order food. The ordering area looks pretty industrial and generic. It oddly reminded me of Cosmic Ray's, probably because the ordering area looked very similar.There's a bit of a lengthy queue area, which is helpful when it gets crowded.Overall, we thought the interior of the restaurant was very well done. We loved the story-line and thought the general theming really fit well with the movie and vibe they were setting up in Pandora.Of course, there was so much in the park that I want to share with you all that's not food related! If you want to see a bit of Pandora, check out Brandon's video walkthrough, including a short video clip of Satu'li Canteen and our meal there!

The Food

But, of course, we all want to know about the food options! With a new restaurant, it's always exciting to see how special diets friendly it will be. And, I'm pleased to report that I found Satu'li Canteen to be very special diets friendly. Plus, the food was just delicious.When we first arrived, we were handed a regular menu for the restaurant.I asked a cast member for the allergy friendly lunch and dinner menu, which I was given when we entered the ordering area.If you compare both menus, you'll find that the gluten free and dairy free options are pretty extensive. And, pretty much everything is naturally gluten free and dairy free on the bowl section of the menu. How cool is that?! Literally, the only thing I couldn't get in a bowl was the fish and the black bean vinaigrette.It also seems very vegetarian and vegan friendly too -- though the only vegan sauce would be the charred onion chimichurri.Of course, I do recommend that you speak with a cast member about any questions you might have with the menu. I spoke with a manager, and she brought out an iPad, instead of an ingredients binder, to go over with me. I was most curious about the creamy herb dressing which said it was dairy free. It does contain egg (it's mayonnaise based), but I was happy to see a creamy sauce as an option.Satu'li Canteen also serves breakfast, and I was able to see the allergy friendly breakfast menu too. I really want to go back for the Pork Hash, which sounds delicious. The breakfast menu seems like I might need to ask a lot more questions, but it's nice to see so many gluten free options.Both Brandon and I decided to get bowls for our meals. The bowls are completely customized. This means you choose your protein, your base, and your sauce. So, there's lots of combination opportunities, depending on your dietary need. With so much being gluten free and dairy free, I was psyched for the choices.I decided to order the Chopped Wood-Grill Chicken Bowl with Mixed Whole Grain and Rice and Charred Onion Chimichurri and Creamy Herb Dressing on the side. Each of these components were gluten free and dairy free.All I have to say is wow.It was that good. I was so impressed with the flavors and the quality of the food -- especially for a quick service. I also loved that we got real plates, silverware, and trays. It was all beautifully presented.I chose the chicken because I'd been hearing great things about the flavor, and it did not disappoint. There was a ton of grill flavor, and the chicken wasn't dry at all. I opted for rice because I really hadn't seen many reviews with rice included. Plus, I love rice so much. I found the rice to be well seasoned and the perfect base for my chicken -- though I will definitely have to try the red and sweet potato hash too.On top of my dish was a vegetable slaw that was light and refreshing. Both Brandon and I both enjoyed it a lot. I did not receive any Boba Balls on my tray. I'm not sure if there is gluten in it (I think there must be if it was omitted), but I know that it does contain yogurt, so it's not dairy free. Brandon tried them on his bowl and did not enjoy them at all.Because I love a good condiment, I had to try both of the gluten free and dairy free sauce options. The Charred Onion Chimichurri is on the right of this picture and was outstanding. I can't say it was something super unique or special, but I love the bright herby flavors of a good chimichurri. This would go really well with the steak.The Creamy Herb Dressing was good, but I have to say that I didn't love it. I'd get it again for sure, but I'd choose the Chimichurri over the Creamy Herb Dressing. Still, I'm happy anytime something that is on the creamy-side is dairy free.Overall, I can't say enough good things about my bowl and the combination that I chose. Of course, now it just makes me want to go back to order different variations!Brandon got the Slow-Roasted Sliced Grilled Beef with Red and Sweet Potato Hash and the Charred Onion Chimichurri on the side. This dish is also gluten free and dairy free. Unfortunately, we mistakenly forgot to order his as an allergy too, so that I could try it. I didn't want to take a chance since it wasn't prepared as an allergy, even though the dish is naturally gluten free and dairy free.Overall, he really enjoyed this. If you like a rarer steak, I think you would enjoy the texture of the beef. If you like more well done beef, this might not be for you. I have to say that his portion of potatoes were huge. So, if you want the best bang for you buck on a filling meal, the potatoes are the way to go.Here's a close-up of Brandon's steak bowl. You can see the Boba Balls on his slaw, which weren't on mine. If you have any texture preferences or don't like yogurt, I'd recommend just picking them off or requesting the meal without them. We actually saw a button the cashier screen to remove them from a dish.As you can see by the trays, our meals were beautifully presented and looked great. The real trays (they weren't plastic) were fantastic, and I really hope they don't change these down the road.On a quick note, I did try the Banshee Chardonnay, a wine made elusively for Pandora. (Brandon got the Mo'ara High Country Ale, which is most definitely NOT gluten free). I have to say at $9.00 the portion was small, and the wine wasn't very good. It's not something I'd order again. We were also surprised that there was not one gluten free dessert option, so we skipped dessert here.

Overall

I can't say enough good things about Satu'li Canteen at Pandora. It's a welcome addition to the theme park, and a real step up for quick service food. The food quality was exceptional, the special diets options were good, and the atmosphere was great. We plan on going back again for breakfast and for lunch or dinner too. I'm dying to try out some of the other bowl combinations when I visit!What do you think about the offerings at Satu'li Canteen? What would you order?

4/20/17 4/20/17

Yak & Yeti Restaurant -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom

*This dining experience took place in March 2017.

Dinner at the Yak & Yeti Restaurant

The Yak & Yeti is a table service restaurant located at Disney's Animal Kingdom Park. Owned & operated by Landry's (who also owns the Rainforest Cafe and T-Rex Cafe), the Yak & Yeti is a restaurant that I haven't dined at in a long time. In fact, I realized that I hadn't dined there since October 2010, so it's been a long time. On this particular occasion, we decided to stop by the Yak & Yeti Restaurant for dinner, while touring the Animal Kingdom Park on a hot day. We all needed to get inside air conditioning, hydrate, and of course, eat!

Atmosphere

I'm always so impressed when I dine at the Yak & Yeti. Even though it's not owned and operated by the Disney Company, it seems like the Yak & Yeti follows Disney's attention to detail and style when it comes to the restaurant theming.In fact, as we learned from our hostess, all of the artifacts on display in the Yak & Yeti are authentic to their native regions. How cool is that? Both Brandon and I want to go back, not just for the food but to look around and check out all the detail. The restaurant is beautifully themed and decorated.We were seated on the 2nd floor of the restaurant with a fantastic view of park. It was also much quieter up there too. So, if you're looking for a quieter spot, do ask if you can be seated upstairs.

The Food

I was really looking forward to trying my meal at the Yak & Yeti. After reading other more recent reviews, like this one from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures, I knew that the Yak & Yeti had expanded their gluten free (and dairy free options) to include things like lettuce cups. I wasn't feeling that great on our visit (way too much sun for me), so I opted to get just an entree instead of an appetizer too.Because the restaurant isn't owned by Disney, they don't necessarily have to follow Disney's standards for special diets accommodations. This means you won't find an allergy-friendly menu here. But, thankfully, the chef came out to walk me through the options which was great. Dairy free is super easy with most Asian / Pan-Asian food. And, Yak & Yeti has gluten free soy sauce on hand to make dishes with, which is great. So, there were a lot more choices, than I expected.One of my favorite things is rice. And, since I wasn't feeling great, I decided to get a version of the noodle bowl but with rice. The dish had both chicken and shrimp in it along with several vegetables including carrots, green onion, and cabbage. With a nice gluten-free soy sauce added, it was the perfect dish for my dinner. Plus, the portion was HUGE! I ended up taking half of it home, it was that large. I would definitely get this dish again, though I'm also wanting to try some of the other dishes there too. I've got to get those gluten free and dairy free lettuce cups sometime!

Overall

I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised with my meal at the Yak & Yeti. The food was delicious, the portions large, and the chef accommodating. Even the non-special diets diners with me all enjoyed their meal. Brandon got the gluteny version of the dish I got and said it was fantastic too. I definitely want to make sure I get back to the Yak & Yeti again soon and maybe even check out the quick service options they serve outside too.Have you been to the Yak & Yeti? What did you enjoy when you dined there?

2/20/17 2/20/17

Nomad Lounge -- Snacks -- Bar/Lounge -- Animal Kingdom

*This dining experience took place in February 2017.

Appetizers and Drinks at the Nomad Lounge

The Nomad Lounge, located in Disney's Animal Kingdom Park, offers appetizers, small plates, and drinks. The Nomad Lounge opened in 2016, and is located next to Tiffins, the new signature dining location in the park. I've been dying to go to the Nomad Lounge for a while now, especially after reading Alexis from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures review of the lounge. Brandon and I decided to stop in to check out the offerings before we caught a showing of the Rivers of Light.

Atmosphere

I have to say that the Nomad Lounge is one of the most relaxing and calm lounges I've ever been to at Disney. It's beautiful interior reflects the world travels of Disney Imagineers, and I love that. Plus, there are some really cool signs and quotes decorating the entire lounge from Disney guests who love to travel the world too. The color scheme is bright but subtle, and you truly feel calm the moment you enter the lounge.The bar area is the most elaborate with travel flags from Disney guests.I love that they thought of the theming right down to the menu and drink guide. It looks like an old travel journal and notebook. And you'll see from the inside notes from the Imagineers.Thought I didn't get a photo of the outside, the Nomad Lounge does have a charming outdoor seating area, overlooking a small bit of water. It's perfect for a Florida winter day or a cooler evening in the park.

The Food

But let's get to the food and drink. The important stuff, right?!Up first, our server Spencer got us some water. Interestingly enough, you can get still or sparkling water here, and the sparkling water is free of charge. That's pretty rare for most restaurants, so I asked for a sparkling water with some lime in it (my favorite!). It's so refreshing.Brandon and I each got one of the specialty drinks. I ordered the Spice Trader Classic with gin, vermouth, lemon juice, strawberries, and soda water. I loved that this drink was not overly sweet. A huge gin fan, I always look for unique gin options. This one was perfect, and I will definitely be ordering it again.As a side note, if you aren't sure if you can have or can tolerate a certain alcohol, do check ahead or on your phone when you are there. Disney does not typically offer information about gluten free options for alcohol.Brandon got the Tempting Tigress. I stay away from whiskey, bourbon, and other similar alcohol because I don't tolerate them very well. Brandon said this one was phenomenal though and even our server said this is one of us his favorites.Because I've been reintroducing dairy back into my diet, we also opted to get the Cheese Plate. At $14, it was a wee bit pricey, but the quality of the cheese was very good. It included an aged gouda, a feta cheese, Purple Haze goat cheese with fennel and lavender, and a strong blue cheese -- served with cardamon smoked marcona almonds and house-made raisins. The dish also had 2 small berry gelees that were to be eaten after you finished your cheese. They tasted like concentrated fruit snacks.The cheese plate is completely gluten free, according to the chef. In fact, almost all of the dishes on the small plates menu at the Nomad Lounge are gluten free, which is huge. Even the dishes that contain gluten like the sliders, just need a slight modification (like a gluten free bun). How cool is that?The cheese plate was perfect for us. I am a sucker for aged cheese, so I loved the gouda. But, I also really enjoyed the blue cheese and the goat cheese. The feta was good, but really bland and nothing special compared to the other cheeses. The almonds and raisins were nice compliments to the cheese too.

Overall

I have to say, I'm a Nomad Lounge convert now. It's a bit pricey, but the atmosphere and quality of food and drinks really do make it stand out from some of the other typical Disney bars and lounges. I adore that they have such unique drink options too. Plus, it's just a quiet, calm, and relaxing place to chill after a hot day in the Animal Kingdom. I'm a little worried it may become really busy once Pandora: The World of Avatar opens because it is located at its entrance, but hopefully, it will remain a quiet gem in a busy park.Have you been to the Nomad Lounge? What did you think of the food and drink there?

5/23/16 5/23/16

Restaurantosaurus -- Lunch -- Quick Service -- Animal Kingdom

*This dining experience took place in May 2016.Check out my YouTube video walkthrough of the Animal Kingdom Park, including this visit to Restaurantosaurus. Restaurantosaurus is a quick service dining location at Dinoland USA in Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park. It's a good go-to spot for me when it comes to a solid quick service and also one that actually has air conditioning and is enclosed at the Animal Kingdom park. It always seems like the Animal Kingdom is super warm, so there's something to be said about a cool spot to grab a bite to eat.I haven't been to Restaurantosaurus in a while, but it's the spot in the Animal Kingdom where I always get allergy friendly chicken tenders. The chicken tenders on Disney property are so good, and though there was a supplier issue for a while, they seem to be back throughout Disney property which is great.Restaurantosaurus does not have an allergy friendly menu for some reason, but I was able to talk to a manager about options. Allergy chicken tenders usually take about 10 minutes or so to prepare, so there was a bit of a wait. The manager will bring out the tray and all special diets orders come out on a green tray.The allergy chicken tenders I ordered were delicious as usual. Crispy and flavorful, they really are some of the best gluten free and dairy free chicken tenders I've ever had. The chicken tenders are the same at all locations that carry them throughout Disney property, which is nice!The chicken tenders and fries are made in a dedicated fryer.My only complaint for my meal was that I had a small portion of fries (literally half of what I normally get), which I thought was odd until I realized that my brother's chili cheese fries were also on a green tray.We then realized based on the portion (and that the manager had noted the chili was gluten free) that they had made my brother's fries gluten free in a dedicated fryer and likely was the other half of the portion I typically get when I order allergy chicken tenders and fries.While we didn't order it that way, it was good to know that the chili cheese fries can be made gluten free (not dairy free). Note that in the photo below there are additional toppings added to the fries. These came from the toppings bar and should be avoided if you are concerned with cross contamination or have a severe allergy to any of those items. If you wanted toppings, you could always ask a manager for toppings from the kitchen, which is what I have done in the past at different locations.Overall, Restaurantosaurus continues to be a solid choice. The options may not be really unique or different, but it's a solid choice and a great spot to cool off and enjoy a quick service meal. Plus, they have allergy friendly chicken tenders which is reason enough to go for me!Have you been to Restaurantosaurus? What did you order there when you went?

7/15/14 7/15/14

Updates from the Food Allergy Information Kiosk (Garden Kiosk) at Disney's Animal Kingdom

*This visit took place in June 2014.It's been a while since I've stopped by the Food Allergy Information Kiosk, also known as the Garden Kiosk, at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park. When it opened last August, it was a huge deal for those of us with special dietary needs, and I'm so glad that after a year it's still running at Disney's Animal Kingdom. It's just great to see something like this keep going in the parks. It's an excellent place to stop by for a snack or get information about special dietary needs dining in the Animal Kingdom.Since my last post update was in November 2013, I thought I would write up a brief post about some of the updates at the kiosk in 2014.Perhaps some of the biggest changes this year include the addition of Toutti brand non-dairy ice cream, either in vanilla or chocolate, Surf Sweets gummy candies, fruit cups, and perhaps the most popular of all...Babycakes NYC Donuts. Since Babycakes NYC's building closed due to Downtown Disney (aka Disney Springs) construction, there have been relatively few locations in which you could get Babycakes donuts. Thankfully, the Garden Kiosk now serves the cinnamon sugar and vanilla chocolate flavors. When I stopped by around 1 p.m. on a Saturday, they only had a few left, so they are definitely very popular. You can check the site for a listing of where you can get Babycakes NYC products now at Disney (this includes the Beach Club Quick Service which also carries donuts).The location also carries grab and go fruit, Enjoy Life Cookies, Lundberg Rice Chips, granola bars and more. You can also get Redbridge gluten free beer, Omission Beer (made with gluten ingredients which are later removed in the process), and Angry Orchard hard cider if you fancy a beverage (although, I have to say, I'd recommend a sugar cane mojito at the Dawa bar or the new pineapple soft serve and rum drinks over at Tamu Tamu. I haven't had the soft serve but I hear it's delicious!).While you are at the kiosk, you can also speak to a cast member about the ingredients of products and which menu offerings might be the best choice for your dietary need. I highly recommend using this, especially if you're dining quick service in the Animal Kingdom, as it is really helpful to know which locations carry the best options for you to eat, saving you time and potential frustration. The cast members are always really helpful, and it's great to have a one-stop shop for dietary needs.Overall, I'm so glad that this kiosk is still running successfully at Disney's Animal Kingdom. I hope it continues to stay and serve our special diet community. And maybe they'll open more kiosks in other parks!Have you been to the Garden Kiosk? What did you think of this special diets focused location in the Animal Kingdom?

7/10/14 7/10/14

Tamu Tamu -- Lunch/Dinner -- Quick Service -- Animal Kingdom

*This dining experience took place in June 2014. Nestled in Harambe in Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park lies Tamu Tamu. Serving up quick service fare with an African twist, this restaurant has a limited menu with a few special diets offerings. They also have recently added a Pineapple Soft Serve which many have been wondering is a full fledged Dole Whip.This was the first time I've ever dined at Tamu Tamu, and I wasn't sure what offerings were going to be available to me. I didn't get a chance to pop by the Garden Kiosk (aka Food Allergy Information Kiosk) in Discovery Island, but I have to say that it's my go-to when looking at quick service in the Animal Kingdom outside of my staple dining spots.As you can see by the menu, it is rather limited in terms of offerings. I'm actually slightly bummed because they did have two dishes previously served that might have been gluten free & dairy free and actually sounded quite yummy:

Slow-cooked Chicken Curry - mild African-spiced chicken curry served over Jasmine rice
Vegetarian Curry - roasted vegetables and tofu served with Jasmine rice

These have now been removed and the menu has been replaced with more traditional offerings that were actually on the menu before the curry dishes were added. I was hoping that they might be able to serve house-made chips gluten free & dairy free too (which I've heard rave things about).When I arrived, the cast member at the cash register gave me the allergy binder to look at. I asked if I could speak with a manager, and she was a bit hesitant to get them, noting that the binder had the information; however, she did not know if there was a dedicated fryer for the chips or other substitutions for dishes.Once the manager came out, he went over some of the options for me, which were relatively limited. The quinoa salad sounded good but it does have feta in it. I settled on the Roasted Chicken Salad - diced chicken and dried fruit blended with mild African spices, served with tomatoes, and apple slices. It normally comes with pita but they served it to me without it. I also asked if they had any substitutions for the apple slices, and the only other option is carrot sticks (both pre-packaged). I personally prefer grapes, but that is partially because I have some issues with apples and having Crohn's disease.During the time while I waited for the manager I took the time to check out the DOLE Pineapple Soft Serve ingredients. I kept hearing that this was not gluten free, let alone dairy free, and I was definitely curious. Thankfully, both the ingredients and the team at DOLE Soft Serve have reached out to me for clarification and ingredients (and good news for us special diets folks!)Here are the ingredients (photo taken with permission of the cast member) of the Pineapple Dole Whip at this location.The best image I got was a little blurry. However, thanks to the team at DOLE Soft Serve, here is the ingredients list from their website. The allergen noted at Tamu Tamu Refreshments is coconut. You can compare the ingredients photo from January 2013 here on the site, and the Pineapple Dole Whip ingredients are the same. DOLE Soft Serve's website notes: Fat-free. Dairy-free. Gluten-free. And Lactose-free, and suitable for a Vegan diet. DOLE Soft Serve is manufactured by Kent Precision Foods Group. You can find out more information from the DOLE Soft Serve website. Thank you again to the team at DOLE Soft Serve for the detailed information!I did not inquire about dedicated soft serve machines at Tamu Tamu Refreshments or if any other flavors of soft serve were present, so readers will want to check with cast members about this, particularly for dairy in vanilla and chocolate flavors (if they are served at this location, which I cannot confirm at this time). Once I got my chicken salad, we grabbed a seat in the Tamu Tamu eating area which is quite lovely and peaceful. I have to say, in the summer though...it's pretty hot! Thank goodness it's slightly shaded and covered. On top of that the chicken salad was really refreshing on a hot day.As far as tastes goes, the chicken salad was just OK. I was did enjoy the bright flavors and the dried fruit. I was hoping (as a fan of curry and African spices) that the flavors would be more pronounced but they were definitely very mild. Don't be afraid to order this if spice isn't your thing. This tasted like a regular chicken salad with some dried fruit in it.One of the things I might have to get the next time I'm there is the fruit salad served in a half of a pineapple. Not only is it a huge portion but the fruit variety is awesome and it looks really refreshing. And anything in a pineapple is OK by me!Overall, I wasn't wowed by Tamu Tamu but was glad that they had at least an option that I could get. I can't say I would frequent this location and will likely stick to staples like Flame Tree BBQ or Restaurantosaurus. To read about Tamu Tamu from a non-special diets perspective, check out Jambo Everyone's blog post.I'd give this a 6 out of 10 for a few, but limited options.Have you been to Tamu Tamu? Will you go there to check out the pineapple Dole Whip?

3/3/13 3/3/13

Flame Tree BBQ -- Quick Service -- Lunch/Dinner -- Animal Kingdom

*This dining experience took place in February 2013.

Photo copyright http://kingdomhopping.blogspot.com

I'm a huge fan of BBQ--there's something about the smoke flavor that is just so good. Living in an apartment, I rarely get the opportunity to grill or smoke things myself, but visiting Flame Tree BBQ is a great substitute for the lack of a grill at my own place.On this particular trip, I made a quick visit to Flame Tree for a bite in between meals on a long day. I actually ended up splitting my pork sandwich with my mom so as not to be overly full later on. When I arrived, I notified the cashier that I needed to speak with a manager. The manager then brought me the ingredients binder to go over options. Normally, I would have taken a look at more options, but since I knew I wanted the BBQ pork sandwich, there wasn't much of a need to go over the binder. Interestingly enough, when I ordered the binder stated that the bun available was Udi's; however, when I received the bun it was the GNI brand bun. Weird. Disney really needs to get their info updated and also make sure the managers know what's available because she kept telling me it was Udi's. Yeah, I know Udi's and that is SOOOO not Udi's lol I also got grapes instead of the coleslaw mostly because I was not in the mood for it.

BBQ Pork Sandwich on a GNI brand bun and grapes

I will say that the sandwich was good, but the bun was not great. I don't think it was properly heated (the major downfall when it comes to GNI brand). I think you also get a smaller portion of meat because they try to size it to the GNI bun, which is puny! That was a bit of a bummer. However, I found the meat to still be quite good--very tasty. The grapes were a nice light snack for the day.I've heard some other reports from other Disney folks that the other BBQ like the chicken and ribs weren't as good for them on their most recent visits; they stated that the meat was quite dry. I'm hopeful that this was just a fluke and not a new standard, but I will def. try out the chicken next visit. Overall, it was an OK meal--not great but not terrible either.I'd give this a 7 out of 10 for a slightly mediocre experience.

5/30/12 5/30/12

Flame Tree BBQ -- Quick Service -- Lunch -- Animal Kingdom


Pork sandwich with coleslaw on a Udi's GF/DF bun...so good!

I love it when I get recommendations from readers. This recommendation, in particular, is one I wish I would have tried a little sooner. However, I'll note that the Udi's GF buns are what make this sandwich taste so good. It's a big step up from the Ener-G tapioca rolls (sorry, I've never been a huge fan). I will say though that it's a bummer that these don't cover all of the top 8 allergens because they are really really good.So on to the food....As usual, I headed to Flame Tree BBQ and asked the cashier to speak with the manager. The manager was very kind and went over the ingredients with me (I knew that I wanted the sandwich). Having been here before, I also knew that the coleslaw was safe, so no substitutes on this order (a rarity for me). The manager did tell me that none of the sauces at the condiment bar were deemed safe, as they had modified food starch in it, and it couldn't be determined where the starch was derived. I never take chances with that, so no sauce for me. Not that this sandwich needed it. I'm glad they serve it as dry BBQ without the sauce; that way you have the option of adding sauce or not. Thankfully, this was very tasty pork, so it didn't need it in my opinion. That bun, OMG that bun. I feel bad everytime I sing it's praises because I know that many folks can no longer enjoy a bun at WDW because of the vendor change. But, I gotta say, I love these. They actually taste like bread. My mom tried some of the bun, and even she liked it! It's that soft texture and fluffiness. It doesn't become a hard dense hockey puck like the Ener-G rolls. Those things could take out a window or a small child if someone threw one!The coleslaw here is also great. It's got a bit of heat/spice to it, and I enjoy it a lot. The only downside is that I hate coleslaw outside on a really hot day, and now that summer is beginning here in Florida, I wouldn't want to eat it much. Something about heat and mayo turns me off! But in the winter time...delish!Overall, I was so pleased to try this one out. Thank you, GF Girl, for your awesome recommendation! I'm so glad I got the chance to check this out. Now a new favorite on my list!!! Definitely a 9 out of 10!

**This dining experience took place in May 2012.

6/25/11 6/25/11

Flame Tree BBQ -- Lunch/Dinner -- Quick Service -- Animal Kingdom

Just look at the bark on that chicken!!! (that's the crust for you non-BBQ aficionados out there!)

Ahhh, Flame Tree...one of my favorites prior to allergies. The BBQ here is so fantastic. I'd heard some other folks with allergies say they had good luck at this place, plus it's listed on special diets information, so I thought we'd give this a whirl. Since we stayed at the AKL this trip, it was a quick stop for us on our first day heading into the parks. Upon arrival, I was greeted by a manager, who took me through the book they had on hand with ingredients and gave me suggestions. I really wanted the BBQ chicken and thankfully, it was safe! They did not consider the vinegar in the baked beans safe, so they said they were out. I was able to get the coleslaw. Because I couldn't get the beans, the manager said I could get either double coleslaw or grapes. I opted for the grapes, since I have Crohn's and the coleslaw was probably not going to be settling well or even completely eaten, so double coleslaw was NOT a good idea. (coleslaw is one of those foods that usually irritates me...not matter how good I'm feeling and sadly no matter how much I enjoy it!) For dessert, I had the option of the French Meadow brownie. All in all, it wasn't anything spectacular, but still filling and very good. My favorite part was the chicken, of course. It was moist and flavorful and had a wonderful rub on it. The coleslaw was also good. It had great flavor and a bit of a spicy bite to it! YUM!All in all, I'd give this one a solid 8 out of 10 for good food, good service and just overall a decent place to go. There aren't a ton of options, but if you like BBQ, it will satisfy your craving. And the place just smells wonderful!!!!

**This dining experience took place in May 2011

2/6/11 2/6/11

Tusker House -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom

Jambo from the Tusker House!

My stepdad really loves Donald Duck--he's his favorite character! So, we decided to do breakfast at Tusker House. I've had lunch there GF/CF and had a good experience there, so I knew breakfast would be great. After taking our picture with Donald we headed in for food! We were greeted by Chef Chris who was simply fantastic. We first talked about my allergies and then what options he would make in the back for me. He made me scrambled eggs b/c the ones on the buffet have dairy in them. He also asked if I wanted mickey waffles...um, did someone say mickey waffles?! Bring 'em on!! He also said he'd look in the back to see what GF pastries he had and if they were dairy free (he ended up not having anything, which was fine, I pigged out anyway!). Then he took me around the buffet to point out safe and not safe items. Fruit of course was safe, and I grabbed a lot of pineapple. Also, most of the meats were ok (bacon, sausage, ham, etc.) The yukon gold roasted potatoes were safe as well (and they were awesome). I also grabbed some rice.

Goodies from the buffet line...

Fruit!

Then Chef Chris came out with more food. Holy moley!!! He must have made 6 eggs. It was a huge plate.

That's a lot of scambled eggs!

Then the Mickey Waffles were crazy. Four big waffles with syrup and Earth Balance butter!! hurrah!!!

Mickey waffles galore!

Boy, did I go crazy on the waffles. I scarfed them down and ate about 1/2 of the eggs and then went back up to the buffet for more ham and potatoes. Add Jungle Juice on top of it, and I was one stuff girl. It was all so good though, I couldn't help but eat a lot! Chef Chris even gave me cookies for the road (Enjoy Life brand). Talk about great service!

Cookies for the road!

This was another restaurant were the chefs just went above and beyond. Another 9 out of 10, for simply great service and food. And yes, I will definitely be back!

11/4/10 11/4/10

Yak and Yeti -- Animal Kingdom -- Table Service

Yak & Yeti at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Originally, we had no plans on going to the Yak & Yeti this trip. We had reservations to eat there in January 2011. However, during a visit to the Animal Kingdom park with my mom and brother, we decided to check it out, since we had no plans for lunch. I was a little leery since we didn't have an ADR and I hadn't notified them of my food allergies, but I figured it would be OK, since most places can easily accommodate it. In addition, I knew that Asian-inspired food should have minimal amounts of dairy, which would be helpful. We also didn't know if we'd have to wait, but lo and behold they had a table ready (and this was at noon too!). I have to say, on a side note, that the decor was great. The Landry's restaurants (like Rainforest Cafe) have great attention to detail and this was no exception. I loved the ambiance and it really did fit in perfectly with the Asia area of DAK where it's located.

Top floor dining room at Yak & Yeti

I made sure to notify the hostess of my allergies and she said no problem that we could just tell the server and the chef would come out (same as Disney owned restaurants). I notified our server, who was excellent, and he said he'd get the chef. The chef then came out and said that I had a fair amount of options and that they could tweak most of the menu options. He said that the Seafood curry was the only thing gluten and dairy free (although he asked if I was ok with coconut milk part b/c of the milk, which made me worry a bit since there's no real dairy in coconut milk despite the name). He said he could do the tempura shrimp--grilled instead of deep fried in a batter, minus the plum sauce, and served with plain white rice and veggies with garlic and ginger and GF soy sauce. He also said I could get a lime / GF soy sauce mixture on the side. This was all fine with me. He did ask if I had an veggies I didn't like, which I appreciated, because I really don't like mushrooms. For dessert, I was hoping to get the sorbet trio, but evidently, they put dairy in it. So, I was offered the frozen lemonade cup.

Modified "Tempura" shrimp

As far as the taste, the food was not bad. My mom referred to the restaurant as somewhere between fast food pan-Asian food and an upscale restaurant. So, it was what we expected. A chain restaurant. The shrimp itself was good--although a bit overseasoned. The veggies were actually quite good (they were a little mushy, which many people would not like, but was good for me b/c I have trouble digesting crunchy veggies b/c of my Crohn's). The lime / GF sauce was also good, and it was nice over the white rice. I rarely get Asian food when I go out to eat b/c many places cannot accommodate the GF soy sauce, so it was nice to get something out.

The frozen lemonade I had for dessert was the Nestle frozen lemonade, so no surprises there. I wish the sorbet they had didn't have dairy in it. That's disappointing!

Frozen lemonade...

Overall, it was good, but not great. I would definitely go again, although it's not on my to do list. We actually canceled our Jan. ADR so I can eat at 50's Prime Time again, but I would definitely eat at Yak & Yeti again. I'm pleased that they could easily accommodate me (although I am still surprised by the coconut milk / dairy comment) and fit me in without an ADR. However, I would definitely make sure you make reservations and note your allergies ahead of time; the chefs may be able to make better arrangements ahead of time for you! I'd give this restaurant a 7 out of 10. Solid meal, tasty and filling, and the service was very good.

11/17/09 11/17/09

Snacks--Turkey Legs

One of my favorite snacks at WDW that is GF is a turkey leg! These things are to die for. Rich and smoky and just darn tasty. I've had many a turkey leg over the years, and am glad to know that these are GF. YUM! You can find turkey legs all over WDW. From Magic Kingdom to AK you can get your turkey leg fix. Here's a few photos from August 2009. You can see I was really enjoying the turkey legs. We grabbed these over at the Lunching Pad right before Wishes. Fireworks and a turkey leg--what could be better?!

Me posing nicely with my turkey leg...

What I really felt about the turkey leg!
I was happy to eat something so delicious and GF!

Turkey Leg Locations:

Magic Kingdom:
Turkey Wagon
Lunching Pad

Epcot:
Turkey Cart in American Adventure
Turkey Cart by Test Track

Animal Kingdom:
Turkey Wagon in Discovery Island

Hollywood Studios:
Toluca Turkey Legs in Sunset Market Ranch

Dinner at Tiffins

COVID-19 & Reopening Notes

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Dinner at Yak & Yeti

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Lunch at Restaurantosaurus

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Dinner at Yak & Yeti

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Dinner at Yak & Yeti

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Dinner at Yak & Yeti

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Dinner at Satu'li Canteen

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Appetizers at the Nomad Lounge

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Dinner at Satu'li Canteen

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Dinner at the Yak & Yeti Restaurant

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Appetizers and Drinks at the Nomad Lounge

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Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW