Cookes of Dublin Dinner Review
*This gluten free dining experience took place in October 2018. It includes information about dairy free options.
Dinner at Cookes of Dublin
Cookes of Dublin is a quick service restaurant located in Disney Springs. It has been a long-time favorite of mine for reasonably priced meals and lots of gluten free (and dairy free) options. Recently, we stopped by Cookes of Dublin for a quick dinner before we saw a movie. We've seen several movies at the AMC Dine-In Theatre there lately, and sometimes getting a quick and affordable meal before the movie is a nice treat.
Atmosphere
Since we recently dined at Cookes of Dublin and wrote a dining review of that visit, I won't go into a lot of detail about atmosphere. I think one of the things that makes Cookes of Dublin charming is that it looks like a proper take-away fish & chips shop.
Cookes of Dublin - Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
One note is that we did go on a Friday night, and it was very busy. We found a table but only after waiting a bit for one to open up. As you can see, the restaurant interior is quite narrow and small. There is also seating near the bar outside and in front of the restaurant too. On this visit, every seating area was full.
Cookes of Dublin - Table Marker / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Once we found a spot, I placed my Cookes of Dublin table marker up at my table. This helps identify to the cast members which table an order goes to. I'd still love to see them use electronic table markers like D-Luxe Burger, as I think it would really help the cast members from having to wander around looking for tables a lot -- especially on a busy night.
The Food
On this particular visit, I let the cast member at the register know about my special dietary need. She immediately let me know that they were out of several items and also had some equipment issues so some items would not be an option either. Essentially, I could have gluten free sandwiches & French fries (made in a dedicated fryer) and a modified version of the Hog in a Box entree. With that in mind, I opted for the Grilled Chicken Sandwich.If you’re gluten free and dairy free there are a few of the options currently available if you dine at Cookes of Dublin and are typically available. You can see that list here along with links to reviews I've written about these different options.
Hog in a Box (with quite a few modifications)
Cheeseburger & Chips
Onion Rings
Cookes of Dublin - Chicken Sandwich / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
I ordered the Char-grilled Chicken Breast with Herb Aioli, Tomato Chutney, and Greens on a Gluten Free Bun served with French Fries and a side of Dalkey Mustard and Tartar Sauce. I also added bacon and cheese to the sandwich, which was suggested to me by the cast member who took my order. Everything here is gluten free. Both the Dalkey Mustard and Tartar Sauce are also dairy free. But, I believe the herb aioli contains dairy.
While I do tend to order the gluten free & dairy free fish and chips at Cookes of Dublin, it was a nice change of pace to have the chicken sandwich. The flavors were excellent, and I really liked the addition of the bacon and cheese. The tomato chutney on this sandwich isn't my favorite, so I might order it without it the next time. The gluten free bun had some issues holding up well to the herb aioli on the sandwich. So, be warned that this might get a little messy to eat.
The French fries were good, as always, but the stars are really the sauces. I always recommend sauces on the side. Unfortunately, they were out of cocktail sauce on this visit, but the Tartar Sauce and Dalkey Mustard are always very tasty too.
Overall
Cookes of Dublin is a tasty and affordable option if you're dining in Disney Springs. If you're craving gluten free fried foods, you really can't go wrong with the options they serve here too. The sandwiches are also excellent, which means you'll find a good amount of options when you dine at Cookes of Dublin gluten free.
Have you been to Cookes of Dublin? What did you order when you dined there?
Cookes of Dublin Dinner Review
*This gluten free and dairy free dining experience took place in October 2018.
Dinner at Cookes of Dublin
Cookes of Dublin is one of my favorite quick service spots in Disney Springs. Not only is the food reasonably priced, but they also have proper Irish fish & chips that you can get both gluten free and dairy free. Recently, I stopped by Cookes of Dublin for a quick dinner before we saw a movie at the AMC Dine-In Theatre in Disney Springs. We knew we didn't have time for a full table service meal, so Cookes of Dublin it was!
Atmosphere
We were in a bit of a hurry to make sure we got to our movie on-time, so I admit that I really didn't take many photos of the restaurant. You can read a bit more about the restaurant and see a few more photos in my last review here on the blog.
Cookes of Dublin Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
One thing to note is that the restaurant can get very busy, and seating is limited. Luckily, we were able to get one of the high-top tables near the back of the restaurant where we had a little bit more space than the tables and chairs you see in the photo above.
Cookes of Dublin Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
After placing my order, I was given a placard to place on our table with a number to help the cast members identify where to bring food orders. I do kind of wish that they would get the electronic pagers that restaurants like D-Luxe Burger are now using. I think it might help out a lot, as I often see cast members walk around a lot trying to find the right number and table.
The Food
Cookes of Dublin has quite a few gluten free and dairy free options for guests. This includes almost all of the fried food options too. That's because they make a gluten free and dairy free batter that is fried in a dedicated fryer. If you have additional dietary restrictions, do be sure to ask a manager about ingredients to help you decide if this restaurant is right for you. We actually don't go here quite as much anymore because Brandon is allergic to fish and shellfish and can't eat anything in the restaurant due to shared fryers. So, when in doubt, do ask!
If you're gluten free and dairy free here are a few of the options currently available. I'm also linking to the reviews I've written about some of the dishes I've tried.
Fish & Chips
Hog in a Box (with quite a few modifications)
Cheeseburger & Chips
Onion Rings
Cookes of Dublin Gluten Free Fish & Chips / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
On this visit, I got the gluten free and dairy free fish & chips with a side of tartar sauce and cocktail sauce. Both of these sauces are gluten free and dairy free too. I also highly recommend the Dalkey Mustard, which is another gluten free and dairy free sauce offered at Cookes of Dublin.
One word of note about any fried foods at Cookes of Dublin. I often find that the fried foods here are very underseasoned. So, if you find them to be bland tasting, do add a bit of salt. That is the very first thing I do before I dig in! It makes all the difference in the world.
On this visit, I found my fish and chips to be good but not great. I think that's because the batter on the fish was actually a little undercooked and gooey in a few spots. I like my fish and chips lightly battered. And, Cookes of Dublin is usually very good at this. This visit it was not. I also had a piece of fish that had a good bit of the bloodline in it, which is not at all tasty. So, I had to cut around a good bit of the fish. I still think this is a solid quick service meal, but this visit, it was not quite as good as it normally is.
Overall
Cookes of Dublin continues to be a great quick service spot, especially if you're craving some gluten free and dairy free fried foods. Next time I go, I think I may try another dish on the menu. It's been a while since I've had the Battered Burger. And, that dish is always a winner. Still, you can't go wrong with classic fish and chips, and I am sure I'll be getting it again sometime soon!
Have you been to Cookes of Dublin? What do you order when you dine there?
Cookes of Dublin -- Lunch -- Quick Service -- Disney Springs
*This dining experience took place in September 2017.
Lunch at Cookes of Dublin
Cookes of Dublin is one of my go-to quick service restaurants in Disney Springs. I absolutely adore their gluten free and dairy free fish & chips and easy take-away options. Recently, I stopped by Cookes of Dublin for a quick lunch. It was the day after Hurricane Irma hit the Orlando area, and after being cooped up in my apartment for several days and without a hot meal just about as many, I needed to get out of the house for a bit once it was safe. Disney Springs seemed like a great option for lunch, and Cookes of Dublin immediately was at the top of my list for something safe to eat.Thankfully, even with the hurricane impact, Cookes of Dublin was open, and though they had some limited options, the team was amazing at preparing even gluten free and dairy free meals early on in the day.
Atmosphere
Cookes of Dublin is a no-frills themed restaurant. But, that's what makes it charming. It's basic, but is very reminiscent of the take-away restaurants and pubs you'd see in Ireland.
Cookes of Dublin is located next to Raglan Road, and it's homey and charming atmosphere do make it a welcome sight when you cross the Disney Springs.
Over the years, Cookes of Dublin has greatly reduced its menu. I have to admit that's a bummer. As you can see from the newest menu photo, they have fish & chips, a battered burger, chicken sandwich, and even a peanut butter cookie that can be made gluten free (and most of the fried items are dairy free too).
Seating in the restaurant is fairly tight. I have to say that I was lucky that I got there when they opened, and it was very quiet. But, it didn't take long for the restaurant to fill up.
I chose a little tucked away corner, and I took my Cookes of Dublin order number with me. If you're a Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy fan, you'll recognize this number (it is after all the meaning of life, the universe, and everything). I have to admit that it was a bit of a bright spot after the craziness of the Hurricane...
The Food
My favorite thing though about Cookes of Dublin is the food. I dearly miss the battered shrimp & chips, but the fish & chips here are always a solid option.
I was served the Fish & Chips which is both gluten free and dairy free -- made in a dedicated fryer. Along with my fish & chips, I also got the tartar sauce and Dalkey Mustard -- both of which are also gluten free and dairy free. Cocktail sauce is another GFDF sauce here, but they were out of it when dined there.Really, you just can't go wrong with gluten free deep fried fish and chips. My only complaint ever with both Cookes of Dublin and Raglan Road fried foods is that they are under-salted. But, that's easily remedied by a bit of salt immediately upon getting your order. I always do, and that works perfectly.On this occasion, they actually over-fried the fish a bit, but it was still good. I like my steak fries (which is what is served at Cookes of Dublin) overcooked, so I was pretty excited when they arrived extra crispy. Dip both the fish and chips into the tartar sauce and Dalkey mustard, and you have a real winner on your hands.
Overall
Cookes of Dublin continues to be a solid gluten free and dairy free quick service meal for me whenever I visit Disney Springs. I do miss their extended menu, but I'm so grateful that they still have plenty of gluten free and dairy free options to choose from. Second to the fish & chips is the Battered Burger. It sounds kind of gross, but it's super delicious. I also have to say a major shoutout to the Cookes of Dublin team for being at Disney Springs bright and early the day after a major hurricane and providing safe and delicious options to special diets guests.Have you been to Cookes of Dublin? What do you order when you dine there?
Cookes of Dublin -- Dinner -- Quick Service -- Disney Springs
*This dining experience took place in March 2017.
Dinner at Cookes of Dublin
Recently, we stopped by Cookes of Dublin for a quick dinner before we caught a movie at the AMC Disney Springs. I'm such a huge fan of Cookes of Dublin and their huge variety of gluten free and dairy free fried foods. Cookes is a non-Disney owned quick service restaurant but does an amazing job with special diets. It's owned by Irish celebrity Chef Kevin Dundon, who is extremely dedicated to making gluten free and special diets options for guests. So, when you go to Cookes of Dublin or Raglan Road Irish Pub next door, you're going to have a great meal. On this occasion, I had been hoping to get the entree Hog in a Box, with roasted ham and potatoes that can be made gluten free. Sadly, it was sold out that night, as it's extremely popular! But, no worries. I can always get a good meal at Cookes of Dublin.
Atmosphere
The atmosphere in Cookes of Dublin is exactly what you'd expect from a hole in the wall pub or fish and chips shop. It's nothing fancy, but it's clean and bright and the perfect spot for a nice meal or drink.
The Food
What you really go to Cookes of Dublin for is the food. I'm a huge fan of their gluten free and dairy free fried fish and chips. I've also recently fallen in love with their battered burger, which sounds a bit crazy but is so delicious! On this particular visit, I was looking for something different. So, I decided to get the herb chicken sandwich. It's fairly simple -- grilled chicken, mixed greens, tomato chutney, and an herb aioli (aka mayo). If you want the dish to be dairy free, just ask for the herb aioli to be removed, as it contains a bit of dairy to it. Served on a gluten free bun, it's a nice option that's not greasy and is so flavorful.
Of course, I had to get something fried at Cookes of Dublin...because gluten free and dairy free fried foods!! I decided to swap out the fries that come with the chicken sandwich for onion rings. The great thing is on this visit, I didn't get charged extra for the swap either. I'm not sure if that's normal, but it was nice to see no upcharge. The onion rings were perfect. Super crispy, not greasy, and just delicious. I always ask for some cocktail sauce and tartar sauce (both are gluten free and dairy free) to dip my onion rings in too. So good!
Overall
Cookes of Dublin continues to be one of my favorite quick service spots at Disney Springs. It may not be the newest restaurant at Disney Springs anymore, but it's such a delicious and solid choice. If you're on a special diet and craving gluten free and dairy free fried foods, this is the place to go for a fast quick service meal. It always satisfies my fried food cravings, and I really appreciate how safe they are with preparing my food in dedicated fryers.Have you been to Cookes of Dublin? What's your favorite thing to order?
Cookes of Dublin -- Dinner -- Quick Service -- Disney Springs
*This dining experience took place in February 2017.
Dinner at Cookes of Dublin
I recently had dinner at Cookes of Dublin, a quick service restaurant located at Disney Springs. Cookes of Dublin is not owned and operated by Disney, but is managed by Irish celebrity Chef Kevin Dundon. I'm a huge fan of both his table service restaurant, Raglan Road, next door and this quick service restaurant. Chef Kevin Dundon does a lot to make sure that there are gluten free, dairy free, and allergy friendly offerings for guests dining at either of these restaurants. Plus, where else can you proper gluten free and dairy free fried fish and chips at Disney?! Brandon and I stopped by here for a quick dinner before seeing a movie at the AMC Disney Springs.
Atmosphere
Cookes of Dublin is what you would expect from a quick service fish and chips shop. It's not particularly large, but does have some indoor seating and outdoor seating, along with a small outdoor bar. There's lots of touches to the "founders" of Cookes of Dublin throughout the restaurant. Overall, the design is pretty plain, but that's OK with me because really it's all about their amazing food.
The Food
Cookes of Dublin has recently changed its menu. Normally, menu changes are that drastic but this one has been rather big. They have removed a lot of the menu items including my favorite shrimp and chips along with the delicious garlic Parmesan skinny chips. Thankfully, you can still get several of the gluten free and dairy free fried options, including the onion rings, fish and chips, chicken tenders and chips, and the battered burger.On this visit, I decided to go for the Battered Burger. I recently discovered it, and boy, am I glad I did. The sandwich itself is huge -- served on a gluten free and dairy free bun and fresh French fries (aka chips).
You would probably expect this burger to be super greasy. It is a deep fried battered burger after all. But, I was surprised that it wasn't really at all. Cookes of Dublin definitely has frying down to an art, and this is the perfect example. What I really love about the battered burger is the extra crunch from the batter along with the tender burger inside. Add in their garlic mayo, and you've got a real winner.When you go to Cookes of Dublin, make sure to let them know you'd like the gluten free and dairy free version. You'll be able to tell the gluten free version from the gluten-filled version fairly easily, but do check with the team to ensure you've got the right one.A note about fish and shellfish allergies. If you are allergic to either of these, you will want to check with the restaurant about options and potential cross-contamination due to shared fryers.
Overall
Cookes of Dublin continues to be a great go-to spot for a quick and delicious gluten free and dairy free meal whenever I visit Disney Springs. The food is delicious, and it always satisfies my gluten free fried food cravings.Have you been to Cookes of Dublin? What do you like to order when you go there?
Cookes of Dublin -- Lunch -- Quick Service -- Disney Springs
*This dining experience took place in December 2016.Cookes of Dublin, located in Disney Springs, is one of my favorite quick service restaurants at Disney Springs and at Disney World, in general. Who can resist deep fried fish & chips and other deep-fried treats?! Not this girl...Cookes of Dublin is gluten free deep-fried heaven.I recently stopped by for lunch with my brother and his wife, while they were visiting from out-of-town. We are all big fans, and I was craving the gluten free and dairy free fried shrimp & chips. I get it a lot at Cookes of Dublin, and it's a favorite.So you can imagine my surprise and disappointment when I learned that Cookes of Dublin has completely changed up their menu and removed the shrimp & chips. It's still listed on the Disney website, but they are definitely gone from the menu now. Insert sad face.The cast member working suggested I get either classic Fish & Chips, but then she also mentioned they can now make the Hog in a Box dish and the Battered Burger & Chips gluten free. The Hog in a Box was sold out for the night, so Battered Burger & Chips it was!Of course, deep frying a burger sounded both intriguing and dangerous...
The Battered Burger & Chips comes with a Hand Battered Beef Burger topped with Garlic Mayonnaise, Tomato Chutney and Mixed Greens. The manager I spoke with said they use the same batter for the gluten free fish & chips to fry the burger.The verdict?I gotta say, that it was kind of amazing. It sounds weird and even super greasy, but I found it to be really quite tasty. The grease factor wasn't as bad as I expected, and to be honest, it made the perfect super moist and tender...and flavorful. Plus, the crunch was pretty nice too.The burger is served on a gluten free bun, which is nothing to write home about, but the flavors in the burger and the mayonnaise and chutney were just outstanding. I also enjoyed the fries, as always, and got a side of the Dalkey Mustard and Cocktail Sauce, both of which are gluten free and dairy free, to dip my fries in. Yum!Overall, I can't believe that I ordered and loved the gluten free and dairy free battered burger at Cookes of Dublin. It was outrageously good and a dish that I'll definitely be ordering again. I do miss my shrimp & chips, but I'm glad that there are at least a few more options to enjoy at Cookes of Dublin.Next time, I might get onion rings or the garlic parmesan chips to go with the burger!What do you think of the gluten free and dairy free battered burger at Cookes of Dublin? Would you order it?
Cookes of Dublin -- Lunch -- Quick Service -- Disney Springs
*This dining experience took place in June 2016.Cookes of Dublin is one of my go-to quick service spots at Disney Springs, offering gluten free and dairy free fish and chips, shrimp and chips, and more. Because it's a great safe quick service and delicious (how can anything gluten free deep fried not be?!), it's one I frequent a lot.On this particular occasion, I grabbed lunch with my friend Ron, who was visiting from out of town. We are both big fans of Cookes of Dublin, so we were ready to stuff our faces silly with deep fried goodness.
We decided to each get a basket of shrimp and chips and an order of fish and chips to share. Previously, the shrimp and chips portion was served on skewers and were a bit skimpy, so we thought two orders seemed right given how small they were in the past (we learned on this visit that was not the case).
Our shrimp and chips were outstanding and really well cooked. As recently as May, I was served shrimp on skewers, but these were not. I preferred them served like they were on this visit as the skewers can make it hard to eat. Plus, I've found that the shrimp seem to get a bit overcooked on the skewers.Our shrimp was served with cocktail sauce, which is delicious and perfect for dipping your shrimp and chips (aka French fries) into.
The fish and chips are a flaky white fish, and this batch was cooked perfectly and served along with their amazing house-made tartar sauce. We both loved the condiments so much that there were several containers floating around our table.Dip those fries in tartar sauce, cocktail sauce, or really just about any sauce that Cookes of Dublin serves (The Dalkey mustard the last time I checked was gluten free and dairy free too).Overall, Cookes of Dublin remains one of my favorite solid quick service choices at Disney Springs. With new locations like Frontera Cocina's To-Go Counter, I may have to switch between the two of them because they both serve some of my favorite things!You can also read other reviews of Cookes of Dublin over at Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures.Have you been to Cookes of Dublin? What do you order when you dine there?
Cookes of Dublin -- Dinner -- Quick Service -- Disney Springs
Cookes of Dublin
Chicken Tenders Cookes of Dublin
*These dining experiences took place in April 2016.Cookes of Dublin is my hands-down favorite quick service at Disney Springs. With gluten free options like fish and chips and shrimp and chips, it's no wonder it's my go-to whenever I want a quick bite to eat.In fact, I go there so much, when we went recently one of the cast members recognized me from the week before. Yes, I'm officially a Cookes of Dublin regular!Cooke's of Dublin can make several gluten free and dairy free fried food items (fried in a dedicated fryer). These include:
Fish & chips
Shrimp & chips
Chicken tenders & chips
Battered sausages & chips
Onion rings
Chips (aka French fries)
Shrimp and Chips Cookes of Dublin
You can also get garlic Parmesan skinny chips made gluten free (but not dairy free, due to the Parmesan).On my first visit, I ordered the chicken tenders and chips, as I've never tried the tenders before. All I have to say is wow. This portion was huge. I literally had to cut my chicken tenders up with a fork and knife because the size was so large.Overall, I liked them but didn't love them. I would say of the gluten free and dairy free fried dishes there, this would be my personal least favorite. But, it's a great option for those who prefer chicken or kiddos (as you can order a kid size version of this).On my next visit, I ordered the shrimp & chips, which continues to be my absolute favorite of all the dishes at Cookes of Dublin. The shrimp were perfectly cooked, and I really enjoy their cocktail sauce (which was brought out to me on the side). Be warned though, the fried shrimp are served on skewers and can be a bit challenging to eat.For the side, I ordered the gluten free garlic Parmesan skinny chips. I have been adding a bit of dairy (usually in the form of aged cheeses) into my diet on occasion, and I had heard nothing but rave reviews about them from Alexis at Gluten Free in Orlando.The skinny chips are a $1.00 upcharge currently, but were definitely worth it for something different. Brandon and I shared these, as he had ordered them on their own on our previous visit (which costs $5.00). My only suggestion would be watch out for grease. When we got to the bottom of our chip dish, we saw a giant pool of grease. Um, yuck.Overall, Cookes of Dublin continues to be my favorite quick service spot at Disney Springs. I absolutely love the options and always enjoy my meal when I dine here.Have you been to Cookes of Dublin? What's your go-to dish to order?
Cooke's of Dublin -- Lunch/Dinner -- Quick Service -- Disney Springs
*This dining experience took place in March 2015.
Cooke's of Dublin located in Disney Springs (aka Downtown Disney) has to be my favorite quick service location at Downtown Disney. Sharing some kitchen facilities with Raglan Road Irish Pub, Cooke's of Dublin offers a convenient way to grab your fish and chips and other Irish fare. One of my favorite things about Cooke's of Dublin is that they offer tons of gluten free (and dairy free) options including many fried options. Of course, I tend to prefer dining in at Raglan Road, but Cooke's of Dublin is my go-to when I need a delicious meal quickly at Disney Springs. If you're looking for a full review of Cooke's of Dublin, check out the review on the Disney Food Blog. There are tons of photos and background about the restaurant itself. (note: the food featured on the Disney Food Blog is not gluten free or dairy free). On this particular visit, I wanted to grab dinner after a work seminar before I headed home but didn't really want to go to a table service restaurant. And, I was craving fried shrimp. Cooke's of Dublin was definitely the obvious choice for my meal. When I arrived, I noticed that some of the menu options had changed and that the fried scallops & chips (which I adored) was no longer on the menu. This is such a bummer that they no longer carry this, but never fear. You can still get your fried scallops and sweet chili jam craving fixed by heading next door to Raglan Road. Raglan Road is still serving the scallops as an appetizer option. 
I placed my shrimp & chips order at the counter and always double-check with the staff that the batter is still gluten free and dairy free. I have to admit that the wait for this was a bit longer than normal, which was a surprise as the restaurant wasn't that busy (it was the end of Spring Break, so that was surprising). When it arrived, I could tell that my shrimp looked over-fried; however, it wasn't until I ate them that I realized how over-fried they were. They still tasted good enough, but weren't as delicious as they normally are due to the over-frying. Still, I had condiments on hand to smother the poor shrimp which helped.I've never had a bad frying experience at Cooke's of Dublin before, so I'm chalking this one up to some weird kitchen fluke and would still definitely get the shrimp & chips again. Cooke's of Dublin now has a gluten free dessert option (not dairy free): zucchini cupcakes. You can see photos and read about this new treat at Gluten Free in Orlando's website. Or, you can stop around the corner to Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC and grab tons of delicious gluten free and allergy friendly treats (which is exactly what I did!). Have you been to Cooke's of Dublin? What did you order when you dined there?
Cooke's of Dublin -- Lunch/Dinner -- Quick Service -- Downtown Disney
*This dining review took place in May 2014.
Ok, you guys, I have a problem. And it's name is Cooke's of Dublin. I have been to this quick service restaurant at Downtown Disney kind of a lot lately. Um, it's that good. As you know, I'm a sucker for great gluten free and dairy free fried foods, and this place fits the bill more than nicely. What can I say? I like great places like this that give me variety. On this particular visit, I stopped by on my lunch break during a work conference. The good news is my conference was at a hotel in Downtown Disney. That bad news...I wanted to eat at Cooke's of Dublin for every lunch (ok, maybe that's not bad news, but I wanted to go here a lot). On a side note, go to Downtown Disney in business attire and see the funny side looks you get from Disney guests. It's rather hilarious. I looked a wee bit out of place. But I digress.Back to the awesomeness that is Cooke's of Dublin. As you can see from my previous post, the offerings available at Cooke's of Dublin fried gluten free & dairy free is pretty vast. Where else can you get fried scallops, shrimp, fish, chips, chicken tenders, and onion rings? (OK, with the exception of chicken tenders & scallops, you can get these all next door at Raglan Road too!)On my previous visit, I got the shrimp & chips which is my favorite so far at Cooke's of Dublin. This time, I really wanted to try the scallops. I had them at Raglan Road over the holidays and while expensive, they were divine and also got me fully addicted to the best condiment there - sweet chili jam. Order this when you go. You'll thank me for it.
The scallops & chips is a reasonable $12.95 (or maybe it was $13.95 with an upcharge. I was too excited to pay attention). The scallops are only available at Raglan Road as an appetizer and are $15, so this was a bargain in my opinion. Not only did you get the same condiments as you get at Raglan Road but you also get chips. Win and win. The scallops were really well cooked - not rubbery at all. The chips were also well cooked. I just love that they cook all the fried items to order. Nothing's getting soggy and your food comes out piping hot. The way fried food should be! Again, my only slight complaint is a common theme of undersalting, but I think salting is problem subjective here. I also think it's a bit of an art (see my dinner review of Boatwright's for perfectly salted crawfish bites). I always add a bit of salt to mine as soon as I get an order at Cooke's of Dublin. 
My meal came with sweet chili jam and a lime cilantro mayonnaise. When I had it at Raglan Road, I didn't eat the mayonnaise because I didn't know the ingredients. This time I asked, and they said it was just mayo no dairy ingredients like sour cream or milk. Yay! You know I love my condiments. I admit, I didn't love the lime cilantro mayonnaise. It just wasn't my favorite. It was good but not great. Now that jam. Oh the sweet chili jam. That stuff is amazing. Next time I may just ask for two containers of it instead of the mayo.Overall, I was very pleased with my choice of lunch that day. The scallops are a fabulous option, and I have to say, between the shrimp & scallops is a tough choice. I'll probably order these two exclusively at Cooke's of Dublin when I visit. I think the scallops really are a great money saving option at Cooke's of Dublin versus Raglan Road.I'm taking a bit of a Downtown Disney break during the Disney Springs construction this summer, but if I find myself there, this will likely be my lunch spot of choice! I give this a solid 8 out of 10 for great food and special diets accommodation...and sweet chili jam! Have you been to Cooke's of Dublin? What's your favorite fried thing to order there GF/DF?
Cooke's of Dublin -- Lunch/Dinner -- Quick Service -- Downtown Disney
*This dining experience took place in May 2014.
When it comes to fried food, you know that I'm a total sucker. I adore chicken tenders, fish and chips and just about anything that comes out of Cooke's of Dublin. This is a brief post, as I popped by recently to meet up with a friend and her family while they were vacationing at Disney. She's also gluten free and dairy free, and let me tell you sharing this restaurant with her was so exciting. She & her family liked it so much they came back that evening for dinner! (never underestimate the power of gluten free & dairy free fried foods!)On this particular visit, we stopped by right at 11 a.m. when they open. I like doing this because this place gets super packed at lunch time. I ordered my new favorite - shrimp & chips and my friend ordered the gluten free fish & chips. For a full list of gluten free & dairy free options, see my previous post about Cooke's of Dublin.I think the only thing I can say is that this restaurant consistently under-salts their food. I try to make sure I get a packet or two of salt and put it on as soon as I get my hot fried food. Salting is key with fried foods for me. Add in some cocktail sauce, and you're good to go.Overall, I always enjoy my visits to Cooke's of Dublin, and it has become one of my go-to spots at Downtown Disney for quick service. It's fast, delicious, and affordable.I give this experience a 7 out of 10.Have you been to Cooke's of Dublin? What is your favorite thing to order there?
Cooke's of Dublin -- Lunch/Dinner -- Quick Service -- Downtown Disney
*This dining experience took place in February 2014.
I have a confession to make....I really like gluten free & dairy free fried foods. Well, who can blame me right? Anything that is safe for me to consume that's fried is a rare treat, and that's probably why I love these kinds of food so much. And the items at Cooke's of Dublin fit the bill nicely.Located in Downtown Disney, Cooke's of Dublin is the quick service version of Raglan Road Irish Pub which is located next door to this location. They do, in fact, use a lot of the same recipes for their gluten free & dairy free fried items, but they are a little more affordable and fast on the service. This means they are a great quick service spot in Downtown Disney for special diets diners.The last time that I visited, I enjoyed their fish and chips which are essentially the same as the version you can get at Raglan Road (though I do think a teensy bit greasier). I like them a lot but what really caught my attention was that they could make quite a few gluten free & dairy free options. They include:
- The Original One & One – Fish & Chips $10.95
- Georges Bank Atlantic Scallops $12.95
- Cold Water Shrimp $11.95
- Battered Chicken Tenders $9.95
- Double Dipped Onion Rings $5.00
- Fresh Chips $5.00
I knew I just had to have the fried shrimp because, well...why not? I had tried the scallops, fish and chips, and onion rings all next door and as much as I love chicken tenders I figured shrimp was the way to go. And I was not at all disappointed!
First off, the shrimp portions were really good. I figured I might just have a few but there were quite a lot in this serving. They were piping hot and really delicious. The shrimp were definitely of a high quality and were well fried. Again, a little greasy, but heck I'm not complaining. The fries were equally good. The cocktail sauce at the restaurant perfectly accompanied the shrimp. They still need to salt their fried foods just a wee bit more, but again nothing some sauce won't cure.Overall, I was super pleased with this lunch, and I really enjoyed the shrimp. I'm fairly certain I didn't talk for a while during that lunch! I would order this dish again easily. And I would actually order this over the fish and chips any day. I like my fish and chips better next door at Raglan Road, but for shrimp - this place has got me covered. I'm very curious about the scallops here portion wise compared to next door at Raglan Road as well as the chicken tenders. They all sound great!For a quick service, this still is my favorite Downtown Disney location for reasonable prices and excellent GF/DF offerings.This visit was a solid 8 out of 10 for me.Have you been to Cooke's of Dublin? What's your favorite gluten free/dairy free fried dish?
Cooke's of Dublin -- Lunch/Dinner -- Quick Service -- Downtown Disney
*This dining experience took place in December 2013.
Getting proper fish and chips when you're gluten free & dairy free is a real feat. There are only a few locations on Disney property where you can get such a dish and Cooke's of Dublin, located in Downtown Disney, is the only quick service location that you can get them at. Set to resemble an Irish fish and chips shop, Cooke's of Dublin offers a charming place to dine with authentic pub grub that happens to be gluten free & dairy free.It had been a very long time since I had been to Cooke's of Dublin--my personal preference being Raglan Road Irish Pub next door. But, I was busily prepping for a holiday meet-up and I wanted to get something fast and delicious. I was also craving fish and chips big time!
We arrived at Cooke's of Dublin early, around 11 a.m. when they opened. This was nice because it wasn't busy at all yet. It normally gets quite packed, so I try to go during the off-times. I checked in with a cast member and explained that I was gluten & dairy free. She kept forgetting the dairy free part, but I knew that the fish & chips were safe, so I went with those. Afterwards I did ask what other gluten free options they had and she told me the following:
- The Original One & One - Fish & Chips $10.95
- Georges Bank Atlantic Scallops $12.95
- Cold Water Shrimp $11.95
- Battered Chicken Tenders $9.95
- Double Dipped Onion Rings $5.00
- Fresh Chips $5.00
And I also knew that you could get the Garlic and Parmesan Skinny Chips $5.00 (gluten free only) thanks to my friend Alexis over at Gluten Free in Orlando.It was nice to know there were so many options. And gosh darn it, I wish I had gotten the shrimp or scallops. They looked and sounded really good! (Now I have an excuse to go back!)
The fish and chips are essentially the same as the ones you get next door at Raglan Road. You also get the thick cut fries, as well. I will say that my fish was not salted at all -- meaning they didn't add any salt after it came out of the fryer, so the breading was a little blander than it normally is (nothing smothering it in GF/DF tartar sauce won't fix!). The french fries were very fresh and very hot! I will say that overall, it was a little greasier than the fish and chips I usually get at Raglan Road. However, considering that you're saving about $10, it's not a bad choice when you're on the fly. Plus, who am I kidding, anything that's gluten free & deep fried makes me swoon!Overall, I'd say this is a good choice for gluten free & dairy free diners. I will say that the staff isn't quite as knowledgeable about multiple special diets but thankfully, it's a very GF/DF friendly place. I'm very curious to try the scallops, shrimp and even chicken tenders (you know I'm a chicken tender connoisseur).I'd give this particular visit a 7--for solid food, lovely atmosphere. I would definitely go back again to try the other dishes but maybe stick to Raglan Road for my staple fish and chips, unless I'm in a hurry!
Cooke's of Dublin -- Lunch/Dinner -- Quick Service -- Downtown Disney
Fish and chips...the real deal!Oh my...there are some things in life that cannot be duplicated...the taste of fish and chips is one I have longed missed since going gluten free/dairy free. I've had some good copy-cats, but the traditional fish and chips (well minus the malt vinegar, which I miss) has long eluded me. Until I heard a rumor on one of the boards that mentioned that they had true fish and chips gluten free/dairy free from Cooke's of Dublin. I almost yelped for joy; I was so excited. I've been long wanting to check it out, but haven't had the chance. Until now....and it was amazing!I have to say, Cooke's of Dublin is very popular. I was there around 1:30 p.m. and there was a huge line out the door. And no seating. Yikes! I was staying at one of the DVC villas for a night for the Halloween party, so I thought I could take it to go (which I did). When I made it to the cash register, I was told that yes they did have the gluten free fish and chips (and that the fries/chips are always gf). Hurrah! I placed my order then for the fish and chips and waited. Luckily for me, the wait wasn't too long--and actually quicker than some of the other folks in line!Now for the tasting...I actually ended up just sitting down at Downtown Disney at ate there. I just couldn't wait! I have to say, the fish and chips were worth it. Yum! The fish was mild and flaky. Sure the fish was deep fried and slightly greasy, but that is what you expect from fish and chips. The chips were actually really really good. They tasted more like hand cut (thick) homemade fries. delicious!I would not hesitate to eat at Cooke's of Dublin again, if I have a fish and chips urge. In fact, I would be curious what other options they might have. Next time I'll have to ask!Now, if only the UK pavilion could get a GF version; I'd be happy!