Tortilla Jo's -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Downtown Disney

*This gluten free only dining experience took place in October 2017.

Dinner at Tortilla Jo's

Tortilla Jo's is a table service restaurant at Downtown Disney at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. On my recent Disneyland trip, I knew I wanted to get some good Mexican food in, and I had heard great things about Tortilla Jo's from my friend Alexis at Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures. After our Disneyland vacation ended, I was at a work conference in Anaheim. So, without a park pass, I decided dinner at Downtown Disney was in order one night. So, some co-workers and I wound up at Tortilla Jo's.

Atmosphere

Because I was just finishing up a long day of conferencing, I totally forgot to take a lot of photos inside the restaurant or the exterior. But, it was brightly lit and the outside reminded me a lot of the bright exterior of Antojito's at Universal Studios Orlando.The inside was spacious. And, we had a nice big table near the back of the restaurant.

The Food

I didn't get a chance to visit Rancho del Zocalo in Disneyland (which I really love). So, getting some Mexican food when I could on this trip was a welcome treat.First up though, I had to order a Margarita. Although Alexis from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures had raved about the margarita flight, I ended up with a classic house margarita. It was super refreshing and oh so delicious. They definitely know how to make margaritas at Tortilla Jo's!One of the things I was looking forward to most was the chips and salsa combo. Thankfully, Tortilla Jo's has a dedicated fryer for their tortilla chips, which is a nice treat. Their salsa was outstanding too -- a little spicy and super fresh, bright flavors. One of my co-workers and I shared 3 dishes of salsa before the meal was done -- a testament to how good it was!I honestly could not decide on what to order for my meal. There were TONS of gluten free options -- many of which could be easily made dairy free. I opted to get a variety of street tacos - one chicken, one pork, and one steak. This dish was gluten free but could be made dairy free by omitting the queso fresco on the beans.This definitely satisfied my craving for good Mexican food. The tacos were all really great, and the corn taco shells were very flavorful too. I have to say the pork tacos probably were my favorite. But they were all really good. The refried beans were excellent. The rice was good, but I wouldn't say it was the standout of the meal.

Overall

If you are looking for a great meal with lots of gluten free options, Tortilla Jo's is a great choice. It wasn't my favorite meal of the trip. But, it was pretty good! It's also a perfect spot for anyone going to Disneyland who doesn't have a park pass or doesn't want to go into the park for a meal. We had a super attentive server and overall just really enjoyed the meal. I'd definitely go back again the next time we go to Disneyland!Have you been to Tortilla Jo's? What did you think of their gluten free options?

Cookes of Dublin -- Dinner -- Quick Service -- Disney Springs

*This dining experience took place in March 2016.Cookes of Dublin is my go-to quick service spot in Disney Springs. A proper take-away fish and chips shop, they serve up lots of fried gluten free and dairy free options, which I love. It's one of those quick service spots that is consistently good, fresh, and safely gluten free. Plus, where else can you get deep fried gluten free fish and chips to go?!Cookes of Dublin is located next to Raglan Road and shares some facilities with it. This means that you'll often find some of the dishes served at Raglan Road over at Cookes of Dublin -- like their classic fish and chips. The sauces are even the same too! What makes it great is that it's a quick service, so no worries, you can get your fish and chips fix on the go.On this visit, I ordered the fish and chips (gluten free and dairy free, of course!), as I hadn't ordered it in a while. Usually when I go to Cookes of Dublin, I order the fried shrimp but opted for the fish this time. I was on my way to a movie at the AMC Disney Springs and was in a bit of a rush, so I didn't have time to sit and eat in the restaurant, so I ordered my fish and chips to go.My only real complaint with this meal was that it took a while to get my food. 25 minutes to be exact. Normally, that's no big deal but with a movie time quickly approaching, I had to get out fast. Longer wait times are normal for Cookes of Dublin, but this is because they make everything fresh and to order, which is OK by me. Still, it's good to know ahead of time to plan if you're on a time crunch.My fish and chips on this visit were cooked perfectly. The come with steak fries but they do have other sides like gluten free onion rings and garlic Parmesan skinny chips that you can order or substitute upon request. You can read about these side dishes from Alexis at Gluten Free in Orlando's reviews.I also got a side of tartar sauce (which is gluten free and dairy free), which I love. I should have asked for another container of tartar sauce as one is just not enough for me, the condiment queen!One important tip is that often the gluten free fried foods from Cookes of Dublin and Raglan Road are sometimes under-salted. That's easily remedied by adding some salt yourself to the fried foods. Easy peasy solution!One word about fish/shellfish allergies. If you have them, you probably want to check with the restaurant to see if they fry the fish in the same fryer as the chips and onion rings.Overall, I love Cookes of Dublin and that it's a delicious and safe gluten free and dairy free option for those visiting Disney Springs. Now, I just need to go back again soon for those onion rings and fried shrimp!Have you been to Cookes of Dublin? What's your favorite gluten free and special dietary needs items to order there?

Raglan Road Irish Pub -- Lunch/Dinner -- Table Service -- Disney Springs

*This dining experience took place in August 2015.Raglan Road Irish Pub, located in Disney Springs, proves that you don't need the luck of the Irish for great food when you're dining at Disney Springs. Raglan Road serves up authentic and hearty Irish fare that you're sure to love. From sandwiches and entrees to proper fish and chips (fried in a dedicated fryer), there's something for everyone to enjoy here.I adore their gluten free fish and chips and fried onion rings (especially with sweet chili jam and tartar sauce); however, on this particular occasion, I decided to go with something a bit different.First up was a Magner's Hard Cider, which you can find on tap at Raglan Road. It's a must whenever I visit there! For my entree, I ordered the burger served with Irish bacon (more like Canadian bacon) on a gluten free bun with fries (aka chips) on the side. I will say that I liked the cornichon that they topped my burger with, which was more of a sweet pickle versus savory dill. I ended up not asking for any condiments, which I should have, as the burger was a wee bit dry.Overall, I liked the burger as an option at Raglan Road, though I think I'd likely stick to the other sandwiches or the fish and chips here. Still, they consistently put out a solid meal, and I really do love the restaurant and pub vibe. In my opinion, it's the best gluten free dining option in Disney Springs!Have you been to Raglan Road Irish Pub? What do you love ordering here?

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? 

Splitsville -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Disney Springs

*This dining experience took place in February 2015.Splitsville is a great place in Disney Springs (aka Downtown Disney) to grab a bite to eat and spend the afternoon bowling. It's one of my favorite places to meet up with friends without having to go to the parks. Whether you're just eating or dining and bowling, it's sure to be a retro-inspired blast. Splitsville debuted new gluten free menu items in 2015, and I had a chance to get a sneak peek of them back in November. The new ahi tuna bowl is one of my favorite things at Splitsville, and I, of course, am a huge fan of the fantasy roll sushi. On this particular visit, I stopped by for a light dinner and knew I wanted to get a sushi roll and a rice bowl to split. It was a tough call to not order the fantasy roll, but I decided to try the spicy tuna which is made with spicy mayo, cucumber and scallions then drizzled with sriracha hot sauce. I love spicy tuna, so it was the perfect new roll to try. With 8 pieces, this might be a smaller entree if you ordered it as a meal, but it was a great pre-rice bowl appetizer. The tuna was very fresh and the spicy mayo worked really well with the sriracha. Of course, srirarcha is good with anything in my opinion! I would definitely order this again, although I have to admit next time I'm going back to the fantasy roll or ahi tuna rice bowl. They are just too good to pass up.Splitsville's rice bowls are very popular, and I have to say they are really delicious. I am a huge rice lover and a fan of all things stir-fry, so they are a perfect dish for me. I like that they have a good variety in rice bowls, so there's something for everyone. You can read about the rice bowls and some of Alexis' favorites over at Gluten Free in Orlando. This rice bowl was quite good, though I still was wishing I had ordered the ahi tuna rice bowl. What can I say? I love tuna and rice! Overall, I enjoyed my meal at Splitsville and the gluten free offerings available. The staff always seem knowledgeable about gluten free options and are willing to consult with the kitchen on dairy free alternatives as well. I can't wait to go back and order my beloved fantasy roll sometime soon! Have you been to Splitsville? What did you order when you dined there? 

Raglan Road Irish Pub -- Lunch -- Table Service -- Disney Springs

*This dining experience took place in February 2015. Raglan Road Irish Pub located in Downtown Disney (soon to be Disney Springs) is always my favorite table service restaurant to go to the in the Downtown Disney area. It's so good, and how can you resist all the gluten free (and dairy free) deep fried goodness that they serve up here? Their gluten free and dairy free fish and chips are the real deal.On this particular occasion, I was joined by my friend Alexis from Gluten Free in Orlando (you can read her lunch reviews of Raglan Road HERE) and my brother. I had emailed the Raglan Road team ahead of time because they debuted a new spring menu, and I was curious about the offerings and if any of the new desserts could be made gluten free and dairy free.I was excited to hear that I could order the chocolate cake with advance notice gluten free and dairy free and that the strawberry crumble could also be made dairy free (it's already gluten free). The restaurant did ask for 24 hours notice to request the chocolate cake. You can contact them on their website for more info. For an appetizer, I had been wanting to try the Dalkey Duo which is gluten free and dairy free fried sausages with a Dalkey mustard. I have to say that while this was good, I'm not sure it would be a repeat on my appetizer rotation -- the Raglan Road onion rings and scallops are definitely crowd-pleasers and would be my first picks for appetizers.  The sausages themselves were quiet good, but more like a bratwurst than a smoked sausage which is what I was expecting. You get a decent sized portion (9 sausages), but these are definitely a sharing appetizer, as they were quite heavy and greasy. The mustard was a nice accompaniment as it cut the greasiness down a lot.  For my entree, I chose the lobster club with avocado and french fries. The sandwich came on a gluten free and dairy free bun. When I had visited Raglan Road for brunch, I got the same bun and was told that they ordered it from a local bakery. On this visit, the manager told me that they make it in-house, adhering to cross-contamination standards while baking. The bun itself tasted like an Udi's Gluten Free bun to me, so I hope to investigate this further to find out if they are made locally or in-house.  The lobster club itself was very good. Sometimes lobster salad can be over-mayonnaised (not sure that's a word but that's the best way I can describe the over-use of mayo) or overly seasoned (case in point - the lobster club at Artist's Palette at Saratoga Springs), but this version was perfect. The creaminess of the avocado and butteriness of the lobster were terrific together. This would definitely be a sandwich I'd order again.  For my dessert, I was surprised to see a fairly large gluten free and dairy free chocolate cake. This is definitely for splitting! The cake itself was good -- not overly sweet or rich. I would have liked to see a bit more of a fudgy texture (more like a lava cake), but it was still a great choice. The real winner to this dish was the fruit that accompanied it. It was so delicious and paired very well with the cake. With a touch Cointreau, everyone at the table agreed that the fruit was really delicious (yes, I made them all try it!).Overall, I enjoyed my lunch at Raglan Road. While I wouldn't probably order the sausages again (just too heavy for me), I wouldn't hesitate to pre-order the chocolate cake from Raglan Road. They do such a terrific job at handling special diets diners, and I'm glad they continue to be my go-to restaurant in Downtown Disney. Have you been to Raglan Road Irish Pub? What are your favorite dishes to order?

Raglan Road Irish Pub -- Brunch -- Table Service -- Disney Springs

*This dining experience took place in January 2015.Whenever I want a bit of the luck of the Irish and some amazing gluten free fried food options, I always head to Raglan Road Irish Pub located in Downtown Disney (soon to be Disney Springs). With an extensive amount of gluten free (and dairy free) food offerings, they have been voted one of the best restaurants in Orlando for gluten free diners.I've enjoyed many meals here and typically order the fabulous gluten free fish and chips or their citrus salmon salad. I've never been disappointed with my meals here. One of the things I've been dying to do is try their brunch offerings on Sunday.And thankfully, I had the opportunity recently to meet up with friends Alexis from Gluten Free in Orlando and Amanda from Eating Out Without for brunch (none of us had ever been). You can read the reviews of their brunch meals on each of their blogs!  If you love live entertainment, the Rollicking Raglan Brunch serves up traditional Irish folk music and dancing. We were close to both the stage and the dancing stage in the middle of the dining room. It can be pretty noisy in there, but there are breaks in between sets. If you're interested in a more quiet area of the restaurant, just ask the hostess.  We were greeted by our server that day who asked us first thing if anyone had special dietary needs. I love that Raglan Road always asks this early on in the dining experience. Our server was very knowledgeable in options and very willing to ask the kitchen any questions that we might have. She also let us know that the restaurant was now carrying a gluten free and dairy free bun that was available for sandwiches (you can't get it with anything but sandwiches at this time due to limited supply). Ever the curious one, I decided to order a sandwich as many of the breakfast-type brunch offerings didn't appeal to me. Many were gluten free but very few were dairy free, so I stuck to the regular menu. I ordered a side of gluten free and dairy free onion rings with the Pancetta and Chicken sandwich. First up, came the onion rings. I do love a good onion ring, but my biggest complaint with them has always been a lack of a dip. Well, I was pleasantly surprised when I saw a house-made remoulade brought with the onion rings. Hurrah! I will say that if I hadn't ever had the remoulade from Port Orleans I would proclaim this version to be my favorite at Disney; however, I have to say that the Port Orleans one trumps the Raglan Road version any day. It was still a great sauce but nothing compared to the amazing version at Port Orleans restaurants.A few notes about the gluten free fried foods at Raglan Road. They are currently made with Domata Gluten Free Flour blend (which includes chickpea flour). I was unable to obtain the recipe, but if you have specific allergens and questions, I would recommend contacting Raglan Road with questions. Additionally, Raglan Road tends to undersalt their fried foods. If you find the batter to be bland, just add some extra salt when it comes to your table. I always find this the best route. Or cover them in one of their many delicious condiments. That's always my solution!   For my entree, I had the steak fries with the Pancetta and Chicken Sandwich. The sandwich was traditionally served with a herb aioli; however, the aioli contained dairy, so the sandwich was served plain. I asked for plenty of condiments so that alleviated any blandness issue but I'll get to that in a minute.First up, the bun appeared to be Udi's Gluten Free. The server told us it came from a local bakery, but everyone at the table agreed that it looked an awful lot like Udi's, and I thought it tasted exactly like Udi's. We weren't able to get anymore information, but I'll be curious to go back again to check this out.I found the sandwich to overall be fairly good -- nothing special. What made it special were the sauces that I asked for at the meal.  As many of you know, I'm known as the condiment queen, and this visit to Raglan Road was all about the condiments. I always get the sweet chili jam for my onion rings (it's so good and a perfect combination of sweet and spicy) and the tartar sauce for the fries. With the addition of the remoulade, I had three condiments to compliment my meal. I added the tartar sauce to my sandwich (which would have been amazing if it was a fish sandwich), as well as to my fries. The remoulade and sweet chili jam were used on fries and onion rings. So good! If I had been thinking of it, I probably should have tried the remoulade on the chicken sandwich. Instant makeshift Po' Boy!Overall, I had a great time at Raglan Road's brunch. I would love to see an increase in gluten free AND dairy free breakfast offerings, but was pleased that I could still enjoy my lunch and dinner-time favorites. I can't wait to visit for brunch again soon!Have you been to Raglan Road for brunch? What did you order?    

Raglan Road Irish Pub -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Downtown Disney

*This dining experience took place in September 2014. When it comes to good fish and chips and a pint of cider, there's no place better than Raglan Road Irish Pub, located in Downtown Disney (soon to be Disney Springs). With dedicated fryers and proper fried fish and chips (and more!), there's a reason Raglan Road has been voted as one of the best gluten free places in Orlando. It's my restaurant of choice, whenever I visit the Downtown Disney area, not only for great food but also for great entertainment.On this particular occasion, I stopped by on a mid-week evening for a quick bite. I had originally planned to go to Cooke's of Dublin for their delicious shrimp and chips (also gluten free and dairy free fried wonderfulness) but the quick service location was beyond packed. I was with my brother and his wife, and we quickly headed back to Raglan Road to see if they had any bar seating open. Thankfully, they did!Of course, the first thing I did was order a Magners Irish Cider. I asked for their pear cider, which is my favorite, but they were out. So, plain cider it was. Not really needing to go through the menu, I quickly ordered the gluten free (and dairy free) fish and chips and onion rings to split with the group. I always double-check with the server or the bartender to confirm that the ingredients are still safe for me to consume. I have to say, sitting at the bar with a proper pint of Magners is pretty much my idea of heaven after a long day (especially, after a long day of conferencing, which I was doing for the next several days). I love Raglan Road's onion rings. They are fried well and are nice and crispy. They are not overly battered which I really appreciate. My only slight complaints are that the gluten free fried items tend to be under-salted (which is a matter of opinion, but I don't consider myself one to be adding salt frequently) and that they need to have a sauce to accompany the onion rings. My vote? The sweet chili onion jam. It's so good! I do usually ask for it on the side but just forgot that night.My fish and chips were delicious as always. If you're not a big steak fry fan, you may want to ask for Skinny Chips as a substitution or on the side. I know Alexis from Gluten Free in Orlando is a big fan of these! I absolutely adore their house-made tartar sauce which is just fresh and delicious. I think I need to do a top 10 condiments list one of these days. This would surely make the list (along with the sweet chili jam). Overall, Raglan Road continues to be the best non-Disney owned restaurant on Disney property (with Cooke's of Dublin being the best non-Disney owned quick service). Their attention to special diets and consistent offerings make this a location I will go to again and again!If you're not craving fried food, don't worry. They have plenty of non-fried options. I'm a huge fan of their citrus salmon salad, and their shepherd's pie has a huge gluten free following. Have you been to Raglan Road Irish Pub? What's your favorite dish to order? 

Splitsville -- Lunch/Dinner -- Table Service -- Downtown Disney

*This dining experience took place in July 2014.When it comes to a meal and entertainment, Splitsville Luxury Lanes located in Downtown Disney (soon to be Disney Springs) is one of the best on Disney property. With its retro vibe and upscale food options, this is definitely not your average bowling alley. In addition to having great bowling and billiards, this location boasts some pretty great food options for gluten free and dairy free diners.In fact, last year, Splitsville released new menu offerings which included 16 gluten free options, including rice bowls and sushi. I had the opportunity last year to meet with the team to discuss the options, and I was pretty amazed by the level of attention that they took in creating the menu. My favorite dishes have to be the shrimp rice bowl and the Fantasy Roll sushi. Which brings me to my most recent visit to Splitsville. I met up with friends for a late afternoon drink and light meal. I was joining my friends Krista Joy from Disneyways.com, Tony Caselnova from Disney by the Numbers later that evening for a memorable meal at Ravello located in the Four Seasons Orlando (set to open on August 3rd, 2014), so this was the perfect meal option for me.It's been a while since I've dined at Splitsville and deciding what to order was a no-brainer. It had to be the Fantasy Roll. It's my hands down favorite dish at Splitsville. In addition to the Fantasy Roll, I also ordered a classic mojito. This is one of my favorite go-to gluten free and dairy free drinks. The mojito itself was quite good. It wasn't as memorable as my favorite African Starr Mint Mojito at Sanaa or even the mojito at the Victoria Lounge at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, Jambo House, but it was still a well made drink. There was a good amount of fresh mint and the balance of the simple syrup paired well with the rum. The Fantasy roll is made of fresh salmon, ahi tuna, cucumber, avocado, and steamed shrimp rolled in soy paper and drizzled with spicy kimchee ponzu sauce. The seafood at Splitsville is always of excellent quality and fresh, and I really enjoy the combination of both raw and steamed seafood. What makes this dish is the kimchee ponzu sauce. It's sweet and spicy and makes for a delicious accompaniment to the sushi. Overall, I really enjoyed my visit to Splitsville. I was pleased that our server asked everyone upon seating if there were any special dietary needs. It always shows that the team is ready to handle special dietary needs when they ask before you even have to say anything (we did not have a reservation, so the special dietary needs were not noted). Between the sushi, mojito, and great company, it was a perfect afternoon meal. I give this experience a solid 8 out of 10. Have you been to Splitsville? What are your favorite dishes to order? 

Raglan Road -- Lunch/Dinner -- Table Service -- Downtown Disney

*This dining experience took place in May 2014.Raglan Road, located in Downtown Disney (soon to be Disney Springs), has been one of my favorite gluten free and dairy free go-to places for a while now. It's my hands down favorite spot in Downtown Disney (with Cooke's of Dublin a close second!). The received the 2014 Best Restaurant in Orlando award and have also received the best gluten free restaurant award in the past as well. With it's offerings of gluten free (and dairy free) fish and chips, onion rings, and more, it's fair to say it's a great dining option at Disney.I recently attended a work conference at Disney and the conference was located near Downtown Disney, which meant I was there a lot. Every day for the 3 day conference, actually. I also visited Cooke's of Dublin during the conference and enjoyed the scallops and chips which were divine. Trust me, go visit them too!But back to Raglan Road. I stopped by for lunch with my friend Alexis from Gluten Free in Orlando. I can't say that we've been there together since the Lunch & Learn this past fall, and it was nice to go for a long lunch break and catch up with her.When we arrived, we both decided to order the Citrus Salmon Salad. It's naturally gluten free and dairy free on the menu, and a great light choice for a lunch (or dinner). The salad is served with fresh salmon, orange segments, almonds, and a citrus vinaigrette. I had it for the first time in December 2013, and I fell in love with it immediately.I found the salmon to be cooked perfectly again and the salad well dressed (key with a good salad!). I love the almonds and citrus segments in the salad too. So good! I think the presentation the first time was a little nicer but overall, it's still a gorgeous plate of food. And tasty as well as safe - the most important thing to me! Alexis also ordered dessert (there just really aren't great gluten free AND dairy free options there), and I have to say that I wish they'd make a dairy free version of her dessert. She got the strawberry and apple crumble with vanilla ice cream and fresh cream. It looked amazing! Head over to Gluten Free in Orlando to see the pictures and full review. I have to say, gluten free diners should definitely order this dessert.Overall, it was a great meal, as always. The staff are very knowledgeable and always ask if there are dietary needs before they even take any orders which is great. It's also nice to get a fair amount of variety in a restaurant, so you don't just always order the same thing (although I am partial to those fish and chips!).I give this a solid 8 out of 10 for great service, special diets offerings, and of course, fabulous company (that gets a 10 out of 10!).Have you been to Raglan Road? What are your favorite gluten free and dairy free dishes to order 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?

Raglan Road Irish Pub -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Downtown Disney

*This dining experience took place in March 2014. It includes my gluten free & dairy free review and a gluten free & yellow food coloring review. 'Tis the luck of the Irish that I had a chance to visit Raglan Road Irish Pub during the Mighty Festival celebrating St. Patrick's Day in Downtown Disney. Not only were the festivities really fun but it gave me an opportunity to enjoy one of my favorite restaurants at Disney.Raglan Road Irish Pub is known for their pub fare and especially for their gluten free offerings. In fact, they have continuously been voted one of the best places in Orlando for gluten free offerings. Their fish & chips are probably their most well-known gluten free dish, but they can easily make most of their fried options gluten free!On this particular occasion, I joined my friends for a meal to celebrate their birthdays. Having dietary needs as well, it worked out that they chose Raglan Road for the celebration. One thing we didn't realize though was that it was Mighty Festival in Downtown Disney and so that meant it was very busy. Add that together with the fact that Downtown Disney is under massive construction AND it was a Saturday. Well, it was nearly impossible to park here. Note to self. Do not drive to Downtown Disney any time soon.Once we got to Raglan Road though, we were able to quickly get in, despite the crowds. Of course, after all that parking and crowd navigating, a cold pint of Magners sounded perfect. I grabbed a pint of Magners Pear Cider which was newly added to the tap at Raglan Road. I'm a huge fan of the pear cider, so I was so glad to see it added. It's a little more mild and tart than the traditional hard cider and it's a nice variation. I would definitely recommend it. Ask your server for a small sample if you aren't sure you'll like it!After ordering drinks, we moved to appetizers and we split the gluten free onion rings. Super yummy as always. And even better if you ask for a side of the sweet chili jam. You know me and my dipping sauces! I gotta have them! My friends all really liked that pairing and said the onion rings definitely needed a sauce to go with them.I have to say that our server was probably the least on top of things Raglan Road server we've ever had. I'm not sure if it was just too busy or if he didn't feel comfortable with the menu but he didn't seem to be as adept at the gluten free offerings as most servers are there. My friend kept asking him questions and he really didn't seem to know (thankfully, I've dine there enough that I could sort of help navigate through the options). One thing the server did mention which I want to check the next time I go is that the calamari is the only gluten free fried dish that is not dairy free because they soak the calamari in buttermilk. He also said that the sausages can be made gluten free (no one's ever offered this so I'd like to check it out). If they are, I know what I'll be trying next time! Our friends got the regular version at the table and they all raved about them.For my main dish, I got the fish and chips. You know I can't resist them. Really no complaints here. They were just as good as they always are. And that tartar sauce. Oh that tartar sauce. I wish I could bottle it and take it home with me. It's so good.My friend go the Shepherd's Pie (which is not dairy free). And I have to say, I was surprised by the presentation. I expected something more homier looking. This was a bit "fancier" in terms of the presentation. Taste-wise two people at the table got the dish and both said it was just OK. Both agreed that the dish needed more sauce. So, it seems like this dish might just be mediocre. It's a shame because I've had some pretty stellar dishes (not just fried ones) here.While we waited for our entrees, we also took the chance to watch some of the Irish dancing. Wowie, those dancers are fast! It's really impressive to see these dancers on stage. I have several videos here that I took that night.[embedplusvideo height="500" width="700" editlink="http://bit.ly/NljlZR" standard="http://www.youtube.com/v/sGoqLmgqWd8?fs=1" vars="ytid=sGoqLmgqWd8&width=700&height=500&start=&stop=&rs=w&hd=0&autoplay=0&react=1&chapters=&notes=" id="ep3056" /] [embedplusvideo height="500" width="700" editlink="http://bit.ly/NljWdZ" standard="http://www.youtube.com/v/IZxYJ_kuy90?fs=1" vars="ytid=IZxYJ_kuy90&width=700&height=500&start=&stop=&rs=w&hd=0&autoplay=0&react=1&chapters=&notes=" id="ep9343" /]Overall, we had a good meal and a great time at Raglan Road. They sure know how to celebrate for St. Paddy's Day! A rollicking good time was had by all topped off by great fish and chips and a Magners Irish Cider.I give this visit a 7 out of 10, mostly for the lack of knowledge by the server.

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?

Raglan Road Irish Pub -- Lunch/Dinner -- Table Service -- Downtown Disney

*This dining experience took place in January 2014.Raglan Road Irish Pub located in Downtown Disney is truly not just a great restaurant, but it's also a terrific and authentic Irish pub. With a variety of drink options to choose from and the full menu to order while you grab your pint, it's the perfect place for a proper meal or some quick pub grub.On this particular occasion, I visited not for dinner but for drinks and some snacks. The pub has an extensive drink menu, and while there are certainly some great options for gluten free & dairy free guests, I went with my tried and true gluten free Irish pub standby: Magners Irish Cider. This is hands down a must-do for a pub visit. Not only is it authentically Irish, but it's also delicious! With a mildly sweet taste and a crisp finish, it's the perfect accompaniment to some gluten free onion rings.And yes, there were onion rings on this visit. Our group decided to get an order of the gluten free onion rings and chips (aka French fries). I made sure to let the bartender know that we needed them to be gluten free, and he did a great job at making sure that was noted. When the servers brought out the onion rings & chips, they said immediately that these are the gluten free & allergy order. We also asked for some of the sweet chili jam and tartar sauce that I love (both gluten free & dairy free).The others in the group said they all though the sweet chili jam was perfect with the onion rings but that they could understand why it was paired normally with the scallops. This was a big winner and the jam was quickly devoured along side the crispy onion rings.The chips were also well received, and I may or may not have slathered them in tartar sauce (hey, what can I say, I like their version!?). So good! The group all liked that they were big steak fries and not the wimpy versions you find throughout the Disney parks & resort.Overall, this was a great place to grab a drink and just relax. We visited in the afternoon so it was quite calm but I can imagine this place is packed on a weekend evening. I wouldn't hesitate to drop in sometime for a good pint of Magners & some traditional Irish atmosphere!Have you been to Raglan Road for drinks? What were your favorites?

Raglan Road Irish Pub -- Lunch/Dinner -- Table Service -- Downtown Disney

*This dining experience took place in December 2013Raglan Road Irish Pub has quickly become a favorite dining place for many gluten free diners. Well known for its simple & fresh Irish flavors and ingredients, while providing safe gluten free options, it's no wonder Raglan Road was voted one of the best gluten free restaurants in Orlando in 2013. As a frequent visitor to the Walt Disney World Resort, this has also become a fast favorite of mine as well.On this particular occasion, I visited with my family in the afternoon on the day after the 2013 Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. We were all a bit tired and  really wanted to just relax after a morning of shopping and packed evening the night before. As you can see, we visited in December and the restaurant was festively decorated for the holiday season.Our server immediately asked if anyone in our party needed gluten free or food allergy accommodations, which I love. It's really a nice touch that the servers are well equipped and prepared to assist with special dietary needs. Because I've been to the location several times, I more or less knew many of the options available to me. I also knew that there was one thing I really wanted to try...the Scallop Forest: Georges Bank scallops in a a golden batter served with citrus lime dipping sauce and sweet chili jam. I also decided to go with a salad for something lighter after eating deep fried appetizers. We also ordered gluten free onion rings, so I really didn't want to push it by ordering Fish and Chips too. That being said, I love their fish and chips!First up were the scallops. Wow, these were really good. I actually prefer these to the onion rings hands down. The scallops were of high quality and the breading, which is the same that they use on all of their deep fried products (made with a Domata Flour base), was crisp and flavorful. The server said both sauces were gluten free & dairy free, but I skipped the citrus lime dipping sauce just to be on the safe side. The sweet chili jam was out of this world. Sweet and spicy all at the same time. It was the perfect accompaniment for seafood. You can actually purchase this sauce in the Raglan Road store as well! My only complaint for this dish was that I thought the scallops were slightly overcooked, but given the taste of these I'm not going to complain too loudly!In my hunger, I managed to forget to take a photo of the onion rings, but you can see a recent photo of them in a guest review here on the blog. These were nice and crisp and the onions were well cooked. They were slightly underseasoned, but luckily I still had some sweet chili jam to smother them in. That jam works on everything!For my entree, I ordered the new salmon salad: Citrus Salmon - Grilled fillet of Atlantic salmon with mixed greens, carrots, orange segments & toasted almonds tossed in a citrus herb vinaigrette. It replaces the "Slim Salmon" salad and I think based on the taste of this one, it's an improvement. The portion of salmon was huge, very high quality and perfectly cooked. The salad itself was delicious - well dressed and seasoned. The citrus herb vinaigrette was so flavorful and the addition of fresh fruit and almonds really accented the dish. I would not hesitate to order this one again. It balanced out my deep fried indulgences at the beginning of the meal nicely.Overall, I continue to impressed by Raglan Road. As I begin to branch out into ordering other dishes, I'm really appreciate the fresh flavors, seasonal and quality ingredients. In addition, the staff is really knowledgeable about gluten free offerings and worked well to make sure everything was dairy free too.I would give this visit a solid 9 out of 10. The meal was divine, the service terrific and the special diets accommodations excellent.Have you been to Raglan Road? What do you think of their gluten free offerings?

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!

Splitsville -- Lunch/Dinner -- Table Service -- Downtown Disney

*This dining experience took place in September 2013 and includes a gluten free & dairy free review and a vegan dining review.

 Splitsville in Downtown Disney is a retro themed bowling alley which offers not only bowling, pool, and other recreational activities but also a variety of food options as well. Since it has opened, Splitsville has been extremely popular and often hard to get into. On this particular occasion, I was able to visit as a part of the Attractions Blogger Bowl for Give Kids the World Village (stay tuned for an upcoming post about this amazing event!). I was able to contact GKTWV ahead of time and they contacted Splitsville to arrange for food for both myself and my friend Tony Caselnova from Disney by the Numbers who was on my bowling team. I was glad that they had several gluten free options and a few dairy free options as well.

 When we arrived, the first thing I will say is that this place is really neat. If you've ever been to Lucky String or King Pin bowling, you'll have an idea of what this kind of a bowling alley is like. I will say, that this place is sort of oddly set-up. It's very tiny compared to many other big retro bowling alleys. There are two levels and the blogger bowl took place on the 2nd floor. While we waited I got to look around and check out the sushi bar.

Lots of great folks here including Steve Barrett the Hidden Mickey Guy, Allison from Destinations in Florida, Tony Caselnova from Disney by the Numbers, Krista Joy from Disneyways.com, yours truly & Ramon Rodriguez from Theme Park Concierge!

 Once we checked in at our lane, I asked a Splitsville representative about special dietary arrangements. Now, when I had arranged food with GKTWV, they asked me to give them several options from the menu that I might be interested in. Thankfully, I had some idea of what might be safe gluten free wise thanks to my friend Alexis over at Gluten Free in Orlando! She has a terrific review with a photo of the menu HERE. I had requested, based on her experience, three options: the mahi mahi with voodoo shrimp, the grilled salmon with brocolli, and the Tijuana chicken sandwich all of which were on the Splitsville GF list (one of them isn't anymore but more on that later). I also requested that they make a vegan dish for Tony.Now, the Splitsville representative who helped us (I will assume a manager) told me that my sandwich needed to be re-made because they didn't know it needed to be dairy free too and had been prepared with cheese on it. They asked Tony if he was OK with a stir-fry, which he was. When the items came out, I saw that my sandwich was on a bun that looked very similar to Udi's. I asked what kind of bun it was, if it had dairy, etc. The manager radioed the kitchen and they said it was just "tapioca and water." Now if you look at this picture, this is definitely more than just tapioca and water. I make Chebe buns all the time and they are totally different. *I later learned that I consumed a regular bun that was not gluten free. Well, that does explain why I got sick.

Spicy Veggie Bowl

Tony got the spicy veggie bowl, and I have to say it looked good. He seemed to like it, and it looked fairly substantial of a meal overall. Honestly, I could have gone for something similar but with chicken or shrimp. The fresh avocado looked delicious! Later I discovered they can do GF rice bowls, which would have been good to know!

Tijuana Chicken sandwich on an "unnamed bun"

To me, this sandwich was OK. The chicken was nothing special and the salsa on it was just OK. The broccoli was just plain steamed broccoli. I'm not sure I'd order it again based on taste. But, I definitely won't be ordering it again based on my stomach afterwards. I definitely got glutened. I had massive stomach pains about 30 min - 1 hour after eating. Not good!!I also discovered after looking at a newly released menu from Splitsville indicating GF options today that the Tijuana Chicken is not listed as Gluten Free. That is not comforting considering that I was sick. Now, it may be that they can easily modify it GF but it's certainly not listed on their standard menu as GF. *I later learned that the rest of the sandwich minus the gluten filled bun can be made GF just with a lettuce wrap.You can see the Splitsville menu HEREOverall, I liked the atmosphere of the restaurant and bowling alley, but I found the food to be pretty mediocre and the GF offerings sparse. Adding in a second dietary need seemed to really put a wrench in the wheel too. They also didn't seem to have much in terms of vegan options either. Overall, I'd give this a 3 out of 10, considering that I got sick. I think it will be a while before I eat at Splitsville, though I would happily go bowl there again especially if it were for a great cause like the blogger bowl! Great for entertainment, just maybe not the best food option for a special diet given this experience.

 

Raglan Road -- Lunch/Dinner -- Table Service -- Downtown Disney

*This dining experience took place in February 2013 and includes a gluten free & yellow food coloring review in addition to my gluten free/dairy free review.

Irish Step Dancing at Raglan Road

Of all the Downtown Disney restaurants, this so far has been the one I've felt the most comfortable eating at GF/DF. It's only been a few months since I had been for the first time, but this was a great opportunity to go with other friends who hadn't been. I was also curious (and somewhat hopeful) that I could get something besides the fish & chips. My friend who is gluten free & also allergic to yellow food coloring was also looking forward to checking out the offerings.I will say that it gets busy here on a weekend evening! Our group had dinner slightly early (5pm) but it was still fairly full. We were seated in one of the back corners and not in the middle of the restaurant, which actually was a good thing because it gets a little loud in here with the live entertainment. I think if we had been in the middle of the dining room it would have been even harder to have a conversation. And don't worry if you think you'll miss the live entertainment--they will come to your area! We did get a chance to see the Irish step dancing up close as they do rotate areas.But on to the food and drink...the important stuff!! First up, we ordered drinks. I had planned on a hard cider since I'm not a huge fan of the Redbridge gluten free beer; however, the server mentioned that they had Omission Beer which I've been semi-curious about trying. On the one hand, I've been skeptical (it's a craft beer made using traditional ingredients but the gluten is removed during the process and tested to ensure there is no gluten), but also curious. I thought it might taste more like beer considering the process by which it's made. So I gambled and tried it. I was surprised. It tasted like beer! And I didn't get sick--thank goodness. I wasn't a huge fan of this particular lager and might try the pale ale, but I don't think Disney is serving that. The manager came out later and did mention to me that they've replaced the Redbridge with Omission which I was very surprised with. Now if they could just get New Planet Beer on the list, I'd be very happy (I love their raspberry ale!).

Omission beer

Next up were the food orders. As we found out, there didn't seem to be great options for either of us with food allergies. Mine was more limited because of the dairy and I was mostly relegated to a burger with no bun (and I don't eat beef) or fish and chips. I could have had a salad but as many of you  know those of us with Crohn's do not do well with lots of fresh veggies. Good thing I liked the fish and chips. My friend could have had Shepherd's Pie and a few other dishes in addition to the burger and fish and chips. Because of the concern with the yellow food coloring and some less than stellar accommodation for it, he ended up with a burger with no bun and fries. We also ordered some of the gluten free onion rings for an appetizer.

Onion rings

Close-up of the onion rings--look at those beauties!

The onion rings were better than they were the first time I had them--crunchy and the onions seemed more done to me. I do almost wish they had a sauce of some time (or some of that tartar sauce!). GF/DF sauce would be great (hint, hint Raglan Road).

Ha, this is what NOT to eat at Raglan Road--my friend's schnitzel complete with beer and malt vinegar--a GF/DF nightmare! lol But my friend said this was good.

Here's the GF/DF goodness--my fish and chips with that yummy tartar sauce

My fish and chips were good as usual. Again, I don't think they are really the best GF/DF fish and chips I've ever had (I have a local British pub who has dedicated fryers and fish and chips that kick this one's butt) but it's still a good solid GF/DF option. I really like the thick fries. But the thing that makes this dish for me is the tartar sauce. It's sooooo good. I love it. And I probably could have eaten a few dishes of it. Yum!

Cheeseburger minus the bun with steak fries and tomato relish on the side

My friend got the cheeseburger, which I didn't realize until I saw it that it had Irish bacon on it (more like Canadian bacon). It normally comes with a tomato relish, but my friend got it on the side which was a good thing too, I don't think he liked it). Overall, I think he enjoyed the burger itself--as far as burgers go it looked good. I think he was more excited about the french fries. If you're GF you can relate because we hardly ever get an opportunity to get safe fries!Overall, I'd say this was an OK experience. What they do have GF/DF is limited but at least it's good. I wish they had better options or maybe could accommodate a little better, but if I know I want something greasy this is my go-to place.I'd give this a 7 out of 10. What I had was good, but somewhat limited in options.

Wolfgang Puck Cafe -- Table Service -- Lunch/Dinner -- Downtown Disney

*This dining experience took place in December 2012.

Interior Wolfgang Puck Cafe

There are those experiences that remind me just how much I appreciate WDW owned restaurants and chefs. The level of accommodation and willingness to customize dishes make WDW owned restaurants in a class all by themselves and their chefs are rock stars in my opinion. Unfortunately, Wolfgang Puck Cafe, a non-Disney owned restaurant, did not even come close to meeting these expectations I've come to know and love at WDW. It's unfortunate too because I would have thought they would be able to customize and work with me like some of the other DTD restaurants like Raglan Road (a gluten free haven!) or even have some good options like its counterpart Wolfgang Puck Express. Lesson learned--this is not a restaurant for me and I should stick with Raglan Road, Cooke's of Dublin or Babycakes or stear clear of DTD restaurants altogether.I know that some of folks may have had great experiences at this location, and perhaps in the future I'll try it again, but it will be a while. A long while. I think my biggest disappointment was that there were very little options for gluten free/dairy free (gluten free is a little easier but not much).When we arrived, we were actually seated by a manager (it was a slower time of day too) and he said the chef would come out to talk to me. The chef I met wasn't overly enthused. Not one appetizer was deemed safe and almost all of the entrees were out. He said I could have GF pasta, but generally I avoid it at restaurants having been cross contaminated by it more times than I can count (and since it wasn't a Disney owned restaurants, I didn't want to take a chance). I was also concerned because he kept telling me Alfredo sauce was safe for dairy free. Yikes!!! That's like the worse sauce possible for dairy free. No way Jose! Basically, after a lot of talking, the only thing we could agree that would be safe would be salads. Unfortunately, I have to be really careful with salad because of Crohn's disease, so I was not too keen on this. I was half on the fence of just leaving and going somewhere else, but decided to try to order it with extra protein and not eat as many of the greens.So weird thing, the cobb salad dressing was not safe, nor was any other salad dressing according to the chef. He told me I could have oil and vinegar. It always surprises me when chefs can't whip up a salad dressing. Um, guys it's the easiest thing to do in about 5 minutes! But I digress. So we went with the cobb salad with no blue cheese but extra protein and oil and vinegar. Not exactly what I wanted to order and at $15 it was not a very cheap or very filling salad even with the extra protein. Plus, I'd had the cobb salad from Brown Derby this past month and it put this one to shame. Same price, tons of flavor and toppings (I adored the avocado puree) and an actual cobb salad dressing! Plus it was chopped so finely that it was much easier for me to digest (a win for me with a salad). The one from Wolfgang Puck was very chunky and even with extra protein was very minimal in its amount of toppings. It felt like something you would order at a fast food restaurant. Not at all what I expected from this restaurant.

Not the best salad I've ever had

Overall, I would not come back here. I had hopes that because of their location at Disney that they might be more accommodating, but it didn't work out for me on this visit. It was disappointing, but a real lesson learned. I give this a 4 out of 10.