Frontera Cocina Dinner Review
Frontera Cocina is a table service restaurant located in Disney Springs. Not owned and operated by Disney, this is a restaurant owned by James Beard Award Winning Chef Rick Bayless. I am a huge fan of Frontera Cocina and Chef Rick Bayless, and I really appreciate that the restaurant can accommodate a variety of special dietary needs. Recently, I had dinner at Frontera Cocina with my friend Kate who was passing through Orlando on her way to Miami. She also has special dietary needs, so a dinner at Disney was definitely in order!
*This gluten free dining experience took place in May 2019. It includes information about dairy free modifications and peanut/tree nut and sesame free options.
Dinner at Frontera Cocina
Frontera Cocina is a table service restaurant located in Disney Springs. Not owned and operated by Disney, this is a restaurant owned by James Beard Award Winning Chef Rick Bayless. I am a huge fan of Frontera Cocina and Chef Rick Bayless, and I really appreciate that the restaurant can accommodate a variety of special dietary needs. Recently, I had dinner at Frontera Cocina with my friend Kate who was passing through Orlando on her way to Miami. She also has special dietary needs, so a dinner at Disney was definitely in order!
Atmosphere
I have to apologize that I forgot to take photos during our dinner of the restaurant. I do have some photos on some older reviews that I've written about dining at Frontera Cocina.
Frontera Cocina Menu / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Overall, the theme in Frontera Cocina is modern and clean. There are pops of bright colors, like orange and blue, along with Mexican-inspired decor that's very inviting.
My biggest complaint on this visit was that the restaurant was fairly crowded, which made the seating and volume a bit challenging. We were seated so close to the table next to us, that it actually was difficult getting out of the booth area. We also dined at happy hour, so the bar located in the middle of the restaurant was very crowded and quite loud. If you're looking for a quieter experience, I would recommend dining at lunch or during off-hours.
The Food
Of course, my main reason for dining at Frontera Cocina is always the excellent food. I love Mexican food, and Frontera Cocina does an excellent job with authentic offerings.
When you dine there, you won't get an allergy-friendly menu. But, you'll find that the regular menu actually notes common allergens on it. For instance, if a dish contains gluten, it will note that or if it has milk it will too. You can also discuss options with your server too. I've found the servers at Frontera Cocina to be quite helpful at navigating special dietary needs options. On this visit, we did ask several questions as Kate is allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, and sesame.
Frontera Cocina / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
The first priority on our must-order list was getting chips and guacamole. It's my hands down favorite appetizer at Frontera Cocina. Our server did let us know that since we were dining during happy hour, we could get the Verde Guacamole half off. Talk about a bargain!
The Verde Guacamole includes roasted poblanos, roasted tomatillo, toasted pepitas (aka pumpkin seeds), cilantro and onions. The chips are made in a dedicated fryer, so if you have celiac disease like me, you can actually enjoy safe tortilla chips. The chips and guacamole were gluten free, dairy free, peanut free, tree nut free, and sesame free. It's also very likely that it's vegan too -- though I did not ask. We both agreed the chips and guacamole were outstanding and would not hesitate to order them again.
Frontera Cocina / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
For my entree, I ordered the Pork Belly Tacos with crispy pork belly, smoky bacon, grilled knob onions, black beans refritos with queso fresco, guacamole, red onion, cilantro, and three chile agave sale. This dish is gluten free but does contain dairy. Dairy free guests should check with their server, as I was told the only dairy free modification would be the queso fresco.
These tacos were so good! The pork belly was super crispy and had great flavor. I admit that I was not expecting the tomato based sauce that the pork belly was cooked in. But, it was really delicious. You do get warmed corn tortillas served on the side to make your own tacos, and the tortillas do help soak up some of the sauce. Overall, I would definitely get these again.
Frontera Cocina / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Kate ordered the Grilled Chipotle Chicken Tacos with grilled chicken in a tangy chipotle sauce, caramelized red onions, black beans refritos with queso fresco, guacamole, and chipotle salsa. Her tacos were gluten free, peanut free, tree nut free, and sesame free. Like the pork belly tacos, these contained dairy. But, I believe the only modification is the cheese on the beans.
Our server did let Kate know that these tacos might be a little spicy. But, Kate said that overall they weren't that bad. The looked delicious and both of us agreed that the tacos were excellent choices.
Overall
Frontera Cocina is a great restaurant if you're craving Mexican food while you're at Disney World. I especially love that I have lots of options and that items, like tortilla chips, that are often off-limits to me at Mexican restaurants are safe options for me at Frontera Cocina. And, now that I know they have half off guacamole during happy hour, I just might have to go back again soon!
Have you been to Frontera Cocina? What did you order when you dined there?
Frontera Cocina To Go Counter Review
*This gluten free dining experience took place in August 2018. Notes about dairy free options and modifications are included in this post.
Dinner at Frontera Cocina To Go Counter
Frontera Cocina is a table service restaurant located at Disney Springs. For those guests on-the-go, Frontera Cocina offers a to-go counter for tacos, chips and guacamole, and margaritas. The to-go counter has been one of my favorite spots for a quick dinner when we're at Disney Springs seeing a movie at the AMC theater. On this particular visit, I stopped by before we went to a movie just so I could try one of their newest tacos on the to-go menu -- the Grilled Hatch Green Chile Tacos. I had seen them on Twitter and confirmed with the restaurant that they were gluten free before even heading to the booth.
Atmosphere
As far as atmosphere, there really isn't any at the Frontera Cocina To-Go Counter. It's exactly what you expect from a quick, grab and go spot.
Frontera Cocina To Go Counter / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
One of the biggest challenges of the Frontera Cocina To-Go Counter is that it's pretty hidden. You wouldn't realize there's a counter there, unless you knew about it or noticed the sign. The only thing that I think has helped lately is the addition of some tables for those guests who order to sit at. But, it's still a pretty inconspicuous spot.
The Food
One of the things that I like most about Frontera Cocina, which is not owned and operated by Disney, is that they mark common allergens on their menu. So, if a dish contains gluten or dairy, it will say so on the menu. Of course, I do always recommend that you consult with your server, a manager, or another cast member to confirm that the dish is safe for your special dietary needs. When I got to the to-go counter, I double-checked the sign and with a cast member to confirm that the tacos were gluten free. Thankfully, almost everything at Frontera Cocina is naturally gluten free, which is great.
Green Chile Tacos at Frontera Cocina To Go Counter / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Currently, Frontera Cocina's To-Go Counter offers tacos a la carte. So, you pay per taco. You used to order them in sets of three. But, this changed a while back. On this visit, I ordered the Grilled Hatch Green Chile Chicken Tacos with Grilled Chicken with Hatch Green Chile Crema, Caramelized Onions, Warm Corn Tortillas, and Tomato Cilantro Salsa. The tacos are gluten free but do contain dairy and cannot be modified. They are $3.50 each. So, you can mix and match with other tacos too, if you like.
Overall, I really loved these tacos. They were definitely spicier than I anticipated, but not so spicy that I thought it was overpowering. If you do like a bit of a kick, you will enjoy these tacos. I would definitely get these again too, though I might get one taco and a side of chips and guacamole instead.
For those who are dairy free, the Beef Barbacoa Tacos on the to-go menu may be an option. The last time I visited I got these and were told the only modification to be made dairy free was omitting the cheese. So, it's always worth asking if you're interested in them.
Overall
Frontera Cocina's To-Go Counter is a great spot to grab a quick bite to eat. While, they don't have a huge variety, they do offer several delicious gluten free dishes that you can enjoy and even mix and match depending on your mood. I think the new Grilled Hatch Green Chiles are a fantastic addition to the menu. And, I hope they'll be around for a bit, so I can get them again.
Have you been to Frontera Cocina or it's to-go counter? What did you think of the special diets options?
Frontera Cocina -- Lunch -- Table Service -- Disney Springs
*This dining experience took place in December 2016.
Frontera Cocina, a table service restaurant, has quickly become one of my favorite table service locations at Disney Springs. Serving authentic cuisine, Frontera Cocina is the brainchild of celebrity chef Rick Bayless. I'm a huge fan of his Chicago-based restaurants, so there's no wonder I enjoy Frontera Cocina so much. On top of that, most of the menu is gluten free and the restaurant marks their special dietary needs options on their menu, which is great.On this particular visit, I joined my friend Ron for lunch. We had dined here previously together along with our friend Alexis from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures and really enjoyed it.
On this visit, we knew we had to get their guacamole. It's the perfect appetizer, and I love the versions in the main restaurant and at their to go counter. By far, the best one is the bacon guacamole. Served with gluten free chips, it's rich and delicious.My only complaint? It needs more bacon!
We also decided to go for margaritas, and while there's a bunch of different unique versions, my preference is the classic Frontera Margarita. I also really like that they serve it with only half of the rim of the glass covered in salt. I'm not a big salt and margarita fan, so that worked out perfectly for me.If you're not into margaritas, I highly recommend the Cocina Gin & Tonic. So good!
Both Ron and I ordered gluten free & dairy free entrees. Ron got the carnitas, which I ordered on a previous visit. He said the meat was really delicious and tender.
For my entree, I ordered the chicken tacos. These come as "build your own," which means you can assemble them as you wish. The corn tortillas here are outstanding and the perfect vessel for the meat, salsa, and guacamole.I thought the chicken was quite good, though the winning pieces of my dish were the refried beans and guacamole.Note: This dish normally comes with cheese. You can order it without cheese to make it dairy free, easily.Overall, Frontera Cocina consistently offers a solid meal. I love how many of the dishes are gluten free, which means tons of choices! The restaurant is also really good and making accommodations for special dietary needs and modifying dishes.Have you been to Frontera Cocina? What's your favorite dish there?
Frontera Cocina -- Lunch -- Table Service -- Disney Springs
*This dining experience took place in December 2016.Frontera Cocina, a table service restaurant, has quickly become one of my favorite table service locations at Disney Springs. Serving authentic cuisine, Frontera Cocina is the brainchild of celebrity chef Rick Bayless. I'm a huge fan of his Chicago-based restaurants, so there's no wonder I enjoy Frontera Cocina so much. On top of that, most of the menu is gluten free and the restaurant marks their special dietary needs options on their menu, which is great.On this particular visit, I joined my friend Ron for lunch. We had dined here previously together along with our friend Alexis from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures and really enjoyed it.On this visit, we knew we had to get their guacamole. It's the perfect appetizer, and I love the versions in the main restaurant and at their to go counter. By far, the best one is the bacon guacamole. Served with gluten free chips, it's rich and delicious.My only complaint? It needs more bacon!We also decided to go for margaritas, and while there's a bunch of different unique versions, my preference is the classic Frontera Margarita. I also really like that they serve it with only half of the rim of the glass covered in salt. I'm not a big salt and margarita fan, so that worked out perfectly for me.If you're not into margaritas, I highly recommend the Cocina Gin & Tonic. So good!Both Ron and I ordered gluten free & dairy free entrees. Ron got the carnitas, which I ordered on a previous visit. He said the meat was really delicious and tender.For my entree, I ordered the chicken tacos. These come as "build your own," which means you can assemble them as you wish. The corn tortillas here are outstanding and the perfect vessel for the meat, salsa, and guacamole.I thought the chicken was quite good, though the winning pieces of my dish were the refried beans and guacamole.Note: This dish normally comes with cheese. You can order it without cheese to make it dairy free, easily.Overall, Frontera Cocina consistently offers a solid meal. I love how many of the dishes are gluten free, which means tons of choices! The restaurant is also really good and making accommodations for special dietary needs and modifying dishes.Have you been to Frontera Cocina? What's your favorite dish there?
Frontera Cocina To Go Counter -- Quick Service -- Disney Springs
*This dining experience took place in August 2016. 
I recently stopped by Frontera Cocina's To Go Counter for another quick service meal. I'd visited previously and really enjoyed the Conchinita Pibil (aka pork) tacos that they serve there, and I was looking forward to trying their other to go option, the Beef Barbacoa tacos which are also gluten free.One of the things that I love most about Frontera Cocina is that their menu is almost entirely gluten free. It's pretty awesome, and even more awesome because I'm a huge Mexican food fan and could literally eat Mexican food every day.
The Beef Barbacoa Tacos are braised beef tacos served with cojita cheese (similar to Parmesan), red onion, cilantro, a side of fresh lime and chipotle salsa all served on handmade corn tortillas.The tortillas at Frontera Cocina are amazing and are a bit thicker than you would expect and super delicious. They make the perfect vessel for these tacos. The braised beef itself was fairly good and well cooked. My only complaint is that I had a few pieces that seemed to have a bit of fat on them.The diced red onion, cilantro, and cojita cheese made the dish. The cheese is the only dairy item on these tacos, and you can order them dairy free by omitting the cheese.Make sure to squeeze a bit of fresh lime juice on the tacos and dip the tacos in the chipotle salsa. It's spicy but nothing like the atomic habanero salsa that comes with the Conchinita Pibil tacos (you've been warned! I like spice and the habanero salsa was way too intense for me).Overall, I really enjoyed the beef barbacoa tacos, though I have to say I would probably order the conchinita pibil tacos next time instead. I prefer pork and really enjoyed the pickled red onions served with those tacos.Frontera Cocina's To Go Counter is definitely a great quick service stop, especially if you're craving Mexican food. It doesn't have a ton of variety, but it's all gluten free (and easily made dairy free) and delicious!Have you been to Frontera Cocina? What did you order at the table service or quick service location?
Frontera Cocina -- Lunch -- Table Service -- Disney Springs
*This dining experience took place in July 2016.
Frontera Cocina, located at Disney Springs, has quickly become one of my new favorite table locations. With authentic Mexican food, this restaurant is the brain child of celebrity chef Rick Bayless, who is well-known for creating classic Mexican cuisine.With a menu that's almost entirely gluten free naturally, it's not hard to see why I love Frontera Cocina so much.On this particular visit, I stopped by with my mom for a quick lunch. Frontera Cocina opens at 11 a.m., and on this visit, we were actually the first guests in the restaurant. Yes, rope dropping Mexican food; that's how we roll in my family!
On my last visit, I got the bacon guacamole and loved it, but I've been dying to try the Sikil Pak -- a classic Yucatan dish made with pumpkin seeds. It's actually something I learned to make when I visited Mexico for my birthday in 2015, so I was excited to try Frontera Cocina's version.Served with tortilla chips (which are made in a dedicated fryer), cucumber, and jicama, this was a nice refreshing appetizer. The pumpkin seed dip does have a bit of a bite, as it contains habanero, but it's not overly spicy. I preferred the dip with the fresh cucumber with the tortilla chips coming in as a close second. My mom loved the jicama.My only complaint about this dish was that our tortilla chips seemed a bit stale. They weren't warm and freshly fried, which was a bit of a bummer.
For my entree, I decided to order the zucchini and roasted poblano pepper tostadas topped with black beans, goat cheese, and a bit of frisee. I do really well with non-cow's milk cheese, so I was looking forward to trying this goat cheese based dish.Overall, I really enjoyed these -- though after seeing my mom's chicken tostadas, I sort of wish I had ordered those minus the crema and queso fresco. The zucchini and poblanos were really well cooked, and I liked the combination of the beans and tang from the goat cheese. I wasn't a fan of the frisee, but it was easily removed.I didn't ask, but I actually don't think this is a vegetarian dish, because the menu indicates that the black beans contain pork (probably pork fat). Next time I visit, I will try to ask about vegetarian dishes.
My mom ordered the chicken tostadas, and she raved about them. They looked really delicious and flavorful. Topped with black beans, chicken, avocado, crema, queso fresco and cilantro - these are gluten free and can easily be made dairy free by removing the crema and queso fresco.Overall, we really enjoyed our lunch at Frontera Cocina. I hope to go back for dinner to try out some of the other gluten free options. I'm dying to get the shrimp mojo de ajo that my friend Ron ordered. You can see some of the other gluten free dishes over on Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures.What are you most looking forward to trying at Frontera Cocina?
Frontera Cocina To Go Counter -- Dinner -- Quick Service -- Disney Springs
*This dining experience took place in July 2016.Frontera Cocina is one of Disney Springs newest restaurant offerings, and while I love this table service restaurant, I absolutely love that they have a to go counter. I'm such a huge Mexican food lover that getting tacos to go is pretty much my favorite thing ever.I previously stopped by the to go counter and grabbed chips and guacamole along with margaritas with my friend Ron, and on this visit, I knew I wanted to grab dinner. Thankfully, everything at Frontera Cocina is marked with allergens, so I knew that I was in good shape for getting a great gluten free and dairy free meal.
I decided to order the Cochinita Pibil Tacos, which is made up of achiote braised pork shoulder, pickled red onions, and served with habanero salsa. I confirmed with the culinary team that this was both gluten free & dairy free upon ordering.I have to say that I really enjoyed these tacos -- so much so that I basically scarfed them down in half the time it took Brandon to eat his poutine from the Daily Poutine.I love the warm corn tortillas and the braised pork was slow roasted and tender. The pickled red onion was a highlight adding a bit of a tangy and tart flavor to the dish, along with some texture. Fresh cilantro was perfect on top.As a salsa warning, I was asked if I wanted the habanero salsa and was told it was VERY spicy. I opted for the chipotle salsa, which I was told was milder but still quite spicy. I love spice, and the chipotle was well beyond my spice level. I dipped a small bit of my taco into and had to drink a ton of water after eating it. Brandon even said my face was bright red. So as far as spice, proceed with caution on the salsa! The taco itself wasn't very spicy, but very flavorful.Overall, I loved these tacos, and I can't wait to go back again. I love that I can grab these for a tasty and quick dinner and that everything is so gluten free friendly. Frontera Cocina is definitely high on my quick service list now at Disney Springs!Have you been to Frontera Cocina? What did you enjoy when you visited there?
Frontera Cocina To Go Counter -- Lunch -- Quick Service -- Disney Springs
*This dining experience took place in June 2016.Frontera Cocina is the newest table service restaurant to open in summer 2016 at Disney Springs. Helmed by celebrity chef Rick Bayless, it serves up modern authentic Mexican food. I recently stopped by the table service location and absolutely loved it. I'll definitely be dining at their table service a good amount, but I was even more excited that they have a to-go counter that serves up chips & guacamole and tacos.Like the restaurant itself, the menu notes any allergens that a dish contains. Thankfully, everything on the to-go menu is gluten free.
On opening day, my friend Ron and I stopped by just to check on the gluten free offerings, and we ended up getting some chips, guacamole, and margaritas.The chips were amazing. Super crispy and piping hot (they made a fresh batch for us), these are thick-cut tortilla chips that hold up really well to a substantial salsa or guacamole. The guacamole itself was very fresh and delicious. It's probably the best guacamole I've had on Disney property.
When it comes to margaritas, these were outstanding. We tried one of each of their to-go counter margaritas -- the Frontera Margarita and the Blood Orange Jalapeno Margarita.The blood orange margarita had great flavor and was a bit spicy with the fresh jalapeno in it (yes, there was an actual piece of jalapeno in the margarita!), but it wasn't as spicy as you might think. The Frontera Margarita was the perfect take on a classic margarita and was hands down my favorite of the two. And, they were both perfect for a hot summer day.On my next visit, I hope to try the tacos which are gluten free and served in a soft corn tortilla. The conchinita pibil tacos are on my must try list!I'm glad that Frontera Cocina has a to-go counter, as it will become another staple in my Disney Springs quick service rotation.What do you think of the menu for the to-go counter at Frontera Cocina?
Frontera Cocina -- Lunch -- Table Service -- Disney Springs
*This dining experience took place in June 2016.Frontera Cocina is the newest restaurant to open in Disney Springs. A table service location from renowned chef Rick Bayless, Frontera Cocina offers guests at Disney Springs a taste of Mexico with authentic gourmet dishes.As a former Midwesterner, I grew up about 2 hours from Rick Bayless's restaurants (including Xoco, Frontera Grill, and Toplobampo) in Chicago and have enjoyed them in the past, so I was very excited about this restaurant opening. Although I love some of the Mexican restaurants in Epcot, like La Hacienda de San Angel and San Angel Inn, I love how authentic all of Rick Bayless's restaurants are for Mexican food, so I knew we'd be in for a real treat.
I was lucky enough to go to Frontera Cocina on the second day of their opening with Alexis from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures (you can read her full review of Frontera Cocina on her blog) and our friend Ron. We were all really excited about the options and couldn't wait to check it out.
I knew that Frontera Cocina would be pretty gluten free friendly, but I was surprised to see that almost the entire menu was gluten free and most of it could be easily made dairy free too. Even better, the entire menu notes allergens next to each dish, which was really helpful.
The restaurant itself is really clean and modern. We loved the vibrant colors and cheery atmosphere.
While deciding what to order, Ron and I got drinks. We couldn't pass up the cucumber gin & tonics which sounded delicious and refreshing. And, suffice it to say, they didn't disappoint. This was an amazingly refreshing drink for the summertime and one I'd definitely get again. Of course, I may have to try a margarita or two on my next visit. We grabbed margaritas from the Frontera Cocina To-Go counter the day before, and they were fantastic.
For an appetizer, Ron and I split the bacon guacamole. We had tried the regular guacamole the day before but knew bacon was definitely the one to try next. Because everything is better with bacon. Our server said it was a bit spicy, but no one at the table thought it was spicy at all.The bacon flavor in this guacamole was mild but delicious. The pumpkin seeds (aka pepitas) added a nice crunch. The quality of this guacamole was outstanding and so fresh, with big chunks of avocado throughout. To add to this, the chips were thick, crispy, and delicious. We were all very excited that the chips were gluten free and celiac safe.
Along with the guacamole, our server brought two kinds of salsa to our table. I wasn't a big fan of the chipotle salsa, which was a bit spicier and smoky, but really loved the salsa verde which the perfect combo of sweet and spicy for me.
Alexis and her daughters ordered the queso fundido which was served with fresh soft corn tortillas. It looked amazing and completely decadent. Though I've been reintroducing a bit of dairy back into my diet, this seemed like way too much dairy for me, so I didn't try this. Alexis and her daughters absolutely loved it though, making it a great gluten free choice.
For my entree, I ordered the pork carnitas served with refried beans, guacamole, salsa verde, pickled onions, and fresh soft corn tortillas. I really enjoyed this dish a lot. The pork was super crispy and tender. There was very little fat to this dish, unlike the version of carnitas I got at La Hacienda de San Angel.The refried beans were delicious, though those who are vegetarian or vegan should note that the beans do contain pork in them. My dish was marked as containing dairy, but was easily made dairy free by removing the cheese.
Ron ordered plantains and shared them with our table. These were gluten free and made dairy free by removing the cheese and sauces. We all loved them, and Alexis even enjoyed them as an accompaniment to her steak tacos. These were delicious, and I would order as a side without any hesitation.
Ron ordered the Shrimp Mojo de Ajo, and after our table each took bites of this, we agreed it was the hands down best dish at the table. Though it had a creamy texture, this dish was made gluten free and dairy free upon request. The plantain rice was outstanding, but the shrimp and the sauce made this an incredible dish. I think this may be the dish I order on my next visit!
Alexis ordered the carne asada steak tacos. These looked good and would make for a great lunch, though I think with all of the other amazing options on the menu, I would choose other options first. Alexis and her daughters seemed to enjoy both the chicken and steak tacos, both of which were gluten free and easily made dairy free by removing the cheese.Overall, I really enjoyed my first visit to Frontera Cocina. The amount of gluten free and easily made dairy free items on the menu give me tons of options on any visit that I make. On top of the fact that I adore good Mexican food, this will easily be my new go-to spot at Disney Springs. Even better, I can get my on the go Mexican fix by visiting their To-Go counter which also has gluten free options.I'm looking forward to visiting again and trying other dishes on the menu.What dishes do you want to try at Frontera Cocina?