Boma Breakfast Review

*This gluten free dining experience took place in June 2019. It includes information about dairy free options.

Breakfast at Boma

Boma: Flavors of Africa, located at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge - Jambo House, is a table service restaurant that serves all-you-care-to-enjoy African-inspired food. Serving breakfast and dinner, breakfast is by far my favorite of the two meal offerings. And, it's hands down one of my favorite places to eat breakfast at at Disney World. On this visit, I had breakfast with my mom and brother. None of us had been to Boma in a while, so it was definitely time for a visit.

Atmosphere

The name Boma means enclosure. And, you'll see touches of this theme all around the restaurant. From the moment you step into the Boma restaurant area, you'll be inspired by the beauty of African art and cuisine.

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

Do take a moment to look around when you dine at Boma. You'll see touches of the "boma" theme from thatched roofs near the buffet to fabric coverings throughout the restaurant.

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

I absolutely love the seating area in Boma too. I love how intricate and unique the tables and chairs are. In fact, more often that not, you'll find that the chairs at your table don't actually match. I love this touch that gives Boma it's distinct theme.

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

On our visit, we had a table around the perimeter of the restaurant. This was nice because we were seated away from the main buffet area, which gets very busy. And, we could also see a lot of the nice views outside.

The Food

Because Boma is a buffet style restaurant, you'll be presented with an allergen guide. This guide helps you navigate what items served on the buffet are safe for your special dietary need. However, I always recommend that you speak directly with a chef who can talk to you about additional options not on the buffet or to bring you items safely from the kitchen to avoid cross-contamination.

Boma - Allergen Guide / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On this visit, I was greeted by Chef Frank -- who has been at Boma for several years now. He is a bit of a rockstar in my book and really goes above and beyond to accommodate guests with special dietary needs.

Boma - Buffet / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Because I've been to Boma so many times and know Chef Frank from previous visits, I knew more or less what I wanted to eat that morning. I ordered several things to be prepared in the kitchen by Chef Frank and chose to get a small plate of a few select items from an area that's almost entirely gluten free to avoid cross-contamination, while Chef Frank made the rest of my food.

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

While I was chatting to Chef Frank, our server brought out Jungle Juice -- a combination of passion fruit, orange juice, and guava juice. It's a must have whenever I go to Boma -- though I can't drink too much of it. It's very sweet!

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

Going up to the buffet, I chose to get a few items from the station nearest to the carving station. Everything there is gluten free, including the turkey bobotie, pap, and asparagus. I also got bacon, sausage, and a slice of the carved ham. For guests who are dairy free, the bobotie, pap, and ham all contain dairy. The pap can be made without dairy upon request, but unfortunately, the ham on the carving station is now glazed with butter. The turkey, which is only served at breakfast on select days, is gluten free and dairy free and a great option if it's available.

I have to admit that I prefer the original version of the ham. This version is a little sweeter for my taste, though it was still good. Everything else was fantastic, as always, too!

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

In an attempt to have some healthy options in my meal, I always get a small bowl of hot quinoa and fresh pineapple. The quinoa is served with grapes and apples, and it's really delicious. Do be sure to avoid the oatmeal if you're gluten free, because the restaurant does not currently use certified gluten free oats.

For fruit, don't skip the pineapple if you're a fan. Even though there's nothing special about their pineapple, for some reason I always think it tastes amazing there.

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

As I was finishing up the items I got from the buffet, Chef Frank came with a mountain of food. Yep, there was no way I was leaving Boma hungry, that's for sure!

First up, was the custom omelet. I had one made with ham, onion, and cheese, but you could easily omit the cheese and add in your favorite toppings for a dairy free version.

I also got tater tots made in a dedicated fryer next door in the Mara. If you go to Boma and you can get them, do it. I was in tater tot heaven! The tots were super crispy and coated in a light dusting of African spices. They are hands down my favorite thing on the Boma brunch menu, and I'm always so happy when I can get them.

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

I also got several allergy-friendly items. This included allergy-friendly Mickey waffles, gluten free and dairy free Udi's bread toasted, and a Kinnikinnick brand cinnamon sugar donut. Boma also serves both regular butter and Earth Balance vegan buttery spread depending on your special dietary need too.

For my allergy-friendly Mickey waffles, Chef Frank made a banana foster and pecan praline combination sauce for me. I could have also had 100% pure maple syrup too (which I usually get). But, if you can have dairy and like sweets at breakfast, you're sure to love this sauce. It was super rich and sweet and perfect for breakfast. I'm glad I had this last because it was a great way to end the meal.

Overall

Boma always continues to impress for breakfast. Whether you're looking for more traditional breakfast options or something a bit more unique, you'll find Boma has it all. Add in some amazing chefs who really go above and beyond to assist guests with special dietary needs, and you have the perfect breakfast spot to visit on your next trip to Walt Disney World. For me, it's a restaurant I always go back to again and again.

Learn more about Boma breakfast in my YouTube video!

Have you been to Boma? What did you think of the breakfast options there?

Boma: Flavors of Africa -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge

*This dining experience took place in December 2017.

Breakfast at Boma

Boma: Flavors of Africa is one of my favorite table service restaurants on Disney property. And, their all-you-care-to-enjoy buffet breakfast is one of my favorites too. As you'll learn in this review, even though it's a buffet, there are plenty of safe options to enjoy with special dietary needs. So, much so that I always end up beyond full by the end of my meal. Recently, my family and I went to Boma for breakfast during the holidays.

Atmosphere

I love everything about Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. And, the inside of Boma is no exception. The word boma means enclosure. And, the restaurant reflects this theme with lots of thatched roofing and coverings.I also love the dark wooden tables and chairs that make you feel super cozy and comfortable during your meal.

The Food

But, my favorite part about Boma is the food. Because it's a buffet style restaurant, you might be wondering how safe it is to eat there. Luckily, the chefs at Boma are fantastic and will work with you to not only show you safe items on the buffet but also make you food in the kitchen, to avoid cross-contamination.When you arrive at your table, you will be presented with a breakfast allergen guide. This guide tells you what allergens are contained in the dishes typically served on the buffet. But, don't be discouraged by this list. My recommendation is to always ask for a chef to discuss additional options, as there are many dishes that can be easily modified or prepared in the back in the kitchen. If you go to Boma for breakfast chances are Chef Frank will be on duty. If so, you're in luck. He does an excellent job with special dietary needs and always makes sure I get plenty to eat.While waiting for Chef Frank to come to the table, our server brought us Jungle Juice. This juice is a combination of Passion Fruit, Orange, and Guava juices. It's super sweet but super delicious.When Chef Frank came out, we chatted about options that would be safe for me gluten free and dairy free. While you can get custom omelets, Chef Frank said he would make mine in the back. I opted for a custom omelet with ham and onion in it. This is one of my Boma breakfast must-do's and is always really good. You can get just about anything you want in your omelet, so feel free to customize and load up on your favorite meats and veggies.Because I know Boma really well, I did opt to get a few things off the buffet line at the pods where cross-contamination is less of a risk. So, I got grilled asparagus, sausage, bacon, carved ham and carved turkey -- all of which are gluten free and dairy free.If you check out your allergen guide, you'll see that pap (essentially grits) is made with dairy. But, if you speak to a chef, they can actually get you pap from the kitchen that is dairy free. Chef Frank also made me tater tots -- which are one of my favorites at Boma -- and are not listed as safe on the allergen guide due to a shared fryer. This is one of the biggest reasons I ask to speak to a chef. If I hadn't, I might not know these would be an option.And trust me, tater tots are ALWAYS worth asking about.Boma also carries a selection of gluten free and dairy free breakfast pastries that are not on the regular buffet. Chef Frank brought me a Kinnikinnick vanilla glazed donut and Udi's Gluten Free Blueberry Muffin, toasted with Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Spread. This is one of those tips that Chef Frank turned me onto a while back. And, now I always have to get my Udi's blueberry muffin toasted. So good!I also got a bowl of the hot quinoa with raisins and apples. You can top it with brown sugar. But, be sure to avoid the toasted quinoa that's also a side option, because it is fried in a shared fryer. I wouldn't say the hot quinoa is my favorite breakfast item at Boma. But, I always feel like I should get it to be a little "healthy."One of the best parts about Boma are the allergy-friendly Mickey waffles. These are the stuff dreams are made of. And, the ones at Boma are some of the best at Disney World. These appear to be made currently with a combination of Bob's Red Mill Pancake & Waffle Mix and Namaste Pancake & Waffle Mix and are so good. Super crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, they really are my favorite part of any breakfast.Chef Frank is always so great at making suggestions, and the one he suggested a few years ago is a version I still order. I always get allergy-friendly Mickey waffles with 100% pure maple syrup and a side of toasted banana chips and walnuts. I don't know what it is but the combination is SO good.These waffles make for one decadent and sweet way to end your meal at Boma and a must-do on any breakfast trip to this table service restaurant.

Overall

Boma continues to be one of my favorite breakfast spots on Disney property. It may be a little pricey, but it's totally worth it. Not only is the atmosphere great, but the food is outstanding. There are so many gluten free and dairy free options to choose from, that I never worry about going hungry at Boma. Add to that amazing chefs like Chef Frank who really truly work to make sure you have safe and delicious options, well, that truly makes it even more special.Have you been to Boma? What meal do you prefer when you go there?

Boma -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House

*This dining experience took place in February 2017.

Breakfast at Boma: Flavors of Africa

Boma, located at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House, is a buffet restaurant that serves breakfast and dinner. I'm a huge fan of their breakfast options. So, when I thought about where to go at Disney for my recent birthday meal, I decided brunch at Boma was just the ticket. Boma's breakfast is African inspired but has a lot of classic American breakfast options too. This means that even though it might seem like it has some exotic dishes, there are plenty of breakfast staples you'll recognize and enjoy.

Atmosphere

Boma's interior is simple but artfully designed. The buffet area has a charming thatched roof and some nice African touches. The main dining area has beautiful mix and match wooden tables and chairs, which I love. It's a buffet, so it's meant to hold a large number of guests, so some of the seating areas can be a little too close for comfort in my opinion. The best seating is near the windows, where you can find larger tables and cozy corners. Of course, the best part about Boma is the smells from the amazing open fires and the aroma of delicious food cooking.

The Food

I had recently been to Boma in December with my family during the holidays, so I was pretty sure not much on the menu offerings had changed. Because Boma is a buffet style restaurant, there is no allergy friendly menu. But, don't be too discouraged. When you arrive, you'll meet with a Disney chef who will take you through the buffet options, noting items that are safe for your special dietary need. If you are concerned about cross-contamination, the chefs will prepare you safe items from the back.On this visit, the chef took me through the buffet line, and I opted to get many items from the kitchen and a small select amount of items from the buffet, including the carving station.Up first, I made sure to get a bowl of the hot quinoa with apples and raisins. I had this on my last visit, and with a bit of brown sugar, it makes for the perfect hot cereal. They do offer oatmeal, but it is not certified gluten free. So, if you have celiac disease, you'll want to avoid that one. I have been told in the past that they carry Bob's Red Mill certified gluten free oats that they can make for you, but you'll want to check with a chef to confirm that they have them on hand. You'll also want to watch out for the bowl of fried quinoa next to the hot quinoa. I was told that it was fried in a shared fryer.After enjoying some hot quinoa, I made sure to get some grilled asparagus, along with some breakfast meats including the carved ham, bacon, and sausage. The asparagus was unbelievably good on this visit, and it continues to be a major favorite of mine. The ham is another favorite, and I can't not get it from the carving station on every visit.I was disappointed on this visit to hear that they didn't have turkey on the carving station, which they usually do. The chef said they are rotating it with other meats, and on the day I visited it was corned beef, which was not gluten free.Bummer.Still, there were a ton of breakfast meat options to choose from.Though not photographed, I did also have a bowl of pap, which is a fancy word for grits. It's really hit or miss whether the ones on the buffet contain dairy, and on this visit they did. The chef brought me some from the back. They went perfectly with my custom omelet that contained ham and onion along with baked breakfast potatoes.The regular breakfast potatoes are gluten free, but are fried in a shared fryer, which means cross-contamination might occur. Because of this, the chef made me some baked ones. Sadly, she didn't really season them at all, so they were really boring and bland. I managed to salvage them by adding some salt and pepper, but still. They could have used some of Boma's signature Afritude seasoning that they use, which is gluten free and dairy free.The chef also baked me some plantains. They had the same issue as the potatoes with a shared fryer. Again, this was another underwhelming option. They didn't have any flavoring at all, making them just really bland. My stepdad ate a ton of them, but they weren't high on my must eat list that morning.The best part of the meal had to be my allergy friendly Mickey waffles. I was able to add a few fun toppings for something different. I got toasted coconut, walnuts, and banana chips. Note that these were all served on the side and separately, as the allergy Mickey waffles are prepared in dedicated waffle makers.The allergy friendly Mickey waffles were served plain and with 100% pure maple syrup, along with my toppings on the side. The waffles at Boma are currently made with a combination of Bob's Red Mill Pancake & Waffle Mix and Namaste Pancake & Waffle Mix.They were absolutely perfect with the added toppings to them. The waffles themselves were crispy but not overly chewy. Thankfully, they were really well cooked, and I could dig into them happily. If you're just gluten free, you can get a bananas foster sauce there too, which is a nice option. But, I've really become partial to adding mix and match toppings to the waffles.I forgot to take a photo, but the chef also brought out an Udi's Gluten Free Muffin, Kinnikinnick donut, and some mini brownie cupcakes from Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC, the gluten free and allergy friendly bakery at Disney Springs. This was a nice little touch. But, it was also a ton of food. Thankfully, they gave me a small to-go box for my baked goods to take with me. Though this isn't usually allowed at buffets, I have found that if you have a special diet, they will let you take extra food home with you, which is so nice.

Overall

Boma continues to be one of my favorite brunch spots at Disney. This visit wasn't the best in terms of food quality, with some underseasoned and bland dishes, but overall, I always find the breakfast there to be delicious and filling. Plus, the amazing allergy friendly Mickey waffles there and carving station make it a must do for me.Have you been to Boma? What is your favorite meal there?

Jiko -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House

*This dining experience took place in December 2016.Jiko: The Cooking Place, a signature table service restaurant, is located at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. African inspired, it features an upscale menu with unique flavors. I've had hit or miss experiences with Jiko, but I had a wonderful experience last fall when dining at the chef's counter.On this particular occasion, we dined at Jiko for Brandon's birthday. Last year, we went to Artist Point which was fabulous, but we knew we wanted to do something different this year. We both love the atmosphere and ambiance in Jiko, especially that the restaurant actually changes color throughout your meal, in order to represent an African Sunset.We went with a medium size group and were seated in the cozy booths in the back of the restaurant.Jiko carries an allergy-friendly menu, though it's important to note that you can ask for a chef at any time. I chose to order on the menu, without a chef consult on this visit, though I often do ask to speak with a chef.I'm not sure what it is about signature dining restaurants, but they always seem to carry Ener-G rolls, which are allergy-friendly and vegan. I'm not a big fan of these, as they turn hard as a rock almost immediately, so I was definitely disappointed to see these rolls. I much prefer the Deanna's Gluten Free (formerly known as GNI Brand Rolls), which are also allergy friendly and so much tastier.I was served a side of butter with sea salt, but you can easily get extra virgin olive oil upon request. I didn't really eat the rolls because they were not very well heated.On a side note, Brandon did order a cheese plate, and I'm assuming you could easily get it gluten free with some slight modifications.While the rolls were really disappointing, I was more than pleasantly surprised with my entree. I decided to get the 7 oz Oak-grilled Filet Mignon with Pumpin Pap “Isidudu,” Brussels Sprouts, Caramelized Onions, and a South African Red Wine Sauce. This dish contains dairy, but can be modified to be dairy free, as well as gluten free (you'd get marble potatoes instead of pap, etc.)Wow. The flavors in this dish were outstanding. The filet was perfectly cooked and tender (served butterfly style) and the pap was creamy and delicious. The absolute stars of the dish were the Brussels Sprouts (my favorite), caramelized onions, and red wine sauce. I could have drank that red wine sauce; it was that good!There were a lot of dishes on the menu that I was interested in. Normally, I don't go for beef, but I'm glad I did. This was super delicious and a perfect meal for a birthday celebration. I'm also partial to the maize crusted fish, which I've had gluten free & dairy free on several occasions and is delicious.Have you been to Jiko? What is your favorite menu item to order when you go there?

Boma -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House

*This dining experience took place in December 2016.Boma: Flavors of Africa, is a table service buffet located at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House. Hands down, if someone asked me what my favorite breakfast was on Disney property, this restaurant would be it. I love everything about Boma - from the theming to the food.On this particular visit, I was joined by my family for an early holiday celebration. We all adore Boma, and since I had booked a DVC villa for my family at Jambo House, breakfast at Boma was a no-brainer.Boma is a buffet, which can be scary for those of us with special diets. The stuff of cross-contamination nightmares, buffets outside of Disney are places I avoid. But thankfully, Disney is really amazing with handling buffets for special dietary needs guests.Typically, the chef will first walk you through the buffet, noting items free of the special dietary ingredients you need to avoid. If you're comfortable dining straight off the buffet after this tour, you can. However, I often ask for food items from the kitchen to ensure safety. Much of the Boma buffet is gluten free, so I do a bit of a mix here; I tend to get a few things off the buffet and then request the remaining items from the kitchen. Of course, you'll want to use whatever strategy you're most comfortable with. Chefs will make all of your food from the kitchen, so you don't have to get items off the buffet at all, if you prefer too!Prior to getting to speak with a chef, our server brought us drinks. I always go for unsweetened iced tea and the signature juice -- Jungle Juice. It's a combination of orange juice, passion fruit juice and guava juice. Yum!After my tour of the buffet with the chef, I opted to get a few things off the line. This included grilled asparagus (a favorite for me), pap (grits), turkey, ham, bacon, and sausage. I also got some hot quinoa, which is now served with apples and grapes in it. I can't say I loved that combination, but it was nice to see it served in a different way besides plain.The carving station meats (turkey and ham) are perfection. Both are super moist, tasty, and just perfect for brunch. Even better, I had grilled asparagus and pap to enjoy with it. I was not a big fan of the sausage (really greasy on this visit), and the bacon wasn't anything special.I always always get fresh fruit at Boma. I don't know what it is, but I swear they have the best pineapple there. Pineapple is a fruit I can't get enough of, so I got a few small servings throughout my meal.The chef also prepared me a custom omelet, which I got with ham, onions, and cheddar cheese. Because I've been adding a bit of dairy back into my diet, I decided to get the cheese, and it was a really nice addition. I've also had an omelet with goat cheese on previous visits, if you are looking for a non-cow's milk option too.The breakfast potatoes on the buffet line have a cross-contamination risk now, as they are fried in a shared fryer. Because of this, the chef made me some in the back, sauteed with olive oil. And they were super crispy and delicious.And because you need Mickey waffles, I got the allergy friendly ones. They are currently being made at Boma as a blend of Namaste mix and Bob's Red Mill pancake & waffle mix. I thought they were extra crispy on this visit. I still personally prefer the straight Bob's Red Mill Pancake & Waffle mix myself, but at least they weren't the awful ones using the new mix served at some locations like Captain's Grille.If you're feeling fancy, ask the chef for banana chips or any other kind of topping you'd like to add to the waffles and your pure maple syrup. So good!Overall, I can't say enough good things about Boma. Their breakfast is outstanding and really delicious, and they have a ton of gluten free and dairy free options!Have you been to Boma? What has your experience been when you visited?

Boma -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House

*This dining experience took place in June 2016.Boma: Flavors of Africa is a table service restaurant located at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House Resort that offers breakfast and dinner options -- all buffet style.Despite the fact that it's a buffet (which are always cross contamination nightmares for those of us with many special dietary needs), Boma is the perfect spot for a wonderful meal, because the chefs there are so amazing and providing safe options and even bringing you food from the back of the kitchen to ensure safety.Boma continues to my favorite brunch spot on Disney property because the food is amazing with lots of gluten free and dairy free options and even has some unique dishes to round out the meal. I enjoy dinner at Boma, but if I had to pick breakfast or dinner at Boma, I'd pick breakfast every time.On this particular occasion, I went to brunch with Alexis from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures. We both love Boma, so it was a great choice. You can read her full review on her blog.After arriving and being seated, our server brought us Jungle Juice, which is a combination of passion fruit, guava, and orange juices and is really delicious. It's a lot of sugar, so I usually only drink one glass of this.Once we got our drinks, the chef came out to go through the buffet with us. We asked if she could bring most of our food from the kitchen, with the only exceptions being the fresh fruit and the carving station meats.Every time I go to Boma, I have to get the fresh pineapple. I don't know what it is, but Boma always has the freshest best tasting pineapple. This visit was no exception!I did also go to the carving station which has smoked ham and smoked turkey on it. The chef carves it fresh for you at the carving station, and it's always amazing. Check with a chef about any of the accompaniments at the carving station. Typically, the only sauce that is gluten free and dairy free is the sambal. Sadly, the Boma mustard contains gluten.The chef brought out several items for me, including grilled asparagus (a Boma favorite), bacon, breakfast potatoes, and allergy friendly Mickey waffles. The Mickey waffles were made from Namaste mix, and I topped them with banana chips and warm pure maple syrup. They were extra crispy, which was great.I also ordered a ham, onion, and goat cheese omelet. Though they do have an omelet station, I asked if the chef could make this in the kitchen. Usually I really love the omelets at Boma, but I found that the amount of goat cheese in this dish made the flavors too overpowering. It was OK, but next time I would order without it.I also ordered a side of pap, which is basically grits.You can also request a variety of breakfast pastries, but since I was going to a work conference that day, I opted to skip them. Typically, Boma has Udi's Gluten Free pastries (like muffins and bagels) and Kinnikinnick donuts.Once Alexis and I stuffed ourselves silly with delicious breakfast offerings, we decided to take a stroll through the Jambo House grounds. I love that you can see the Savannah and check out all the amazing animals at the lodge, while you are there!Overall, I can't recommend Boma enough. It's been a consistently great option for brunch and always has amazing options that are safe and delicious. I can't wait to go back and brunch here again soon.Have you been to Boma? What do you love about this table service restaurant?

Mara -- Lunch/Dinner -- Quick Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House

*This dining experience took place in August 2015. The Mara, located at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House, may very well be one of my most favorite quick service locations on property. I love that you can get standard Disney fare like burgers and fries but also get quick service options that are totally different than anywhere else on property. From African Stew to Pap, there's something unique to try at any meal at the Mara. And the best part? Many of their unique items are naturally gluten free and/or dairy free.On this particular occasion, I stopped by for dinner and wanted something easy. The restaurant does now carry the allergy friendly menus, but don't let that deter you from speaking to a chef if you are interested in something outside of the main menu. During this meal though, I opted for the chicken tenders straight off the allergy friendly menu.Once ordered, I was given a pager and told to come back when the pager went off. I would say there was about a 10 minute wait overall, which gave me some time to explore the quick service location, and pick up a bottle of South African wine to take back to my DVC room for the evening. The Mara has a great selection of reasonably priced wines available for purchase. This one was a bit sweet for my taste but not bad.The allergy friendly chicken tenders, as always, were delicious. Super crisp and perfectly fried. They are great with a side of French fries. Do note that there has been some changes in the distributor of the allergy friendly chicken tenders as of Fall 2015, so these tenders may not be the same when you dine at a Disney restaurant. At press time, they are currently using Saffron Road chicken tenders.Have you been to the Mara? What did you enjoy when you dined there? 

Jiko -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House

*This dining experience took place in August 2015.Jiko, located at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House, is the signature dining location of AKL. Set to resemble an African sunset, the restaurant is a gorgeous place to have a celebratory meal or romantic evening. Even more amazing is that the lighting in the restaurant subtly changes throughout the evening to reflect the actual African sunset. How amazing!On this particular occasion, I dined at Jiko but wanted to sit at the open air chef's table, which is a lovely and approachable way to dine solo at Disney. I also knew I didn't want a full meal, so getting a glass of wine and a gluten free flatbread seemed like a great option.I haven't been to Jiko in a few years, and a recent stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge gave me the perfect excuse to visit. One of Jiko's amazing features is that they have the 2nd largest collection of South African wines in the world (the first location is actually IN South Africa), so if you are a wine lover, this is a restaurant for you.If you're dining solo, I can highly recommend the Chef's Table. You get a chance to watch the action and even interact with members of the culinary team.Since Jiko is known for their South African wines, I ordered the Black Pearl which is a mix of Cabernet Sauvignon & Shiraz. It was delicious and a great red wine to order with my meal.Though the restaurant does have an allergy friendly menu, I did ask to speak to the chef, as I was hoping they might be able to make me a flatbread gluten free. As the chef noted, they don't normally carry the Udi's gluten free pizza crusts at Jiko anymore, but he offered to get one from the Mara so that I could have a flatbread. He said this might take a bit of time, so he brought me some Udi's Gluten Free rolls with extra virgin olive oil, and I ordered a salad.I opted for the Jiko Salad which was Poached Pears, Heirloom Spinach, Kobocha Squash and Pear Vinaigrette and marked gluten free and dairy free on the allergy friendly menu. I can't say I loved this salad. It seemed underdressed, a little too bitter, and bland.For my flatbread, I ordered the Roasted Cauliflower flatbread which had Bhuna Masala, Roasted Cipollini Onions, and normally comes with Lamb Chopper Cheese. I have been trying to experiment with non-cow's milk cheese, so I asked if they could add a small amount of goat cheese to the flatbread. The Purple Haze goat cheese worked really well with this dish, and I'm excited that I am being able to add some sheep and goat milk into my diet successfully on occasion.This flatbread was outstanding, and one I wouldn't hesitate to order again. The flavors were so good, and if you loved roasted cauliflower (like I do), you will love this. Hands down a big winner for me.I love going to Jiko for an appetizer and drink. It's such an affordable way to experience the restaurant without breaking the bank. As a DVC member, I also saved 10% which also helped with affordability. You can read Gluten Free in Orlando's full dinner review on her blog.Have you been to Jiko? What did you order when you dined there? 

Boma: Flavors of Africa -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge

*This dining experience took place in May 2015.Boma: Flavors of Africa has long been regarded as one of the best buffets at Disney World, and they are well-known for their delicious brunch. In fact, the Disney Food Blog ranked high on their, "The Best Thing I Ever Ate at Disney: Breakfast" list. While the options featured on the Disney Food Blog aren't exactly gluten free and dairy free friendly, there are tons of special diets friendly meal offerings at Boma brunch, which is one of the many reasons it's my personal favorite breakfast buffet on Disney property. Alexis from Gluten Free in Orlando also enjoys this buffet breakfast, and you can read about her previous visits, including the gluten free Bananas Foster & Pecan Praline Mickey waffles, on her blog. On this particular occasion, my visit to Boma was a special request from my mom. We were celebrating Mother's Day, and this was her pick for brunch. My entire family loves Boma because the food is so delicious and the offerings are different than a typical breakfast buffet (though you will find a lot of common brunch options available).Usually when I dine at Boma, I see Chef Frank, Chef Chris, or Chef Vickie but on this visit Chef Norma helped me out. She was just as terrific as the other Boma chefs and really went above and beyond to make my breakfast delicious and safe. Typically, the chefs will walk the buffet line with you, pointing out safe items for your special dietary needs. Of course, it is a buffet, so cross-contamination is always a potential risk. The culinary team is terrific at bringing items from the back for you. On this visit, a good portion of my food came from the back to avoid cross-contamination. I usually get the carved meats and grilled items from the buffet but ask for the rest from the back. That includes omelets and allergy Mickey waffles. First up was the carving and grill station. Both the carved turkey and ham on the breakfast buffet are safe to consume and oh so delicious. Their ham is probably my most favorite on property. I also love the grilled tomatoes, grilled asparagus (which was insanely good on this visit), chakalaka (stewed tomatoes and peppers), and pap (which is now completely dairy free, only using water to make it). The breakfast meats on the buffet (sausage and bacon) are also gluten free and dairy free. Chef Norma mentioned that the tater tots are gluten free and dairy free but are placed directly next to the bread pudding and offered to bring me fresh tater tots from the back. I have to say that I loved the seasoning on the tots. The African spices along with the fried tots was the perfect combination. Ever since Chef Frank introduced me to the banana walnut gluten free and dairy free Mickey waffles, I've been hooked. Made with banana chips and toasted walnuts and piping hot real maple syrup, these are easily my favorite thing about Boma brunch. This time, I restrained myself and only ordered two. Chef Normal also brought out an Udi's blueberry muffin and some Enjoy Life Cookies. They also still have Kinnikinnick donuts on hand, and I should have asked for one. I haven't had them in ages, and they are always a delicious breakfast treat. Of course, I did not go hungry at this breakfast by any means. I also got a ham and onion omelet. I get this every time I go to Boma (for like 5+ years). I love the diced ham they have here and the finely chopped onions. Best omelets EVER! Another staple is the hot quinoa. I was told by Chef Normal that they oatmeal they use is now gluten free, but she wasn't able to tell me the brand (I know that Bob's Red Mill and Ancient Harvest are currently being used on property, as of this post). And lastly (as if I hadn't eaten enough at this point), I had fresh pineapple. This is another must-do when I dine at Boma. I get it every time, and I swear there pineapple is some of the best.  Overall, I can't say enough good things about Boma. It really is one of my Disney must-do's! I usually visit several times a year because it's just that good. If you are more of a dinner person, they also have a wonderful dinner buffet as well. Have you been to Boma? Which do you prefer -- breakfast or dinner? 

The Mara -- Lunch/Dinner -- Quick Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House

*This dining experience took place in October 2014.The Mara, located at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge - Jambo House, is one of my favorite quick service locations at Disney. Where else can you get African stew and gluten free (not dairy free) zebra domes?Because I have Disney Vacation Club, I often stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge when I'm at the parks and resorts for a long weekend, especially during holiday events and runDisney races. This visit timed up with my first runDisney race of the season, the Happy Haunted 5K during the Tower of Terror 10 Miler race weekend. Sure, I don't really need to carb-load before a race, but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy a few pre-race treats.I decided to stop by the Mara for lunch and was greeted by Chef Frank, who recently made me some amazing allergy Mickey waffles with toppings at Boma. Good thing I'm going to visit there for a post-race breakfast after the Jingle Jungle 5K!On a previous visit to the Mara, Chef Chris made me the Barbecue Bacon Burger, and it was outstanding, especially the barbecue sauce. When I arrived a the Mara, I saw it was back on the menu. Yep, that sounded like the perfect lunch to me. Chef Frank asked if I wanted to try it on an Udi's Pizza Crust, as a bit of a twist along with some additional toppings. Always one to try something different, I told him I was game.What he presented to me, was a beautiful (if that's the right word for a burger) presentation. It just looked delicious! The burger was topped with barbecue sauce, sauteed peppers and onions, cucumber slices, fresh tomato and lettuce -- all wrapped neatly in an Udi's Gluten Free pizza crust that was perfectly heated. On the side, Chef Frank added extra barbecue sauce for the French fries. Talk about a condiment upgrade!The burger itself was delicious and the accompaniments were a nice twist. As much as a loved the regular barbecue bacon burger, this was as equally delicious. I would definitely order it again jazzed up this way.Chef Chris also popped by during my lunch and brought me a nice treat - an OMG It's Gluten Free (and dairy free) chocolate chip cookie. You know, to keep my race strength up!As always, the Mara continues to be a delicious quick service option. If you're staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge (either Kidani Village or Jambo House), this is the place to go.Have you been to the Mara? What are your favorite offerings there?

Mara -- Lunch/Dinner -- Quick Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House

*This dining experience took place in September 2014.The Mara, located in Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, is one of my favorite resort quick service restaurants. I frequently stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, as a DVC member, and it's my go-to spot for a quick bite that's a little out of the ordinary (and beyond allergy chicken tenders -- though they do serve them there!). With African inspired flavors, you're sure to have a variety of options that will delight your taste buds.On this particular occasion, I stopped by for lunch before we headed to the pool for an afternoon swim and then later to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. On a previous visit, I enjoyed the African Stew, a dish that I had to check out after reading my friend Alexis over at Gluten Free in Orlando's review! This time, I knew I wanted something else, and I saw a dish that caught my eye on the daily menu specials -- the Barbecue Bacon Burger. Once I got up to the ordering station, I notified the cast member that I had special diets and he called over Chef Chris. Chef Chris also works at Boma, and I've seen him many times at breakfast, so I knew I'd be taken care of. I asked Chef Chris if they could make the burger gluten free and dairy free, and I was excited when he said yes. Woohoo! I love a good sauce, and I was hoping that the sauce was house-made. (it was). While I waited, I was given a pager and made myself cozy in the Mara dining area. The Mara has such amazing murals and decor. It's a great place to just sit and rest, especially in the afternoon when it's slow.Once my pager went off, I met Chef Chris near the ordering area. I was ready for my burger and fries. Chef Chris told me that the bun was Local Oven and that the bacon was a nice thick cut bacon, not that stringy stuff they normally serve. Gotta love that chefs aren't fans of the stringy bacon either!It might not be much to look at this, but this burger was really quite good. The bacon was excellent and the burger was well cooked (you could add cheese to this, if you wanted to). But the house-made barbecue sauce really made it. It was a little sweet and super flavorful. It had some type of spices in it but I couldn't identify them. It was the perfect sauce though, and if it's featured the next time I'm there, I'm asking for extra sauce on the side...for dipping in fries, of course!I wasn't planning on getting dessert but Chef Chris surprised me with some OMG It's Gluten Free & Dairy Free chocolate chip cookies for the road. What a nice extra touch!I also could have purchased a 4 pack of the mini brownie cupcakes from Babycakes NYC. The Mara is one of the locations that always has them on hand.Overall, the Mara continues to be one of my favorite resort quick service spots. It's quality and the chefs there are always terrific. I'll be heading back there soon, and I can't wait to try other offerings available!I'd give this a solid 8 out of 10.Have you been to the Mara? What are your favorite items to order here? 

Boma -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House

*This dining experience took place in August 2014.Boma: Flavors of Africa, located in Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge - Jambo House, is one of my favorite places for brunch on property. It's reasonably priced breakfast buffet and unique offerings make it a good value and a great dining experience. Adding to this, the restaurant is terrific at accommodating guests with special dietary needs and makes dining at a buffet meal much less stressful (and delicious!).Boma serves both breakfast and dinner, but breakfast is by far my favorite of the two meal offerings. You can read gluten free dinner reviews from my friend Alexis at Gluten Free in Orlando who is a big fan of dinner at Boma! The day before, I had dined at the Mara and was greeted by Chef Frank who mentioned he would be at Boma the next morning. And sure enough, Chef Frank was there to go through the options with me. Before we made our rounds through the buffet, our server also brought along some Jungle Juice (combination of passion fruit, guava, and orange juices) and unsweetened ice tea. Perfect way to start the morning! Once I had some caffeine flowing, Chef Frank and I toured the breakfast buffet. From carved meat to hot quinoa cereal, there are plenty of off the buffet items that I can enjoy. They will also bring many of these items from the back if you ask. I also opted for a custom made omelet (my favorite at Boma), some allergy Mickey waffles, and various breakfast pastries. Let's just say that I did not go hungry at this meal. First up were my offerings from the buffet. I always get the carved turkey and carved ham from the carving station. The sambal chili sauce is safe but their Boma mustard is not (it contains soy sauce). I also grabbed my favorite grilled asparagus which is smoky and hearty and my hands down favorite breakfast item at Boma. Some other offerings included the pap (similar to grits), chakalaka (stewed tomatoes), and tater tots. I must say that I did miss the Boma breakfast potatoes that they usually have present. Tater tots are OK but Boma breakfast potatoes are amazing! Hot quinoa is another Boma favorite, and I get it with brown sugar and raisins. If you are concerned about cross contamination (hot oats are nearby which are not certified gluten free), I recommend asking for the toppings from the back. Fruit at Boma is a must. I don't know what it is about Boma but they always have amazingly fresh fruit. I learned from Gluten Free in Orlando that Boma has bananas foster version of their allergy Mickey waffles. Of course, that means lots of dairy but that didn't stop Chef Frank from coming up with a terrific version that was different and unique. He made allergy Mickey waffles and served them with dried bananas and walnuts (on the side) and hot real maple syrup.  All I have to say is "WOW!" Super delicious. I love allergy Mickey waffles, and these were cooked to perfection. Add in warmed maple syrup and the fruit & nut topping, well, let's just say it was more than divine! I started to eat my other meal offerings first but Chef Frank made sure to encourage me to eat the waffles first while they were piping hot. Good call! (and yes, I ate every last bite of them)In addition to my regular buffet plate, Chef Frank also brought me an omelet made with ham and onion (my go-to Boma combination). This was a great protein boost post the sugar coma that was my allergy Mickey waffle plate (so worth it).  To add to all of the deliciousness, Chef Frank also brought me out a bounty of breakfast pastries that included Kinnikinnick donuts, Udi's muffins, and Enjoy Life cookies. Thankfully, he suggested that I get a to-go bag for them to take them back to my room or in the park as a snack. Typically, you cannot take to-go items from a buffet, but as a special diets diner, they will often allow you to take special diets products with you. I definitely enjoyed these later down the road as a snack!As you can tell, I did not leave Boma hungry. In fact, it's a great brunch spot that will fill you up for most of the day. The food is always terrific for breakfast, and I love how many options I have available to me. Chef Frank really went above and beyond to make my dining experience great, and the food he prepared was stellar. The allergy Mickey waffles were crisp and delicious and some of the best I've ever had on property! Overall, Boma continues to remain one of my top breakfast choices at Disney and my favorite breakfast buffet. I am looking forward to dining here again soon! (maybe for the Jingle Jungle 5K post-race meal). I give this a solid 9 out of 10. Those allergy Mickey waffles with dried bananas and walnuts blew me away! Have you been to Boma for breakfast? What is your favorite buffet item?

Mara -- Lunch/Dinner -- Quick Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House

*This dining experience took place in August 2014.The Mara, located in Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge - Jambo House, is one of my favorite quick service locations in the resorts. With African inspired fare, they have a really great variety of options that are also very special diets friendly. It's one of my go-to spots for quick service breakfast (their breakfast potatoes are outstanding), though I also enjoy it for lunch and dinner. On this particular occasion, I stopped by for lunch. I was staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge for a long weekend, and I had grand plans to sit around the pool, read, and relax. So, having lunch at the Mara was on my short list of things to do.The menu at the Mara has  a lot of traditional offerings, like the ones on the image above from the menu in the restaurant. However, I wanted to check out the African Stew. It had been a very long time since I'd had it and my friend Alexis from Gluten Free in Orlando had raved about the African Stew when she visited recently. I was greeted by Chef Frank who came over from the Boma kitchen (one of the benefits of having the Mara and Boma share many of the same kitchen facilities), and he went over options with me. I knew fairly early on that I was interested in the African Stew, and he let me sample a bit to see if I still wanted to order it. The African stew is made beef, turkey, ham, carrots, potatoes, peas, chickpeas, and raisins - in a coconut milk broth. It is served over Basmatic rice, which means it's a hearty dish.I decided to get that, and I loved that the dish needed no modifications at all for gluten free and dairy free diners. As you can see, the portion is huge. So huge, in fact, that I was unable to finish it. With sweet and salty notes, this dish gives you a lot of different flavors in a small bite. The curry flavor was very mild, so even if you think you might be overwhelmed by curry, I would recommend asking for a sample. It really is an approachable version of this stew. I liked the variety of vegetables and meats in this dish, and I equally enjoyed the hint of sweetness from the raisins and the coconut milk. It was subtle but definitely there. Overall, I really enjoyed the African Stew. It was something different to order outside of the typical allergy chicken tenders that I so often order there and at other quick service locations. It would be the perfect entree for a cool winter day in Florida (and yes, we do get those) or a filling dinner. I would definitely order this one again!A solid 7 out of 10 for this dining experience for great flavors and a naturally gluten free and dairy free dish. Have you been to the Mara? Have you tried the African Stew? What are your favorite dishes to order at this quick service location? 

Boma: Flavors of Africa -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House

*This dining experience took place in July 2014.Boma: Flavors of Africa has consistently been one of my most favorite places to have brunch on Disney property. Their breakfast is outstanding, and I absolutely adore the African inspired food served at this location. However, it's been several years since I've dined at Boma for dinner. My friend Alexis from Gluten Free in Orlando along with some other friends have raved about dinner at Boma, and since it's been so long I knew I needed to go again soon. And as luck would have it, I got an invite to have dinner with a friend at Boma recently, and I was so excited to go check it out.Both my friend and I are gluten free and dairy free. I have to admit, I dine out a lot with gluten free folks but having another GFDF person to dine with is kind of nice! I also don't remember the last time I dined at a buffet with another special diets person, so I loved getting to walk the buffet with a fellow special diets diner.When were seated our server took our drink orders and shortly thereafter the chef came out to greet us. Chef Brian was very nice and told us we were going to have some fun with dinner and that we'd have plenty to eat. He took us around the buffet which is set-up in an almost identical fashion to breakfast. There are pods that have certain "themes" to them (i.e. kids section, meat section, fruit section, etc.).In the first pod, we could have the Chakalaka (also on the breakfast menu) and basmati rice. From there, we went to the carving station which included a sirloin and beef short ribs. The ribs are only served on a few nights a week - one of them being Saturday (which was the night we visited). The chef also let us know what sauces were safe or not.Moving on to the next pod, we could have Durban chicken. In the next bay, the kiddos section, we could have the chicken legs. For the veggies, we could have the broccolini as well as succotash. The chef also mentioned that we could have the peanut rice, but Alexis from Gluten Free in Orlando had warned that it may contain soy sauce in it. I forgot to follow-up with him on the ingredients but ended up passing on eating it. There were also salads, fruit, and hummus that we could all. For the salads and hummus, Chef Brian brought us some from the back.One thing that I had been looking forward to (and hoping) to try was the FuFu. It's a mix of sweet potatoes and regular potatoes and I heard was amazing. Unfortunately, it contains butter, so it wasn't safe for us dairy free folks but it is gluten free. I asked if there was any chance we could have some made for us dairy free but with the busy restaurant, they weren't able to accommodate this meal. However, Chef Brian told me to ask in advance and they could probably make it happen. He also gave us the recipe for FuFu to recreate it at home (and dairy free!).I have to say, Boma really is full of flavor. The first thing I dove into was the sausage and lentil soup. There were two soups that were gluten free and dairy free that night - this one and the vegetarian lentil soup which was also vegan. I didn't get a chance to try the vegan soup but this one was very flavorful. It was hearty and rich, and although I sometimes have a bit of problems with sausage (it's a bit of a Crohn's trigger for me), this one was fairly mild and very tasty.The salads provided interesting textures and flavors. My favorite by far was the chicken and cilantro salad. I love cilantro, though I will say that if you are adverse to cilantro, you might like this version. It was very mild! The lentil salad with hearts of palm was just OK, in my opinion. The lentils were very "crunchy" in terms of texture though I liked the balsamic dressing on it.  And then of course, there was the hummus. You know me. Total condiment queen! And a hummus addict to boot. I am mildly addicted to the roasted red pepper hummus from Sanaa, so I was looking forward to Boma's version. I have to say, Sanaa's version is still my favorite but the one from Boma was pretty great too. The kalamata olive hummus was outstanding. I basically had to make sure they took the plate away because I kept eating it and eating it. For the main entrees, I loved the Durban chicken. This was hands down my favorite thing. Super flavorful, well cooked and just delicious. No dry boring chicken here! I also really enjoyed the short ribs. Who knew?! I usually avoid beef, but I thought I'd try these as they had been slow cooked. The sauce was really good, and I'd love to see a pork version of these ribs. That would be amazing. The broccolini was also quite nice as an accompaniment. I liked the spices in it a lot! I think the only things I missed from breakfast were the turkey and ham at the carving stations and the grilled asparagus. Those are my Boma weaknesses! There's no way I can leave Boma without getting fruit. There is something about the pineapple they serve here. It's just so fresh and ripe. It's the best!  As gluten free and dairy free diners, our dessert choices were a bit more limited than gluten free diners. We could choose from Tofutti and Rice Dream, Enjoy Life Cookies and Babycakes mini brownie cupcakes. Both my friend and I are never ones to turn down Babycakes, so we opted to share a plate of the mini brownie cupcakes. You can also get Babycakes cupcakes at the Mara too! To say we were both full was an understatement!  Overall, I was really pleased with my dinner at Boma. It was filling and flavorful! Add in having wonderful company, and that's my idea of a great evening out at Disney. I would give this meal a solid 7.5 out of 10. The only points off for me were the lack of more gluten free and dairy free items, but it's a treasure trove for gluten free only guests! I'm looking forward to going back again soon! Of course, now I want to go to brunch too! Have you been to Boma? What were your favorite buffet items? 

Mara -- Dinner -- Quick Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House

*This dining experience took place in February 2014.The Mara is perhaps one of my favorite quick service locations on Disney property and easily one of my tops for a resort quick service restaurant. I love the African inspired food and the quality of food that is served at this location. This location is also extremely special diets friendly and has a ton of options for guests who are gluten free and dairy free.On this particular occasion, I stopped by for dinner on the evening before my last race of the 2013-2014 runDisney race season - the Royal Family 5K. I didn't want to order anything too complicated or outside of my normal realm of food choices, especially so I didn't upset my stomach for race day.I will say that this restaurant was packed (around 6 p.m.) that night and there were a ton of other racers also dining there. Of course, there was pasta as a pre-race special but I'm not a huge GF pasta fan, so I skipped that option. Once I got to the front of the line, I asked for a chef and they quickly brought out one to chat with me. I forgot to write down his name, but he was a very friendly older gentleman who was very willing to go over options with me. Here are some options he gave me:

• Angus Bacon Burger with fries (on a GF/DF bun)
• Allergy chicken tenders with fries
• Flatbread minus the cheese
• Oak-smoked Rotisserie Chicken substitute something else for the mashed potatoes
• Mara Salad with Chicken
• African Stew
• Harissa Salmon (with some substitutions - can't remember what though)

There were a few other options that I can't recall, but ultimately, I decided to go with the allergy chicken tenders and fries. I know, I know...kinda boring, but I knew they wouldn't upset my stomach, plus they are just darn delicious!While I waited for my food I got a chance to check out the restaurant to see if there were any special diets options available, and wouldn't you know it I found the Babycakes NYC cupcakes. They are the mini cupcakes in a 4 pack, and it's great that you can find these here.I also noticed that they had boxes out for runners with bagels, etc. I have to say that it would be really great if they offered some alternatives for guests who have special dietary needs too. It doesn't seem like it would be too hard to accommodate!Once I got my chicken tenders (which came out faster than some other people's non-special diets meals!), I headed back to my villa at Kidani Village. I got to rest up and enjoy my dinner while watching the Must Do's on TV. The must do's are simply a must do!As usual, the allergy chicken tenders were perfect. They actually did a great job frying these (almost as good as Columbia Harbour House!) - though the fries were a little soggy by the time I got back to my room. Either way, it was exactly what I wanted before my race and quite delicious.Next time I visit the Mara, I'll have to try something else. It's been forever since I've had the African Stew and the Mara Salad also sounded interesting.I'd give this experience an 8 out of 10.Have you been to the Mara? What are your favorite dishes here?

The Mara -- Lunch/Dinner -- Quick Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge

*This dining experience took place in January 2014.The Mara at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge offers African inspired quick service fare at a reasonable price with a nice variety for guests craving more than just burgers and fries. Nestled near the pool area of Animal Kingdom Lodge - Jambo House, this is the only quick service location at the resort.On this particular occasion, I stopped by the Mara the day before my runDisney Marathon Weekend Family Fun Run 5K and I wanted to grab something before my dinner at Be Our Guest Restaurant. I didn't want anything substantial, just a little something to tide me over. When I arrived, I notified a cast member who then got the chef. Once the chef came out, he asked me what I wanted. I told him that I wanted probably a kids meal - something lighter. He said I could have a burger and fries, which I did not want, a pizza, which I also did not want (sorry but Disney & pizza just do not mix!), a turkey sandwich, and chicken tenders. I asked if I could get the chicken tenders as a kids meal and he said yes; however, he did not prepare a kids meal and I was charged for an adult meal. Ah well, you win some you lose some. I should have gone with the turkey sandwich, and in the future I may grab that when I visit the Mara. The chef also offered me French fries with my chicken tenders but I opted for green beans instead.The allergy chicken tenders are the same that you will find throughout Disney property. I like them a lot, though I think some locations are better at frying than others (for example Columbia Harbour House has frying down to an art!). I'm so thankful that Disney has dedicated allergy fryers, that I can't really complain even when they aren't as crispy as I would like. These were fairly well done and quite delicious. I do kind of wish locations like this would make their own dipping sauces. I could imagine a really tasty African inspired BBQ sauce with these tenders.The green beans were good but spicy. Almost a little too spicy for me. I thought the spices on them were a little too heavy and that they could have scaled back a little. I really enjoyed the sauteed onion in the green beans and the beans were cooked down well for me -- which is helpful when you have Crohn's. I'd get these again but might check to see if they are pre-made or they could scale down the seasoning.Overall, this was a nice quick meal for me and satisfied my hunger in between breakfast and my big dinner at Be Our Guest Restaurant. I'd give this a 7 out of 10. The food was not bad but not amazing either. A middle of the road experience.Have you been to the Mara for lunch or dinner? What do you recommend readers order?

The Mara -- Breakfast -- Quick Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge

*This dining experience took place in January 2014.What better way to start the day than with a breakfast at the Mara in Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. For a unique and delicious quick service breakfast, the Mara can't be beat. Serving up classic American breakfast fare to Africa inspired options, there is certainly a lot of variety for guests visiting the Mara.On this particular occasion, I visited post-runDisney race. Having just finished the Family Fun Run 5K during the Marathon Weekend events, I was ready for a hearty meal and of course, those allergy friendly Mickey waffles. A girl's gotta get her carbs in after a tough race!Upon arrival, I notified a cast member that I had a special diet. They then got Chef Vickie, who assisted me not that long ago at Boma post-Jingle Jungle 5K, so I knew she would be able to provide me with a great breakfast. I told her that I was interested in the bounty platter but no sausage (typically it comes with bacon and sausage) and asked if I could make a strange request. I was really craving the Boma grilled asparagus and I asked if it was possible to swap that sausage out for asparagus. I was surprised when she said yes! I also got two allergy Mickey waffles.It did take a little bit for the food to come out, and when it did it was missing Mickey waffles. Chef Vickie explained that they had to make a batch for me and it might take a few minutes. She did offer me Kinnikinnick muffins and/or donuts in exchange (which I love) but you know me, I gotta have my Mickey waffles!I have to say that the Mara consistently has one of the best quick service breakfasts on property. 1. Their scrambled eggs are always made fresh for me and they don't taste like they've been made in a giant batch. 2. The breakfast potatoes are amazing. I love the seasoning on them. They are also the same ones you can get at Boma. 3. They have a good variety of options. I could order quinoa or even the pap & chakalaka for my breakfast. I love that. Of course, there are many more reasons why I love the Mara, but these are just a few!The breakfast I had that morning didn't disappoint. As always, the eggs were well cooked and the potatoes were excellent. I also was so excited to add in the asparagus. It's one of my favorites. I will say, it wasn't cooked as much as I would have liked, but still it had great grill flavor.Last but not least were the Mickey waffles. Chef Vickie brought these out to my table when they were done. I will say they were extra crispy and piping hot! This was the perfect way to end my breakfast. And thank goodness she only gave me two. I might have eaten a lot more at that point in time!Overall, I can't say enough good things about the Mara. It continues to surprise me, especially for breakfast. Of course, you know I'm a big breakfast person so I'm partial to their breakfast offerings but still it's a great quick service location on property and one of the best in my opinion! A solid 9 out of 10 for this visit!Have you been to the Mara? What are your favorite dishes here?

Boma -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- AKL

*This dining experience took place in February 2013.

Relaxing on the balcony of my room at the AKL before breakfast

It feels like ages since I've been to Boma for breakfast. In truth, it's probably been around 6 months I would guess. It's not often that I go to buffets for breakfast unless it's a special occasion or rare treat. With some friends visiting from out-of-town and me staying at the resort for the weekend, it was a great chance to visit one of my fav buffets on property.

Seating area in Boma

 I hadn't contacted anyone ahead of time, but I was wondering if Chef Chris would be working (as he is who helped out my last visit). He's a bit of a goofball, but he does a nice job at providing allergy friendly service. And sure enough, it was Chef Chris who was there. I kicked myself for not emailing him ahead of time because I could have gotten some allergy friendly Bobotie (a fav of mine), but no worries, there is PLENTY of food to eat there.

Grill station

 As far as changes to the buffet, there really didn't seem to be any, except the missing grilled asparagus. NOOOO! One of my favorite items there. Evidently they aren't serving it on the buffet as it is very expensive right now. However, Chef Chris made me an omelet with asparagus in it which was very nice of him. Omelets need to be prepared in the back by the chefs and he made one with ham and asparagus. In terms of other items made in the back, he also prepared the allergy friendly Mickey waffles and they also now have the Udi's toast (thank goodness!). They also have Earth Balance, so that was a nice treat. You know I love my carbs in the morning :) I also asked about muffins, hoping they'd have a Kinnikinnick muffin for me, but alas they did not. I was given some OMG It's Gluten Free brand chocolate chip cookies to take with me for the road (not my favorite). In general, the omelet was OK. I can see why asparagus isn't being used. It was very woody tasting (and I love asparagus). The omelet itself was also overcooked. The toast was good. The Mickey waffles were just OK. The taste is just fine, but I just wish they could get them a little crunchier :)

Ham & Asparagus omelet & Udi's Toast

Mickey waffles, maple syrup, and Earth Balance

In terms of the buffet itself, here's what I had on the buffet, I was able to get fresh fruit, breakfast meats (I went with bacon), breakfast potatoes, ham (the corned beef is not safe), quinoa, pap (aka grits) and stewed veggies. If you are GF, you can request GF certified oats now, but you have to have it prepared in the back because they don't prepare the special oats unless by request due to cost. Great to know they are now carrying them! (I believe they used Bob's Red Mill brand).

Bacon, ham, pap, & breakfast potatoes

The jungle juice is also a safe option, and no trip to Boma is complete without it! (sorry I forgot to take a pic).Overall, Boma remains a consistently solid breakfast location. The chefs are always willing to help out and to make things in the back. Sure I didn't love every item this trip, but it certainly wouldn't deter me from visiting again. I think they were just really busy, hence the overcooked omelet. Otherwise, everything was fab. If you like breakfast with a unique flare, this is a great place to visit!I'd give this a 8 out of 10 for solid food & service. A must-do for my family!

Boma -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- AKL

Boma: Flavors of Africa!

View of the seating area and buffet

*This review is from a dining experience that took place in August 2012.Jambo! Here's an updated review from Boma--one of my favorite breakfast spots. If you've listened to my podcast on breakfasts, you'll have heard a lot about this place. Here's an update on what I got this trip, and some reports on additions to their vendor products here.First off, I was greeted by Chef Chris, who helped me when I was there in May 2012. He's a bit of a jokester, but very nice. He walked me around the buffet and pointed out things that were safe. The roasted asparagus, grilled tomatoes, chakalaka, and pap are all in the same pod and were all safe this trip (sometimes they put dairy in the pap). The carving station I was allowed to have the ham, but not the corned beef (it has gluten/wheat in it). Quinoa is ok. Breakfast potatoes and breakfast meats are also ok. Fruit is ok, unless it has yogurt in it. There are two cereals that are safe, and they have soy milk if you want that. The chef said he would also make me an omelet in the back (I chose a ham omelet), Mickey waffles, and then he was going to look for the Kinnikinnick (one of our sponsors for the dessert party!) chocolate chip muffins and donuts. He thought the muffins were not in stock that day. He also said that they didn't carry the Udi's toast (bummer!) but they had the multigrain rolls. So here's what I ended up with:

Ham, grilled asparagus, pap, bacon, and breakfast potatoes

Fruit--grapes and pineapple

View of the bounty! Along with unsweetened iced tea and Jungle Juice (yum!)

Ham omelet, Kinnikinnick chocolate chip muffin and a Mickey waffle

I really enjoyed all of the foods and definitely did not leave hungry. I would have liked to have had some more Mickey waffles, but I'm sure I could have asked for more. Chef Chris also did bring me a Udi's roll to go and an OMG I can't believe it's GF/DF chocolate chip cookie.

Udi's dinner roll (One of our sponsors for the Dessert Party!)

 

 Overall, the meal was very good as usual. If you'd like to see some past reviews, you can check out my blog by searching for Boma. You'll find several more reviews here. I'd say a solid 8 out of 10 for this experience, and I'm curious to get in touch with them before my next visit. Chef Chris gave me his email and said he could whip up something special next time (hmmm,, gluten free/dairy free Bobotie?!)

Mara -- Quick Service -- Dinner -- AKL

*Note this review was prior to the vendor changes that took place in November 2011.The Mara is a really great counter service for a variety of options. I love that they have allergy free chicken tenders here, safe fries, and a bevy of other traditional counter service type fare. However, they also have some nice options for African inspired food.This particular dish was really yummy. Grilled (and marinated chicken) with basmati rice and succotash. I enjoyed the grilled chicken immensely. It had really good flavor. They had to make this in the back, as the chicken out front was not safe (I think it was marinated in yogurt).Overall, a good solid dish.

Grilled chicken with rice and succotash