Regal Eagle Smokehouse Dinner Review
A salute to all foods, but mostly BBQ. That's what we were looking forward to with the newly opened Regal Eagle Smokehouse in the America Adventure Pavilion in Epcot's World Showcase. Brandon and I had been both excited and a little worried to see what was in store for this quick service location that was once Liberty Inn. And, about a week after opening, we had a chance to check it out.
*This gluten free and dairy free dining experience took place in February 2020. It includes information about fish/shellfish free, peanut free, cabbage free, hazelnut free, and chicken & turkey free option too.
Dinner at Regal Eagle Smokehouse
A salute to all foods, but mostly BBQ. That's what we were looking forward to with the newly opened Regal Eagle Smokehouse in the America Adventure Pavilion in Epcot's World Showcase. Brandon and I had been both excited and a little worried to see what was in store for this quick service location that was once Liberty Inn. And, about a week after opening, we had a chance to check it out.
Atmosphere
Both Brandon and I had minimally seen photos from blogs and other Disney outlets about what the newly refurbished quick service location (now rethemed to a Muppets BBQ restaurant) looked like.
Regal Eagle Smokehouse - Entrance / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Because Regal Eagle Smokehouse is located in the American Adventure Pavilion, it has a slightly colonial feel to it. The building's exterior really hasn't changed much. But, I do love the very regal sign featuring the one and only Sam Eagle himself.
Regal Eagle - Entrance Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
The entrance has changed slightly, in that there is a to-go window for drinks and snacks next to the main entrance. Everything is decidedly patriotic with lots of flags and colonial inspired decor.
Regal Eagle - Smoker / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Because Regal Eagle Smokehouse is a BBQ themed restaurant, there's a giant smoker near the entrance. I've heard mixed reports on whether this is actually functional or not. Based on our visit, I think Brandon and I both agreed that this is more of an ambiance smoker and not a real functioning meat smoker.
Regal Eagle - Interior Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Inside the restaurant, there are subtle nods to the Muppets. You'll see Sam Eagle in a variety of locations along with some Muppet themed signs and decor here and there. It's definitely much more understated with Muppet theming than I expected.
Regal Eagle - Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Even thought the restaurant is no longer Liberty Inn, there are a lot of details that make me feel a little nostalgic for the older version of this quick service location. I do love all the little details and nostalgic nods.
Regal Eagle - Sam Eagle Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
As I mentioned, the Muppets are definitely present in the Regal Eagle Smokehouse but really subtly so. This just might be the most Muppety thing in the whole restaurant!
Regal Eagle / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
I do recommend if you're dining at Regal Eagle to take a bit of time to look around. There's a lot of great features and details in the restaurant's retheming.
The Food
Of course, the main reason we went to Regal Eagle Smokehouse was the food! I had seen the allergy-friendly menu prior to visiting the restaurant, and I was super excited about all of the options.
Regal Eagle / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
In addition to the allergy-friendly menu, I do recommend speaking directly to a coordinator or manager to discuss options. We had a lot of questions on our first visit about dedicated fryers, cross-contamination, and dedicated toasters. The manager on duty was very helpful and gave us a lot of information.
A few details we learned at the time of our visit (and always subject to change) is that the location has a small dedicated toaster for allergy-friendly garlic toast. This is removed from the main kitchen area to avoid cross-contamination.
We also learned that the restaurant does not have a dedicated allergy-friendly fryer; however, the French fries are the only things fried in their fryer. That being said, the manager assured us she would fry a new batch and use fresh tongs and containers to get fries for us to avoid cross-contamination. So, be sure to ask a manager about this and use your own judgement when consuming fries. We actually watched the manager prepare all of our food and were glad to see how cautious she was at preparing things safely.
Another bit of information we learned was cross-contamination with smoked meats for those with specific meat allergies. Because Brandon is allergic to chicken, the manager recommended he get a burger instead as all of the meats are cooked in the same smoker. So, if you have any kind of meat allergy, you'll want to consider the smoked meats.
Regal Eagle Smokehouse / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
As you can see, we ordered a bounty of BBQ! Everything you see on this platter is gluten free, and the only item that contains dairy is the cheeseburger that Brandon ordered. It was kind of amazing how gluten free & dairy free friendly the entire menu was.
Brandon's entree was the gluten free cheeseburger on allergy-friendly garlic toast served with French fries. He said it was actually a pretty good burger but that this was mostly due to the allergy-friendly garlic toast. We both agreed that the garlic toast was beyond amazing. It's made with Bloomfield Farm's allergy-friendly bread, and topped with Earth Balance. It's so good. Greasy, but totally worth it!
I wanted to try several things. First up, was the kids grilled chicken drumstick which came with fries and coleslaw. The coleslaw was not only gluten free & dairy free, but it was also vegan. At first I wasn't a huge fan, but I have to admit the coleslaw actually grew on me throughout the meal. It was actually nice to add on top of the brisket sandwich I ordered.
Up next was the beef brisket sandwich served on allergy-friendly garlic toast served with fries and BBQ baked beans. We had so many fries, so Brandon definitely ate a lot of them while I tried out the other sides. The BBQ baked beans were my least favorite of all the items we ordered. I am not a huge fan of baked beans with a strong ketchup flavor, and the brisket in the beans was very fatty and unpleasant. Next time, I'd skip those.
The beef brisket sandwich, on the other hand, was outstanding. This was the hands down best thing I ordered at Regal Eagle Smokehouse, and I'd definitely get it again. The beef was slightly dry, but by adding coleslaw and BBQ sauce, it would be perfect. As an aside, all of the BBQ sauces at Regal Eagle Smokehouse are gluten free. You'll want to check with a manager about the dairy free ingredients and to get safe versions from the kitchen to avoid cross-contamination.
If you'd like to see our full review and initial reactions to the restaurant, check out our vlog review!
Overall
Both Brandon and I are really looking forward to going back to Regal Eagle Smokehouse again when the Disney Parks & Resorts re-open. We both really enjoyed the food there, and we were both impressed by the amount of gluten free & dairy free options there. It's a great addition to Epcot, especially for guests with special dietary needs!
Have you been to Regal Eagle Smokehouse? What did you enjoy when you dined there?
Teppan Edo Dinner Review
Teppan Edo, located in the Japan Pavilion in Epcot's World Showcase, is a Teppan-yaki-style restaurant that offers a fun and unique Japanese dining experience for guests. Brandon and I had dinner with blog reader Sarah C. and her family at Teppan Edo this past summer for the first time ever and really loved the experience. Recently, we went back with Brandon's family for a fun and delicious meal.
*This dining review took place in November 2019. It includes information about gluten free, dairy free, fish/shellfish free, cabbage free, peanut free, hazelnut free, and chicken & turkey free options.
Dinner at Teppan Edo
Teppan Edo, located in the Japan Pavilion in Epcot's World Showcase, is a Teppan-yaki-style restaurant that offers a fun and unique Japanese dining experience for guests. Brandon and I had dinner with blog reader Sarah C. and her family at Teppan Edo this past summer for the first time ever and really loved the experience. Recently, we went back with Brandon's family for a fun and delicious meal.
Atmosphere
Teppan Edo is located in the Japan Pavilion in the World Showcase on the second floor above the Mitsukoshi shopping area. It shares space with Tokyo Dining, as well. So, when you enter the restaurant area, you actually walk through the Tokyo Dining area before heading into Teppan Edo.
Teppan Edo Entrance / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Unlike Tokyo Dining, when you enjoy a meal at Teppan Edo, you'll be seated at a table with 8 other guests. This means it's communal style dining, similar to Biergarten in the Germany Pavilion. This is a great restaurant to go to if you have a large party, because you can virtually have an entire table/grill station to yourself. On this visit, there were four of us, so we were half of the table we were seated at.
Teppan Edo - Menu / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
During the meal, you choose what protein you want, and your meal is prepared in front of you by one of the very talented chefs. If you have a special dietary need, your food will typically be prepared in the kitchen to avoid cross-contamination, especially if you have celiac disease or other allergies.
Teppan Edo - Menu & Napkin / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
As we began our meal, we were all given hand wipes and menus to choose our proteins from. Before the chef came out, the manager did meet with Brandon and I to discuss options with us. Though we got to watch the cooking, which is really the biggest reason to dine at Teppan Edo, all of our meals were prepared directly in the kitchen to avoid cross-contamination. I inadvertently glutened myself on our last visit, so on this visit, we made sure everything was as safe as it could be.
Teppan Edo - Cooking / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
As I said, the real atmosphere here is the cooking. And, Chef Rumi did not disappoint. She was so fun and really did a great job not only cooking for everyone but also at getting us involved in the cooking fun.
Teppan Edo - Cooking / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
From volcano onions to Chef Rumi singing Disney songs, the entire meal was fun from start to finish.
Teppan Edo - Cooking / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Everyone in our party had a great time, and Brandon's family was super impressed by the experience.
In addition the photos here, you can watch the video that Brandon took of our dining experience and see for yourself how much fun Chef Rumi and our dining experience was.
The Food
Teppan Edo, is not actually owned and operated by Disney, so the restaurant does not carry an allergy-friendly menu. But, as I mentioned earlier, at Teppan Edo, a manager will come speak to you about special dietary needs options.
Both Brandon and I have been impressed by how seriously the restaurant takes special dietary needs. They went over all of the options and made sure that our chef, the servers, and everyone in between were aware of our order to ensure our safety. Because of all of our special dietary needs, the manager made sure all of our food was prepared in the kitchen to avoid cross-contamination on the grill.
Teppan Edo / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Up first, the entire table was brought Garden Salads to start. Brandon was served a garden salad with the traditional dressing that included soy sauce in it. I was served a similar salad, and the only difference was that I was served a gluten free yuzu dressing. It was very citrusy and had quite a vinegar punch to it, but I really enjoyed it. Brandon has said that the salad at Teppan Edo is one of his very favorites. He loves vinaigrette and light, bright flavors.
Brandon's salad was dairy free, fish/shellfish free, cabbage free, peanut free, hazelnut free, and chicken & turkey free. My salad was gluten free and dairy free (and likely free of many other allergens too).
Teppan Edo / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
For those who are gluten free, you'll be served Kikkoman gluten free soy sauce upon request. I really enjoyed having this for my rice and vegetables.
Teppan Edo / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
For my entree, the kitchen prepared Scottish Salmon which was served with spicy yuzu, Yum Yum sauce, stir-fried vegetables, and steamed white rice. My meal was entirely gluten free and dairy free. I ordered this on our previous visit, and while I was tempted to try something new, I just loved the salmon so much that I had to order it again. From the rice, to the vegetables, the salmon, and the sauces, I absolutely loved everything about this meal. Honestly, it's something I could eat every single day and not bored! It was so flavorful, delicious, and filling.
Teppan Edo / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Brandon opted for the NY Cut Steak, which came with a Soy-Ginger Sauce, Yum Yum sauce, udon noodles with stir-fried vegetables, and steamed white rice. His meal was dairy free, fish/shellfish free, peanut free, hazelnut free, cabbage free, and chicken & turkey free. Like my meal, his was also prepared in the kitchen to avoid cross-contamination. He also loved his meal, and he especially loves the steak and udon noodles. Both of us agreed that this is one of our favorite kinds of meals.
Overall
Both Brandon and I have quickly become huge fans of Teppan Edo. I always avoided the restaurant fearing that I wouldn't have a lot of options or that it would be a challenge to eat there safely. But, we have been been very impressed by the level of attention the restaurant takes to ensure that we have a safe meal. While we don't necessarily get to eat the food that's prepared at the table, we still both love watching the show and participating in the fun. Overall, it continues to be a new favorite and a restaurant we'll definitely be back to again soon.
Have you been to Teppan Edo? What was your experience dining there?
Restaurant Marrakesh Dinner Review
Restaurant Marrakesh, located in the Morocco Pavilion in Epcot's World Showcase, is a table service restaurant that serves Moroccan cuisine. Recently, Brandon, his mom, and I had a spur of the moment dinner at Restaurant Marrakesh. Brandon had never been, and I hadn't been in years, so this was a great chance to see what special diets options were available to us both.
*This gluten free dining experience took place in August 2019. It includes information about dairy free options and information about fish/shellfish, peanut, and chicken & turkey allergies.
Dinner at Restaurant Marrakesh
Restaurant Marrakesh, located in the Morocco Pavilion in Epcot's World Showcase, is a table service restaurant that serves Moroccan cuisine. Recently, Brandon, his mom, and I had a spur of the moment dinner at Restaurant Marrakesh. Brandon had never been, and I hadn't been in years, so this was a great chance to see what special diets options were available to us both.
Atmosphere
If dining at a restaurant with lots of unique theming is something you're interested in, you can't get better than dining at Restaurant Marrakesh. The restaurant's beautiful exterior and interior make it a great place to enjoy a meal.
Restaurant Marraskesh Entrance / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
The restaurant is situated pretty far back in the pavilion, making it a beautifully hidden spot in the park.
Restaurant Marrakesh Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
From the moment you walk up to the restaurant, you'll find yourself transported to a Moroccan oasis.
Restaurant Marrakesh - Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
As beautiful as the exterior is, the interior is even more beautiful. I love all of the intricate details, and especially all of the detailed tile work throughout the restaurant.
Restaurant Marrakesh - Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
From floor to ceiling, you can see beautiful patterns and designs that reflect Moroccan style.
Restaurant Marrakesh - Seating / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
I also love the brightly colored walls and carpet that surround each table. Everything is beautifully and artfully presented.
Restaurant Marrakesh - Seating / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Though we had seats at a standard table, I loved the tables with benches built in. The bright fabric and design looked very inviting and cozy.
Restaurant Marrakesh - Musician / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Of course, one of my favorite parts about Restaurant Marrakesh is the live entertainment. It's changed over the years (and has sometimes included a full band). On this visit, there was one musician along with a belly dancer who came out once during our meal.
Brandon took a video of the belly dancer and live music for those who might be interested in seeing the entertainment highlights from our visit to Restaurant Marrakesh.
The Food
Restaurant Marrakesh is not owned and operated by the Disney Company, which means they don't currently offer an allergy-friendly menu. But, they will have a chef come and talk to you about special dietary needs options. Our server also seemed pretty aware of gluten free options that might be available too.
Restaurant Marrakesh - Menu / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Both Brandon and I took a look at the menu and had some questions for the chef which we discussed when he came to the table. I have had hit or miss experiences with chefs at the Morocco pavilion in the past -- both at Restaurant Marrakesh and Tangierine Cafe. But, on this visit the chef was very helpful and accommodating.
Restaurant Marrakesh / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Both Brandon and I were served a bread service before our meal. I was served Ener-G gluten free and allergy-friendly rolls, which are also dairy free, vegan, and free of the top common allergens. This particular brand of roll really needs to be heated well to be tasty. And, thankfully, on this visit, they were extremely well-heated and very tasty. The only thing I was missing was hummus. On our next visit, I will definitely be asking for a side of hummus with the bread service!
Restaurant Marrakesh / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Brandon was served the regular bread service and was told that this was peanut free. He said it was quite good. And, both Brandon and his mom seemed to enjoy it.
Restaurant Marrakesh / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
On this particular visit, I had my eye on the Chicken Kabobs which came with grilled chicken breast, olive salad, and yellow rice (instead of the couscous that normally comes with the dish). This is both gluten free and dairy free.
I very much enjoyed this dish. While the chicken was a little on the dry side, the flavor was excellent. I also loved the marinated olives and the yellow rice served with it. This is definitely a dish I would order again. If you're curious about other dishes, I have also had the Lemon Chicken Tagine on previous visits and also enjoyed it too.
Restaurant Marrakesh / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Both Brandon and I were a little concerned about options for his special dietary needs at Restaurant Marrakesh. But, we were able to find an option that worked well for him. Brandon is allergic to fish/shellfish, peanut, hazelnut, cabbage, and chicken & turkey. The proteins were the biggest concern with cross-contamination. And, luckily, the dish he was interested in was a safe option.
Brandon ordered the Grilled Beef Tenderloin Shish Kebab. This is normally served with mixed vegetables and yellow rice. But, Brandon asked if he could substitute the rice for roasted garlic mashed potatoes instead -- which the chef said he was happy to do. Brandon said this was an excellent dish, and he was still raving about it days later too!
In addition to being safe for Brandon's special dietary needs, this was also gluten free too. The potatoes contained dairy, but you could easily order it the traditional way with rice and vegetables for a dairy free option.
Overall
We were both pleasantly surprised by how accommodating Restaurant Marrakesh was on our visit. And, even better, the food was quite good too. I wouldn't say it's our favorite place in the World Showcase, but it's a solid option that we both said we'd like to go back to again soon. As an added bonus, there is often a lot of availability at this restaurant for walk-up dining if you don't have a reservation too. We were both glad we got to go on this visit and get to check out the current options for guests with special dietary needs.
Have you been to Restaurant Marrakesh? What did you think of the options there?
Teppan Edo Dinner Review
Teppan Edo, located in Japan in Epcot's World Showcase, is one of two table service restaurants in the pavilion. I honestly have avoided the Japan pavilion restaurants for a long time, due to some very bad experiences over the years. However, after after a much better experience at Katsura Grill for dinner in 2016 and reviews from friends and family, we've been wanting to give the table service restaurants a try. Recently, we were invited to join blog reader Sarah C. and her family for a meal at Teppan Edo. Both Brandon and I were excited to catch up with Sarah and her family and get to dine at Teppan Edo for the first time. So, it was a win-win all around!
*This gluten free and dairy free dining experience took place in August 2019. It also includes information about fish/shellfish free, peanut free, and chicken & turkey free options too.
Dinner at Teppan Edo
Teppan Edo, located in Japan in Epcot's World Showcase, is one of two table service restaurants in the pavilion. I honestly have avoided the Japan pavilion restaurants for a long time, due to some very bad experiences over the years. However, after after a much better experience at Katsura Grill for dinner in 2016 and reviews from friends and family, we've been wanting to give the table service restaurants a try. Recently, we were invited to join blog reader Sarah C. and her family for a meal at Teppan Edo. Both Brandon and I were excited to catch up with Sarah and her family and get to dine at Teppan Edo for the first time. So, it was a win-win all around!
Atmosphere
Neither Brandon nor I have ever eaten at the table service restaurants in the Japan pavilion. So, this was our first time checking out the atmosphere here. Both restaurants are located in the same space on the second floor of the pavilion, just above the Mitsukoshi shopping area.
Teppan Edo Entrance / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
We got some great shots of the empty stairs going up to the restaurant entrance. One word of warning, these stairs are surprisingly steep and aren't quite the standard stair size.
View from Teppan Edo Terrace / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
I can highly recommend the area just beyond the restaurants that offers a fantastic view of the World Showcase Lagoon. This was the perfect spot for watching IllumiNations.
Teppan Edo Entrance / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
As you can see, Teppan Edo and Tokyo Dining are both in the same space -- Teppan Edo to the left and Tokyo Dining to the right.
Teppan Edo Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
As we entered, we were both a bit surprised by how loud the Tokyo Dining area was. We both agreed that we'd like to dine there, but that we'd probably dine during lunch time when the restaurant is a bit quieter.
Teppan Edo Hallway / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Teppan Edo features Teppan-yaki-style cooking, which means you'll be seated at tables of 8 and will watch a chef cook your meal. This plays out slightly differently depending on special dietary needs (which I'll cover in the food section of this review). With that in mind, you walk down a long hallway to rooms with 4 sets of tables that seat 8. Overall, this made for a much quieter dining experience than what we observed as we walked through the Tokyo Dining area.
Teppan Edo Chef / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
The decor in Teppan Edo is fairly sparse. That's because the real action is at your table watching the chefs cook and prepare your meal -- all with Disney flare.
The Food
Because Teppan Edo is not owned and operated by the Disney Company, the restaurant does not carry an allergy-friendly menu. But, the manager and the chef at your table will take great care to ensure you have a safe and delicious meal. In fact, we were all impressed by how well they handled a multitude of dietary needs that included, gluten free, dairy free, peanut free, fish/shellfish free, chicken & turkey free, vegan, and vegetarian guests.
Teppan Edo Menus / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Essentially, you'll choose a main dish, such as beef, chicken, salmon, or tofu, and the meals are prepared in front of you on a grill and served to each guest. Some portions of the meal, like the udon noodles and vegetables are prepared together and then served in individual portions to your table. But, of course, if you have special dietary needs this may be work a bit differently.
In the case of our table, we spoke with the manager and chef to ensure the grill was completely dairy free, as they do typically use butter on the grill -- in addition to oil. Two of us in the group were gluten free, and the manager prepared our dishes in the kitchen instead of on the grill. So, while we got to watch all of the hibachi cooking fun -- we were not served food from the grill (although we had a slight hiccup in this, in which I mildly glutened myself -- more on that later in the review).
The grill was also made fish/shellfish free for Brandon -- so anyone in the group who ordered seafood also had their protein cooked in the kitchen. The facility is peanut free, so that made avoiding nuts easy and knocked one allergen off our list.
We had two full tables of 8 guests each, and our table was composed of the meat eaters while a separate table included the vegetarians and vegans. If you're curious about vegan options at the restaurant, I recommend reading Vegan Disney World's review of Teppan Edo.
Teppan Edo / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Teppan Edo serves some really lovely alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Their unsweetened iced tea was great (one of my fave drinks). And, the iced blood orange drink I ordered with sparkling water, blood orange, and gin was really refreshing. Sarah C. got the blackberry mojito (also shown here), which looked really good too.
Although I didn't get a photo of it, some of the folks in our party ordered the Pina Colada, which was completely dairy free and vegan (and made with coconut milk). So, definitely chat with a chef about options if you have specific special dietary needs.
Teppan Edo / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Before our main courses, everyone was served a salad. For those of us who were gluten free, we were served salad with a gluten free soy sauce vinaigrette. It tasted like it had rice wine vinegar in it, along with the GF soy sauce and was very light and refreshing. Sometimes a simple salad is all you need -- and this one was a great way to start the meal.
Teppan Edo / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Brandon's salad was also vinaigrette based, but it had sesame oil in it too. He raved about the salad and said it was one of the best salads he's had in a long time.
Teppan Edo / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
For the two of us who were GF, we were brought a bottle of Kikkoman gluten free soy sauce. This was great to have on hand for the rest of our meal.
Teppan Edo / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
After our salads, the fun really began. Our chef, Masayo, started cooking vegetables that would be the base of the Udon noodle stir-fry for the table. Chopping, dicing, and creating fun shapes like an onion volcano are all part of the cooking experience.
Teppan Edo / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Each step along the way, she talked to us about the cooking, and what fun things she was creating. The vegetables even turned into Mickey Mouse for a few minutes while they cooked!
Teppan Edo / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
And, of course, here is the onion volcano erupting!
Teppan Edo / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
The Udon noodles and vegetables also turned into the Tree of Life from the Animal Kingdom as they cooked along too. As you can see, the presentation was excellent. The whole experience is really interactive and fun.
Teppan Edo / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
During the meal, the group asked if we could have some plain vegetables cooked on the side with some gluten free soy sauce since the two of us who were GF didn't get any of the asparagus, red peppers, and mushrooms prepared on the grill. The chef was happy to accommodate -- only we all forgot to ask about using separate cooking utensils.
Essentially, I ended up eating a few bites of the vegetables before I realized the cross-contamination mix-up. This was entirely my fault for not being cautious -- and a testament to even the most experienced of GF and celiac diners sometimes making a mistake and not being vigilant. If you have a special dietary need, I would recommend only eating items from directly from the kitchen (if it needs to be prepared that way) to avoid any mishaps. While I didn't get horribly sick -- thank goodness -- I did give myself a bit of a stomach ache later that night. Again, this was entirely my mistake for not asking. And, next time, I will stick only with items from the kitchen.
Teppan Edo / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
For those who could enjoy food prepared on the grill, they were served a medley of vegetables and Udon noodles. Brandon raved about this and was a huge fan of the flavor combination. It included zucchini, spinach, carrot, and onion. Brandon happens to be allergic to cabbage, and we were told at the time of this review that they are not using cabbage in the stir-fry.
These noodles were prepared dairy free, peanut free, fish/shellfish free, cabbage free, and chicken & turkey free.
Teppan Edo / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
For Brandon's main protein, he chose the filet mignon. This was also cooked on the grill and grilled to the guests temperature preference (in Brandon's case, medium). It also included soy sauce on it. If you're gluten free, you can get gluten free soy sauce for your steak too. Brandon said the filet was excellent and that he'd definitely get it again. This filet was prepared dairy free, peanut free, fish/shellfish free, cabbage free, and chicken & turkey free.
Teppan Edo / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
For my entree, I chose the salmon. It was prepared in the back kitchen and was served with stir-fry veggies that included zucchini, carrot, onion, and spinach. I also had steamed white rice too. This was made gluten free and dairy free.
Overall, this was a fantastic entree, and I would definitely get it again. The salmon was really well-cooked with a nice crisp exterior. The stir-fry veggies were so delicious, and I probably could have eaten another serving of them. And, the white rice was a nice carb compliment to the dish. All in all, I was really pleased with how tasty everything was, and I might actually have a hard time not ordering this again -- it was that good.
Teppan Edo / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
For dessert, the restaurant does carry fresh fruit. I skipped dessert. But, Brandon ordered the Ginger Mousse Cake, which included layered sponge cake with ginger mousse and a ribbon of rich chocolate icing to top it off. While Brandon liked this, he said he probably wouldn't order it again -- mostly because it wasn't particularly memorable. That being said, if you like light and simple (and not overly sweet) flavors, I think you might enjoy the simplicity of the desserts at Teppan Edo.
Overall
Both Brandon and I were blown away at how delicious and fun the entire experience at Teppan Edo was. The manager and chef were both very accommodating and minus my own personal mistake on not being vigilant it was a really wonderful experience. (Side note, the manager did come talk to me after the error too, so she was aware of the situation). We can't thank Sarah C. and her family enough for inviting us to join them for dinner. We enjoyed not only the food and atmosphere but really loved getting to spend time with their whole family for food and fun! It was a great experience, and we're looking forward to going back to Teppan Edo again.
Have you been to Teppan Edo? What was your experience with their special dietary needs options?
Liberty Inn Dinner Review
Liberty Inn, located in the American Adventure Pavilion in the World Showcase at Epcot, is a quick service restaurant that serves sandwiches and salads. It's also one of the few restaurants in the World Showcase that is owned and operated by the Disney Company (most restaurants are leased by outside companies). So, it's always nice to stop by this quick service restaurant where I know they have an allergy-friendly menu, and I can speak to a manager about options. Plus, they serve allergy-friendly chicken tenders here, which is almost always what we stop by to get. On this occasion, Brandon and I were at Epcot to check out the Festival of the Arts and wanted a quick bite as we explored all the festival fun.
*This gluten free and dairy free dining review took place in February 2019.
Dinner at Liberty Inn
Liberty Inn, located in the American Adventure Pavilion in the World Showcase at Epcot, is a quick service restaurant that serves sandwiches and salads. It's also one of the few restaurants in the World Showcase that is owned and operated by the Disney Company (most restaurants are leased by outside companies). So, it's always nice to stop by this quick service restaurant where I know they have an allergy-friendly menu, and I can speak to a manager about options. Plus, they serve allergy-friendly chicken tenders here, which is almost always what we stop by to get. On this occasion, Brandon and I were at Epcot to check out the Festival of the Arts and wanted a quick bite as we explored all the festival fun.
Atmosphere
I wouldn't say that Liberty Inn has a very detailed atmosphere. It's meant to resemble colonial America. But, the theming is fairly sparse. You'll find a few corners, like the photo below that include some colonial decor.
Liberty Inn Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Overall, you'll mostly just find a ton of tables for seating because generally this restaurant gets really crowded.
Liberty Inn - Seating Area / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
When we visited, it was only a few hours before the park closed, and we found the restaurant to be pretty quiet. That's a rarity, so we really enjoyed having lots of seating options.
The Food
Since Liberty Inn is a Disney owned restaurant, they do carry an allergy-friendly lunch and dinner menu. You can also speak to a manager at any time if you have additional questions or have multiple dietary restrictions. I always recommend this, especially if you want to discuss food preparation, ingredients, or are looking for customized dishes.
Liberty Inn - Mobile Ordering / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Liberty Inn is also currently offering mobile ordering. If you have a special dietary need, you can utilize this option. But, it only allows you to select one dietary restriction when ordering. With this in mind, I would only order through mobile ordering if you have one special dietary need that's listed on the option (currently, this includes the top 8 common allergens). If you have any questions or multiple dietary restrictions, I would order in person.
We have used mobile ordering at Liberty Inn and at Backlot Express. We've only ordered allergy-friendly chicken tenders with mobile ordering service too, so I'm still testing out the waters with this ordering option.
Liberty Inn / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
On this occasion, we both ordered allergy-friendly chicken tenders and French fries through mobile ordering. Brandon prefers the allergy-friendly chicken tenders to the regular ones, even though he can have gluten/wheat.
When our orders arrived, we dug in. Currently, Liberty Inn is serving the Ian's brand allergy-friendly chicken tenders. Both, Brandon and I thought our servings were generous, and we both left the restaurant very full.
Overall
While I wouldn't say the food at Liberty Inn is anything special, I'm always glad it's an option in the World Showcase. And, even better is that they have allergy-friendly chicken tenders there, making it a great go-to spot for a gluten free and dairy free fried food option.
Have you been to Liberty Inn? What did you order when you dined there?
Liberty Inn Dinner 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 Liberty Inn
Liberty Inn is a quick service restaurant located in the American Adventure Pavilion at Epcot's World Showcase. It's been my go-to spot for allergy-friendly chicken tenders at Epcot for many years now and is always a solid option for a quick lunch or dinner in the park. On this particular occasion, we stopped by Liberty Inn for dinner while attending the Disney Vacation Club Moonlight Magic event in the park. The event included a complimentary meal for DVC members at several restaurants. Liberty Inn was one of the restaurants listed. So, I knew allergy-friendly chicken tenders were in order.
Atmosphere
We totally forgot to take a lot of photos during dinner this evening, so I'm included a photo from a visit in December. As you can see, Liberty Inn has a colonial theme to it -- though it's not quite as detailed as say Columbia Harbour House in the Magic Kingdom.
Liberty Inn Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
One of the things that threw us on this visit was that it was jam packed. Usually when we go to Liberty Inn it's busy, but not jammed. On this visit, it was the busiest I've seen it in years.
Liberty Inn - Ordering / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
That's probably due to the fact that almost everyone in Liberty Inn was getting their complimentary meal for the DVC Moonlight Magic event before the restaurant closed for the night. So, both Brandon and I were a little worried about ordering allergy-friendly chicken tenders and having to wait a long time.
Liberty Inn - Exterior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
On our way out, I did snap a quick pic of the inside of the restaurant. It was still pretty busy in there and seating was at a premium.
The Food
Like most restaurants owned and operated by the Disney Company, Liberty Inn has an allergy-friendly menu. Of course, both Brandon and I knew what we wanted -- the allergy-friendly chicken tenders!
Liberty Inn Allergy Friendly Lunch and Dinner Menu / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Once you place your order, you are asked to go to a counter near the end of the restaurant. From there, a manager will bring you your special diets order. On this visit, I have to admit, we waited longer than usual. But, given how crowded the restaurant was, we were not surprised or that upset by it. Since we were standing away from the main counters, we didn't feel like we were in anyone's way either.
Liberty Inn -- Allergy Friendly Chicken Tenders / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
When the manager brought our allergy-friendly chicken tenders to us, Brandon got so excited. He prefers the current brand of allergy-friendly chicken tenders served on property (Ian's) over the new allergy-friendly chicken tenders that they are testing out at locations like Columbia Harbour House. I really enjoy both. So, any allergy-friendly chicken tender is alright by me!
The Ian's brand allergy-friendly chicken tenders are free of the top common allergens but are often not soy friendly due to the oil used in the allergy fryers. Sometimes you can find them baked at select locations for those who are soy free.
Overall
As always, we both really enjoyed the allergy-friendly chicken tenders. They are always a great go-to when it comes to a quick and filling meal in the parks. We both love them and always look forward to getting them. Liberty Inn continues to be a good go to spot for them too!
Have you been to Liberty Inn? What did you order when you dined there?
Rose & Crown -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Epcot
*This dining experience took place in August 2017.
Dinner at Rose & Crown
The Rose & Crown Dining Room, located in the UK Pavilion in the World Showcase at Epcot, is a table service restaurant that offers classic British fare to guests. It's a favorite among our family and one that we try to get to at least once or twice a year. On this particular occasion, we decided to stop by for a random dinner, as we were in Epcot meeting up with blog reader Sarah C. for a quick hello. Since Sarah C. and her family are from England, it seemed only right to have dinner in the UK!
Atmosphere
The theming of the Rose & Crown is a traditional English Pub. Having spent a month in the UK during my university years, I always feel right at home when I dine at the Rose & Crown. It really does capture the essence of a pub.
The Rose & Crown offers both indoor and outdoor seating. We love outdoor seating on cooler months, especially if we time it right to watch IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. But, in the summertime, it's downright hot. So, we asked for a seat inside. Sometimes during the hotter months, you might have to wait a bit longer to eat inside, but for us, it was worth the wait.
The interior of the restaurant is charming with booths and tables that give you a homey feel. The wood is dark and there's bright, cheerful decor and classic English wallpaper. Some of the tables are a bit close together, so you'll get that cozy pub vibe if the restaurant is busy, for sure.
There's also a lot of great detail in the restaurant. We had the rare chance of being the only diners left in the restaurant eating, as we stopped by about 45 minutes before the restaurant officially closed. It was actually quite cool to be the only ones in the restaurant! Check out the video that Brandon took below to see more of the interior of the restaurant, with no one in it!
The Food
Of course, the main reason we went to the Rose & Crown was the food. We were both starving and wanted something substantial. But, first things first. We always have to order hard cider when we go.
My hard cider preference is Strongbow, which is served on tap at the Rose & Crown. We had a weird experience that night with our server though. He did not want to serve me hard cider from the tap, insisting that there was a high chance of cross-contamination. That was a first for me. So, I ended up with a pear cider from the bottle. It wasn't my favorite; it was pretty sweet. But, it's good to know there are other options.
Brandon loves the Cheese Plate at the Rose & Crown. And, we noticed on the allergy-friendly dinner menu that it was listed gluten free. The bummer was that when we received it, it was served minus any of the accompaniments. So, it was pretty plain. Our server did bring all of the gluten-filled sides, including the accompaniments for each cheese, on the side for Brandon, which he enjoyed a lot.I can't say I'd order this again, unless we were splitting it, as the price was a bit much for what we got. I wasn't even offered bread for the meal, which was odd too.
For my entree, I ordered the Corned Beef and Cabbage entree which is both gluten free and dairy free on the menu. Overall, I thought this dish was good, but not amazing. The portion size was good, but the meal was just a bit bland. I think I might have preferred the baked fish and chips, which I usually get when we go. That's bland too, but for some reason it appeals to me more than this dish did.
Overall
The Rose & Crown is always a solid choice for charming atmosphere and decent food. Because it's owned by Disney (unlike many of the World Showcase restaurants), they have an allergy-friendly menu, and you can also always speak with a chef. That in and of itself is a huge benefit. Plus, it's just a nice relaxing place to dine. Next time, I'll probably skip what I ordered on this visit, but I'm glad I tried something different.Have you been to the Rose & Crown Dining Room? What have you ordered on your visits?
Liberty Inn -- Lunch -- Quick Service -- Epcot
*This dining experience took place in January 2017.
Liberty Inn, located in the American Adventure Pavilion at Epcot, is a quick service restaurant that serves up burgers, sandwiches, and chicken tenders. Though the food isn't super fancy, it's a good go-to for me whenever I'm in Epcot.Liberty Inn, unlike many of the restaurants in the World Showcase, is actually owned & operated by the Disney Company, which means they adhere to Disney's food allergy and special dietary needs protocols, and they have an allergy-friendly menu.More often than not, when I visit Liberty I'm getting allergy chicken tenders. They are gluten free, dairy free and free of the top 8 common allergens, plus others like corn. (Always double-check with a manager or chef to confirm ingredients and safety before consuming)On this particular visit, I was joined by my friend Ron who was visiting from out-of-town. We decided to hang out at Epcot that day and of course, ended up grabbing lunch. Both of us figured Liberty Inn was an easy lunch to get.
Because we both have special dietary needs, we ended up getting two orders of allergy chicken tender and fries. These take just a bit of extra time to prepare, and so we we grabbed a seat by the far window where we were told to pick up our special diets order.Though I mentioned it in my last review, I've always just been told to wait at the regular counter. Ron told me that he was surprised that I'd never experienced that before, as it's been that way for the past few years whenever he's visited. That was pretty interesting, but just goes to show you that experiences and procedures can vary from visit to visit for each guest.The chicken tenders and fries on this visit were excellent, as usual. I thought the frying was well-done, and I actually like my tenders cooked a bit longer, so the coating is extra crispy, which these were. My only complaint about Liberty Inn is that they don't have barbecue sauce or honey mustard for the tenders. That would make them perfect!Overall, Liberty Inn is the perfect spot to grab a special diets friendly meal during an Epcot visit. The chicken tenders are a great go-to, but they also have many other options too.Have you been to Liberty Inn? What do you order when you visit there?
Liberty Inn -- Lunch -- Quick Service -- Epcot
*This dining experience took place in December 2016.Liberty Inn, located at the American Adventure Pavilion at Epcot, is a quick service restaurant owned & operated by Disney World. Many of the restaurants in the World Showcase aren't owned & operated by Disney, so I like visiting Liberty Inn for their allergy friendly offerings, including my favorite, the allergy friendly chicken tenders.On this particular visit, I decided that allergy chicken tenders were definitely what I was craving, and while they do have other options on their allergy friendly menu, there's something about those chicken tenders.
I ordered my chicken tenders at the main cash register stations, but I was asked to move to the far right window in this image where all special diets orders were to be picked up. This is slightly different than my previous visits, but I found it to be a lot more streamlined and stress-free to be at a dedicated window not blocking everyone else waiting.When I got to the window I did get a pager and was told that I could return for my food when it went off.
The allergy chicken tenders (which are free of the top 8 common allergens) take about 8-10 minutes to fry, which is totally fine by me. Along with some gluten free fries, I was one happy camper. Both the fries and the chicken tenders were perfectly fried and delicious.Plus, if you're an annual passholder, you can get 20% off right now through 2017, which made them really affordable!Have you been to Liberty Inn? What do you order when you dine there?
Katsura Grill -- Dinner -- Quick Service -- Epcot
*This dining experience took place in October 2016.Katsura Grill, a quick service restaurant at the Japan Paviion in Epcot, has long been a place that I've wanted to eat. Back when it used to be called the Yakitori House I had the most awful experience, in which I was told not even white rice was safe for me to eat due to cross contamination. Yikes! So, I'll be honest that I've pretty much avoided the place since.Recently, I learned from a reader that they are now serving gluten free teriyaki, so you know I had to check this out, especially since Brandon loves the Beef Udon Noodles here, and it would be nice to enjoy a meal together there.
After I arrived at Katsura Grill, I spoke with a cast member who said that they did have gluten free teriyaki. She let me look at the ingredients binder and also take pictures. As you can see, they offer chicken, shrimp, and a combination of the two as options. Both dishes do contain soy but are gluten free and dairy free.
The cast member also mentioned to me that I could have some of the sushi rolls too, though I did not check those ingredients in the binder.
As you can see from the regular menu, they quickly identify the gluten free teriyaki options for adults and kiddos.
My food arrived fairly quickly, and they also had marked my food with a gluten free notice. In general, I liked the chicken and shrimp teriyaki that I got well enough, though to be honest, I make a better version at home myself.The dish does come with white rice and a plain salad. I would have liked to have had a nice ginger dressing or something with the lettuce, as it was served with no dressing. The kids version comes with steamed vegetables, and I think I would have preferred that over the plain lettuce.In generally, I would definitely get it again, but if I have a choice I'll probably order options from other locations. Still, it's awesome to have something safe so I can get it every once in a while.As a quick aside, next door to the Yakitori House is the Mitsukoshi store which includes a hidden Sake Bar! If you're popping by, definitely check it out. Brandon and I went and loved it. Have you been to Katsura Grill? What did you think of the gluten free teriyaki?
Potato Chips -- Snacks -- Tea Caddy -- United Kingdom Pavilion -- Epcot
*This post contains ingredient information from September 2016. Always double-check ingredients of pre-packaged snacks to ensure that an item is safe for your special dietary need before consuming. 
I love snacks, and I love to see what snacks sold in the Epcot World Showcase pavilions from other countries might be safe for me to eat. Recently, I stopped by the Tea Caddy at the UK Pavilion to see what items are available, and I found several packages of potato chips (aka "crisps" as they are referred to in the UK) and found several marked gluten free.Up first is Burts British Hand Cooked Potato Chips in Sea Salt flavor.
The ingredients look fairly simple and include potatoes, sunflower oil, and sea salt. It also contains a note that says, "suitable for vegetarians, gluten free." There do not appear to be any warnings about cross-contamination or made in facility with wheat/gluten.
Next up, I saw another package of Burts British Hand Cooked Potato Chips in Sea Salt & Malted Vinegar flavor. Now, I don't know about you but "malt" and gluten free don't mix. Let's look at the ingredients...
According to the packaging the ingredients include: Potatoes, sunflower oil, natural vinegar flavourings (BARLEY), sea salt, sugar, rice flour, acid: citric acid, yeast extract powder. It has a note thatIt also contains a note that says, "suitable for vegetarians, gluten free." However, when I went to their website, these chips are not listed as gluten free. I personally would avoid these, as they would not be a safe GF option.
Like the Sea Salt & Malted Vinegar flavor chips, I couldn't imagine anything labeled Guinness would be gluten free. The Guinness Rich Chili flavor chips are marked gluten free. Let's look at the ingredients...
The ingredients listed are Potatoes, sunflower oil, sugar, yeast extract powder, salt, natural flavour, onion powder, paprika flavour, barley malt extract powder, spices, tomato powder, citric acid, natural colour: paprika extract, chilli extract.Again, we see Barley listed in the ingredients which is not considered gluten free. When I went to their website, I couldn't find an exact match for these chips, and I would not consider these to be gluten free based on the barley malt.I'm a bit disappointed by the options, and kind of wish there were some of the more interesting and fun flavor of crisps. Just looking at Burts website, I saw the following that were gluten free: Devon Roasted Beef, Firecracker Lobster, and Vintage Cheddar & Spring Onion. I think I need the Firecracker Lobster & Devon Roasted Beef crisps in my life!Still, at least there's one flavor at the Tea Caddy shop in the UK Pavilion at Epcot that is gluten free -- the classic Sea Salt.I'll be heading back here and updating the list and finding other chips and snacks options!Have you been to the Tea Caddy at the UK Pavilion in Epcot? What gluten free and special dietary needs snacks did you find?
Rose & Crown Dining Room -- Lunch -- Table Service -- Epcot
*This dining experience took place in June 2016.
Rose & Crown Dining Room, a table service restaurant at Epcot's UK Pavilion in the World Showcase, offers a taste of classic British pub fare, including fish and chips, bangers and mash, and more.It's been 3 years since I've dined here, and after reading a recent dining review from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures, I was looking forward to checking out the options. Rose & Crown Dining Room is a Disney owned restaurant (not many in the World Showcase are, as they are operated by outside companies), and because of this, they do have an allergy friendly menu.
While going through the menu, I opted to get a Strongbow hard cider. It's naturally gluten free and delicious. We were also seated outside, so it made for a refreshing drink on a hot summer day.Our server, Joe, was amazing and one of the best servers we've ever had at Disney World. On top of being an amazing server in general, he also happens to be gluten free too and was able to talk about his favorite dishes and easy modifications.Sadly, a lot of the dishes I was interested in were not easily modified but Joe did mention that those who are gluten free only can get a Shepherd's Pie made gluten free, though it does take about 20 minutes to prepare. Joe said his favorite dish was the baked gluten free fish & chips, so I decided to order that. I had been going back and forth between this and the curry, but since I didn't enjoy the version of the curry I had back in 2013, I decided to skip it.
I really enjoyed the baked fish and chips from Rose & Crown. I wouldn't say it was anything special but that it was all cooked well. The baked cod was delicious and well-seasoned. The steak fries (aka chips) were crispy and delicious. I made sure to sprinkle fresh lemon juice over both the fish and chips to add some extra flavor.My dish was served with a side of ketchup, though I would have loved to have had some safe cocktail sauce or tartar sauce like that prepared at Raglan Road Irish Pub.If I'm craving proper fried fish & chips, I will definitely head to Raglan Road or Cookes of Dublin, but it's nice to have a safe (although baked) option in Epcot.Overall, I really enjoyed my meal at Rose & Crown. It was simple but delicious and a nice solid meal option in the World Showcase.Have you been to Rose & Crown? What did you order when you dined there?
Liberty Inn -- Dinner -- Quick Service -- Epcot
*This dining experience took place in October 2015.Liberty Inn at the American Adventure Pavilion at Epcot offers a variety of special diets options. On this particular visit, I stopped by for a quick bite for dinner. Having been to Liberty Inn many times before and checking out their allergy friendly lunch and dinner menu, I knew I wanted to order allergy friendly chicken tenders.
In the past, Liberty Inn used to bake allergy friendly chicken tenders and fries, but now they have dedicated special diets fryers, which is great. It usually takes around 10 minutes for allergy friendly chicken tenders and fries, but Liberty Inn will often give you a pager so that you can go grab a seat and come back when your food is ready.
For me, allergy chicken tenders are a solid and delicious choice when visiting the locations that carry them. Liberty Inn does a great job frying these, and I really enjoyed stopping here for dinner. Many of the World Showcase restaurants aren't actually owned & operated by Disney, but Liberty Inn is, making it the perfect spot for a safe bite to eat.Liberty Inn continues to be one of my go-to spots in Epcot, especially if I'm craving allergy friendly chicken tenders.Have you been to Liberty Inn? What did you order when you dined there?
La Hacienda de San Angel -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Mexico -- World Showcase
*This dining experience took place in April 2016.
It's been a long time since I've been to La Hacienda de San Angel, located at the Mexico Pavilion at Epcot. It's a World Showcase restaurant that I've really enjoyed, and I was excited to dine here recently with friends for dinner.La Hacienda de San Angel is a table service location, and one that is not owned and operated by Disney, which means they don't have an allergy friendly menu. However, they have long been very good with gluten free and special diets diners and even note gluten free (and dairy free) options on their menu.
On every visit I've had at La Hacienda de San Angel, I've spoken to a chef, which is great. Many of the dishes can be easily modified to be gluten free or dairy free. Often, it's as simple as removing cheese, which is great.I often get the parrillada entree, which serves 2 people. To say it's a lot of food is an understatement. On this particular visit, I chose to order the pork carnitas, as they were marked gluten free and dairy free on the menu.
Unfortunately, the chef informed us that the tortilla chips served as an appetizer are no longer gluten free as they are fried in the same fryer as items containing gluten. I was prepared for this, as Alexis from Gluten Free in Orlando had posted about this last year. While this was a bummer, as I love tortilla chips, our group was offered warm soft corn tortillas and a side of guacamole as an alternative.This was a great starter, and I loved the added crunch of pumpkin seeds (which is a very traditional Mexican accompaniment) to the guacamole. That being said, our whole group thought the guacamole was a wee bit too spicy. We went through a lot of water & soft drinks before our entrees came!
All three of us dining were gluten free. My friend and I both ordered the carnitas, and her daughter ordered the Costillas en salsa de Chile (Braised short ribs topped with Chimichurri served with potato puree and chile de arbol sauce). The potatoes did contain dairy, but they can modify to make dairy free, if requested.Both my friend and her daughter said this dish was extremely flavorful and the beef was fall apart tender. It looked amazing and delicious!
The pork carnitas turned out to be a HUGE portion and a great choice. I love pork and carnitas are always something I enjoy. The version served here came with warm corn tortillas, avocado salsa, chicharrón (aka pork rinds), and sides of rice and beans.The pork rinds were a nice touch and especially yummy. The pork was served in a cool cast iron skillet and on a banana leaf, which made for great presentation. The pork itself was also very tender and slightly sweet with flavors of citrus.
The avocado salsa added a great fresh touch to the dish and was the perfect salsa.
The refried beans here are so good. If you're in a hurry in the World Showcase or want a quick service meal, you can get these beans and the rice served with chicken or beef tacos at La Cantina de San Angel next door!
I really like La Hacienda de San Angel's take on Mexican rice, as I prefer it to not be heavily salsa based. This version is nice and light and was a great accompaniment.
During dinner, we got a chance to watch IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. Though the restaurant is all indoors and has no outside seating, it was still a great view. The restaurant does dim the lights and pipe in the music from IllumiNations, which is really cool!
Overall, we really enjoyed La Hacienda de San Angel. Everyone thought the food was great, and the portions were huge. I ended up taking half of mine home and had it for lunch the next day, which I rarely do when I dine at Disney -- even as a local. That's how big the portions are!On top of the great food, we loved the atmosphere and getting to watch IllumiNations from the restaurant. It's a great option if you're looking for a nice view for the fireworks. We also ended up getting a great view for the Star Wars fireworks at Hollywood Studios too! If you're interested in a view, do ask a cast member if you can be seated with a World Showcase view. You might have a wait but it's definitely well worth it!Have you been to La Hacienda de San Angel? What did you order when you dined there?
La Cantina de San Angel -- Dinner -- Quick Service -- World Showcase
*This dining experience took place in February 2016.
La Cantina de San Angel offers quick service Mexican options at Epcot's World Showcase. Located in the Mexico Pavilion, it is connected to La Hacienda de San Angel, a table service dining location that I love.La Cantina used to be one of my go-to quick service spots in Epcot. I love a good taco, and the ones at La Cantina de San Angel have always been great. However, many years ago, they stopped serving safe gluten free chips, and so ended my visits to La Cantina.But recently, Gluten Free in Orlando reported that the restaurant has been serving tacos with sides of rice and beans instead of tortilla chips.Well, that was music to my gluten free ears! Recently, I stopped by La Cantina and was told the following options are gluten free:
- Pollo Cascabel - grilled chicken, Mexican rice, corn, Cascabel sauce, and pickled onions
- Tacos de Barbacoa - seasoned beef, homemade corn tortillas, Mexican rice, refried black beans, and red salsa
- Tacos de Pollo - seasoned chicken, homemade corn tortillas, Mexican rice, refried black beans, and red salsa
I was dying to try the tacos de pollo because they used to be my favorite, so I didn't ask if any of the other dishes were gluten free and dairy free. The chicken tacos only need to have the cheese removed from them, which is great!
As you can see from my photo, I couldn't wait to dig in and forgot to take a photo of my food before I took several bites of rice and beans (which I like to mix together).I have to say that these chicken tacos were everything I remembered and more from La Cantina de San Angel. The chicken was super flavorful and well grilled. Topped with fresh mild salsa, chopped onion, and cilantro, the tacos de pollo were so delicious.The rice and beans were also fantastic, and I recognized as the same kinds served at La Hacienda de San Angel.The only thing I need next visit to make my meal complete is a classic Margarita!
Here's a photo of the chicken tacos my mom ordered. The only difference is that hers contained queso fresco on top of the beans.Sadly, the tortilla chips at La Cantina de San Angel are still not safe, and I'm told that they are no longer safe at La Hacienda de San Angel either. Having dined at San Angel, it was a mixed bag whether or not the chips were safe that day depending on what had been fried in the oil, as they fry churros later in the day in the same oil.All three locations in the Mexico Pavilion are not owned and operated by Disney and therefore do not have allergy friendly menus. You can find the gluten free menus for San Angel and La Hacienda de San Angel on my menus page.Overall, I was so thrilled to head back to La Cantina de San Angel for a meal and get to enjoy their tacos de pollo. My only complaint would be the lack of safe gluten free tortilla chips, but now that I know I can order tacos with a side of rice and beans, I'm very happy to add La Cantina de San Angel back on my regular Epcot dining rotation!Have you been to La Cantina de San Angel? What did you order there?
San Angel Inn -- Lunch -- Table Service -- Mexico -- World Showcase
*This dining experience took place in March 2015. 
San Angel Inn, located inside the Aztec Pyramid of the Mexico Pavilion at Epcot's World Showcase, is a beautifully themed restaurant with an impressive atmosphere. Always set to resemble twilight, the interior of the building is dark (which you'll see reflected in my poorly lit photos), but that adds to the charm of this restaurant. Even more charming is the fact that the boats from the Gran Fiesta Tour slowly meander around the restaurants waterfront view. If you've ever been to Disneyland, you'll recognize this as a similar restaurant style to Blue Bayou. 
I had not dined at San Angel Inn in many years. I don't recall being particularly wowed by the food on the first visit, and I love going to La Hacienda de San Angel with it's sparkling World Showcase Lagoon view and amazing dishes, so it's not surprising that it's taken me this long to go back. After reading Alexis from Gluten Free in Orlando's review of San Angel recently, I knew it was time to make a reservation and see what new offerings were available to gluten free and dairy free diners.
When we arrived, the hostess mentioned that the menu noted gluten free and dairy free offerings, and I was excited to see that the menu had these choices listed - though the dairy free options were basically only one item. Of course, I learned that this is not the case, so I'd love to see the restaurant come up with a menu that more accurately reflects the gluten free and dairy free offerings. 
Our server Martin was amazing. After being seated, he inquired about my special dietary needs - noting that the chips might not be safe for me to consume due to cross contamination. He said that sometimes they fry churros in the same fryer, so he would need to check with the chefs on whether today was a safe day or not. This is definitely an important thing to look out for, and I was so glad he wanted to ensure my safety. He seemed very knowledgeable in gluten free dining and celiac disease, which is awesome. 
Martin reported back that the chips were indeed safe that day, and he brought out a fresh basket along with two kinds of salsas. Like La Hacienda de San Angel, you get a salsa verde and a salsa roja (green and red salsas) -- both delicious. The red salsa was a bit sweet and smoky (definitely chipotle-based) and the salsa verde was much milder and a little tangy (thanks to the tomatillos in it). I'm glad that these were OK for me to consume that day because chips and salsa are a must at a Mexican restaurant! 
For my entree, I ordered the enchiladas verdes de pollo. These chicken enchiladas with green sauce were fantastic. The only modifications I needed for dairy free were removing the queso fresco (cheese) and sour cream. I really loved the red onion garnish and the chicken inside was very good. I loved the black beans and rice -- although I have to say I preferred the rice that La Hacienda de San Angel is now making that is not salsa/red sauce based.Having recently spent a week in Mexico, I have to say that this reminded me of a lot of the dishes I got while on vacation. It was a little pricey but overall would be something I'd order again. I'd love to see something like this in a quick service restaurant. We need our version of Rancho del Zocalo (from Disneyland), especially given that La Cantina de San Angel Inn is no longer very gluten free friendly. 
There weren't really any dessert options for gluten free and dairy free diners, but gluten free diners will find that there are several options. Of course, there's always an after dinner margarita at La Cava del Tequila! I was very impressed with how my server and the culinary team handled my special dietary needs -- especially given that this restaurant is not owned and operated by the Disney Company. They did a terrific job of making sure that my meal was delicious and safe! You can find out more information on their website at: http://www.sanangelinnusa.com/Have you been to San Angel Inn? What were your favorite menu offerings?
Biergarten — Dinner — Table Service — Epcot — World Showcase
*This dining experience took place in December 2014.
Biergarten is one of those places that really transports you to another place when you dine there. The Oktoberfest setting, Oompah band and traditional fare make it an authentic setting for a meal. Last year, I dined at Biergarten for the very first time for lunch as a part of the Candlelight Processional meal package. My family enjoyed it a lot, and so I decided to go back this year with friends for the Candlelight Processional take 2! Upon arrival, as with our last visit, we were told that we had to check in at our reservation time (and no earlier) and that all of our party needed to be there. With friends coming in to meet up, we ended up being a few minutes past our scheduled ADR. Our party was fairly promptly seated with several other groups -- Biergarten seats communal style at big long tables, just like at Oktoberfest. Last year, my family felt a little awkward dining like this, and I recommend dining with a big group. It makes all the difference in the world!After we were seated, I was greeted by the same chef who assisted me last year. He took me around the buffet and showed me the various options. When I inquired about getting items from the back, he wasn't very keen noting that everything would be fine on the buffet. Normally, I prefer a mix of options - getting some from the back and a few safe items from the front; however, this chef was pretty clear when he said he wouldn't get me items - although he agreed (after I asked) to get me an Ener-G roll. Having dined at Biergarten before safely, I felt like I could keep an eye out for new platters and to ask the cast members at the buffet, who were much more amenable to getting new items for me.
I ended up with a similar menagerie of items like last year - mostly meat based (gluten free vegans or vegetarians probably won't have a great amount of choices here). Bratwurst, "meatloaf" (literally a loaf of meats, roasted chicken, German potato salad, pickles, and coleslaw were among the items I grabbed. All of them were very good, and I tried to load up as much as I could when the fresh platters were coming out (which was frequent).The Ener-G rolls here were as dreadful as they were the year before. I honestly have no clue what they did to these because they were as hard as rocks. I had my friends test them out after I decided I wasn't eating them and they were shocked at how bad they were. I've had amazing versions of Ener-G rolls at places like the now closed Kouzzina, so I can't understand how this even happens. Note to self, do not get rolls from Biergarten again.
While enjoying our dinner, we got a chance to catch the live entertainment -- aka the Oompah band! They play traditional holiday music and have a lot of fun and spirit. They are a blast to watch and a huge highlight of my Biergarten dining experience.For dessert, I was given an OMG It's Gluten Free cookie (and brownie - which I gave to friends since it contains dairy), and I also enjoyed the berry compote found on the buffet, which is delicious. I realized that somehow I didn't get a photo of this compote 2 years running. Apparently, I am always too full for photos by the end of the meal.Because of the time we were there, it was full dinner price which was not cheap ($50 as a part of the CP dinner package), and I would highly recommend dining for lunch and doing the early show for the Candlelight Processional. It's literally the same food at a much cheaper rate. Unfortunately, there was some cross contamination going on at this restaurant, and despite my efforts at trying to keep myself safe, I did get glutened. It has happened at Disney (even at buffets) only a handful of times -- literally, I can count the times on one hand from nearly 6 years of dining there gluten free and dairy free -- but it was a disappointing experience. I felt pretty miserable for several days afterwards and can't even think about eating at Biergarten again. Of course, we all take risks when we dine out with a special diet, but I would like to see the chefs at Biergraten step it up (or at least this particular chef). The lack of interest in providing safe options was pretty evident. I just hope that they can work to provide safer options and ensure minimized cross contamination risks. Next year, I will not be going to Biergarten for the Candlelight Processional dinner. It just isn't worth being sick or uncomfortable (or feeling like a huge nuisance to the chef). I'm thinking La Hacienda de San Angel will be a great choice -- they always make safe and delicious options for me!Have you been to Biergarten? What has been your experience?
La Hacienda de San Angel -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Epcot
*This dining experience took place in October 2014.
La Hacienda de San Angel is my go-to for Mexican food in the Disney Parks and Resorts. I'm not as much of a fan of San Angel Inn, but I find the food at La Hacienda to be bright, fresh, and plentiful. Nestled on the World Showcase Lagoon, it has terrific views and is gorgeous when visiting around sunset. On this particular occasion, I stopped by the evening before the Happy Haunted 5K race. This seemed like the perfect pre-race dinner spot. I was pretty keen to order one of the platters available here because I've had them several times, and they are delicious!Once seated, our server took our drink orders and go the chef for me. That was a La Hacienda de San Angel first, as usually the server works with you on your order. I was pleasantly surprised and really appreciated that the chef came out to chat with me. He let me know that both of the salsas along with the chips were safe for me to consume, which is great. A few years ago only 1 salsa in the chips and salsa duo was safe so I'm glad they've maintained the safe options lately. For my entree, I ended up splitting the seafood platter which needed no modifications (the spicy mayo on the corn is mayonnaise based), except for the removal of the cheese on the corn and beans. 
I love the chips and salsa here, although be warned the red salsa is sweet, smoky, and spicy! I am a big fan of salsa verde which always hits the spot. Every time I eat here and get chips and salsa, I wish that La Cantina de San Angel would still serve safe gluten free chips. I haven't dined there since that happened, and I miss that as a good quick service option. Both of these locations are non-Disney owned, so they don't have to adhere to all of Disney's special diets policies. 
The view from our table was lovely. It's a great spot to catch IllumiNations or have a nice sunset dinner. 
The platter itself has changed ever so slightly since last year. Gone are the griddled onions (which I loved) and the corn now has a spicy mayo (delicious). Otherwise, most components are still the same. I love the zucchini and squash and the corn. All 3 of the seafood components were well cooked, though I have to say the scallops were my favorite. 
One other slight change was the rice. Gone is the red/salsa based rice. And thank goodness. I loved this version which was much lighter and matched the main entree so much better. The black beans are fantastic and great to dip your extra chips in! Served with corn tortillas, this was a huge meal. We did have second helpings of the rice and beans, but couldn't manage another bite by the time we finished. I definitely did a good job carb-loading that night!Overall, La Hacienda de San Angel is still a great table service location in the World Showcase. You can tell they've become more popular because the prices have raised and the portions have diminished slightly. Still, the platters are your best bang for you buck with tons of food to share among the table! Have you been to La Hacienda de San Angel? What do you recommend ordering there?
Sommerfest -- Lunch/Dinner -- Quick Service -- World Showcase -- Epcot
*This dining experience took place in February 2014.
Sometimes you just want a quick bite to eat and Sommerfest, located in the Germany pavilion in the World Showcase, fits the bill nicely. Offering a limited quick service menu, guests can order bratwurst and frankfurters gluten free. On this particular occasion, I stopped by to get a bratwurst on a gluten free and dairy free bun.Prior to Fall 2013, Sommerfest was carrying the Udi's Gluten Free buns; however, they are not carrying these anymore, but rather the Ener-G buns. The unfortunate part is that they don't seem to know how to heat them properly and 9 times out of 10, they are cold, which makes for a rather unpleasant and almost styrofoamy texture. Still, smother anything in enough sauerkraut I suppose and it won't taste too badly? (That is if you like sauerkraut!)
In the past, they also used to get the buns from Biergarten located next door; however, the last two times they have carried the buns in the kiosk itself. In fact, I watched the person preparing the food in the back, and they actually changed gloves and then went into the refrigerator to get my Ener-G bun. Again, the heating factor seemed to be missing on these.As far as taste goes, the bratwurst and the sauerkraut are great. The bun...again not so much. Please heat these guys...I'm begging you! Special Diets people like decent buns too!On a side note, the curry ketchup they serve is supposed to be gluten free & dairy free, so double-check and you might be able to replace that with regular ketchup when enjoying a Frankfurter. I might do that the next time I'm there myself!As always, this location has OK fare - it's something just a little different than burgers. I would rate this particular experience a 6 out of 10. Really because of that darn bun!Have you been to Sommerfest?
Spice Road Table -- Lunch/Dinner -- Table Service -- Epcot -- World Showcase
*This dining experience took place in February 2014.
Spice Road Table, located in Epcot's Morocco Pavilion in the World Showcase, is the newest restaurant to open at Disney World. Set to reflect a Tapas style restaurant, it features small plates in appetizer sized portions. The food is inspired by Spain and the Mediterranean and is a bit different from the fare you'll get at Restaurant Marrakesh or Tangierine Cafe in the same pavilion. This location has been open for about a month now, and I had been wanting to stop by sometime and check out the food.Alexis from Gluten Free in Orlando was at Spice Road Table on opening day, and since I read her review, I've been really hoping to check it out because so many options seemed to be gluten free. The menu itself for a Tapas restaurant is pretty limited (I've been to Tapas restaurants where they have 50+ menu items) with only 10 items. I'll be curious to see if they add more items later!
After we were seated (note they aren't taking reservations at this time, only walk-ups), I told the server that I had a special diet and he said he would get the chef. The person who came out seemed a wee bit more like a line cook than a chef. (*Note: This is a non-Disney owned restaurant, so they may or may not adhere to the same Disney standards for special diets accommodations). He was perfectly lovely but he really didn't seem to know the menu, though I'll cut him some slack since he said that he'd just returned from vacation and they had changed the menu up some.Of the options that were gluten free & dairy free he said I could have the following:
- Fresh Mussels Tagine (without the butter)
- Spicy Garlic Shrimp (without the crouton/bread)
- Mediterranean Omelet
- Moroccan Lamb Sausage
- Hummus and Imported Olives (with GF/DF bread)
- Lamb Slider (without the bun)
- Rice Stuffed Grape Leaves - this was a maybe because he said they changed the recipe and didn't want to say for sure it was safe. Alexis had it and they told her it was GF, so I'm fairly sure it was OK, but you'd want to check when you order.
So, there were some decent options. I don't eat lamb, so both of those were out. I was debating between the shrimp and the hummus and olives. I ended up going with the hummus and olives figuring the bread along with the dish would be filling.Before our food came out though, I did order a drink. I went with something not on the menu - a mojito. It's one of my favorite refreshing drinks, and I figured that they would have fresh mint on hand (given they had mint tea). The server wasn't sure at first if they could make it, but they happily obliged at the bar. It is a full bar, so sky's the limit with drinks -- well within reason, I suppose. As far as mojitos, it was OK. It wasn't my favorite which is the African Starr Mint Mojito at Sanaa, but still pretty good. It also was very weak for a $10 drink.
When my hummus and olives arrived, I was surprised they gave me one piece of bread. I was also surprised by the texture of the bread. It sure didn't look like Ener-G to me. I asked the server if he could check with the "chef" to see if this was gluten & dairy free. He said he was told it was. I really didn't feel comfortable, so I did ask if they could send someone from the kitchen out to confirm. When the "chef" came out, he said it was a new product from Ener-G and that they had changed the rolls. I explained to him that I would be very sick if I consumed a regular roll, and he swore up and down that it was safe. Maybe I am just paranoid, but I really wanted to make sure.
As far as the hummus goes, I liked them both, but they weren't anything of note. The regular hummus had a ton of tahini in it, which I love. The other has a nice tomato salad on top (though it was not properly salted). The winner on the plate were the olives and cornichons. So yummy! Much better than any of the other olives you get in the Morocco pavilion.
My overall impressions of Spice Road Table are this - it's a gorgeous restaurant with amazing views of the World Showcase Lagoon. The decor is really lovely. The food...just so-so. I also think the price is really expensive for the portions. They wouldn't even bring me extra bread. I would have had to pay $2.99 for another piece. Egads! For that, I'll head back to Sanaa for the amazing bread service for $10 with tons of sauces and free-flowing pappadums!
It's a great place for appetizers and drinks, especially before IllumiNations, but for a full meal? Not so much. We ended up going to Sommerfest later to get a snack because we were still hungry!I'd give this visit a 6.5 out of 10 for lackluster food but gorgeous atmosphere.