One of the best parts about going on vacation is food and Disneyland Resort has a reputation for having great theme park food and even having many must do or famous foods. When guests are planning their trip to Disneyland, foods that get the most coverage and fame include: the Matterhorn Macaroon, the corn dog, Plaza Inn Fried Chicken, Carthay Circle Signature Biscuits, Dole Whips, and of course, the churros. Certainly those all are tasty, but I think there are some foods around the Disneyland Resort that should be brought into the spotlight too. I have discovered 5 gems that I think are underrated in the Disneyland Resort.
1) Chinese Long Beans from Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar at the Disneyland Hotel
I am not a person who craves vegetables, but these fried green beans are actually something that I dream of. The beans themselves are thin and crusted with a lightly seasoned panko breading. They are served crispy and hot, with a creamy Sriracha aioli. If you are worried about the heat of the Sriracha, don’t be, the Sriracha flavor is subtle. The beans are best eaten right away, but if you are distracted by the atmosphere, conversations, or your tropical drink the beans hold up pretty well if they are a little cold. The Chinese Long Beans can be ordered on their own ($8.49) or with the Pu Pu platter (served with a slaw, Portuguese sausage bites, and sweet & spicy Asian wings for $16.99). Chinese long beans make a great light snack as they are not heavy even though they are fried, and they are a vegetable so that means they are healthy, right?!
2) Plaza Inn Pot Roast at Disneyland
When most people hear Plaza Inn, they think of the fried chicken, but there is something that may be better than the chicken at the Plaza. That’s right, I’m veering away from the famous fried chicken and steering right to the pot roast. The pot roast ($18.49), like the chicken ($17.49), is served with mashed potatoes, a biscuit, gravy, and a seasonal vegetable. The pot roast is very tender and succulent. It has a lovely herb flavor that compliments the slow roasting of the beef. There are some tomatoes and a few mushrooms in the sauce, which non-mushroom eaters like me can easily pick out. The first time I tried this pot roast I had three emotions running through my mind. First, I was jealous that my pot roast at home doesn’t taste like this, next, I was angry that I hadn’t ordered this before; why hadn’t anyone told me about this dish?!! The last emotion was then bliss. I told my husband that this was better than the chicken and he thinks I’m crazy. I may be crazy, but then he won’t want to share, so more pot roast for me!
3) Kayla’s Cakes Macarons at Downtown Disney
These delicious little cookies are found at a kiosk at Downtown Disney and isn’t owned by Disney. There are a couple other locations in the Southern California area. The kiosk is located right by the World of Disney. I had eaten macaron cookies before in Disneyland as part of a dessert of a World of Color meal at Ariel’s and I hadn’t been impressed as they were on the dry side with little flavor. Then on a trip to Paris I tried them again, not expecting to like them, but I was delighted with the light and flavorful texture that had been missing in the Disneyland ones. I was excited and skeptical when I saw these macarons at Kayla’s Cakes in Downtown Disney, but I had to see how they compared. Upon the first bite it was like going back to Paris. The cookies were light and crisp on the outside but then melted in my mouth and the ganache was rich and flavorful. Kayla’s Cakes’ cookies are all individually wrapped and offer a variety of flavors to mix and match. The fact that they are individually wrapped helps them stay fresh a little longer. On my last trip I ate my last cookie a week after purchasing, it had survived the plane trip back home and still tasted as delicious as its friends had while I was in California. I like the Belgium Chocolate, Salted Caramel, and French Almond the best. These cookies are a little pricey at 10 for $25 but the quality and taste of the cookie can be worth a little splurge. The macarons also come in a pretty gray box tied with a blue ribbon so it feels like opening a present.
4) Cheddar Garlic Bagel Twists at Maurice’s Treats
This scrumptious treat is found at a cart tucked off to the side of the castle in the Fantasy Faire area and isn’t usually very busy except around showtimes for the plays that are put on in the nearby Royal Theatre. The cheddar garlic bagel ($4.99) twist is fairly big. I didn’t measure but it was probably close to a foot in length, so that means it is easily shareable. The bagel twist is soft and warm with a little hint of garlic and onion and of course, cheddar cheese. The cheddar cheese is sometimes a little crunchy and toasted on the outside as it has melted out a little during the baking, but for me that just makes those the coveted parts of the bagel twist.
5) Cajun Meatloaf at French Market in New Orleans Square
Usually our go to meal in New Orleans Square is at the Cafe Orleans for Pommes Frites and a plate of Monte Cristos, but a few visits ago a friend suggested that we try the French Market and the Cajun meatloaf ($13.99). Since I respect my friend’s opinions, especially her food knowledge, I decided to try it and have been back for more since. The word Cajun might scare some people, as they might think it will be too spicy, but let me assure you it is not. There is some pepper flavor, but overall the meatloaf is balanced with just a hint of spice and heat. Meatloaf can often be dry or mushy but the times I have tried this meatloaf with its blend of beef, turkey, and pork, it has always had a perfect consistency. The meatloaf is served with a little tomato sauce on top and underneath is a Worcestershire cream sauce, you may want to ask for a little extra of the sauce so you can mix it in with the mashed potatoes. Mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables, and a dinner roll are the sides for this meal. The French Market restaurant is a quick service and there is a lovely outdoor eating area in which there is sometimes live music which is a treat in itself. The meatloaf is a very tasty and filling meal, and I think it is a hidden gem of New Orleans Square.
Honorable Mention: English Toffee at the Candy Palace or Trolley Treats
This snack is often talked about and coveted by Disneyland fans, so why does it get a mention on an underrated food list? Because it went away for awhile, at the end of 2015 to early 2016 it was nowhere to be found. Cast members couldn’t say if or when it was coming back, and finally it has come back. The toffee can be found in two forms, in a large square behind the candy counter and in small rectangles and packaged on a tray as a family pack. The family pack tray is usually what we buy and end up taking a few trays home with us to freeze up and enjoy in the months between trips. It makes a great gift to folks back home too. The candy itself is buttery and crisp. It won’t break your teeth trying to eat it and it doesn’t pull like a taffy, this has the perfect break. The toffee is then covered with chocolate and nuts. It is a perfect candy treat at anytime of of the day. Let’s hope it doesn’t go away again!
Disneyland is full of magic and exploration for its guests and that luckily that also extends to the food as well. Each time we go to Disneyland, we travel with a food list of must dos and want to try items, and with each visit that list seems to grow as we discover new delights. Hopefully on your next trip you are able to try old favorites, new finds, and maybe of few of my underrated treats! Bon appetit!
