Beyond nuggets and fries: exploring unique quick service dining at Disney World

A look at the unique quick service at Disney World and where you can get more than typical theme park fare:

When you picture typical theme park food, you’re probably thinking of hot dogs, burgers, chicken fingers, and pizza. That’s what you’ll find at most amusement parks, and Disney certainly has plenty of that.

Sometimes you want something quick, especially when you’re rushing from ride to ride. It would be easy to think those might be your only options with quick service dining. 

But picture a casual meal like this: a lobster roll stuffed with great lobster, a warm ham and cheese sandwich with dijon butter on a fresh baguette, or a pita filled with plant-based meatballs, hummus, and veggies.

Believe it or not, all of these items and more are available at quick service dining at Walt Disney World.

Sure, there are plenty of people who just want those burgers or fries, and that’s totally fine! Maybe there’s even one in your family, and you feel like you’re going to end up eating food like that your whole vacation even though you crave something more.

If you’re a bit more of an adventurous eater, rest assured that there is something exciting here for you. Many of these locations also have your less adventurous options available too (or at least another place will be nearby) so you can hopefully make everyone happy.

Let’s take a look at some of my personal favorite places to get some unique quick service at Disney World!

Magic Kingdom

I’ll be honest – in general, I find Magic Kingdom to be one of the weakest options for unique quick service at Disney World. You’re much more likely to find places that focus on burgers, chicken, or hot dogs here. But there are a few places here that are a little more outside of the box and are really excellent! Just don’t go to Cosmic Ray’s.

Columbia Harbour House

Believe it or not, Disney has a quick service location that serves some pretty decent seafood! This location over in Liberty Square has a really good lobster roll and a salad I love. You also have the options of grilled salmon, grilled shrimp skewers, and New England clam chowder. And if you’re craving sweet, the Happy Haunts milkshake is very good.

Food highlights:

• Lobster Roll (Chilled Lobster with a touch of Mayonnaise on a New England-style Bun and served with French Fries)
• New England Shrimp Boil (Shrimp, Potatoes, Corn, and Andouille Sausage cooked in a Spiced Broth served with warm Parker House Rolls)
• Mixed Greens Salad (Mixed Greens with Apples, Cheddar, Dried Cranberries, Onions, and Apple Vinaigrette topped with Chicken Strips)

If you’ve got less adventurous eaters with you, they also have:

• Fried shrimp
• Chicken tenders

Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe

Sure, you can get tacos here and they will be pretty good. Pecos Bill could get away with just serving tacos and burgers – but they don’t. You can also get some tasty rice bowls, a fajita platter, or a salad. Even the items like tacos have a number of variations such as beef, chicken, or pork carnitas.

Food highlights:

• Fajita platter (served with Pork Carnitas and Seasoned Chicken with Yellow Rice, Beans, Fajita Vegetables, Lettuce, Tomato, Sour Cream, Salsa and Flour Tortillas)
• Pork Carnitas Rice Bowl (Yellow Rice topped with Seasoned Pork, Grilled Peppers and Onions, Black Beans, Lettuce, Tomato, Sour Cream, and Salsa)
• Double Bacon Barbecue Cheeseburger (Double Bacon Cheeseburger with Lettuce, Tomato, and Maple-Whiskey Barbecue Sauce)

If you’ve less adventurous eaters with you, they also have:

• Angus cheeseburger
• Taco Trio
• Chicken nachos

Sleepy Hollow

Waffles for lunch or dinner? Sure, why not! While they used to have a few savory waffle sandwich options here, the best one stuck around – the spicy chicken waffle sandwich. Of course, I also think the nutella fruit waffle is a good meal any time of day, but it’s especially popular at breakfast.

Food highlights:

• Fresh Fruit Waffle Sandwich (Served with Strawberries, Banana, Blueberries, and Chocolate-Hazelnut Spread)
• Sweet and Spicy Chicken Waffle Sandwich (Broccoli Slaw with a Honey-Sriracha Glaze served with House-made Chips)

For less adventurous eaters, they also have:

• Corn Dog with chips
• Funnel cake

Epcot

Epcot is an amazing place for a variety of quick service options, thanks in large part to the World Showcase. Many of the countries there have quick dining restaurants where you can try some international cuisine that’s fast and easy. The front half of Epcot has stepped up its game recently as well… and of course, Epcot almost always has some sort of Festival involved going on with food booths, so there’s so shortage of options for every palate.

Katsura Grill

Over in the Japan pavilion, you’ll find some great and easy food options, including some basic sushi rolls, teriyaki, and Udon bowls. There’s also a really pretty outdoor dining area that’s a bit off the main path, so you can actually find some (relative) peace in the Japanese gardens.

Food highlights:

• Shrimp Tempura Udon
• Tonkotsu (Pork) Ramen (served with Pork and Vegetables)
• Spicy Roll (Tuna and Salmon)

For less adventurous eaters, they also have:

• Grilled Chicken Salad

Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie

If you head over to France, you have a plethora of options at their bakery. Don’t think this is just desserts (though they have plenty of amazing sweets!). There’s also a variety of sandwiches, quiche, and soup. The sandwiches are fantastic – pair one of these with a dessert and a glass of French wine, and you’ve got a fantastic, quick, and cheap-for-Disney lunch or dinner.

Food highlights:

• Jambon Beurre (Ham and Cheese, Dijon Mustard Butter on a Demi Baguette)
• Brie au Pommes (Brie, Apples and Cranberries in Multi Grain Bread)
• Poulet au Pistou (Chicken Breast with Cheese, Tomato, Red Onion and Pesto)
• Bisque de Homard (Lobster Bisque in a bread bowl)
• Créme Brûlée
• Éclair Chocolate

For the less adventurous eaters, you also have:

• Croque Monsieur (toasted ham and cheese)
• Croissant Salé (egg, cheese, and bacon croissant)
• Plain croissant
• Biscuit Chocolat (chocolate chip cookie)

Regal Eagle Smokehouse

After years of a quick service location in the America pavilion that only had your standard burgers and fries, we finally got a place to showcase some of the better American cuisines. While it’s worth stopping by here just for the amazing Sam the Eagle and Muppet decor, you can get some great BBQ too.

Food highlights:

• Sliced Texas Beef Brisket Sandwich (Rubbed with our secret Brisket Rub and then Slow-smoked and placed between Garlic Toast and served with your choice of Side)
• Power Greens Salad with Chicken (Mixed Greens tossed with Fresh Citrus Fruit, Sunflower Seeds, Dried Cranberries, and Radishes in a Fresh Citrus Vinaigrette Dressing topped with Chilled Pulled Chicken)
• Memphis Dry Rub Pork Ribs (Dry-rubbed and Slow-smoked in our Pit served with Garlic Toast and your choice of side)

For less adventurous eaters, they also have:

• Cheeseburger (1/3 lb Angus Burger on Garlic Toast topped with American Cheese, Lettuce, and Tomato served with your choice of Side)
• Macaroni and Cheese
• S’mores Brownie

Connections Eatery

One of the newest quick service locations in Epcot, Connections is the perfect balance of your typical comfort food options that you’d expect to find in a theme park paired with twists on those familiar dishes. They focus on some new takes on burgers, pizza, and salads.

Food highlights:

• French Bistro Burger (Gourmet Beef Blend, Caramelized Onions, Bacon, Brie, Mushrooms, Dijon Mayonnaise, Toasted Brioche Bun)
• General Tso Chicken Salad (Petite Kale Blend, Romaine, Broccoli Slaw, Red Bell Pepper, Mandarin Oranges, Edamame, Crispy Wontons, Warm Fried Chicken, General Tso’s Dressing)
• Curry-spiced Pizza (Two slices of Freshly Baked Pizza topped with Tikka Masala, Carrot, Potato, Peas, Tomato, Plant-based Mozzarella, and Lime “Yogurt”)

For less adventurous eaters, they also have:

• American Classic Burger
• Hand breaded chicken sandwich
• Five Cheese Pizza

The Festivals

Your odds are pretty good of a festival happening in Epcot while you’re there, and all of them have food booths set up around the park with specialty items (often inspired by different countries around the world). They typically have smaller sized portions, so this is a good time to be adventurous if there’s something you want to try! 

There are some great options during all festivals, whether you’re attending the Festival of the Arts, Flower and Garden Festival, Food and Wine Festival, or Festival of the Holidays.

Hollywood Studios

In my personal opinion, Hollywood Studios has really stepped it up the past couple of years with their quick service food options. There are a lot of good hidden gems here, and many times I prefer the quick service food to the table service or sit-down restaurants at Hollywood Studios.

Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo

Believe it or not, the Star Wars quick service restaurant in Galaxy’s Edge has some of the most unique dining out of anywhere at Disney World (maybe that’s because it’s literally out of this world…). They definitely lean into some unique flavors and spices here, and all the dishes I’ve tried have been excellent.

Food highlights:

• Felucian Kefta and Hummus Garden Spread (Plant-based Meatballs, Herb Hummus, Tomato-Cucumber Relish, Pita)
• Peka Tuna Poke (Raw Tuna tossed in a Spicy Sriracha Dressing and served with Green Papaya Salad, Pickled Mushrooms, Fresh Herbs, and Crispy Garlic)
• Pirjanad Hot Chicken Tip Yip (Crispy Chicken glazed in a Spicy Chipotle Sauce and served with White Rice and a Relish of Sweet Corn, Shishito Peppers, Jicama, Plantains, and Cilantro)

For less adventurous eaters, they also have:

• Fried Endorian Chicken Tip Yip (Crispy Chicken served with House-Made Macaroni & Cheese and Roasted Vegetables)
• Ithorian Pasta Rings (Kids menu – Plant-based Meat Marinara Sauce and Pasta with a side of Roasted Vegetables)

Baseline Taphouse

While this is more drinks/snacks than full meals, they have just a few food items that can easily be a light meal. I find myself coming back here again and again because the food is great and surprisingly cheap by Disney standards – plus you can pair it with a beer flight or cocktail!

Food highlights:

• California Cheese and Charcuterie Plate 
• Bavarian Pretzel (with Beer-Cheese Fondue and Spicy Mustard)
• Coffee-rubbed Rib-Eye Beef Puff

Dockside Diner

If you’re looking for a unique twist on a traditional theme park meal, Dockside Diner has some specialty hot dogs that are a lot of fun. It’s a smaller spot but worth seeking out if you want a fun hot dog. They do switch them out every so often, so you might find a new specialty dog when you visit, but here are a few favorites.

Food highlights:

• California BLTA Dog (All-Beef Quarter-pound Hot Dog topped with Lettuce, Tomato, Avocado, Crispy Applewood Bacon,House-made Black Pepper Mayonnaise, and drizzled with Mustard Aïoli )
• Pretzel Dog (All-Beef Quarter-pound Hot Dog topped with Apple-braised Sauerkraut and Onions, drizzled with Mustard Aïoli on Pretzel Bread)

For less adventurous eaters, they also have:

• All-beef Quarter-pound Hot Dog
• Macaroni and Cheese

Fairfax Faire

Another small location that you might easily pass by in the theme park rush, Fairfax Faire has a number of mashed potato bowls. The flavors and toppings on these bowls are pretty unique enough as it is, but one thing that makes them even more interesting… they are all served in waffle bowls! 

Food highlights:

• Barbecued Beef Brisket Bowl (Braised Beef tossed in Barbecue Sauce and topped with Pickled Jalapeños, Red Onion, Bacon, and Corn Chips served on House-made Queso Sauce and Mashed Potatoes in a Waffle Bowl)
• Korean Barbecued Pork Belly Bowl (Braised Pork Belly tossed in Korean Barbecue Sauce topped with Korean Salad and Green Onions served on Mashed Potatoes in a Waffle Bowl)

For less adventurous eaters, they also have:

• Macaroni and Cheese (kids menu)

Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom is a favorite park of mine to get some good quick service options that are a bit different. So many of the restaurants and dishes are influenced by African or Asian cuisine, which I really enjoy. Along with that on the other end of flavors, you also have an excellent barbecue quick service location!

Satuli Canteen

Satu’li Canteen mostly focuses on bowls, and one of the great things about them is how customizable they are. They have some interesting pre-designed bowls, but you can also pick your protein and then customize almost anything else in the bowl. There’s one additional entree here that’s unique enough to mention too, and that’s the Cheeseburger Pods.

Food highlights:

• Ocean Moon Bowl (Blue Noodles, Tuna, Watermelon Radish, Pickled Daikon, Rainbow Carrots, Avocado, Cucumbers, and Red Cabbage with Miso and Sweet Soy Drizzle topped with Micro Cilantro)
• Chili Garlic Shrimp Bowl (Shrimp tossed in a Chili-Garlic Sauce topped with Crunchy Vegetable Slaw and Boba Balls served with your choice of Base and Sauce)
• Cheeseburger Steamed Pods (Steamed Cheeseburger Pod stuffed with Ground Beef, Ketchup, Mustard, Pickle, and Cheddar Cheese served with Crunchy Vegetable Slaw and Vegetable Chips)
• Bowl base: red and sweet potato hash
• Bowl sauce: Creamy herb dressing

For less adventurous eaters, they also have:

• Beef and/or Chicken Bowl (consider pairing with a rice and beans base, salad base, or noodle base)
• Cheese Quesadilla (Kids menu)

Flame Tree Barbecue

I will admit that in general, I’m not a huge fan of barbecue. But Flame Tree Barbecue is right towards the front of the park, and every time you walk past it, it just smells so good. I finally decided to try it, and I was impressed! There are lots of great flavors and options here.

Food highlights:

• Ribs, Chicken, and Pulled Pork Sampler (St. Louis Ribs with Marinated Slow-smoked Chicken and Smoked Pulled Pork served with Signature Baked Beans and Coleslaw)
• Baked Macaroni and Cheese topped with Pulled Pork, Onion Rings and Coleslaw
• Smokehouse Chicken Sandwich (Pulled Chicken on top of Mixed Greens Salad tossed with Smoked Cheddar, Diced Granny Smith Apples, Dried Cranberries, Cornbread Croutons, Crispy Onions, and Barbecue-Ranch Dressing)

For less adventurous eaters, they also have:

• ½ Chicken
• Smoked Pulled Pork Sandwich
• All-Beef Hot Dog (Kids menu)

Outside of the theme parks

To be honest, this kind of just touches the surface of the unique quick service at Disney World because I wanted to focus on the theme park locations here. But there are so many great places at the Disney resorts and at Disney Springs, so if you’re going to be spending time elsewhere, here’s a quick list of places to look into:

• The Daily Poutine (Disney Springs)
• The Polite Pig (Disney Springs)
• Salt and Straw (Disney Springs)
• The Mara (Animal Kingdom Lodge)
• Landscape of Flavors (Art of Animation)
• Centertown Market (Caribbean Beach)
• El Mercado de Coronado (Coronado Springs)
• Capt. Cook’s (Polynesian)
• Roaring Fork (Wilderness Lodge)

So never fear – if you crave interesting food and were resigned to mediocre and over-priced pizza and chicken nuggets while you’re at Disney World, you now know you have other options!

Related Posts

• Best Flower and Garden Festival food and drinks
• Docking Bay 7 in Galaxy’s Edge
• Epcot International Festival of the Arts food
• Harambe Market review
• Regal Eagle Smokehouse
• Satu’li Canteen at Animal Kingdom

What’s your favorite unique quick service at Disney World?