Many first-time Walt Disney World Guests expect to find the usual theme park fare on the menus at various quick-service locations. While items like hotdogs, hamburgers, chicken nuggets and nachos are certainly available, Walt Disney World fans know there is a much broader list of available options. However, sometimes there are items that surprise even the most seasoned park-goer. After scouring the menus of every quick-service location in Walt Disney World, here are nine items that may surpass your expectations:
African Potjie
Location – The Mara at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Price – $8.49
What is it? – “Potjie” or “Potjiekos” literally translates to “pot food,” and it is a staple of traditional South African cooking. Typically cooked over hot coals in cast-iron pots, potjie can be most closely compared to American stews or roasts. Usually prepared in layers, meats such as chicken, beef, venison, or fish are placed in the bottom and topped with vegetables, then liquid such as wine or stock and allowed to cook. The version served at The Mara includes “beef, turkey, ham, carrots, potatoes, peas, chickpeas and raisins served over basmati rice.”
Hog in a Box
Location – Cookes of Dublin at Disney Springs
Price – $12.95
What is it? – The Cookes of Dublin menu describes this item as “slow roasted pork shoulder with baby potatoes, sage and sweet onion stuffing, caramelized onions and applesauce,” making it much more than just a hog in a box. It is a whole meal, and looks like a hearty, home cooked one at that!
Fried Green Tomato Sandwich
Location – Rosie’s All-American Cafe at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Price – $9.99
What is it? – Fried green tomatoes are tomatoes that have purposely been picked early to maintain a tart, refreshing taste that balances the savory fried batter. In this case, the fried green tomatoes are topped with pepper jack cheese, arugula and jalepeno ranch and served on a Ciabatta roll.
Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Shrimp and Sweet Chili Sauce
Location – Eight Spoon Cafe at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Price – $6.49
What is it? – The size of this dish is similar to the Pot Roast Macaroni and Cheese that was formerly served at Friar’s Nook in Magic Kingdom. It looks like a side dish size, but is probably filling enough to make a small meal. This item is exactly what it sounds like, a dish of ooey-gooey macaroni and cheese, baked until golden, topped with three or four shrimp, drizzled with sweet chili sauce and sprinkled with green onions.
Tandoori Boneless Chicken Thighs
Location – Landscape of Flavors at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Price – $10.49
What is it? – Traditional Indian Tandoori chicken is marinated in yogurt and spices such as cayenne, chili powder, turmeric and paprika and then roasted in a tandoor oven (a cylindrical clay oven). At Landscape of Flavors, the Tandoori Chicken is two boneless chicken thighs served with naan bread, basmati rice and your choice of two sides.
Malasadas
Location – Oasis Bar and Grill at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Price – $4.99
What is it? – On Disney’s official menu description, it says these are “Portuguese donuts.” This leaves one wondering, “Why are these being served at a resort themed to the South Pacific?” During the 19th century, laborers were needed to work the pineapple and sugar plantations in Hawaii. Many individuals traveled halfway round the world from the island of Madeira off the coast of Portugal where they too had grown sugar cane, and they brought their fried dessert with them. Today, throughout Hawaii, Malasadas are served on “Malasada Day” prior to the start of Lent much like King Cake or Paczki. At Oasis Bar and Grill, the serving includes three Malasadas which are lightly sugared and served with a passion fruit curd.
Boere Breakfast
Location – Sanaa Quick-Service Breakfast at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Price – $10.99
What is it? – “Boere” is Afrikaans for “farmer,” so this Sanaa‘s version of a farmer breakfast, which includes two cage-free eggs (any style), tomato chutney, Tanzanian hash browns, Boerewors sausage, bacon and a corn Johnny cake. To elaborate, Boerewors sausage is a South African sausage which varies depending on recipe but may include beef, pork and or lamb with a number of spices such as nutmeg, allspice, cloves, and coriander. In the Boere Breakfast, the Tanzanian hash browns appear to be a thicker version of a potato latke. Also, the tomato chutney is the same as what can be found in the famous Sanaa Bread Service.
Crispy Yuca Bowl
Location – Spyglass Grill at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Price – $9.49
What is it? – Disney’s official menu listing says this dish is a crispy yuca salad topped with “pulled pork, black beans, Cotija cheese, Mojo, lime and crispy plantain chips.” Yuca is the root of the cassava plant, and is often used in Central and South American cooking in place of potatoes. Its taste is very similar to potatoes, but is sometimes described as “lighter.” Also, for those not in the know, Mojo is the name for any sauce made with garlic, oil and citrus juice.
Salted Caramel or Strawberry Bubble Waffle
Location – AristoCrepes at Disney Springs
Price – $8.99
What is it? – Bubble waffles, also known as egg waffles, are inspired by a street food from Hong Kong. These waffles look like crispy, edible versions of bubble wrap. At AristoCrepes, they are shaped into cones and come one of two ways: The Salted Caramel Bubble Waffle is filled with chocolate ice cream and then topped with chocolate covered pretzels, caramel sauce, whipped cream. The Strawberry Bubble Waffle is filled with vanilla ice cream and topped with fresh strawberries and whipped cream.
The Strawberry Bubble Waffles from AristoCrêpes are ex-straw-dinary! Be sure to pop in and grab one at #DisneySprings! pic.twitter.com/AqMfwmROYK
— Walt Disney World Today (@WDWToday) December 6, 2017
(Background image copyright Disney.)
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