Disneyland Announces Replacement For Just Closed Sit-Down Restaurant

As a larger transformation of the Downtown Disney District is underway, there are some major new changes coming to the area. We recently shared that a longtime Downtown Disney restaurant, Tortilla Jo's, would be closing this spring. When this news came out, we wondered what would replace it, and now Disney has shared the first details of what we can expect!

We felt that Tortilla Jo's fell short compared to other Mexican locations in the park, and its popularity was lacking compared to some other Downtown Disney locations with reservation availability always open. As this restaurant is saying goodbye, we are interested in seeing what its replacement has to offer. Keep reading for more details on the recently announced Tortilla Jo's replacement!

See also our full Downtown Disney expansion guide that includes new restaurant concepts coming to a marketplace located in the former ESPN Zone.

Downtown Disney Tortilla Jo's Replacement Announced

While the closing of the Tortilla Jo's restaurant was delayed, its last day was April 7, 2024. Taqueria by Tortilla Jo’s stayed open for a few more days. The original news of the closure was shared in an email to customers that started with, “To our Tortilla Jo's familia, thank you for an incredible 20 years!”

Following the closing of the restaurant, Disney shared the first details of what will come to the former Tortilla Jo's space. Disney has shared that there are two new restaurant concepts in the works for Downtown Disney: a steakhouse restaurant and an adjacent barbecue eatery, which will be located on the footprint of the former Tortilla Jo’s. More details will be shared on these two concepts soon!

With a lack of barbecue foods offered at the parks (save for the popular Bengal Barbecue, one of our favorite quick-service locations that has a fantastic but limited menu), it will be interesting to see how guests receive this new addition in Downtown Disney. Many guests have reminisced fondly about the former Big Thunder Ranch Barbecue, which was located in Frontierland and offered an all-you-can-eat meal.

You can see our full guide to Downtown Disney and its offerings for everything you need to know about the shopping, dining, and entertainment district.

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