Disneyland Pros Know Not to Ignore These 10 Overlooked Food Items at the Parks

If you've ignored any of these food items at Disneyland, it's time to think again!If there's one thing I have to admit about Disneyland, it's that a lot of the food you find in the theme parks is a lot better than the food you'll find at any of the Disney World parks.

As a California-native who just moved next to Disney World, I'm reminded of that just about every time I visit the Disney World theme parks. But this article isn't about the classic popular snack foods that everyone gets at Disneyland and posts on their social media. Far from it.

This is about the foods that that taste insanely good that I often think about getting them when I'm not in the parks. It's about the food that's always on my short list of must-get foods every single time I visit Disneyland. Most importantly, it's about the foods that are far too often overlooked.

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Beef-Birria Toasted Cheese at Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe

beef birria sandwich

Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe is one of the best places to have lunch at Disneyland.

While some crowd favorites include the Matterhorn macaroon and the Jolly Holiday combo, the beef birria toasted cheese is worth sinking your teeth into. This food option combines a grilled cheese sandwich with pepper jack with tender beef, onion, cilantro, salsa verde. Enclose it on toasted sourdough bread and add a consommé dipping sauce, and you have a mouth-watering sandwich.

Be warned though, this sandwich is a seasonal offering – if you see it, you better get it!

Peanut Butter Square at Pooh Corner

Peanut butter square

Pooh Corner in general doesn't get enough love in my book.

However, because it's not as busy, Pooh Corner makes for the perfect spot to get away from the crowds and grab a sweet treat. The peanut butter square is one of our top picks at MickeyVisit. It's basically a block of peanut butter with a delicious chocolate-dipped layer around the outside. And what sits on top are crushed peanuts.

In other words, it's a chocolate and peanut butter lover's dream dessert.

Hot-Link Corn Dog at Corn Dog Castle

Corn Dog Castle

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Just about every guest knows about the corn dog from Little Red Wagon Cart, but the hot-link corn dog takes this classic food item to a whole different level.

The hot-link corn dog at Corn Dog Castle sets itself apart from the corn dog at Little Red Wagon Cart because it's juicy and crunchy. This makes its tasting experience more unique. Want something even more unique? Try the cheddar cheese stick version!

The hot-link corn dog is definitely a must-do.

QuesaBirria at Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill

Quesabirria

This is another food item I must have every time I visit Disney California Adventure.

At Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill, the quesabirria is incredible. The braised beef is tender, the taco shell has the best crunch but aren't overwhelming, and the consomé dipping sauce adds so much flavor to the tacos.

Be careful though, this food item is getting popular – make sure to utilize the mobile order option on the Disneyland Mobile App!

Barbecue Skewers at Bengal Barbecue

Bengal Barbecue

Every time I walk by Bengal Barbecue, I wonder why the line for it doesn't go around the corner of River Belle Terrace. The problem is, every skewer here is so good.

Maybe it's because the nearby Tropical Hideaway is busy with Dole Whip-hungry guests. Maybe it's because guests run straight towards Jungle Cruise or Indiana Jones Adventure. Either way, Bengal Barbecue is a must when I visit Disneyland. They offer a variety of savory skewers that almost never fail to satisfy my taste buds.

My favorite from Bengal Barbecue: the Spicy Banyan Beef Skewer.

Yaki Udon with Kaarage-Inspired Chicken at Lucky Fortune Cookery

yaki udon

This dish is perfect on a cooler day in the parks.

Combine the vegetarian Yaki Udon and the Kaarage-Inspired Crispy Chicken Sandwich and you have this lovely dish. The broth has a slightly sweet finish. The chicken cutlet is thick, juicy, and fried to perfection. The sauce-covered noodles soak up the flavor of the broth. And the mushrooms, sugar snap peas, and bok choy make for great enhancements.

Overall, this dish is very tasty – something you'd actually expect to find in Japan.

7 Greens Gumbo at Tiana's Palace

Gumbo

Tiana's Palace quickly moved up the ranks of great quick-service food options at Disneyland.

The 7 Greens Gumbo is a plant-based version of the same dish with chicken and andouille sausage. With it comes different greens, okra, yams, sweet potatoes, and heirloom rice. It's a wonderfully flavorful dish.

By the way, make sure to avoid mobile ordering your meal here – click here to see why!

Fried Pickles at Carnation Café

Carnation Cafe

This is an absolute classic that I don't get enough of.

Over at Carnation Café, the fried pickles are on the starter menu. These lightly-battered crispy pickles come with a tangy dipping sauce, which pairs well with the pickles without completely changing its taste.

Whenever I dine here, I always consider ordering a 2nd helping of the fried pickles – or a 3rd.

Poke Bowl at Grand Californian Craftsman Bar

poke bowl

While these last 2 food items are technically not inside the parks, they're still on Disney property – and just steps away from the parks.

To this day, I still wonder why Craftsman Bar is not very busy. This hidden gem has one of our favorite foods: the poke bowl. It's absolutely fresh and delicious. On it is a hearty amount of salmon, rice, onions, pickled cucumber, edamame, avocado, furikake, sriracha aoli, and togarashi spice. And to top it all off, with how much you get, you get good value for your money.

If you want a healthy-ish dish and want to escape the crowds, grab the poke bowl at Craftsman Bar.

Margherita Pizza at Naples Ristorante e Bar

naples ristorante pizza

To be honest, there aren't many great pizza options at either of the Disney theme parks.

However, just steps away from the Esplanade sits Naples Ristorante e Bar, a table-service restaurant for pizza lovers. Every pizza we've had here is amazing. From the pesto di zucca to the funghi e aglio, you simply cannot go wrong here. Even their quattro formaggi (4 cheese) pizza is amazing.

And if you don't have a reservation for this table-service restaurant, remember that you can check out their quick-service location next door: Naples Pizzeria.

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Disclosure: We have used all the products recommended on Mickey Visit. We may receive compensation when you click on links to some products featured.

About Stephen Cabebe

Stephen is an author, Doctor in Physical Therapy, and runner. He's a California native and recent Orlando transplant who's traveled to Disneyland and Walt Disney World countless times. Outside of sharing his love of Disney, Stephen helps Disney travelers physically prepare for their vacation so they can walk more, enjoy longer days, and make magical memories with their loved ones without pain or burnout.

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