Best counter service places?

[gopherit]

I'm toying with getting the dining plan for my crew on our next WDW trip, and while I am comfortable making the TS decisions, the CS options are a mystery to me, as we have only done counter service twice in WDW (once at Pinocchio Haus - ugh - and once at Pizza PLanet, not quite as bad, but only perhaps because my boys were very into Toy Story at the time!)

Are there some "good" choices out there amongst the Counter Service places? Fill me in!

(Edited to add - if there are any to AVOID - I'd be interested in THAT info, too! ;) )

[jiggerj]

We have enjoyed Flame Tree over at AK. Not a big selection but the seating is WONDERFUL! Off the "beaten path" Nice and quiet and you can actually find a private table area when its slow. Chip126's son had the chicken and it was a HUGE portion. Its a great spot to rest up just watch out for the birds notorious french fries thieves! :)

[tjkraz]

Here are our faves:

Cosmic Rays at the MK - good selection and atmosphere. Gotta love Sonny. :)

Flame Tree BBQ at AK - the Onion Rings are great. Some of the BBQ items appear to be hit-or-miss, but I've always enjoyed the shreaded pork sandwich

ABC Commissary at MGM - I've tried most of the menu items and never had a bad one yet. The batter dipped fish is very good, IMO.

I agree with your "ugh" on Pinocchio, although the menu got an overhaul a few months back. Restaurantosaurus at AK serves McDonald's food, so you know what to expect. Electric Umbrella (?) at Epcot has never impressed me, but the counter service place at the American Adventure isn't too bad.

[lllovell]

WE used to always eat at Pinocchio's Haus when we were at the MK because I LOVED the salad. Sadly, that is one thing that is gone from the menu.

I really like Cosmic Rays for the same reason's TJ mentioned - good selection (but hate the standing in different lines thing so we usually pick off one menu for all of us). We ate in America on our last trip and it was not too bad. The portions were good sized, the kids meals come with fries and apple sauce (so they get something semi-good in them) and it certainly was nice to sit and chill for a bit watching the world walk by. Hamburgers at WDW all taste the same to me...better than lots of places, but still that "cafateria food" taste, so I tend to order wraps and salads more.

We have eaten at Pizzafari before and it was fine. (they actually GAVE me a glass of water not bottle water when I ordered a "glass of water" for me to drink which surprised me - - - but I think its because they are really wanting customers for the AK restaurants).

I think the thing here is that you have to decide between sitting down and eating hamburgers or eating less traditional things. I have heard the food at the noodle station at MK is pretty good and I like the ABC Comm. at MGM when we want "different" things, but most of the other counter service restaurants feel the same to me - just different theming.

[ripleysmom]

Pecos Bill in Frontierland is pretty good. They have a huge toppings bar for burgers.

[TW1]

Pecos Bill in Frontierland is pretty good. They have a huge toppings bar for burgers.
I'll agree with Pecos. I think I recall tacos and other mexican food there, another reason for the big fixin's bar. And out the side door is the McDonalds Fries stand, so you can get those fries with your counter food at Pecos quite easily. But I agree with Laura (again :hammer: ) a burger's a burger in the world. All taste pretty much the same for I'm fairly certain its one vendor that supplies it all.

In Epcot I do NOT like the CS at the China Pavilion, only mediocre food and serving sizes.

I do like the CS at Mexico, outside by the lake. Great portions and pretty tasty.

Norway's CS was pretty good, combination of sweets and main courses, not a wide selection, but we sampled a few things on the last trip that we all enjoyed, even the kids.

Fish and chips in England's CS (also on the lake) is a must every trip. (DS's favorite.)

The CS near the safari ride in AK is also pretty good and it's inside (shady). Plus they have a huge sweets and coffee section. Also in AK is the CS near the exit to Kali Rapids. Sort of blends in to the store near by, so we've missed it in the past. But in August we ate there and had a couple of very taste chicken and rice dishes. Plus it was very shady.

In MGM we usually grab a turkey leg and foot-long dog (not in a sweater) right near RnR. We're not so crazy about the Commissary or Pizza Planet.

[bavaria]

Tomorrowland Noodle Terrace in MK but currently open 11am-3pm, and closes seasonally.

Tangierine Cafe in Morrocco.

Tusker House in AK.

Wanted to try the new flatbread place in MGM but it was closed....

[lenshanem]

These are the counter service places we most likely end up at. Epcot we're kinda limited due to my oldest's food allergies. We've never been to Tusker House at the AK - too many nut items.

MK - Columbia Harbour House & Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe

Epcot - Liberty Inn

MGM - Toy Story Pizza Planet

AK - Pizzafari

[Leftcoaster]

Here's my list

Magic Kingdom: Cosmic Ray's. A burger's a burger at WDW but, so much more fun with Sunny Eclipse.
Columbia Harbor House. A little different variety of CS. Fish, sandwiches, and Chicken strips. Also, has a quiet upstairs seating area that most people don't know is there.
Pecos Bills. HUGE fixin' Bar

Epcot: America Pavilion. Our contribution to world cuisine is fast food. ;)
Mexico. It's not great (I'm half mexican myself) but, good for what it is. Also, it's nice to have something different to eat.

Animal Kingdom:
Tusker House. Had some excellent chicken here. It's coutner service but a little bit more and a little bit better.
Flame Tree BBQ. Same feelings as Tusker House

MGM Studios.
ABC Commisary. nothing special but a little different variety.


I usually only have a burger once maaaaaaaybe twice during a 10 day stay at WDW. I avoid pizza at WDW. Too much bread and not enough substance for me.
I haven't done the counter serve at Japan but have hears it's gone really downhill.

[TW1]

OK Folks help me out here. I have brain freeze on Columbia Harbor House
Where is this?

[athenna]

OK Folks help me out here. I have brain freeze on Columbia Harbor House
Where is this?

In Liberty Square in the MK.

[tjkraz]

I may have this wrong, so someone correct me if necessary. If I remember correctly from our Keys to the Kingdom tour, Columbia Harbor House is the only building in the MK where guests can enter in one "land" and exit in another.

It's right across the road from the Haunted Mansion. I believe it has entrance doors to both Fantasyland and Liberty Square.

[Leftcoaster]

OK Folks help me out here. I have brain freeze on Columbia Harbor House
Where is this?


Picture yourself walking past Hall Of President's towards Haunted Mansion. Now, you take that right to head into Fantasyland. It's on your right hand side.

[Leftcoaster]

I may have this wrong, so someone correct me if necessary. If I remember correctly from our Keys to the Kingdom tour, Columbia Harbor House is the only building in the MK where guests can enter in one "land" and exit in another.

It's right across the road from the Haunted Mansion. I believe it has entrance doors to both Fantasyland and Liberty Square.


Yes, it does. And when you walk through that "tunnel" to Fantasyland, that is part of the upstairs seating.

[TW1]

Thanks, walking through, in my mind, right now...think I'll stay awhile...

[chimera]

:shhh: Columbia Harbour House is one of our best kept secrets

In EPCOT, we like Germany and the patisserie in France.

AK, Flame Tree BBQ.

MGM...we really don't go enough but there's that backstage looking one near Star Tours.

[Rozzie]

MK-Columbia Harbor House
Casey's

AK-Flame Tree BBQ, omg! Must do for us every trip!!

Epcot--Fish N' Chips

MGM--ugh...can't think, I know the places not to. We usually do a sit down for late lunch, early dinner.

[Leftcoaster]

:shhh: Columbia Harbour House is one of our best kept secrets

In EPCOT, we like Germany and the patisserie in France.



:loveisint


http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c191/vbdavid71/Germany.jpg

[Colorado Belle]

Columbia House is in MK and they have good tuna fish and a soup/1/2 sandwich combo that is good.

I agree with the TUsker House...I had a CS salmon dinner there that was good and very filling.

I wanted to try the noodle station but it was closed.

I had a burger in Pecos Bills when everything else closed down for an hour during the transition to MVMXP....the toppings WERE good but I never order burgers so I really can't compare it to anything else!!!

[Lisa]

Our family really likes CHH, both for the food and quiet atmosphere upstairs away from the madness. DH is vegetarian and likes the chili and hummus sandwich, mac and cheese for the girls, and I like most everything on the menu! :o

We have also tried Casey's and Peco's Bills (x2) and didn't really care for either. We aren't big burger people and thought they were just passable and there wasn't much on the menu that my girls liked at Peco's. As far as Casesy's goes, I think we are used to dogs that are not all beef. (DH just gets what he can)