D-Luxe Burger -- Lunch -- Quick Service -- Disney Springs
*This dining experience took place in June 2016
D-Luxe Burger, located at Disney Springs, is a quick service restaurant owned & operated by the Disney Company and one of the newest additions to Disney Springs. Offering burgers and fries, D-Luxe Burger is a great option when dining at Disney Springs.I was lucky enough to stop by D-Luxe Burger on opening day, and I finally got a chance to go back (it's always really crowded when I stop by). I was really looking forward to their house-made hand-cut French fries and dipping sauces.
On this particular occasion, I also got a chance to check out the details of the restaurant and even dined in the back area where there are so many neat touches.
D-Luxe Burger has a charming back-story (which you can read about in my original review), and I loved seeing some of the details that touched on that back-story.
On my previous visit, I had the BBQ Burger (modified), and on this visit, I wanted to get something different. I spoke with a chef who confirmed that the chicken burger is gluten free and can be made dairy free (by removing the sauce), so I decided to get that.I also got a side order of fries with some dipping sauces.I will say that I did not really enjoy the chicken burger. I thought it tasted very bland, even with mayonnaise and avocado on it. I'd get a burger if I were going to eat there next time. Of course, the French fries were as amazing as the first time and definitely a must get. I may just order fries the next time I go there and not get anything else.
I've heard conflicting information about the dipping sauces at D-Luxe Burger. Chefs have told me that the ones pictured above are gluten free and dairy free (curry ketchup, honey mustard, and chipotle mayo), but I've heard readers tell me that they have been told only the curry ketchup is gluten free and dairy free.The most consistent information I've had is that the curry ketchup and honey mustard are dairy free but that the chipotle mayo is not. Next time I go, I will ask to see an ingredients list if possible, as it's very odd that there's so much confusion on these sauces by the chefs.Because I've been reintroudcing a bit of dairy back into my diet, I have ordered the chipotle mayo on both occasions. It's personally my favorite of the sauces.All of the sauces served at D-Luxe Burger are gluten free, so if you're gluten free only, you're in luck!I did also ask about the dessert macaron at D-Luxe Burger. A chef confirmed that this is not gluten free. If I were visiting there and wanting dessert, I'd probably go to Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC or Sprinkles Cupcakes next door.Overall, I like D-Luxe Burger, but find it to be very pricey. For less money I could go to the To-Go Counter at the newly opened Frontera Cocina or even Cookes of Dublin for more affordable and tastier gluten free & dairy free options.Have you been to D-Luxe Burger? What did you order when you visited there?
Emeril's -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Universal Orlando
*This dining experience took place in June 2016.
Emeril's Orlando located at City Walk at Universal Orlando is a table service location that offers a taste of celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse's take on classic New Orleans dishes. I recently had the opportunity to dine at Emeril's Orlando during a work conference.None of my friends had dined here gluten free, but Alexis from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures as been to Emeril's Tchoup Chop at the Loew's Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando with mixed experiences. So, when I visited Emeril's Orlando, I figured I would have some options but that it wouldn't be as amazing as it is at Disney World.
After arriving, I did enjoy both a glass of red wine and a cocktail. I absolutely loved the New G&T which is a take on classic gin and tonics, one of my favorite drinks. Emeril's Orlando uses a small batch gin and tonic water along with black currant and lime. It was so refreshing and a popular drink at our table, as nearly half of the table ended up ordering these.
Emeril's Orlando does not have a gluten free menu, and I was walked through some options with our server, as a chef does not come out to the table. Sadly, many of the starters were not options for gluten free (let alone dairy free), and I opted to get a classic Caesar salad, since I've been reintroducing a bit of dairy back into my diet.I wasn't very impressed by this salad. It was rather plain and certainly nothing special.
For my entree, I asked if the BBQ Salmon was safe for me, and I was told they could make it gluten free by removing the crispy onions. I later learned that they also removed the BBQ sauce. Talk about a bummer.The salmon itself was very spicy (as it had blackening seasoning on it). There wasn't a lot of texture in the dish, as the andouille sausage and potatoes underneath were pretty mushy. If I had known I wouldn't get the BBQ sauce, I probably would have ordered something else.Sadly, most of the entrees contained a lot of sauces that contained gluten, so I was steered away from most dishes.
For dessert, there are two gluten free options - the Flourless chocolate cake and a fruit plate with sorbet (which is also dairy free). I ended up taking a bite of the flourless chocolate cake, which was very rich and decadent. It's also very dairy heavy.If I were going to order a flourless chocolate cake, I would get one from another restaurant rather than the version here, which seemed pretty basic in every way. It couldn't compare to the amazing version I had at Fulton's Crab House (soon to be reopened as the Paddlefish).Overall, I wasn't wowed by Emeril's Orlando. It was just OK and definitely not something I'd paid out of my own pocket (I was hosted by a vendor at work). The prices didn't justify the quality of food served.As a celiac and gluten free diner, I'm surprised and disappointed that Emeril's Orlando doesn't have a gluten free menu given that two of Emeril's daughters are gluten free (including one celiac) and huge GF advocates.I don't think I'll be making a visit to Emeril's Orlando or Tchoup Chop anytime soon again. I'm glad I got to try it, but it's definitely not worth a repeat visit for me. I'd rather go to Antojito's next door at Universal Orlando City Walk for some amazing Mexican food.Have you been to Emeril's Orlando? What did you think of the options?
Cookes of Dublin -- Lunch -- Quick Service -- Disney Springs
*This dining experience took place in June 2016.
Cookes of Dublin is one of my go-to quick service spots at Disney Springs, offering gluten free and dairy free fish and chips, shrimp and chips, and more. Because it's a great safe quick service and delicious (how can anything gluten free deep fried not be?!), it's one I frequent a lot.On this particular occasion, I grabbed lunch with my friend Ron, who was visiting from out of town. We are both big fans of Cookes of Dublin, so we were ready to stuff our faces silly with deep fried goodness.
We decided to each get a basket of shrimp and chips and an order of fish and chips to share. Previously, the shrimp and chips portion was served on skewers and were a bit skimpy, so we thought two orders seemed right given how small they were in the past (we learned on this visit that was not the case).
Our shrimp and chips were outstanding and really well cooked. As recently as May, I was served shrimp on skewers, but these were not. I preferred them served like they were on this visit as the skewers can make it hard to eat. Plus, I've found that the shrimp seem to get a bit overcooked on the skewers.Our shrimp was served with cocktail sauce, which is delicious and perfect for dipping your shrimp and chips (aka French fries) into.
The fish and chips are a flaky white fish, and this batch was cooked perfectly and served along with their amazing house-made tartar sauce. We both loved the condiments so much that there were several containers floating around our table.Dip those fries in tartar sauce, cocktail sauce, or really just about any sauce that Cookes of Dublin serves (The Dalkey mustard the last time I checked was gluten free and dairy free too).Overall, Cookes of Dublin remains one of my favorite solid quick service choices at Disney Springs. With new locations like Frontera Cocina's To-Go Counter, I may have to switch between the two of them because they both serve some of my favorite things!You can also read other reviews of Cookes of Dublin over at Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures.Have you been to Cookes of Dublin? What do you order when you dine there?
Boma -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House
*This dining experience took place in June 2016.
Boma: Flavors of Africa is a table service restaurant located at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House Resort that offers breakfast and dinner options -- all buffet style.Despite the fact that it's a buffet (which are always cross contamination nightmares for those of us with many special dietary needs), Boma is the perfect spot for a wonderful meal, because the chefs there are so amazing and providing safe options and even bringing you food from the back of the kitchen to ensure safety.
Boma continues to my favorite brunch spot on Disney property because the food is amazing with lots of gluten free and dairy free options and even has some unique dishes to round out the meal. I enjoy dinner at Boma, but if I had to pick breakfast or dinner at Boma, I'd pick breakfast every time.On this particular occasion, I went to brunch with Alexis from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures. We both love Boma, so it was a great choice. You can read her full review on her blog.
After arriving and being seated, our server brought us Jungle Juice, which is a combination of passion fruit, guava, and orange juices and is really delicious. It's a lot of sugar, so I usually only drink one glass of this.Once we got our drinks, the chef came out to go through the buffet with us. We asked if she could bring most of our food from the kitchen, with the only exceptions being the fresh fruit and the carving station meats.
Every time I go to Boma, I have to get the fresh pineapple. I don't know what it is, but Boma always has the freshest best tasting pineapple. This visit was no exception!
I did also go to the carving station which has smoked ham and smoked turkey on it. The chef carves it fresh for you at the carving station, and it's always amazing. Check with a chef about any of the accompaniments at the carving station. Typically, the only sauce that is gluten free and dairy free is the sambal. Sadly, the Boma mustard contains gluten.
The chef brought out several items for me, including grilled asparagus (a Boma favorite), bacon, breakfast potatoes, and allergy friendly Mickey waffles. The Mickey waffles were made from Namaste mix, and I topped them with banana chips and warm pure maple syrup. They were extra crispy, which was great.
I also ordered a ham, onion, and goat cheese omelet. Though they do have an omelet station, I asked if the chef could make this in the kitchen. Usually I really love the omelets at Boma, but I found that the amount of goat cheese in this dish made the flavors too overpowering. It was OK, but next time I would order without it.I also ordered a side of pap, which is basically grits.You can also request a variety of breakfast pastries, but since I was going to a work conference that day, I opted to skip them. Typically, Boma has Udi's Gluten Free pastries (like muffins and bagels) and Kinnikinnick donuts.
Once Alexis and I stuffed ourselves silly with delicious breakfast offerings, we decided to take a stroll through the Jambo House grounds. I love that you can see the Savannah and check out all the amazing animals at the lodge, while you are there!Overall, I can't recommend Boma enough. It's been a consistently great option for brunch and always has amazing options that are safe and delicious. I can't wait to go back and brunch here again soon.Have you been to Boma? What do you love about this table service restaurant?
Frontera Cocina To Go Counter -- Lunch -- Quick Service -- Disney Springs
*This dining experience took place in June 2016.
Frontera Cocina is the newest table service restaurant to open in summer 2016 at Disney Springs. Helmed by celebrity chef Rick Bayless, it serves up modern authentic Mexican food. I recently stopped by the table service location and absolutely loved it. I'll definitely be dining at their table service a good amount, but I was even more excited that they have a to-go counter that serves up chips & guacamole and tacos.Like the restaurant itself, the menu notes any allergens that a dish contains. Thankfully, everything on the to-go menu is gluten free.
On opening day, my friend Ron and I stopped by just to check on the gluten free offerings, and we ended up getting some chips, guacamole, and margaritas.The chips were amazing. Super crispy and piping hot (they made a fresh batch for us), these are thick-cut tortilla chips that hold up really well to a substantial salsa or guacamole. The guacamole itself was very fresh and delicious. It's probably the best guacamole I've had on Disney property.
When it comes to margaritas, these were outstanding. We tried one of each of their to-go counter margaritas -- the Frontera Margarita and the Blood Orange Jalapeno Margarita.The blood orange margarita had great flavor and was a bit spicy with the fresh jalapeno in it (yes, there was an actual piece of jalapeno in the margarita!), but it wasn't as spicy as you might think. The Frontera Margarita was the perfect take on a classic margarita and was hands down my favorite of the two. And, they were both perfect for a hot summer day.On my next visit, I hope to try the tacos which are gluten free and served in a soft corn tortilla. The conchinita pibil tacos are on my must try list!I'm glad that Frontera Cocina has a to-go counter, as it will become another staple in my Disney Springs quick service rotation.What do you think of the menu for the to-go counter at Frontera Cocina?
Frontera Cocina -- Lunch -- Table Service -- Disney Springs
*This dining experience took place in June 2016.
Frontera Cocina is the newest restaurant to open in Disney Springs. A table service location from renowned chef Rick Bayless, Frontera Cocina offers guests at Disney Springs a taste of Mexico with authentic gourmet dishes.As a former Midwesterner, I grew up about 2 hours from Rick Bayless's restaurants (including Xoco, Frontera Grill, and Toplobampo) in Chicago and have enjoyed them in the past, so I was very excited about this restaurant opening. Although I love some of the Mexican restaurants in Epcot, like La Hacienda de San Angel and San Angel Inn, I love how authentic all of Rick Bayless's restaurants are for Mexican food, so I knew we'd be in for a real treat.
I was lucky enough to go to Frontera Cocina on the second day of their opening with Alexis from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures (you can read her full review of Frontera Cocina on her blog) and our friend Ron. We were all really excited about the options and couldn't wait to check it out.
I knew that Frontera Cocina would be pretty gluten free friendly, but I was surprised to see that almost the entire menu was gluten free and most of it could be easily made dairy free too. Even better, the entire menu notes allergens next to each dish, which was really helpful.
The restaurant itself is really clean and modern. We loved the vibrant colors and cheery atmosphere.
While deciding what to order, Ron and I got drinks. We couldn't pass up the cucumber gin & tonics which sounded delicious and refreshing. And, suffice it to say, they didn't disappoint. This was an amazingly refreshing drink for the summertime and one I'd definitely get again. Of course, I may have to try a margarita or two on my next visit. We grabbed margaritas from the Frontera Cocina To-Go counter the day before, and they were fantastic.
For an appetizer, Ron and I split the bacon guacamole. We had tried the regular guacamole the day before but knew bacon was definitely the one to try next. Because everything is better with bacon. Our server said it was a bit spicy, but no one at the table thought it was spicy at all.The bacon flavor in this guacamole was mild but delicious. The pumpkin seeds (aka pepitas) added a nice crunch. The quality of this guacamole was outstanding and so fresh, with big chunks of avocado throughout. To add to this, the chips were thick, crispy, and delicious. We were all very excited that the chips were gluten free and celiac safe.
Along with the guacamole, our server brought two kinds of salsa to our table. I wasn't a big fan of the chipotle salsa, which was a bit spicier and smoky, but really loved the salsa verde which the perfect combo of sweet and spicy for me.
Alexis and her daughters ordered the queso fundido which was served with fresh soft corn tortillas. It looked amazing and completely decadent. Though I've been reintroducing a bit of dairy back into my diet, this seemed like way too much dairy for me, so I didn't try this. Alexis and her daughters absolutely loved it though, making it a great gluten free choice.
For my entree, I ordered the pork carnitas served with refried beans, guacamole, salsa verde, pickled onions, and fresh soft corn tortillas. I really enjoyed this dish a lot. The pork was super crispy and tender. There was very little fat to this dish, unlike the version of carnitas I got at La Hacienda de San Angel.The refried beans were delicious, though those who are vegetarian or vegan should note that the beans do contain pork in them. My dish was marked as containing dairy, but was easily made dairy free by removing the cheese.
Ron ordered plantains and shared them with our table. These were gluten free and made dairy free by removing the cheese and sauces. We all loved them, and Alexis even enjoyed them as an accompaniment to her steak tacos. These were delicious, and I would order as a side without any hesitation.
Ron ordered the Shrimp Mojo de Ajo, and after our table each took bites of this, we agreed it was the hands down best dish at the table. Though it had a creamy texture, this dish was made gluten free and dairy free upon request. The plantain rice was outstanding, but the shrimp and the sauce made this an incredible dish. I think this may be the dish I order on my next visit!
Alexis ordered the carne asada steak tacos. These looked good and would make for a great lunch, though I think with all of the other amazing options on the menu, I would choose other options first. Alexis and her daughters seemed to enjoy both the chicken and steak tacos, both of which were gluten free and easily made dairy free by removing the cheese.Overall, I really enjoyed my first visit to Frontera Cocina. The amount of gluten free and easily made dairy free items on the menu give me tons of options on any visit that I make. On top of the fact that I adore good Mexican food, this will easily be my new go-to spot at Disney Springs. Even better, I can get my on the go Mexican fix by visiting their To-Go counter which also has gluten free options.I'm looking forward to visiting again and trying other dishes on the menu.What dishes do you want to try at Frontera Cocina?
Rose & Crown Dining Room -- Lunch -- Table Service -- Epcot
*This dining experience took place in June 2016.
Rose & Crown Dining Room, a table service restaurant at Epcot's UK Pavilion in the World Showcase, offers a taste of classic British pub fare, including fish and chips, bangers and mash, and more.It's been 3 years since I've dined here, and after reading a recent dining review from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures, I was looking forward to checking out the options. Rose & Crown Dining Room is a Disney owned restaurant (not many in the World Showcase are, as they are operated by outside companies), and because of this, they do have an allergy friendly menu.
While going through the menu, I opted to get a Strongbow hard cider. It's naturally gluten free and delicious. We were also seated outside, so it made for a refreshing drink on a hot summer day.Our server, Joe, was amazing and one of the best servers we've ever had at Disney World. On top of being an amazing server in general, he also happens to be gluten free too and was able to talk about his favorite dishes and easy modifications.Sadly, a lot of the dishes I was interested in were not easily modified but Joe did mention that those who are gluten free only can get a Shepherd's Pie made gluten free, though it does take about 20 minutes to prepare. Joe said his favorite dish was the baked gluten free fish & chips, so I decided to order that. I had been going back and forth between this and the curry, but since I didn't enjoy the version of the curry I had back in 2013, I decided to skip it.
I really enjoyed the baked fish and chips from Rose & Crown. I wouldn't say it was anything special but that it was all cooked well. The baked cod was delicious and well-seasoned. The steak fries (aka chips) were crispy and delicious. I made sure to sprinkle fresh lemon juice over both the fish and chips to add some extra flavor.My dish was served with a side of ketchup, though I would have loved to have had some safe cocktail sauce or tartar sauce like that prepared at Raglan Road Irish Pub.If I'm craving proper fried fish & chips, I will definitely head to Raglan Road or Cookes of Dublin, but it's nice to have a safe (although baked) option in Epcot.Overall, I really enjoyed my meal at Rose & Crown. It was simple but delicious and a nice solid meal option in the World Showcase.Have you been to Rose & Crown? What did you order when you dined there?
Leaky Cauldron -- Dinner -- Quick Service -- Universal Studios
*This dining review took place in June 2016.
The Leaky Cauldron, located at Diagon Alley in Universal Studios Orlando, is a quick service location that serves up British inspired dishes that muggles and wizards alike will love. As a special diets diner, this is one of my go-to spots when visiting Universal Studios Orlando. The menu here for special diets is limited but I absolutely love their chicken sandwich.
On this particular visit, I also ordered a Tongue Tying Lemon Squash that's tart but sweet (if you like a lot of lemon flavor you will enjoy this version of lemonade). Diagon Alley has a lot of unique non-alcoholic drinks, and I love that so many are safe for me to drink. I keep meaning to try them all, but the Tongue Tying Lemon Squash is so good (and perfect on a hot summer day).You can check out all the of the drinks and their allergens on The Gluten & Dairy Free Review Blog.
Sadly, Leaky Cauldron is limited on its menu options, but I do really enjoy their chicken sandwich on a gluten free and dairy free bun (at the time of this review, it was Udi's Gluten Free). The sandwich can be made dairy free by removing the cheese and apple butter mayo. I did opt to have cheese on my sandwich, as I have been re-introducing a bit of dairy back into my diet, mostly in the form of cheese. The wedge fries at the Leaky Cauldron are not gluten free, so this sandwich is served with a side salad and a choice of Ken's dressings. I went with the Italian dressing, which is just OK.You can read a gluten free and dairy free review from The Gluten & Dairy Free Review Blog along with more information about menu options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.Overall, I really enjoy the atmosphere and the chicken sandwich at the Leaky Cauldron. There may not be a ton of options, but I have enjoyed dining here safely when I visit Universal Studios Orlando.Have you been to the Leaky Cauldron? What did you think of their options?
Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Cafe -- Lunch/Dinner -- Quick Service -- Magic Kingdom
*This dining experience took place in Fall 2015. Note: Pecos Bill's menu has changed yet again, and burrito bowls are only available upon request at the time this post was published. 
Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Cafe, a quick service location in Disney's Magic Kingdom, has seen some changes to its menu in 2015 and 2016. Originally a burger and fries kind of restaurant, in 2015, Pecos Bill's switched up its menu and began offering rice bowls. You can check out the allergy friendly menu from February 2016, but note that the menu has changed since then.When I visited, I was able to get a rice bowl with chicken, beans, and plain white rice. The chicken does contain dairy, so do check with the restaurant when dining here for ingredients. I have been re-introducing a bit of dairy back into my diet, so I decided to try the chicken burrito bowl.
While waiting, I had to laugh because not only did I get "the boot" on my receipt to show that I had a special dietary need but I also had the cast member Jessy. Loved the Toy Story reference (although I'm sure it was completely incidental).
Pecos Bill's also has a fixins' bar, which looked amazing with a variety of salsas, gaucamole, and other toppings for my rice bowl, but because there is a huge risk of cross contamination there, I asked the manager if I could get some fixins' from the back of the kitchen. The manager brought me: mild salsa, pico de gallo, salsa verde, corn salsa, banana peppers, cheese, and guacamole. That's a lot!The great thing is that I could mix and match what I wanted, and I had so many toppings that there was no way I was running out. The toppings definitely helped make this rice bowl more filling and tasty, as it was served with plain white rice, semi-bland black beans, and plain chicken.Pecos Bill's menu now has fajita platters which would be very similar to the rice bowl above, as well as a taco burger and some other options. Be sure to check with a manager when you go to ensure you get safe rice (the cilantro rice contains both dairy and gluten) and fixins' from the back of the kitchen.Have you been to Pecos Bill's since the menu has changed? What did you get when you dined there?
Trattoria al Forno -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Boardwalk
*This dining experience took place in November 2015.
Trattoria al Forno, located at Disney's Boardwalk Resort, is definitely a great breakfast spot on Disney property. With classic Italian inspired dishes, even their breakfast options have an Italian flare.On this particular occasion, I dined with friends who were visiting from out-of-town and who were looking forward to trying Trattoria al Forno. When we arrived, we were given the allergy friendly breakfast menu.I opted to get the Two Eggs entree, which was formerly called the "American." I also asked for fennel sausage (which I love) and a side of allergy friendly Mickey waffles.
The allergy friendly Mickey waffles here are always well cooked. Typically made using Bob's Red Mill pancake & waffle mix, they were extra crispy and piping hot. I enjoyed these with pure maple syrup.
Though the eggs are usually the least exciting part of my meal, they are always well prepared at Trattoria al Forno, but the real stars for me are the breakfast potatoes and the fennel sausage. The fennel sausage is really delicious, and one I just have to get when I'm this restaurant. I love Trattoria al Forno's bacon too, but this sausage is just amazing.I also adore the seasoned breakfast potatoes here which are flavorful and different than the plain breakfast potatoes you find at so many locations on property.Overall, I really enjoy Trattoria al Forno and need to make a visit again soon!You can read about more gluten free options at Trattoria al Forno at Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures.Have you been to Trattoria al Forno for breakfast? What did you order when you dined there?
Beignets -- Snacks -- Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory -- Port Orleans French Quarter
*This dining experience took place in May 2016.Note: Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory will be undergoing a refurbishment and will be closed beginning July 11, 2016 and re-open at a to be determined date in Fall 2016. At this time, a temporary location will be set-up in the lobby. Some options, like the beignet sundae bowl may be limited and/or unavailable. The gluten free & allergy friendly beignets will still be available for purchase.
One of my favorite snacks are the gluten free and allergy friendly beignets served at Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory at Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter Resort. Perfectly deep fried and smothered in powdered sugar, these classic New Orleans treats make the perfect snack, breakfast, or dessert any time you visit Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory.And you'll want to even more now with the addition of the gluten free and allergy friendly beignet bowl sundae. That's right. As if these beignets couldn't get any better, Chef Tony and the culinary team at Port Orleans French Quarter created this amazing gluten free and allergy friendly dessert that you're going to want to try.
Made with several pressed beignets, the fried beignets turn into a sundae base. Topped with your choice of ice cream (in my case, I got So Delicious Coconut Milk ice cream) and sauces (I went with Hershey's Chocolate Syrup and Raspberry Sauce on one visit and just Raspberry Sauce on my second visit), it's a delicious treat.Typically, the gluten free only version of this sundae comes with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, raspberry sauce, a chocolate chicory sauce. You can see a photo and review of it on Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures's site.
Of course, I love a classic fried beignet. If you're looking for something to add to your beignet, try one of the three new dipping sauces. All three are gluten free and the raspberry sauce is both gluten free and dairy free (and probably vegan too). I love the raspberry sauce because combined with the beignet it reminds me of jelly donuts!If you're interested in recreating beignets at home, check out the recipe from Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter.Have you tried the gluten free and allergy friendly beignets?
Pizza Planet -- Dinner -- Quick Service -- Hollywood Studios
*This dining experience took place in November 2015.Note: This restaurant is currently under refurbishment as of June 2016 and set to be rethemed when it re-opens in November 2016.
Pizza Planet is a quick service restaurant in Disney's Hollywood Studios themed after the Pizza Planet restaurant in Toy Story. Offering up pizza and salads, Pizza Planet doesn't have a huge variety when it comes to options. They do have an allergy friendly menu, but it is very limited. Thankfully, if you're dairy free, they do have a soy cheese option that you can choose for your pizza.
On this particular occasion, I decided to check out the pizza at Pizza Planet, since I had never been. I ended up getting a pepperoni pizza with regular cheese, as I have been re-introducing a bit of dairy back into my diet, and a Caesar side salad.I have to say that I wouldn't get this one again. Though I liked the Udi's Pizza Crust that was the base, I thought the sauce and toppings were not very good. I liked the Caesar salad but that was about it. Even my brother who got a regular gluten-filled pizza said his wasn't very good either. I'd much rather get allergy chicken tenders from ABC Commissary or a table service restaurant like Mama Melrose than order this again.I'll be curious to see how and if the restaurant changes menu options when it re-opens. The current rumor mill is suggesting it might become a Muppet themed quick service pizza restaurant. If so, I think the theming will be interesting, but I'm sure hoping they update the food options.Have you been to Pizza Planet? What did you order when you dined there?
Liberty Inn -- Dinner -- Quick Service -- Epcot
*This dining experience took place in October 2015.Liberty Inn at the American Adventure Pavilion at Epcot offers a variety of special diets options. On this particular visit, I stopped by for a quick bite for dinner. Having been to Liberty Inn many times before and checking out their allergy friendly lunch and dinner menu, I knew I wanted to order allergy friendly chicken tenders.
In the past, Liberty Inn used to bake allergy friendly chicken tenders and fries, but now they have dedicated special diets fryers, which is great. It usually takes around 10 minutes for allergy friendly chicken tenders and fries, but Liberty Inn will often give you a pager so that you can go grab a seat and come back when your food is ready.
For me, allergy chicken tenders are a solid and delicious choice when visiting the locations that carry them. Liberty Inn does a great job frying these, and I really enjoyed stopping here for dinner. Many of the World Showcase restaurants aren't actually owned & operated by Disney, but Liberty Inn is, making it the perfect spot for a safe bite to eat.Liberty Inn continues to be one of my go-to spots in Epcot, especially if I'm craving allergy friendly chicken tenders.Have you been to Liberty Inn? What did you order when you dined there?
LakeHouse -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Hyatt Grand Cypress Resort
*This dining experience took place in February 2016.
Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDWThe LakeHouse at the Hyatt Grand Cypress opened in February 2016 and offers healthy, locally-sourced, farm-to-table meals. Located near Disney Springs, it's a quiet and welcome retreat from the hustle and bustle of the Disney Parks.During their opening, I had the chance to check out the LakeHouse as an invited guest of Disneyways.com's. Prior to our arrival, the restaurant was alerted to my special dietary needs and noted that they would have the culinary team on hand to assist with any questions and to provide safe options on the visit.
When visiting the LakeHouse, I was impressed by the clean and modern decor. The restaurant area was previously housed by another restaurant, and the Hyatt Grand Cypress did a $2.8 million refurbishment re-opening the restaurant with a new name and culinary concept. The refurbishment was really well done if my visit to the LakeHouse is any indication.
After our arrival, we were given menus to look over and were told that Chef Max would be coming out to discuss options with our group.When Chef Max arrived, he noted that they would like to do a tasting of options and made sure to include as many gluten free (and some dairy free) dishes that they could. When I inquired about the sushi, I was told that the restaurant can make their sushi gluten free and even had gluten free soy sauce.
The sushi may have been my favorite part of the meal at the LakeHouse. First, it was gorgeously presented with generous portions and high quality ingredients.
We were served the Caterpillar Roll and Rainbow Roll both of which were gluten free, though the Caterpillar Roll did contain dairy, in the form of cream cheese. If you can't have dairy, there were definitely many different gluten free and dairy free rolls to try!I was wowed by the Rainbow Roll and could have easily eaten it all myself at the meal.
While enjoying our sushi, I also got a blood orange mojito, which was quite delicious. I love a good mojito, and this was a nice twist on a classic one.
Up next, Chef Max brought out the grilled shrimp cocktail with shaved horseradish and Bloody Mary cocktail sauce. This was another favorite for me. I loved the grilled shrimp, and the cocktail sauce was delicious. Even better was the addition of the shaved horseradish which added a unique twist.In looking at the restaurant's menu, as of June 2016, it looks as if this is no longer listed. I do hope they bring it back though because it's a great appetizer option!
We also tried out two salads on the menu - both of which were gluten free (both contained cheese but could easily be served without it). The Warm Spinach Salad was nice and earthy, with a bit of sweetness added in with apples. If you like beets, this is definitely a salad for you. This looks like a salad that is no longer on the menu either.
The salad bowl was my favorite of the salad options. I loved the crunchy pecans, sharpness of the pecorino romano and even bitter greens. It all came together beautifully with texture and taste.It looks like the salad bowl is still an option at the LakeHouse but may have some different seasonal additions to it.
The Manhattan Clam Chowder was a huge surprise for me, as I didn't expect to like it. I'm not a huge red sauce based soup fan, but I was blown away by this Manhattan Clam Chowder. It had tons of fresh seafood in it, and I swear seafood in every bite. Definitely a surprise winner of the meal.
For the entrees, most of the dishes did contain gluten, but two were offered to me, including a gluten free & vegan dish, which does is not listed on the current LakeHouse menu and the Cowboy Rib Eye Steak served with steak fries and house salad.From the meal, these were my two least favorite dishes.The vegan grilled veggies was a bit boring. I love grilled veggies, but they were sadly undercooked and underseasoned. The red pepper sauce that came with it was not particularly good and had a strong vinegar taste to it. I would have loved to have seen a gluten free and vegan stirfry or some type of more composed dish. This was literally just grilled veggies.
The rib eye steak was well-cooked and tasted OK, though I found the house salad and steak fries to be really bland.For dessert, I was given an Amy's Gluten Free brownie, which was not very good. I took two bites and passed on it.Overall, I really enjoyed the majority of the dishes we tried at the LakeHouse. I thought the starters and sushi were standouts and definitely could have made an entire meal of them.Because the restaurant focuses on local and seasonal items, the menu does change quite a bit. I'm glad to see that as of June 2016, they are marking gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan items on the menu, which is nice. They also have gluten free breakfast options too.I was invited to dine at the LakeHouse as a guest by Disneyways.com & the Hyatt Grand Cypress. I was not required to write this post and all opinions are my own.
Mel's Drive-In -- Dinner -- Quick Service -- Universal Studios Orlando
*This dining experience took place in October 2015.Mel's Drive-In is a quick service restaurant located at Universal Studios Orlando and offers burgers and fries. Themed after the original Mel's Drive-In in the movie American Graffiti, Mel's is completely 50s themed, with juke-box tunes to keep you going.On this particular visit, I stopped by during the 2015 Universal Halloween Horror Nights. Brandon and I had Frequent Fear passes for the entire Halloween Horror Nights season and had dinner in the park several times. I had great luck with the Leaky Cauldron at Diagon Alley and not so great luck at Louie's Italian Restaurant, so we were hoping that Mel's Drive-In would at least have a safe burger option.When I arrived, a Team Member told me that I could get a burger on a gluten free bun and French fries. At most Universal locations the French fries are not safe (as they are not fried in a dedicated fryer), and I was told that the ones served at Mel's Drive-In are considered safe.
Because I've been re-introducing a bit of dairy in my diet, I did get cheese on my burger. The cheeseburger itself was not very good. And the bun was absolutely dry and crumbly. Universal Studios uses Udi's Gluten Free buns, so I was surprised at how dry it was.The French fries were just OK but really nothing special.Unfortunately, I did end up getting sick from Mel's Drive-In. I'm still not sure what made me sick, though I do suspect that it was the French fries. I'm guessing they don't have a dedicated fryer, despite the assurance that they were safe.Because there are some other great options in the park, I will definitely skip Mel's Drive-In in the future and head to the Leaky Cauldron or other locations with safer options.Have you been to Mel's Drive-In at Universal Studios Orlando?
Food Quest -- Dinner -- Quick Service -- Disney Quest
*This dining experience took place in February 2016.
Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDWFood Quest, a quick service restaurant at Disney Quest located at Disney Springs, offers basic sandwiches, pizza, and chicken tenders. Housed inside Disney Quest, it has limited options with a very small and basic kitchen.Generally, when I'm at Disney Springs, I'd much rather eat at Raglan Road, Cookes of Dublin, or D-Luxe Burger, but on this particular occasion we were spending the evening at Disney Quest and chose to get a bite to eat in between our gaming.
Food Quest does have an allergy friendly lunch and dinner menu, though it is pretty limited. When I went, I was given the menu and a manager came out to speak with me. I inquired about the allergy chicken tenders which were listed as gluten free only, and when I asked if they were dairy free, I was told yes but that they couldn't guarantee safety because the kitchen was so small. I thought that was a weird statement given that they did have dairy free options on the menu.Still, because they are the same allergy chicken tenders served throughout Disney Parks & Resorts, I opted to get the chicken tenders.
While waiting, I was given a Food Quest pager, and I also ordered an Angry Orchard hard cider. This is a great gluten free alcoholic beverage, and I was glad to see that Food Quest carried it.
Once my chicken tenders arrived, I dug in. They were definitely the same standard allergy chicken tenders at Disney, though both the fries and the tenders were baked not fried. I was not advised of this when we got there, but I assume it is because they did not have a dedicated fryer.Overall, I prefer my allergy chicken tenders fried and not baked but found these still to be a good solid choice. I would definitely get them again, so I probably wouldn't eat at Food Quest again unless I really needed food. There's much better options throughout Disney Springs that have more variety and that seemed like safer choices.Have you been to Food Quest? What did you think of their special dietary needs options?
Boatwright's Dining Hall -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Port Orleans Riverside
*This dining experience took place in February 2016.
Boatwright's, a table service restaurant at Disney's Port Orleans Riverside Resort, has long been a favorite restaurant of mine -- one that I definitely think is a bit of a hidden gem. With great comfort food with a Southern and Cajun twist, like chicken and waffles, and terrific special diets accommodations, I've enjoyed getting lots of great eats at Boatwright's.On this particular occasion, I dined at Boatwright's for my birthday and was looking forward to a great meal. Boatwright's does currently have an allergy-friendly dinner menu, and while there weren't a ton of gluten free and dairy free items listed, I was confident that after speaking with a chef I'd be able to get some of my favorites like Crawfish Bites.
Before my meal, I was given Deanna's Gluten Free rolls (formerly GNI Brand), with some Smart Balance buttery spread, which is vegan and gluten free. The rolls were heated well, though I do wish the restaurant carried Earth Balance, as I prefer that over Smart Balance.
For an entree, I ordered Colonel Peace's Pieces, which is a combination of crawfish bites, okra, and oysters. The restaurant currently uses corn flour as it's batter base for all orders, so this dish is naturally gluten free, which is very nice! My version did need to be modified to be dairy free.The remoulade sauce is so good, and one I can't pass up when I'm at Boatwright's. It is both gluten free & dairy free naturally, though initially, I was told it was no longer dairy free. After confirming with the chef, it is still dairy free, as the remoulade is mayo based, I was able to enjoy it safely.Overall, I did enjoy the appetizer, though I have to say I personally miss the crawfish bites. This version was good, and while I liked the okra, the oysters were not my favorite (that's a personal preference). I also found the dish to be very underseasoned. Of course, nothing a bunch of remoulade wouldn't fix!
I had my heart set on the chicken and waffles, which I have really enjoyed at Boatwright's. Unfortunately, the chef was unable to accommodate my request, as they currently use Cup4Cup mix for their waffles which does contain dairy.I ended up ordering the classic jambalaya, though found my dish to be a bit lacking. For some reason it did not contain sausage or shrimp, as it normally does. The flavors were good, but I would have liked to have had the other proteins in addition to the chicken.You can read more about Boatwright's from Alexis at Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures, including her review of the gluten free chicken and waffles.Overall, I still really love Boatwright's, though my experience wasn't as amazing as it has been in the past. It's truly a nice hidden gem with interesting and unique offerings all set in a lovely atmosphere.Have you been to Boatwright's? What did you order when you dined here?
Garden View Tea Lounge -- Afternoon Tea -- Table Service -- Grand Floridian
*This dining experience took place in February 2016. This is a gluten free only review but notes information about dairy free and vegan options. 
The Garden View Lounge, located at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, offers guests a chance to enjoy a proper English tea-time complete with tea, sandwiches, and pastries. I had only ever been to the Garden View Lounge for tea on my 30th birthday, and I didn't have a particularly good experience.However, it has been several years, and I thought spending my birthday here again might be another nice way to check it out. I was joined by my mom, who also came with me the last time, and we were both cautiously optimistic about the tea.
One thing I will say about the ambiance is that it can seem a bit stuffy in the Garden View Tea Lounge, but overall, I do find the theme charming, and I love the china that they use for the tea cups and serving ware.
They do tend to squeeze tables in rather close to each other, but thankfully, on this visit, the tea room wasn't too crowded.The Garden View Tea Lounge offers several fixed price options for tea, and I opted to get the Derbyshire Tea which came with several courses, along with tea and a glass of champagne. It was my birthday, after all, so I thought champagne was in order!
You do get a choice of tea, and like my previous visit, I chose the Princess Breakfast Tea, which is made exclusively for the Grand Floridian. It combines one of my favorite teas - South African Rooibos - with one of my favorite fruits...Strawberry. I need to see if I can buy this tea and bring it home because this was a true highlight of the afternoon tea service. My mom also ordered it and enjoyed it too.
For my first course, I received several sandwiches, fresh fruit, and several wedges of cheese. Because I've been reintroducing a bit of dairy back into my diet, I opted to indulge in some cheese and a few other dairy filled treats on my visit.The cheeses were both really great, and I have to say that I loved the sage cheese, which I thought added a unique taste and wasn't overpowering. The cheddar that was also on the plate was very mild, and I think I might have preferred a sharper cheese in contrast to the sage cheese which was also quite mild.The sandwiches were all served on Udi's Gluten Free bread. One included golden beets, which was nice and light and earthy tasting. The egg salad was nothing special, and actually a bit dry. The ham sandwich was plain and also nothing special. I can't recall the 4th sandwich I had, but it must not have been very memorable. I know I did not get curry chicken salad, as it was not considered safe.One important thing to note about the sandwiches is that unless requested not to, they will butter the sandwiches on the inside. This is a very common practice in the UK and adds some authenticity to the tea experience, but may not be your "cup of tea" as a preference or something to know about if you are dairy free, have a milk allergy, or are vegan. It's easy to not add though, so definitely let the chef know when you speak to them about this.
For the scone course, sadly, they do not offer a gluten free scone. However, they had two different kinds of gluten free and vegan tea cakes from Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC. One was a lemon tea cake, and the other one was banana. Accompanying that was Earth Balance vegan buttery spread, clotted cream (which I did not eat), lemon curd, and apricot jam.I was also given fresh fruit, a coconut macaroon with strawberry sauce, and chocolate mousse cups. The chocolate mousse contained dairy (and wasn't very good in my opinion) and the coconut macaroon was both gluten free and dairy free, but was very dry and not very tasty. I was pretty disappointed with these as dessert options.
The apricot jam was dairy free, and all three accompaniments were gluten free. Sadly, there's a bit of butter in the lemon curd, and the clotted cream is all dairy. I did try the lemon curd with the lemon tea cake and was wowed by it. Super fresh and tons of lemon flavor. If you can have dairy, it's a real winner. I also adored the apricot jam too.
Overall, I found this experience at the Garden View Tea Lounge to be nice but not as amazing as I would have hoped. They definitely have special diets options and can work with you, but I felt like the presentation and options compared to a non-special diets diner were a bit lacking.And the price of the tea is steep. Mine was around $45 with the champagne. It's definitely a special occasion only experience and one I'd probably not do again for several years. One nice touch that I will mention is that they gave me a rose for my birthday, which was very sweet.Having gone to the Crescent Solarium Afternoon Tea at the Beach Club a few weeks later, I think I preferred that both in price, special diets accommodations and selection, and atmosphere.You can also read about other experiences at the Garden View Tea Lounge by checking out Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures and Dairy Free Gina's posts.Have you been to the Garden View Tea Lounge? What did you think of the special diets offerings?
Ohana -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Polynesian Village Resort
*This dining experience took place in May 2016.You can also hear me talk about Ohana in depth (including covering the character breakfast options) on Episode 37 of the podcast. You can also check out the YouTube video of the Electrical Water Pageant that I took while at the Polynesian Resort after dinner at Ohana. 
Aloha cousins! Ohana, located at Disney's Polynesian Resort, is a popular table service restaurant that offers up family style meals with Polynesian and Asian-inspired flavors. It's definitely a family favorite in my family. I just love all the gluten free and dairy free offerings here and always end up stuffing myself silly with all the delicious food.On this particular occasion, I dined at Ohana with a friend (who is also gluten free and dairy free) who is in Orlando visiting. In fact, the last time I dined here was with my friend when he visited back in November, so it's definitely a tradition to go here for dinner. We also went to Kona Cafe the week before, so we were making our rounds with the Polynesian Village restaurants.When we arrived at Ohana, we were greeted by the chef who went over the options with us. Thankfully, much hasn't changed since last fall, so both my friend and I knew the drill on options.
First up, we enjoyed the Lilikoi salad. It comes with a fruit based vinaigrette and has fresh red peppers, chopped red onions, mushrooms, and edamame (aka soybeans) tossed in with it. While, I like this salad well enough, both my friend and I thought it was pretty underwhelming and not very well seasoned or dressed. I've had better versions of this salad, and I do miss the honey lime vinaigrette that Ohana used to serve years ago.
We were also given Deanna's Gluten Free rolls (aka GNI brand rolls) with some Earth Balance vegan buttery spread. Sadly, these rolls were so poorly heated that they were a dry styrofoam mess. Not even the Earth Balance could save them.Both my friend and I agree that for some reason Ohana just can't seem to heat these rolls well. It's strange because they were heated well next door at Kona, so you'd think they would have no problems. Next time I go, I'll probably skip the bread.
Because we were both gluten free and dairy free, we were served a large platter of steamed white rice, sauteed veggies, and chicken wings -- all safe for both of us to eat.I also asked for a side of the gluten free and dairy free sweet and sour sauce and teriyaki sauce, which make for great dipping sauces.The chicken wings were some of the best I've had at Ohana. They are the same recipe but for some reason they just tasted really good this particular visit. They had lots of meat on them and were nice and tender.The sauteed veggies were a disappointment to me because they were basically raw veggies. They were barely sauteed and so raw that they weren't really very palate pleasing. Next time, I will ask that they cook the veggies a bit more, as I like that medley just not the way in which they were cooked.And the white rice is always a solid starch for me. I don't know why but I could literally eat white rice all day every day.
My favorite part of any Ohana meal is the meat course. Ohana grills three different kinds of meats currently on an open oak fire (which means the restaurant smells amazing). This includes beef, chicken, and shrimp. All three meats are currently gluten free and dairy free, which is kind of amazing.The beef marinade almost has a peanut sauce type marinade on it. We both liked the beef but found that if you're not careful, you'll end up with rare meat. This always seems to be the problem with the beef here, it's either undercooked or overcooked for my taste. We got some very rare beef early on and asked our server if we could get some that were more well done, and she was happy to oblige.The chicken is a real palate pleaser for everyone. Simple and delicious, this is one I always get seconds on.But the real favorite for me is the sweet and spicy shrimp. These are peel and eat, so prepare to be a bit messy (it's totally worth it!). In fact, I may have eaten my weight in shrimp on this visit. They were so good!In fact, I was so full I didn't even get dessert. Neither of us did. You can get dessert options that include non-dairy ice cream, cookies, and brownies (depending on your special dietary need).
If you time your dinner right, you may be at Ohana during Wishes. They do have great views of the Magic Kingdom, and they will dim the restaurant lights and pipe in the music. On top of that, there is great entertainment throughout the evening with live music and fun activities for the kiddos (can you say coconut races?!).Overall, Ohana remains a favorite of mine for great solid gluten free and dairy free options. It's tasty; the food is plentiful; the ambiance great; the entertainment fun!Have you been to Ohana? What did you enjoy while visiting there?
Restaurantosaurus -- Lunch -- Quick Service -- Animal Kingdom
*This dining experience took place in May 2016.Check out my YouTube video walkthrough of the Animal Kingdom Park, including this visit to Restaurantosaurus. 
Restaurantosaurus is a quick service dining location at Dinoland USA in Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park. It's a good go-to spot for me when it comes to a solid quick service and also one that actually has air conditioning and is enclosed at the Animal Kingdom park. It always seems like the Animal Kingdom is super warm, so there's something to be said about a cool spot to grab a bite to eat.
I haven't been to Restaurantosaurus in a while, but it's the spot in the Animal Kingdom where I always get allergy friendly chicken tenders. The chicken tenders on Disney property are so good, and though there was a supplier issue for a while, they seem to be back throughout Disney property which is great.Restaurantosaurus does not have an allergy friendly menu for some reason, but I was able to talk to a manager about options. Allergy chicken tenders usually take about 10 minutes or so to prepare, so there was a bit of a wait. The manager will bring out the tray and all special diets orders come out on a green tray.
The allergy chicken tenders I ordered were delicious as usual. Crispy and flavorful, they really are some of the best gluten free and dairy free chicken tenders I've ever had. The chicken tenders are the same at all locations that carry them throughout Disney property, which is nice!The chicken tenders and fries are made in a dedicated fryer.My only complaint for my meal was that I had a small portion of fries (literally half of what I normally get), which I thought was odd until I realized that my brother's chili cheese fries were also on a green tray.We then realized based on the portion (and that the manager had noted the chili was gluten free) that they had made my brother's fries gluten free in a dedicated fryer and likely was the other half of the portion I typically get when I order allergy chicken tenders and fries.While we didn't order it that way, it was good to know that the chili cheese fries can be made gluten free (not dairy free). Note that in the photo below there are additional toppings added to the fries. These came from the toppings bar and should be avoided if you are concerned with cross contamination or have a severe allergy to any of those items. If you wanted toppings, you could always ask a manager for toppings from the kitchen, which is what I have done in the past at different locations.
Overall, Restaurantosaurus continues to be a solid choice. The options may not be really unique or different, but it's a solid choice and a great spot to cool off and enjoy a quick service meal. Plus, they have allergy friendly chicken tenders which is reason enough to go for me!Have you been to Restaurantosaurus? What did you order there when you went?