*This dining experience took place in June 2013.
Howdy partners! This here is the wildest meal in the wilderness! Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe proves to be a rootin’ tootin’ good time, every time I visit it, and the food isn’t bad either. On this particular visit, my family and I stopped by Pecos Bill’s for lunch. Known for it’s burgers and fries, this restaurant offers quality Angus burgers and a variety of other sandwiches. Many of you know that I’m not really a beef eater (I eat about 1 or 2 hamburgers a year and that’s about it), so I headed here hoping to grab a chicken sandwich.
We arrived at Pecos Bill’s around 1 p.m., which on a June afternoon was still particularly busy. In looking at the menu, I noticed it wasn’t a very big one. Items include:
When I arrived at the cash register station, I asked for a manager and the CM paged one. When the manager arrived, we went over the allergy ingredients book. I really wanted a chicken sandwich but the manager said that the chicken sandwiches were taking a really long time to prepare and would probably take 10-20 minutes longer than the other sandwiches. Wow, that’s a little crazy! Does everyone want chicken sandwiches?! Feeling saucy, I decided to get a burger. One of the big reasons I did this was because I noticed that the beef appears to be locally sourced (from Lakeland, FL which is about 30 minutes away). That always is an important thing for me, especially since I don’t eat beef much. I noticed that they had Udi’s buns, and the manager confirmed that this was the case. Is it me or is Udi’s making a comeback? I still think they should carry both options (one that is egg free like GNI) for guests who have multiple allergies, but am personally glad to see Udi’s buns back. I also got french fries which are made in a dedicated fryer. You can also get pre-packaged carrots and grapes.
I also asked if I could have some condiments from the back and toppings from the back. If you have never been to Pecos Bill’s before, there is actually a toppings bar that is out front that people can use to get lettuce, grilled onions and mushrooms, cheese sauce, etc. However, as a gluten free/dairy free person, you would be best to steer clear of this area. It’s a free-for-all and often heavily cross-contaminated. If you’re interested in certain items, just as the manager and they will bring you some from the back that are safe. Some managers may offer to grill onions and peppers for you and others might not. On this particular occasion I was offered raw onion (which I don’t mind). I also got shredded lettuce and pickles. You can also find lots of pre-packaged ketchup (Heinz), mayo and mustard available (I also steer clear of the self serve condiments).
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| Toppings bar in all of its cross contamination glory–stay far away partners! |
Once I completed my order, the manager gave me a pager and they stamped my receipt with a boot…ha, they literally gave me the boot!! (ok, sorry the western humor was too tempting) Then he told me to meet him near the fireplace when the pager went off. I will note that it did take a bit to prepare. Also, one important thing to consider. They monitor seating at Pecos Bill’s. You need to be with your party when you find your seats. That can be a little tricky when you have dietary needs. We ended up having my family go find seats and I waited in the main area and then found them once I got my food. The staff were actually very helpful with this. Just something to keep in mind if you have a hungry group.
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| I got the boot! |
Once my food arrived, I headed over to meet the family. First thing I noticed was that they were very generous with the toppings. That was nice! The hamburger itself was a little thin looking for a 1/3lb burger. It could have been a little bit bigger if you ask me. The bacon was the typical “stringy” bacon you get at Disney. I’m sort of used to it, so it wasn’t a big deal. I added a little ketchup, mayo and mustard to the burger and topped with the extra toppings. Yum!! Taste wise, the burger was actually good. I didn’t find it overly greasy at all. It was a little on the dry side, but not bad. The extra fat from the bacon and the accompaniments helped. The fries were nothing special. Same fries you get anywhere else. But still good. I mean, where else can you get french fries?! I was very excited to see the Udi’s bun. It’s just plain tasty and it makes the hamburger, if you ask me.
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| Extra toppings–not from the topping bar! |
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| Burger and fries–yeehaw! |
Overall, I thought the meal wasn’t bad. The burger had a nice grill flavor and was probably one of the better quick service burgers around. My family who isn’t GF/DF all really enjoyed them. My one gripe is that they don’t really have great vegetarian options (a veggie burger does not count as a variety!) or options in general. It really is a burgers and fries joint. If you’re looking for locations that have more varied options, check out Cosmic Rays or Columbia Harbour House in the Magic Kingdom. But, if you want a burger and fries, this is the place to go!
I’d give this a 7 out of 10 for this trip.
