Top 5 Quick Service Locations

Good Morning all! I have been trying to avoid making all of my "top 5" entries this week about food, but what can I say? I am a closet foodie, and as I visit Walt Disney World more and more over the years it becomes more and more about...the food. So today I am giving you my picks for the:

Top 5 Quick Service Locations

5. Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe

Location: Magic Kingdom; Frontierland

This restaurant is located at the corner of Frontierland across the street from Splash Mountain. I bet some people are wondering why I chose this location as my number 5 pick; but I love a good taco salad, and that's what they have there! Burgers, sandwiches, salads, most with a southwestern theme and yummy! I also like the location of this restaurant; because if you plan your meal just right, you can have a little bit of a later lunch around 1:30 or so and then stake out your spot for the 3 o'clock Share A Dream Come True parade! The parade route begins just outside.

4. Toluca Legs Turkey Co.

Location: Disney's Hollywood Studios; Sunset Boulevard

Guess what you can dine on at this location?? You got it! Turkey legs! The famed Walt Disney World treat that has mouths watering when from the point you start smelling them to after you eat them (or maybe that's just me-- turkey legs make me sooo thirsty!). You can also purchase beer at this location (with a valid ID). The picture above always makes me laugh when I see it; it's two of my closest friends "goofing" around at Toluca Legs Turkey Co. one day when we were playing in the parks. So if turkey legs and beer sound like an ideal lunch for you after walking around Disney's Hollywood Studios for several hours, head down Sunset boulevard towards the Tower of Terror and look to your left--you can't miss it!

3. The Earl of Sandwich

Location: Downtown Disney Marketplace

I often suggest that my clients spend an afternoon or evening at Downtown Disney when they have a day where they just don't want to go to the theme parks. It can be relaxing; shopping, restaurants, maybe a performance of Cirque du Soleil or a visit to DisneyQuest. And if you're down there on the marketplace side deciding where to eat, there's no doubt in my mind where I would suggest: The Earl of Sandwich. They actually do breakfast, lunch, or dinner there and you can take the food to go if you'd like to have it in your room instead! The sandwiches are fantastic and filling by themselves and you also get a drink and a side on the dining plan too! I've had many a great meal with best friends and family at this restaurant...if it's a nice day, grab a table outside and people-watch!

2. Yorkshire County Fish Shop

Location: EPCOT; United Kingdom

If you haven't already noticed I want to point out that almost none of my quick service location picks are traditional burgers and fries which is a common misconception to the public when they hear quick service dining. Everyone tends to immediately think "the Mc-word". But my number 2 and 1 spots on this list today do not conclude my favorite quick service locations. They are simply great food and for me, happy memories. Don't you sometimes crave bad-for-you fried food? Well, you're on vacation...go ahead, splurge! Maybe on, say, a couple of fillets of fried cod and a pile of chips (or french fries as we Yanks call 'em)? The food is outstanding at this location and you can have them anyway you like them, maybe perhaps like my husband who enjoys them (traditionally) drenched in vinegar, or like me, I'm more a tartar sauce kinda-girl. And one of my favorite aspects of this restaurant is its location. Order your food, get your condiments, and them pick a nice bench overlooking the World Showcase Lagoon and take a minute to relax.

1. Lotus Blossom Cafe

Location: EPCOT; China

This (believe it or not) was a very difficult decision for me. I would like to give honorable mention to each of the quick service locations is EPCOT, as all of them have yummy food from their country's cuisine. But the memories attached to the Lotus Blossom Cafe seal the deal for me. My family and I have always been big on Chinese food. It was a treat while we were growing up, and all I have to add to this is THANK GOODNESS my husband loves it too. And then to add to it...so do our kids! YAY! This dining location is a favorite with my family (we also have been going to the table service location- Nine Dragons for about twenty years as well), and don't get me wrong, if you don't like Chinese food you're not going to agree with me. They have a delicious cold green tea there, and the orange chicken is fantastic! I highly recommend this location and hope that you taste it for yourself!