Updated Top 10 Quick Service Restaurants at Walt Disney World!

Back in November of 2012, I wrote a post titled My Top 10 Quick Service Restaurants at Disney World, and in it, I had what was then my list of my favorite quick service restaurants.  Well, nearly two years has passed, and I felt it was time to update my list to include some new favorites, so here it is for you today – my updated Top 10 Quick Service Restaurants at Walt Disney World!  Let’s take a look at how things have changed, and see what you agree (or disagree) with!  Is your favorite restaurant on our list?  Let me know, and thanks!

#10 Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe

Previous Ranking: #4

Cosmic Ray’s has fallen from our list considerably, down six spots.  This isn’t because the food is bad or anything like that — it’s actually just as good as it was before — and the “live” entertainment of Sonny Eclipse is as good as ever.  The reason for it’s fall isn’t so much the restaurant, but rather the additions to our list that have wowed us as much as they have.  Cosmic Ray’s is still a great spot for burgers, chicken, and sandwiches, and if you have young ones that don’t like the sound of the fireworks, this is a great spot to sit and relax while they are going on!

#9 La Cantina de San Angel

Previous Ranking: #2

My wife and daughter are going to think I’m ill for dropping La Cantina as far as I have.  After all, they haven’t met a person who doesn’t like Mexican food as much as I do.  For me, though, La Cantina is kind of a forgotten child on the World Showcase row of incredible dining, and as such, we almost never stop here, and when I do think about doing so, the lines are usually pretty long and that dissuades me.  So, as much as it pains me, La Cantina has tumbled.  Let’s see where it stands after our upcoming trip!

#8 Fairfax Fare

Previous Ranking: NR (Not Ranked)

Joining our list for the first time is Fairfax Fare, a great little quick service restaurant over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios park.  This is a great place to get a bite to eat and relax, or get ready to take on Tower of Terror!  They serve a lot of great things, and have incredible ice cream treats too!  Go check them out!

#7 Flame Tree Barbecue

Previous Ranking: #8

Moving up one spot on our list from last time, the Flame Tree Barbecue restaurant is one of my favorites over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park.  I love their ribs, and I love the settings, and despite the quality of the food, it seems like it is never busy!  The only drawback I have with it is that we never seem to have time to stop and eat there, so it has been several years since I ate here.

#6 Sunshine Seasons

Previous Ranking: #1

Sunshine Seasons has had quite a fall from #1 in my list.  Again, this isn’t necessarily because of anything that we experienced there, it’s more that we just haven’t been to eat over there since 2011.  That’s a long time, and I’m guessing that if we make it over there this June, Sunshine Seasons will be right back at or near the top!

#5 Casey’s Corner

Previous Ranking: #5

Casey’s Corner holds steady at #5 in our list, which is pretty good when you consider that there are 139 entries listed for the “Counter Service” category on the Disney website!  To me, Casey’s is more than a great hot dog.  It’s a return to the way baseball was celebrated in our country; it’s definitely baseball pre-steroids, and nothing goes better for baseball than great hot dogs!  You can eat outside, or you can try and find a seat on the bleachers and watch old film.  If you do eat outside, you may find this young man playing for you:

All of this adds up to #5 on our list!

#4 Earl of Sandwich

Previous Ranking: NR

My wife informed me last night that when we ate at Earl of Sandwich last year with our great friends Brenda and Butch, that was actually the second time that we had eaten there!  I don’t remember the first time, but what I do know was that it was pre-blog, and as a result, the food we had here last year was so good to me that it propelled this restaurant all the way up to #4 on our list!  That’s impressive in my book!

#3 Liberty Inn

Previous Ranking: #9

The Liberty Inn restaurant is located over at The American Adventure pavilion in Epcot’s World Showcase, and is not to be confused with the Liberty Tree Tavern over at Liberty Square in the Magic Kingdom.  This restaurant is a great one on my list because you often get a show with your food, the food is good, and it features a big dining hall that is quite helpful if you get caught in a rain storm!  If you haven’t eaten here, I suggest you check it out on your next trip!

#2 The Diamond Horseshoe

Previous Ranking: NR

For years, we have walked right by The Diamond Horseshoe on our way to Splash Mountain or Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, or back towards the Haunted Mansion, and for years, we never stopped in to eat here.  Last July, though, Cindy told me she wanted to eat here, and we did so, and the moment we walked in, it was like taking a huge step back in time.  We ordered our food, went upstairs to look over the stage, and had a great meal.  The food was great, the setting was incredible, and the only reason that this is not listed at #1 on our list is because the show that used to be performed here is no longer done.  If they re-introduced that, the place would be jumping and it would go crazy with traffic, in this writer’s opinion.  Here’s a picture for you of what it looks like inside:

#1 Columbia Harbour House

Previous Ranking: #7

At the top of our list is the Columbia Harbour House restaurant — the only restaurant that features decor painted on one side to be representative of Fantasyland, and decor on the other side themed to be representative of Liberty Square.  Columbia Harbour House features a second floor seating that looks over the walkway, and you can pass underneath it as you enter or leave Liberty Square.  Columbia Harbour House is #1 on our list because of the following reasons:

1. When we visited the Magic Kingdom for the 40th Anniversary, I wanted to eat at Pinocchio Village Haus, but the line wrapped all the way down past it’s a small world.  So, we went to Columbia Harbour House instead, and it seemed like we just walked right in.
2. I think that the restaurant is a forgotten step-child of Magic Kingdom Quick Service restaurants.  It almost never has a line, but the food is delicious!
3. The fish and chips are so good, I highly recommend you try them out.
4. The Columbia Harbour House features restrooms both upstairs and downstairs inside the restaurant, so that’s helpful to make a stop before you get back into the swing of your day.
5. Lastly, it’s a great relaxing place to eat great food and look out the windows at the people passing by.  It’s one of those “road less traveled” kind of Disney moments.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention this one Honorable Mention restaurant on my list, so I have one more restaurant for you.

Honorable Mention: Pinocchio Village Haus

Previous Ranking: #10

I’ve included the Pinocchio Village Haus restaurant on my list mainly for one reason, and one reason alone: memories of the trips I took to Walt Disney World with my Grandpa and Grandma when I was a kid.  The Village Haus food has dropped off considerably from what it used to be, at least in my opinion, and far too often when you try and get a seat overlooking it’s a small world you are unable to get a seat, but when I was a kid, we would get a snack and sit right by the windows looking over the ride, and we’d wave to all of the Guests departing on their journey.  You can’t ever get those memories back once they’re gone, so it’s important that I remember these from time to time.  It’s memories like that that molded me into the person I am today, and it’s why the Pinocchio Village Haus restaurant will always be on my list, regardless of how bad the food is.

Thank you for taking time to read through this lengthy post, does my list match up some with your list?  Please let me know, and thanks for stopping by today!  Now, go make it a great Disney Day!

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