Food trucks are hitting the streets all over America, and Walt Disney World is no exception! But with all of the other dining options available at the parks, you might be wondering which food trucks and stands are worth your time (and your Disney Dining Plan credits).
Here’s a list of five that are definitely worth a stop, along with some information about when to visit them (some are brand new and will be open for a very limited engagement) and some of the best things to order!
1. Namaste Cafe
Four food trucks that are themed to represent each Walt Disney World park are parked at the West Side of Disney Springs, and the one that conveys the essence of Disney’s Animal Kingdom is one of the most intriguing. The truck itself looks straight out of that park, with a variety of animals and tribal patterns painted on the exterior. As of May 2016, you’ll find Lamb Kefta (served with Tomato Cucumber Raita Sauce), Butter Chicken with Basmati Rice and Pickled Vegetables, and Naan and Samosa Dipping Safari with Pickled Vegetables. But one of the most popular options (and also one of the tastiest!) is the Tandoori Shrimp with sides of Basmati Rice and Pickled Vegetables. The shrimp is topped with a creamy curry mustard sauce, but if you’re not much of a mustard fan, you can ask for a side of some of the sauce that tops the Butter Chicken, which combines tomato puree, butter and spices. The shrimp with tandoori spice will pretty much melt in your mouth, and the vegetables provide a spicy kick as well. This food truck’s hours can vary, but it is typically open daily from 12:30 to 11 p.m., as long as weather permits.
2. World Showcase of Flavors
Even if you’re hitting up the parks long before the next Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, you can still sample some dishes from all around the world at this big green truck that appropriately sports some vintage travel stickers and a row of suitcases above the order pickup window. The best dishes of the festival are featured here, and as of May 2016 that list includes Potstickers with Soy-Chili Dipping Sauce and Grilled Chicken Breast Gyro with House-Made Chips. The Grass-Fed Beef Sliders may sound like a basic dish, but the addition of Monterey Jack cheese makes them heavenly. The Florida Local sliders, which have been very popular at the festival, are also served with Sweet-Hot Pickles and House-Made Chips. This food truck on Disney Springs’ West Side also features wines —such as MacMurray Ranch Pinot Noir and Frog’s Leap Zinfandel —by the glass, and the truck’s usual operating hours are 12:30-11 p.m. daily, except during inclement weather.
3. Kabuki Cafe
This Epcot food stand has evolved from selling only Kakigori (yummy Japanese shaved ice in flavors such as melon, tangerine, cherry, strawberry and rainbow), and drinks like Plum Wine and Hot or Cold Sake to offering new items such as ice cream in Green Tea and Strawberry Azuki flavors. But the best addition has to be the sushi! You can get a California Roll (which is a Avocado, Cucumber, Crab, Mayonnaise and Smelt Roe rolled in Sushi Rice), HAKO Sushi (which combines Shrimp, Salmon and Tuna) or a combination of the two. An order of sushi, Edamame and Kakigori makes a great light meal, especially during the hot summer months, and best of all, each of those items costs only one snack credit on the Disney Dining Plan! If you’re interested in a more adult drink, you can try the new Sake Mists (alcoholic shaved ices) at the stand. These are not available for snack credits, but they come in delectable flavors such as Blood Orange, Coffee and Chocolate Cherry. Kabuki Cafe is open during World Showcase’s hours, which are normally 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
4. Hollywood Waffles of Fame
Disney’s Hollywood Studios has recently added Echo Lake Eats — a cluster of three kiosks that are situated around the lake —and one of the must-stop spots serves waffles, but not in the way that you’d probably expect. This stand features a Shaved Turkey and Gouda Waffle Sandwich, and the waffles are freshly made to order in the stand itself. The sandwich is packed with mixed greens, bacon, tomato and an herb-cheese pesto spread, and the flavors blend together beautifully. It’s an impressive sandwich that really raises the standards for park fare, and it’s served with chips. This kiosk also offers a Shaved Ham and Cheese Foccacia Sandwich topped with watercress and spicy mustard, with chips also on the side, and House-Baked Chocolate Chip Cookies and drinks like Yuengling Lager and Robert Mondavi Chardonnay. And if you’d rather have the ham and cheese on the waffle, or the turkey and gouda on foccacia, just ask. The kiosk welcomes substitutions. Hollywood Waffles of Fame is open during peak periods at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, but you may want to visit it quickly, as it’s only scheduled to be in operation through summer 2016.
5. Bocados del Lago Nachos y Empanadas
If you’ll be in the parks this summer and you know you’ll be craving some Latin cuisine, you’ll want to stop by this new kiosk that’s also part of Echo Lake Eats. The kiosk’s Beef Empanadas shouldn’t be missed: They feature savory-but-not-spicy beef wrapped in fresh, flaky pastry that’s served with cilantro sour cream and a lime wedge and accompanied by roasted corn and black bean salsa along with queso fresco. If you’re not in the mood for empanadas, you can also try an entree-sized portion of Loaded Chili-Cheese Nachos that are topped with sour cream, guacamole and jalapenos, and if you’re on the Disney Dining Plan, you can round out your meal with a House-Baked Dulce de Leche Cookie that’s a soft, chewy dessert filled with tiny bits of caramel. You can also indulge in a Lime Margarita on the Rocks too. This kiosk is also open during peak periods at Disney’s Hollywood Studios this summer, but if it and the other Echo Lake Eats offerings prove to be popular, hopefully Disney will bring them back in the future!
Ordering from a food truck or stand definitely adds to the fun, festival atmosphere of Walt Disney World and Disney Springs — even if there’s not an official event going on! There is waterfront seating around each of the stands and trucks on this list, and live entertainment is also frequently available nearby. Each stand and truck has a limited and sometimes-changing menu (due to space constraints), but they’ll likely have something that will please your palate. And yes, they all accept the counter-service Disney Dining Plan and they also offer kids’ portions for guests who are 9 and younger. Have you tried any of the food truck and kiosk offerings? Leave your reviews in the comments below!
