Dad’s Guide to BBQ in Disney World

When you get sick of the typical theme park cheeseburger and want some real food, we’ve got you covered. Of course we’re talking about the most satisfying food around: BBQ. You’ll find many options in the various theme parks, some better than others. Let’s take a look.

Flame Tree BBQ in Animal Kingdom

When you ask people about BBQ within the four theme parks of Disney World, you’re likely to quickly hear “Flame Tree BBQ!” from those who know. Why? Because their ribs and chicken are delicious! Not only that, but they’re a pretty good value, too. For less than $12 you can get half a chicken, half a slab of ribs, cornbread, baked beans, and coleslaw. This is definitely enough to share – though we can’t promise you’ll want to!

California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

You likely don’t want to spend the money staying in Disney’s costly resorts, but you can take advantage of the incredible restaurants there. At Disney’s Contemporary Resort you’ll find one of the best restaurants anywhere on Disney property: California Grill. This incredible dining experience is costly, but you’ll have some of the most unique and delicious barbeque anywhere in Florida.

You can park here for free if you have a reservation, and no matter when you eat you can return with your receipt to visit the Top of the World Lounge for incredible views of the Magic Kingdom’s fireworks. If you time it just right, you could be sitting at your table, enjoying your delicious barbeque, right while the fireworks are happening. Just be sure to make reservations well in advance – this is one of the most popular restaurants on Disney property.

Teppan Edo in Epcot

Flame Tree is a great option for those who want a quick meal – it’s a counter service option that allows you to walk up, order, and get your food in a few minutes. California Grill is a great option for those who want a sit down meal they can eat at their leisure and who don’t mind spending the big bucks. But what about those in between?

That’s where Teppan Edo comes in! It’s a sit down restaurant that allows you to enjoy some delicious air conditioning and tasty food, but it’s moderately priced. You can expect to spend around $25 per person – this is Disney after all! – but it’s considerably more affordable than California Grill. There’s something here for everyone, from shrimp to Japanese-style BBQ ribs to vegetarian options. Like California Grill, this is a popular restaurant and if you wait to walk up and look for a table the day you visit, you’re likely to be out of luck. So be sure to make those reservations early!