5. Grilled New York Strip – Kona Café

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I’m a carnivore. I feel like it’s important to acknowledge this fact. Some people describe themselves as meat and potatoes people, yet they’re perfectly fine having a Cobb salad for dinner. I’m not like them. If I don’t eat meat and potatoes, I’ll starve to death. I could never make it as a vegetarian, because when I look at cows, I realize it’s either them or me.

Given the above, you’ll understand why steak is a very serious subject for me. In fact, it’s life or death. So, when I say that the Kona Café offers the best New York strip at Walt Disney World, you should believe me. I’m an authority on this one by circumstance rather than by choice. When I plan advance dinner reservations each visit, the first thing I check is whether a place has a steak. It’s why places like Yak and Yeti and San Angel Inn are popular with many people but will never work for me. I’ve eaten basically every strip steak on property, and I’m telling you that Kona Café beats them all.

4. Bobotie – Boma - Flavors of Africa

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South African cuisine comprises a key portion of the menu at this Animal Kingdom Lodge restaurant, and if you’ve never tried it, you’re truly missing out on something wonderful. Bobotie is a modified version of an Indonesian dish called bobotok that is basically meat covered with a custard roof. Yes, that’s a real thing. Bobotie uses minced meat, but it substitutes an egg-based topping for custard. The meat is generally either beef or pork, although I’ve only had the beef version at Boma. If you’ve never tried this, imagine shepherd’s pie with a lot of curry and an egg flavor rather than mashed potato. It’s…definitely different than anything you’re likely to find at most American restaurants, but the flavor absolutely pops. 

3. Layered Ratatouille – Be Our Guest

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When this restaurant opened to tremendous fanfare in 2012, people directed most of the attention toward the stylish new Magic Kingdom castle and the alcoholic beverages served within. Over time, Be Our Guest sustained its popularity as the toughest reservation at Walt Disney World by delivering haute cuisine in a breathtaking building chock-full of great special effects.

Despite its reputation and Disney’s ability to charge basically whatever they want for people to eat there, you can still eat a delicious entrée for less than $20, which means the food is the same price as your local TGI Friday’s, at least if you want the vegetarian option. There’s only one at Be Our Guest, so they made sure to perfect it. That dish, layered ratatouille, exemplifies Disney’s ability to serve staples of the common folk as mouthwatering culinary triumphs fit for a beastly king.

The ratatouille at Be Our Guest is technically a vegan dish comprised of eggplant, mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, and zucchini that is layered with quinoa. The French refer to one of their national favorites as peasant food, but Disney’s chefs elevate it with a stunning bell pepper sauce that blends masterfully with the quinoa. The only complaint anyone has about the dish is that you’ll want a larger portion, because it’s so delicious.

2. Black Angus Boneless Rib-Eye – Le Cellier Steakhouse

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Canada never receives the respect it deserves with regards to food on the world stage. They’re tremendous adult beverage makers, particularly in the fields of beer and wine. Also, no matter what anybody thinks of poutine, Canadians are certainly innovative about its ingredients. With regards to Le Cellier at the Canada Pavilion, many of their meals are spectacular, but there’s a reason why Steakhouse is in the title.

Given my self-professed expertise on the topic of steak, I expect that I surprised you by not naming one of the more venerated Walt Disney World restaurants such as Victoria and Albert’s, Yachtsman Steakhouse, or Shula’s Steakhouse. Those places might have glowing reputations, but I’m not claiming to be a foodie here, simply someone that knows exactly what I like. And as a fan of perfectly marbled meat, I liiiiiiike Le Cellier Steakhouse. Their Rib-Eye is moist, meaty, and mythic in flavor.

1. Pork Two Ways – California Grill

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No Disney restaurant can compete with California Grill when it comes to pork dishes. They are the unquestioned master of the succulent pig. They’re aces at pork loin, pork belly, and pork tenderloin. They even splash pork fat on some of their other tasty treats in order to give them a flavor boost. Still, there is one dish that stands above the rest at California Grill. It’s the one that causes anyone who’s had it to turn into Homer Simpson when they recall the taste, drool hanging from their lips all the while. Mmm, pork two ways.

For 20 years, people identified California Grill with its seminal dish, pork loin. It’s a well-seasoned piece of pork with polenta and goat cheese. There’s nothing fancy about the ingredients, but the execution is always superlative. The new addition is the pork belly portion of the entrée, and it’s somehow even more delicious than its storied companion. The chefs at California Grill have mastered the art form of pork fat as a flavor profile enhancement. Simply stated, the single best bite I’ve ever experienced at Walt Disney World is the new version of pork belly in the Pork Two Ways dish. The next time you’re ready to make advance dinner reservations for Disney, don’t even think about it. Simply book a dinner at California Grill and then thank me later.