Disney Food for Families columnist Erin Foster knows what’s important for her family when it comes to Disney counter-service…

It’s a rare child that doesn’t feel passionate about condiments. Here are a few of the examples you might have heard from your kids… “I won’t let any type of sauce touch my food.” Or,“I’ll eat anything, as long as it’s covered in ketchup.” “Hot sauce is heavenly.” “Relish looks like alien slime.” “Plastic cheese makes everything better.” “Salsa, not ketchup.” “Mustard, not salsa.” “French fries are fine, but only if dipped in maple syrup.”

Yep, condiments are the weird and wonderful place where kiddie crazy food idiosyncrasies come out to play. Luckily, Disney has the condiment basics covered at most places.

At any of the counter service restaurants where burger/dog/nugget staples are served, you’ll find traditional accompaniments like ketchup and mustard. And while they may not be out on the table, you can ask for these items at nearly all of the table service restaurants on property. But if you keep your eyes open, you’ll find many more options available.

So, if your child, or you, will ONLY eat food covered in soy sauce (hey, it happens), I’ll tell you where you’ll be able to get your fix.

Topping Bars

A few Disney counter service restaurants, such as Cosmic Ray’s and Tortuga Tavern in the Magic Kingdom, offer what Disney calls a “toppings bar.” This is code for a salad-bar-like spread of fresh fixin’ add-ons.

Once you get your burger (at Cosmic Ray’s) or taco salad (at Tortuga Tavern), you can head over to the toppings bar to get unlimited embellishments to enhance your entree. The toppings typically include items like shredded cheese, lettuce, and fresh tomatoes.

At Cosmic Ray’s you may also find sauteed onions, pickles, sauerkraut, and even mushrooms. If you’re particularly ambitious, it’s possible to build yourself a little side salad from the items at the toppings bar.

A few other locations have less elaborate, but still free-flowing condiment options. The Sunset Ranch Market at Disney’s Hollywood Studios has a large condiment bar. Be sure to pay attention to the scenes unraveling behind it as well!

Over at Cantina de San Angel in Epcot, you have your choice of salsas — choose from salsa verde or chipotle!

And at Casey’s Corner in the Magic Kingdom, it’s all about the hot dog fixin’s. Help yourself to sauerkraut, relish, and plastic cheese!

Packaged Condiments

An even wider variety of food flavorings and condiments can be found in packaged form at Disney World’s counter-service restaurants. Here’s a tour of some highlights:

A Bit of Inequity in the Land of Condiments

Remember those photos above of the free condiment display at Roaring Fork in the Wilderness Lodge? At that deluxe resort, the counter service restaurant provides guests with a take-what-you-want supply of peanut butter and cream cheese.

Now check out the photo below of the single-serve peanut butter and cream cheese packages available at Pop Century, a value level resort:

See the difference? At Wilderness Lodge these food-like condiments are free. At the Pop, they’ll cost you — either $.50 or a Disney Dining Plan snack credit. (Jelly is still free at the Pop.)

This is just another one of the subtle differences you’ll find among the various hotels on Disney property. Sometimes you get what you pay for, or rather you don’t get what you don’t pay for.

Similarly, salad dressing packets that might be free in the parks can cost you at the value resorts.

And at the AMC movie theater at Downtown Disney, you will also pay for some condiments — like $1.00 for salsa. However, this venue is not owned by Disney and pricing like this is fairly typical of first-run theaters.

As you can see, the variety of condiments (and their availability) at Disney counter service restaurants is broad. While you’ll usually find what you want, you may need to ask for it. And if you find something quirky that you love, like that low-sodium soy sauce, please let us know where you found it so we can spread the word!

What has your experience been? Do you have a favorite spot for unique condiments at Disney World? Do your kids have any wacky condiment habits that you’ve had to work around while traveling? Let us know in the comments below.