OK, here’s where it gets good.
I love showing you guys pictures of what you can get at Disney restaurants. It’s the best way for you to judge for yourself whether or not you think a restaurant is right for you.
But sometimes I just gotta share a few secrets that I’ve discovered. Things that aren’t actually ON the menu, exactly, but that are truly worth getting and trying.
And today, I’m sharing another great tip from the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining — Ordering “Off the Menu” Items in Walt Disney World Restaurants.
And if you like what you see here, there are a lot more where these came from! To see our whole list of must-have “off the menu” items for 2015, pick up your copy of the Guide today for $4 off using code 2015 right here!
Spicy Tomato Butter at Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano
Recently, we’ve been enjoying some truly incredible meals at Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano. This quirky eatery in Disney’s Hollywood Studios has plenty of traditional Italian fare on offer, but they can also surprise with a creative twist or two.
Mama Melrose Makes an Incredible Steak and Mac and Cheese Combo!
During my last couple of visits, I’ve had the opportunity to enjoy their Spicy Tomato Butter! You’ll find this amazing sauce on their Oak-Fired Mussels, but if you’re not interested in ordering said Mussels, consider requesting some of the Spicy Tomato Butter with your bread.
Bread with Spicy Tomato Butter and Other Accompaniments
And I’m so glad I asked the server for this “off the menu” request, because that butter is incredible! Spicy, savory, and rich, it’s delicious served with bread.
In fact, on one recent visit, the server actually brought it to me slightly melted, like a dipping sauce! Heaven.
Cranberry Sauce at Liberty Tree Tavern
Have you had the pleasure of enjoying dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern in Magic Kingdom? If not, what are you waiting for?? 😉
Liberty Tree Tavern in Magic Kingdom
And if so, then you know that part of what makes it so awesome is that it looks a lot like America’s favorite meal — a Thanksgiving Day Feast!
Roast Pork, Turkey, and Beef with Cornbread Stuffing and Chutney at Liberty Tree Tavern
But there is one key ingredient missing when they bring the family-style dishes to your table; the meal doesn’t automatically include Cranberry Sauce. And I don’t know about you, but it just isn’t Turkey Day without that little gem on the table.
Cranberry Sauce at Liberty Tree Tavern
But never fear — they have Cranberry Sauce — and it’s pretty fantastic! You just have to request it. It seems that not all guests love it as much as you and I, so it ended up being thrown out quite a lot of the time.
So order it with abandon if you like a little Cranberry Sauce on the side of your meal — they’re happy to bring it to you, included in the cost of the meal!
Fried Mozzarella at Via Napoli
Speaking of Liberty Tree Tavern, they used to have a wonderful Tavern Fried Cheese Appetizer that included Deep Fried Cheese Curds. They were out of this world.
Sadly, you can’t get them in the Colonial American-themed spot — but I DID find something similar at one of my favorite Epcot restaurants, Via Napoli!
Via Napoli in Epcot’s Italy Pavilion
The restaurant is a fairly recent addition to the Italy Pavilion in Epcot, and boasts some of the best pizza that I’ve ever had anywhere. I’m always happy to order a pie, or one of their stellar pasta dishes. But to begin, we always request an “off the menu” order of Fried Mozzarella.
The nuggets of fresh cheese come as part of the Fritto Misto Platter, but when ordered that way, you only get a couple. I always ask for extra, and they’ve been happy to bring them every time!
Mozzarella Caprese at Via Napoli
If you miss the Tavern Fried Cheese, ya gotta try this!
Ready for All of Our Best Tips?
We’ve got TONS of Disney World Dining Tips — including some of our other suggestions for fun things you may want to order that aren’t on the menu — in our big, bold, 490-page DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2015 — and the guide is your ticket to planning your best Disney trip yet!
The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2015 is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 20+ years of visits. We’ve done the research for you, so you’ll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family’s needs!
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Now let’s hear from all of you! What are your favorite tips and tricks for ordering things “off the menu” at Disney? Leave a comment with your favorite things!
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Another favorite of mine is to go to 50s Primetime and get the horseradish sauce from the onion rings when you order the pot roast meal. Was recommended to us the first time hubby and I went there for dinner the day after our wedding with some friends. We order it that way now every time we go!
Speaking of ordering off the menu…
I am a vegetarian and sometimes there are limited options on the published menus. I was recently eating at Citricos at the Grand Floridian. They had exactly one entree option suitable for a vegetarian and it sounded a little…well…uninspired.
I asked the waiter if the chef had anything else he could do that wasn’t grilled vegetables on pasta. He said he would talk to the chef. I said great, surprise me. What he brought me was wonderful!
I think, within reason, chef’s like to go off-book every now and then, so if you aren’t seeing what you want, particularly if you have special needs, don’t be afraid to ask. Some places may be better able to accommodate special requests, but if you don’t ask, you don’t get.
@David – Don’t leave us in suspense! What sort of vegetarian dish did the chef conjure up?
Agree with list except Liberty Tree’s cranberry sauce. Really thought it was too tart
Don’t hesitate to ask about special drinks that you know about but aren’t on the menu. Couple weeks ago I got a Space Monkey (chocolate shake, coconut rum, and banana liqueur) at Sci-Fi Dine-In even though it’s been off the menu for at least a year.
This is an awesome post!!!! Love to hear these secrets!