EDITOR’S UPDATE: Now that Rosie’s All-American Cafe is reopen from its refurbishment, the Fried Green Tomato Sandwich is now being served there instead of Fairfax Fare. Rosie’s All-American is also located in the Sunset Ranch Market. 

Welcome back to Fairfax Fare in Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

Fairfax Fare is part of Sunset Ranch Market: a string of Counter Service spots on Sunset Boulevard, which also includes Anaheim Produce, Hollywood Scoops, Catalina Eddie’s, and Rosie’s All-American Cafe.

Altogether, they serve just about the full array of typical Counter Service favorites, from pizza and burgers to ice cream and grab-and-go snacks.

Fairfax Fare in particular is known for “Smoked Specialties” such as spareribs and chicken dishes. In fact, it’s quite the carnivore’s destination, when you think about it. So it was with definite curiosity that we tried a more recent addition to the menu, which just so happens to be a vegetarian entree: the Fried Green Tomato Sandwich.

Atmosphere

Fairfax Fare, with its simple setting and ordering windows blends right in with the other Sunset Ranch Market eateries along Sunset Boulevard.

Of course, even though it blends in with the typical scene, it does stand out a bit more at the moment due to its next door neighbors — Catalina Eddie’s and Rosie’s All-American Cafe — currently undergoing refurbishments. (They’re anticipated to reopen on November 20th).

Just like most Quick Service spots located throughout the parks, they have a few registers and your food is typically ready in just a couple of minutes.

Seating is strictly outdoors, but shade is fortunately ample. And the large grouping of tables is shared by all the restaurants at the Ranch, making it a great place for groups to divide among the various ordering areas in order to meet different food cravings then gather back together for seating. Though this is not the current scene due to the refurbishments, here’s a look at the typical seating arrangements.

That’s the basic gist, so now let’s check out that new dish!

Eats

You’ll spy the newer options on the menu under the Fairfax Fare standards of chicken and spareribs: a Bacon Cheeseburger (presumably a stand-in while Rosie’s All-American Cafe — home of the burgers at Sunset Ranch Market — is being refurbished) and a Fried Green Tomato Sandwich, both served with house-made chips.

Before we move on, please give me just a moment to process the loss of the beloved Macaroni & Cheese and Truffle Oil Hot Dog.

Okay… Onward! Let’s check out that Fried Green Tomato Sandwich.

Before we dig in, here’s a closer look at the crispy house-made chips additionally filling up the cardboard boat.

The sandwich is served with pepper jack cheese, a decent helping of arugula, and three fried green tomatoes atop red tomatoes, all on fresh ciabatta bread.

Now, there is a missing element: they were out of jalapeños during my visit, so my sandwich was served without. I have to say, though, between the strong flavor of the arugula and the spice of the pepper jack cheese, it had a nice enough kick for me! There was also a creamy dressing on the bun, which tasted like a seasoned mayo.

But let’s take a closer look at the star element: the Fried Green Tomatoes.

I have great news — they were pretty terrific! Nice and crispy on the outside, juicy on inside. And the batter they were fried in was top notch!

As an aside, the sandwich was not hot at all. This was no problem for me since it was PLENTY warm out the day I tried it (no surprise there), but it’s something to note. Still, I’d definitely say this one’s a score, especially for our vegetarian friends out there, fans of southern favorites, or anyone who’s never had a chance to sample a Fried Green Tomato. It’s been years since I tried my first one, but I can still remember how it didn’t sound too appealing to me… until I tasted it!

Overall

Even though the options lining Sunset Ranch Market revolve around theme park staples, every once in a while Fairfax Fare can come at’cha with an unexpected dish, like the Fried Green Tomato Sandwich. Next time you’re strolling from the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror on your way to Star Tours, be sure to take a peek at the Fairfax Fare options. You may be surprised by what you find!

Do you think you would enjoy trying the Fried Green Tomato Sandwich? Leave a comment and let us know your thoughts!

Contributing to this post: AJ Wolfe, Tina F., Wendy