Do we really need another reason to enjoy visiting Beaches & Cream?
Probably not.
After all, it’s home to greats like the No Way Jose, some of the Best Grilled Cheese in Disney World, and the World Famous Kitchen Sink (which now has a CHOCOLATE LOVER’S version in addition to the original).
And just this past spring, this 50s-style diner and ice cream parlor debuted a line of Hard Floats and Shakes for adults.
So, no. We don’t need another reason. But guess what?
Beaches and Cream
They’ve gone and given us one anyway! It’s a little menu dedicated to French Fries… fully loaded. There are three kinds of specialty fries to choose from: Gravy Fries, Cheese and Bacon Fries, and Chili and Cheese Fries.
Specialty French Fries Menu
As you can see, the handout menus are starting to get worn out. So I’m thinking now might be a good time to add these to the regular menu 😉 . (Pretty please?) Oh, and here’s what’s on the back — that list of those Adult Shakes and Floats I mentioned earlier.
Adult Beverages Menu
I ordered the Gravy Fries and the Cheese and Bacon Fries, and was presented with two pretty huge bowls of generously topped Steak Fries (a larger portion than the image pictured on the menu). The Gravy Fries are topped with brown Poutine Gravy and white shredded cheddar. So, while it’s definitely not Poutine, this batch incorporates the flavors of the traditional Canadian dish.
Gravy Fries
There wasn’t a ton of the cheese on my batch, but there was just enough to add a nice melty, gooey-ness (is that a word? 😉 ) along with a hint of mild cheddar flavor. The brown beef gravy — my absolute favorite part — was laid on thick.
Gravy Fries
It’s a simple bowl of total savory goodness, if you’re a fan of gravy fries.
I honestly didn’t read the description of the Cheese and Bacon Fries thoroughly because I just saw cheese and bacon and said, “Sign me up” for the classic combo.
Cheese and Bacon Fries
That said, there is more going on here than the name implies. The toppings include cheese sauce (as opposed to shredded cheddar), red onions, and garlic peppercorn ranch dressing mixed in the with sauce. The description — and this is the part I accidentally skipped over in my menu reading — also mentions “candy bacon.”
Cheese and Bacon Fries
The large chunks of bacon carry a hint of what came across as a mild maple flavor to sweeten them up, while the garlic peppercorn ranch provides a teeny bit of spice — not a major kick by any means, but just enough to keep things interesting. So the whole dish ended up having this really unexpected sweet-and-spicy vibe. Even though the candied bacon didn’t bring my favorite flavor component to this dish (that award goes to the garlic peppercorn ranch), I still think it’s cool how they took a basic combo you can find just about everywhere and gave it a more creative spin.
In both cases, the portions are good — and forks are a necessity 🙂 . My standard go-to snack at Beaches and Cream (for non-ice cream dishes, that is) is a big ol’ pile of Onion Rings, but if these new offerings are given a permanent home I’ll gladly change it up every so often for a batch of the specialty fries — especially since Everything Pop no longer carries my beloved Gravy Fries. Thank goodness that at least for now I can enjoy them at one of my all-time favorite spots in Disney World.
Are you up for some Specialty Fries at Beaches and Cream? Please let us know with a comment!
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If you need a localized name for “gravy fries”, it would be New Jersey Disco Fries!
Darn it! We were there 8 days ago and just miss this! Oh well next time…
We’re visiting in two weeks but they’re book solid the whole trip!
You note that they are “pretty huge bowls” but in each picture I think I can count maybe 15 fries.
Are they large fries or your standard Disney fry?
Because for $6???? Ehhhh
I’m not too sure about brown gravy on fries. I Iove it on smashed potatoes, but usually I like fries dark, crispy and salted., maybe with plastic cheese when I’m in a gourmet mood. I just want to mention, however, that gooey-ness should most def be a word!
Wow that is one sad attempt at a poutine!
It’s always fun to read comments from others! Brown gravy on fries is a staple in Canada and available on most menus. It’s always a challenge for me when travelling to order fries if brown gravy is not a topping option. 🙂
yuck, yuck and yuck. Sorry
I agree, they look gross. Fries that aren’t crispy are sad. Fries that used to be crispy but have been made a goopy, soggy mess by being smothered with gravy, sauce, dressing, and/or chili are a crime against the noble potato that gave it’s life for said fries.
The story about the fries got me here, but what grabbed my attention as I perused the pictures was the S’mores Shake and Grasshopper Float. One of each please! Oh, and I’ll also try the gravy fries since I’m ordering.
We wanted to go there on our upcoming trip in September, but there are no reservations available online. Do you have to have a reservation to go there and order ice cream? We’ve never been, and while it’s obviously quite popular, I’m curious if it really is so busy that you cannot go without a reservation. Any thoughts? Thanks!
Julie — You can order take out to get ice cream, or you can try walk up. There may be a wait, but you should be able to get in.
I read all the comments… the fries are not supposed to be poutine, but cheese fries. To avoid the soggy, in NY we do fries, with melted provolone (they put under the salamander to bake on), brown gravy on the side. It’s a staple in diners.