The flavors of the Gulf Coast are among some of our favorites.
It’s why we love visiting Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter AND Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside, so we can get a taste of those yummy cuisines. We’re talking about drinking hurricanes and eating Beignets and Boudin Balls. But did you know you can get some yummy Gulf Coast-inspired food at EPCOT?
In case you missed it, the EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival has just started, and one of the outdoor kitchens, Magnolia Terrace, is devoted to Gulf-region Southern cuisine.
Menu
Here it’s all about a Seafood Boil, Gumbo, and other delicious delicacies and drinks inspired by the Gulf region.
But we bet you’re wanting to know how all of this tastes, so let’s get on with the review!
Food
Last year, this was the booth that we voted the “Most Improved.” The Southern Seafood Boil with Shrimp, mussels, crawfish, potatoes, corn, and Andouille sausage is a returning item that we first saw when this booth made its first appearance at the festival in 2020. We found this dish hearty then but hoped it would pack more of a punch. You can try it yourself for $8.
New to the Magnolia Terrace this year is the Spicy Chicken Gumbo with Andouille sausage with BEN’S ORIGINAL Long Grain & Wild Rice. Okay, a good gumbo can change your life, so how did this one compare?
Well, we really enjoyed it! It was very, very spicy, so keep that in mind for those who don’t like the heat. Thanks to the broth, the chicken and the sausage weren’t dry at all, and they added a really great depth of flavor. It had a very stew-like consistency, which is great for those chilly days — but may not be your first choice in the middle of summer! You can try it for $6.25.
The Grilled Oysters with Cajun butter is also a returning item this year. We thought this was one of the most improved dishes last year from previous years. They had a wonderful Cajun flavor with enough garlic to scare away vampires. And this time, we were pleasantly surprised yet again!
Our reporter who tried them isn’t really a fan of oysters, but even she enjoyed these! The breadcrumbs gave them a nice crunch and they weren’t “fishy-tasting” like you sometimes get with items like these. There was a bit of a seafood flavor, but it wasn’t overpowering and was ultimately well-balanced. You can order them for $7.50.
Also returning is the House-made Boudin Bites featuring BEN’S ORIGINAL Long Grain White Rice. We had these back in 2020 and found them a little on the bland and dry side. This year, they’re available for $5.50.
Finally, to end things on a sweet note, the Pecan Praline is back! The first year we tried this, the texture was a little grainy, and if you have never made pralines, know that creating the perfect praline is art (and difficult). You can pick one up this year for $4.25.
So we’ve tried the food, but what can you grab to drink here?
Drinks
The Bayou Cocktail is also returning to the booth this year. It’s made with Bayou Spiced Rum, Coconut Rum, Fruit Punch, and Minute Maid Orange Juice. When we first tried this last year, we thought it would be like a hurricane, but this was more like a rum punch — a very very very sweet rum punch. Like super sweet.
The returning Orange Coriander Ale has always tasted like a nice, light, and refreshing drink for us and is a favorite. The American Light Ale is also back, and we’ve previously liked it because it’s also a light and simple drink. Finally, the Double IPA is back, but we found this one a little basic last year. You can get each of these for $5 for 6oz or $9 for 12oz.
You can also get all three of these as a flight for $10.
Overall
Overall, you’ll definitely need to be a fan of that bayou cuisine to enjoy eating here. It’s all about the gumbo, the seafood, and the SPICE. Those who don’t enjoy hot foods or don’t like anything that’s remotely “fishy” should probably steer clear of this booth. That is, unless you want a Pecan Praline or one of those classic brews!
Calling all the oyster fans! 🦪 Magnolia Terrace has Grilled Oysters with Cajun butter, a returning fav from last year ✨ pic.twitter.com/HmMEV6a64x
— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) March 2, 2022
Or maybe, just maybe, you should stop by and order those oysters JUST to get the teeny tiny bottle of Tabasco!
Here are ALL The Menus For the 2022 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival
We’re eating at every food booth at this year’s EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival, so be sure to check back with us with more reviews!
MAKE THE MOST
OF YOUR FESTIVAL DAYS
DFB's Guide to the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival details everything you need to know to maximize your time, budget, and stomach space! Know what's worth it and what to skip with our full-photo menus of each booth, complete with DFB's Best of the Fest.
It includes all the must-have information for navigating this one of the most BEAUTIFUL festivals at Disney World, including:
- 🌸 Booth & food photos, maps, and crawls with DFB's exclusive recommendations!
- 🐝 The COMPLETE schedule of events (so you don't have to go hunting for all the dates!)
- 🌳 All the details on special events, topiaries, festival exclusive merchandise, and more!
What’s been your favorite EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival kitchen in the past? Let us know in the comments!
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