Thursday, January 11, 2018

Grand Floridian Cafe - Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Over Thanksgiving Break, we had breakfast at the Grand Floridian Cafe, a table service restaurant at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.


The Grand Floridian Cafe used to be one of our favorite restaurants at Disney World, but after a few not so great experiences with food and service, we did not return for a while.  Their allergy-friendly menu had a mix of breakfast and lunch items to choose from when we dined there.


Gluten-friendly appetizers and entree salads - poached and chilled jumbo shrimp cocktail, seasonal pear salad, caramelized onion soup gratinee, Cobb salad, Caesar Salad


Gluten-friendly entrees - steak & eggs, allergy-friendly pancakes, Eggs Benedict, The Flagler omelet, allergy-friendly Mickey waffles, Reuben sandwich, corn-rice pasta, artisanal burger


Gluten-friendly signature selections and enhancements - The Grand Breakfast, The Cafe Sandwich, steel-cut oatmeal (I highly doubt they are using certified gluten free oats, so be sure to talk to a chef before ordering this item), allergy-friendly breakfast potatoes, fruit flavored yogurt, allergy-friendly bagel and cream cheese, turkey sausage


Gluten-friendly appetizers for guests ages 9 and under - celery and carrot sticks, fruit salad


Gluten-friendly Mickey Check Meals for guests ages 9 and under - grilled chicken or fresh filet of salmon with seasonal vegetables and roasted potatoes, vegetable omelet


Gluten-friendly entrees and desserts for guests ages 9 and under - Eggceptional Morning (scrambled eggs), Mickey's Ears to You (waffles), Minnie's Grand Cake (pancakes), allergy-friendly cheese pizza, allergy-friendly chicken tenders, sliced apples, worms in dirt, fruit salad


I had some questions about ordering waffles with the seasonal topping that comes with the pancakes on the regular menu, so our server went to the kitchen to get a chef, who arrived at our table a few minutes later.  She told me that the Grand Floridian Cafe is using Golden Malted Gluten Free Waffle & Pancake Mix. I have had waffles made with this mix at Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort. The first time they were good, but a year later, they were some of the worst Mickey waffles I have ever had.  Our server assured me that if I did not like my waffles, I could get a new meal.  The chef said she prefers pancakes made with this mix, but I really wanted Mickey waffles.


Sadly, the waffles were not worth eating, so I ended up sending them back.  I also was not a fan of the seasonal topping.  I was not given the seasonal butter, and the syrup with pecans and cranberries was too sweet for me.


I ended up ordering the steak and eggs with poached eggs and cheesy hash brown casserole.  Allergy-friendly potatoes were mentioned on the allergy-friendly menu as a side for this dish, but the regular menu listed the cheesy hash brown casserole, which the chef told me is gluten free.  It is always a good idea to look at both the regular and allergy-friendly menus at Disney World.  There are often more gluten free options than those listed on the allergy-friendly menu.  I enjoyed my meal, but realized after looking at my pictures, that my daughters received their steak with chimichurri sauce, and I did not.  I wish I had asked if it was gluten free.


Shortly after dining at the Grand Floridian Cafe, I learned that the Golden Malted Gluten Free Waffle & Pancake Mix they are using is made on shared equipment with milk, eggs and wheat, which they do not disclose on their website or on their packaging, and it contains soy.  Not all restaurants at Disney World are using this mix, but I will be contacting Special Diets to share my concerns.  There are better, safer options available, like Namaste Waffle & Pancake Mix, which is free from the top 8 allergens, and there is no chance of cross contamination, because it is made in dedicated allergen-free facility.

You can read more about the Grand Floridian Cafe, view their menu and hours, and make advance dining reservations on Disney's website here.

What are your favorite gluten free options at the Grand Floridian Cafe?



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