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Mary Jo
Techarita
Loves the star on the mountain
Registered: December 1998
Location: Near the original Magic Kingdom
Posts: 24291Review Date: Fri June 19, 2009 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: None indicated | Rating: 9
Positive aspects of the product (pros): Location, reservations, price, quality of food Cons: small setting, limited availability
I have eaten at the Carnation Cafe a few times, and have enjoyed my meal there every time. The service is fairly quick, and the food is very good. I also like the outdoor setting on Main Street. 
Sherry E
Willing victim of the Disney Snowball Effect...
Okay so after a coffee and lunch break I am back!
Registered: January 2008
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 13398Review Date: Sat June 20, 2009 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: None indicated | Rating: 8
Positive aspects of the product (pros): Charming, quaint location; great for people watching; good food Cons: Limited menu; sometimes lackluster service; long wait for seating due to limited table
Having eaten at the "old version" of Carnation many times in the past, I enjoyed their extensive menu and optional indoor seating. While I am glad that Carnation still exists in some capacity, it was downsized and the menu was downsized right along with it. I enjoy eating there for any meal of the day - and that includes dessert-only meals! - because of the great ambience and charm, and if positioned at the right table, the fabulous people-watching opportunities. It is a great location and atmosphere - no question about it. For lunch or dinner, I recommend the Meat Loaf Stack, in which the meat is placed on a piece of bread and mashed potatoes and slathered with mushroom gravy and (usually) grilled onions. This is comfort food that will fill you up for hours. The only issue I have with it is that the last time I ordered it, the recipe appeared to have changed in some way. The gravy serving was much less generous, as were the potatoes, and the bread was different than I had remembered. Also, there were no onions on top of the meat. When I asked the server if the recipe had changed (because it was different from how I remembered it), she was very unconcerned and did not offer to ask the chef (presumably, the famous Oscar) if something was out of the ordinary or if it was indeed, a scaled down Meat Loaf Stack. In fact, she tried to convince me that the onions were there but I just didn't see them! For dessert, it is nice to go with a few other people and order a trio of delectable goodies, including the Matterhorn Sundae and the apple pie a la mode (with vailla ice cream, whipped cream and strawberries), and maybe some hot beverages, share in the sweet goodness and watch whatever parade happens to be sailing by at night. While I like the breakfast offerings well enough to recommend them, and how can you not love a big Mickey waffle?, I was not overwhelmed. There was not enough to choose from for my liking, and that is one area where I think they could improve overall - add more items to the menu for all meals. Also, I would highly recommend always making a Priority Seating arrangment for Carnation, as there can tend to be a long wait without one, and the line of people waiting for tables builds rapidly due to limited seating.
spacemermaid
DIS Veteran
Registered: September 2008
Location: Mesa, AZ
Posts: 5051Review Date: Sat June 20, 2009 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: None indicated | Rating: 10
Positive aspects of the product (pros): great food, great setting, a classic! Cons: small seating area
Carnation Cafe' is a Disneyland classic! While It's not as big as it used to be, it's still in a great location on Main Street, with an old-timey atmosphere that goes perfectly with the "comfort food" that is its specialty. Must-try menu items are the loaded baked potato soup, the meatloaf stack sandwich, and the potpie. Around the holidays I've enjoyed a delicious turkey potpie with dried cranberries in it; I'm assuming that it's seasonal, but it'd be worth asking if it's on the menu off-season. Portions are large, and the food is very filling. If you have room left after your meal (and a couple of other dining companions with whom you don't mind sharing!), do try their famous Matterhorn Sundae! If you go during the summer or holiday season, be sure to make a preferred seating reservation, as the few tables fill up quickly. If it's your first visit to Disneyland (or if you've never dined here before), be sure to make time to enjoy a meal here! You won't be disappointed!
stampinshauna
Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and Disney Cruise Line--Been there, done that, GOING BACK!!!
Registered: August 2005
Location: Utah
Posts: 2665Review Date: Sun June 28, 2009 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: None indicated | Rating: 10
Positive aspects of the product (pros): Cons:
Carnation Cafe is my favorite place to eat at Disneyland. The price is only a couple dollars more than a counter service restaurant and the food is good, fresh food. We typically dine here for lunch. I love the croissant sandwich and loaded potato soup. I also enjoy the fresh mixed greens here. This is definitely a nice place to sit down and relax, and to break away from the crowds and the mediocre counter service food.
disneyfanbecky
Mouseketeer
Registered: May 2010
Posts: 113Review Date: Mon May 24, 2010 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: None indicated | Rating: 6
Positive aspects of the product (pros): sit down, food pretty good Cons: very crowded
Had the loaded potato soup and a sandwich - pretty good food, nothing to write home about though. Very crowded seating IMO. I guess I would eat there again but not in a rush back - a lot better options in the hotels and downtown disney if you want a nice meal
mkarizona
Mouseketeer
Registered: May 2010
Posts: 332Review Date: Sun July 25, 2010 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: None indicated | Rating: 10
Positive aspects of the product (pros): Cons:
Love the loaded baked potato soup!!
reynmagsmom
DIS Veteran
Registered: March 2008
Location: Kelso, WA
Posts: 566Review Date: Mon July 26, 2010 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: None indicated | Rating: 9
Positive aspects of the product (pros): Loaded Baked Potato Soup Cons:
That soup is to die for and the steak melt was really good also!!
cinderellabride2011
Earning My Ears
Registered: August 2010
Location: Folsom, CA
Posts: 48Review Date: Sun August 1, 2010 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: None indicated | Rating: 10
Positive aspects of the product (pros): Food and Atmosphere Cons:
We make Carnation Cafe a tradition every time we go to DL. We eat breakfast here the first morning we're there. My daughter usually gets the little mickey mouse waffles. They have some really great breakfast options for a really great price! Def a great way to start your disney filled day!
DizNee Luver
Luver of all things Disney!
Registered: February 2009
Location: Philomath, Oregon
Posts: 8698Review Date: Mon August 30, 2010 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: $105.00 | Rating: 9
Positive aspects of the product (pros): Delicious food & Chef Oscar Cons: I wish the restaurant was a bit bigger to accomidate larger families & groups.
We've done the breakfast twice & really enjoy this meal. We love the setting, the staff & the food has always been very good. My son says they have the best Eggs Benedict he's ever had. I love the breakfast potatoes.
We got the opportunity to meet Chef Oscar who is a staple of this restaurant since 1959 (I believe that is what he told us).
We paid for 9 meals (with tax & tip) & paid $105. It was worth every penny!!
marciemouse
Raised on Disney
Registered: April 2008
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 1454Review Date: Mon October 25, 2010 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: $32.00 | Rating: 10
Positive aspects of the product (pros): Atmosphere, price, food quality Cons:
This was our second visit to Carnation Cafe. We had reservations for lunch. They were running slightly behind, trying to seat a party of 17 before us, but we were seated within about 20 minutes of our reservation time. Husband ordered the steak melt. He ate this on our previous visit and really enjoys it. The side of fruit was nice and fresh, too. Daughter had a cup of the loaded baked potato soup. She loved this. I've had it before, too, and it is very, very yummy. I ordered Oscar's Salad with Ranch dressing on the side. It was very good. The tomatoes were marinated, and the Italian seasoning sort of clashed with my choice of dressing. However, the salad was still very good. All the ingredients were fresh and flavorful. Oscar himself dropped by our table two times during our meal. Our server was a little bit slow and not the friendliest person ever, but it was busy. Got a 10% discount with our annual pass. We love sitting right off Main Street. Good nostalgic atmosphere. And the food is very, very good quality at prices comparable to and even lower than some of the counter service restaurants. We're making Carnation Cafe a must-do (at least once) every trip! I do recommend reservations though, as it is popular and a fairly small place.
wdwfan22
Totally Obsessed Disney Nut!
Registered: March 2008
Location: Colorful Colorado
Posts: 635Review Date: Thu April 7, 2011 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: None indicated | Rating: 10
Positive aspects of the product (pros): So Charming Cons:
We ate here twice in November 2010. Once for breakfast and once for lunch. Both were excellent. I love the location. It is great to eat on Main Street. This was my favorite spot to eat. The food fit us perfectly. Really good comfort food. We had made reservations, and I'm glad we did. Both times I would say there was about a 30 min line. While that is not too bad, we were seated immediately. Once less line to stand in was great for me. We loved the baked potato soup, but loved all our food. We talked to Oscar at breakfast a couple of times. He was not there the day we had lunch.
mrsmoore
Mouseketeer
Registered: February 2008
Location: Lynnwood, WA
Posts: 414Review Date: Wed April 27, 2011 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: None indicated | Rating: 10
Positive aspects of the product (pros): Lunch! Great location! Cons:
We had lunch at Carnation Cafe in June 2010. We did make a reservation, and glad we did, it was busy. It was also really warm and I loved having the shade on the tables! My daughter ordered the peanut butter sandwich platter and loved it!! What a great idea to let kids create their own sandwich!! My husband and I shared a sandwich and both felt satisfied! We will definitely make this a place to visit again!
granismith
Mouseketeer
Registered: February 2011
Location: Washington
Posts: 212Review Date: Sun May 1, 2011 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: None indicated | Rating: 10
Positive aspects of the product (pros): Cons:
We ate at Carnation Cafe 2 times during our recent visit April 2011. The food was excellent. The Baked Potato soup was amazing. The sandwiches and salads were really good too. The banana split was bigger than all 5 of of us could eat. We had reservations the first time and the second time we were seated with no wait even though the park was really crowded. I highly recommend it!
disneyguy1818
Earning My Ears
Registered: August 2011
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 55Review Date: Sat August 20, 2011 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: $15.00 | Rating: 8
Positive aspects of the product (pros): Excellent baked potato soup and desserts! Cons: Limited vegetarian options
This place is great to visit for Lunch- especially if you can get seating just before the parade in the afternoon. The breakfast food quality is quite dismal- think summer camp style eggs and bacon. The lunch menu is much more enticing- try the baked potato soup (if you are not vegetarian as there is bacon in this soup) and make sure to order a Matterhorn sundae ( multiple giant scoops of ice cream with hot fudge, Disneyland's excellent whipped cream, and more!) Prices are relatively inexpensive given that it is a sit- down restaurant
Flynn_Rider
Beware of the Smolder
Registered: June 2011
Posts: 302Review Date: Tue September 20, 2011 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: $30.00 | Rating: 7
Positive aspects of the product (pros): Cafe Steak Melt Cons: Service
4 friends and I decided to stop by Carnation Cafe for dinner on Sunday, Sept 18th. We all ordered the Steak Melt except one friend who had Smoked Turkey Sandwich.
We all loved the Steak Melt. The cheese roll and the sauce make it quite the delicious choice. However, the potato salad is very "meh" and I'm not always in the mood for fruit or a green salad.
The friend who ordered the Smoked Turkey Sandwich was not impressed with the pretzel bread it was served on.
I like the Carnation Cafe. But I was left with a bit of a lack luster feeling for some reason. Then I finally figured out why. It is the fact that it is a table service restaurant. If I had to pick between Carnation Cafe and the River Belle Terrace, I'd more likely go to the River Belle. Both are serving fresh tasting sandwiches and salads, but when you go to River Belle, you don't have to add a few dollars for tip. Now, it is true that River Belle is generally a dollar more for the food, but you will still come out cheaper when you don't have to tip.
I know this may come off cheap, but the idea is both places serve the same type of food, and are both equally good. And because the "sides" at Carnation were not amazing and you have limited choices, you may find you have a better meal at River Belle.
Adding to this was the rather mediocre service. One of the perks of going to Carnation would be unlimited refills of your drink. But the server could never be found and all of us continued to have empty glasses. Additionally, they have limited seating (for the moment, it will be expanded) while River Belle has ample seating.
While I did enjoy Carnation Cafe, and would recommend it (and probably come back some time), I would also say that one should consider River Belle if you want to save a couple dollars.
PixieDustD
Earning My Ears
Registered: January 2013
Posts: 40Review Date: Mon January 21, 2013 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: $35.00 | Rating: 8
Positive aspects of the product (pros): Great Mickey Waffles Cons: none
Every time I go to Disneyland we eat at the Carnation Cafe. I have fond memories of the restaurant when it was the Carnation Ice Cream Parlor.
On our visit last week, we ate at there twice. Once for breakfast and once for lunch.
Breakfast was good. My daughter had the Mickey Waffles and they were terrific. I had Oscar's choice was and it was OK. The potatoes on the plate had a strange taste to them and they were undercooked. Everything else on my plate was good.
For lunch we had the Main Street Cheeseburgers. They were delicious. We loved the brioche style buns. The best cheeseburgers in Disneyland!
The best part of dining at the Carnation Cafe is sitting outside under the umbrellas and watching the parade of people walking up and down Main Street. It is a great place to relax and soak up the atmosphere.
kim532
DIS Veteran
Registered: February 2000
Location: Racine, WI
Posts: 588Review Date: Mon February 25, 2013 Would you recommend the product? No | Price you paid?: None indicated | Rating: 7
Positive aspects of the product (pros): Loved location on Main Street Cons: Menu limited in selection
We ate a late breakfast. Service was very slow. My husband loved huevos rancheros and I only mildly like my oatmeal pancakes. The boys liked the Mickey waffles.
I thought the meal was pricey and the service too slow to recommend this as a place for breakfast. Maybe lunch or dinner would be better.
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