Carnation Cafe

Location

Disneyland in Main Street, U.S.A.

Selections

Sandwiches, burgers, meatloaf, fried pickles, dessert

Entrée Range

Breakfast: Adult $15 ◆ Lunch: Adult $20-22 ◆ Dinner: Adult $20-22

Summary

Despite its relatively low score from readers, we think the Carnation Café is still a place where the adults can find a decent plate, the kids can choose from their favorites, and it’s easy on the wallet. Because of its location along Main Street, close to bathrooms and across from the locker facility, it gets busy—expect to see waiting lines stretching down the street. Service is friendly and unusually patient; someone’s briefed these young cast members on how an hour’s wait and low blood sugar can quickly erode a diner’s mood. Once you’re seated, the order comes quickly and with a smile.

Setting and Atmosphere

A Main Street staple since the park opened in 1955, the Carnation Café serves up an American menu heavy with traditional favorites—hamburgers and meat loaf, eggs Benedict and Mickey-shaped waffles, and fried chicken—in a parlor circa 1890. For those in the know, Oscar Martinez, Disneyland’s longest-tenured employee (nearly 60 years at the park), is the café’s ambassador.

House Specialties

The loaded baked potato soup (a hot, creamy concoction with Cheddar cheese, chives, and large chunks of baked potato) is a favorite. Other specialties include a spinach and tomato frittata at breakfast and a sourdough bacon melt (with pepper Jack, grilled onions, and spicy sauce) for lunch. Oscar recommends the catch of the day, panseared with edamame succotash. Guy thinks the meat loaf is one of the best entrées in the park.

Other Recommendations

For starters, try the deep-fried dill pickle spears, dipped in a rémoulade-style sauce. The menu features a beef-and-pork meat loaf, roasted turkey sandwich on a multigrain roll, and warm spinach salad topped with grilled chicken and portobello mushrooms.

Menus

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Details

Requires Credit Card to Reserve: Yes
Requires Pre-payment in Full: No

Discounts