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Old 02-23-2014, 03:26 PM   #1
elizabeth shannon
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[need suggestions for] Eating outside Disney ?

In the past we have always eaten all our meals in WDW and love the table service restaurants. However we feel the prices have risen so much that we are going to have to eat off site for some meals to save some pennies on our upcoming trip.

What are your favorite restaurants on the 192 or crossroads? Any suggestions?
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Old 02-24-2014, 09:20 AM   #2
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I'm sorry no one has answered yet. I've only eaten a few meals offsite and really don't remember what they were (other than Red Lobster), so I'm no help.
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Old 02-24-2014, 10:57 AM   #3
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I honestly don't love most of the restaurants around Disney, although Macaroni Grill isn't too bad. I would research some of the lower-priced Disney restaurants as well before resorting to eating off-site too much. Sci Fi, The Plaza, and Wolfgang Puck Express all come to mind as decent lower-cost eateries on site. There are also great counter service options and packing breakfast/snacks/wine has helped save me a lot of money in the past as well.
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Old 02-24-2014, 07:13 PM   #4
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Instead of going off property and out of the magic, consider stopping for groceries and plan to make and eat some simple meals in the room or by the pool. I would much rather eat a peanut butter sandwich while waiting for a parade than use up precious vacation time driving!
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Old 02-24-2014, 07:44 PM   #5
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I love Sweet Tomatoes at Crossroads! I eat there at least once a week--its a huge soup, salad, baked potato bar!
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Old 02-25-2014, 01:09 AM   #6
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We rented a house in December and traveled 192 daily. There's basically every chain you can imagine. I can't offer suggestions to unique restaurants but we were all VERY happy with Joes Crab Shack. All the food Was delicious. But think of any chain restaurant and they're there, basically
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Old 02-25-2014, 08:09 AM   #7
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I second Sweet Tomatoes. Great bang for your buck and lots and lots of salad choices. We live here in FL and love to stop by Sweet Tomatoes whenever we are near Disney as we don't have one in our area. If you sign up on their web site you will receive coupons that make the deal even better.
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Old 02-25-2014, 04:51 PM   #8
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Thanks for the suggestions - I am off to google their menus On a diet so living vicariously!LOL.
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Old 02-26-2014, 12:05 PM   #9
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Giordano's Pizza is a great Chicago deep dish/stuffed pizza place HOME - Giordano's Famous Chicago Pizza. They are the local chain in the Chicago area and has great pizza. They used to be on 192 but it looks like they moved to Sand Lake Road which is about a 20 minute drive north towards Sea World. Many good restaurants are located in this area including Seasons 52 Seasons 52 – Fresh Grill and Wine Bar. Restaurants located in Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Washington., Vines Bar and Grill Vines Grille & Wine Bar | Orlando, FL Jazz & Wine Bar (407) 351 - 1227 and Bahama Breeze Welcome to Bahama Breeze - Your Destination for Caribbean Cuisine. Celebration has the Town Tavern Celebration Town Tavern and a few other good restaurants. They are very close 10 minute drive. Many restaurants in the area have happy hour and offer 2-1 drink specials or 1/2 price appetizers/bar food. Close by chain restaurants on 192 are Chili's, Olive Garden, Bennigans, Red Lobster, TGI Fridays and Longhorn Steakhouse. Have fun dining outside of Disney. You will get more for your money.
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Old 03-04-2014, 05:53 PM   #10
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I honestly don't love most of the restaurants around Disney, although Macaroni Grill isn't too bad. I would research some of the lower-priced Disney restaurants as well before resorting to eating off-site too much. Sci Fi, The Plaza, and Wolfgang Puck Express all come to mind as decent lower-cost eateries on site. There are also great counter service options and packing breakfast/snacks/wine has helped save me a lot of money in the past as well.
My husband groused about prices until we hit a Denny's off site and discovered that the chicken and fries platter was about a dollar more than the same size serving at our WDW food court. We rarely eat more than one TS meal on our Disney trips, preferring not to be tied to a reservation. When we do, we choose lunch, as the prices are normally lower. Buffets at lunch can be $4-8 cheaper than dinner. You can get some excellent CS meals (not burgers, not fried chicken bits) especially at Epcot or DTD at prices that are competitive with off site places. We like Earl of Sandwich at DTD particularly, and the walk-up window at Bongo's has a decent Cuban sandwich. Off site, Sweet Tomatoes gets high marks, and there is a Logan's Roadhouse on 192 east of Disney near a good Publix. LR is a chain that does steaks, chicken, potatoes, salad and rolls, if you've never been to one. We also pack snacks for eating in room and at the parks (fruit, energy bars, nuts, etc.) and have used boxed doughnuts from the resort shop with our refillable mugs for quick light breakfast.
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Old 03-05-2014, 07:22 AM   #11
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Originally Posted by ilovedisney247 View Post
I love Sweet Tomatoes at Crossroads! I eat there at least once a week--its a huge soup, salad, baked potato bar!
We LOVE Sweet Tomatoes - a must do every trip. The soups are my favorite and I also love the seasonal salads they feature. Our whole family loves it!!! We have been to other Sweet Tomatoes in the area, but we find the one at Crossroads to be the best- which is great since it is so close to the World.
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