If you happen to’re doing a cheeseburger move slowly of Disneyland and California Journey, you could be upset. In spite of the vintage all-beef entree being a staple of counter carrier menus, just a handful are in reality good-to-great. This checklist covers that factor, highlighting the most productive & worst burgers in Disneyland Lodge’s parks, lodges, Downtown Disney, and past. (Up to date July 26, 2024.)
Burgers are my hobby; cheeseburgers are my calling–spreading the great phrase is most likely my existence’s undertaking. If it weren’t for my physician being a complete buzzkill, I’d consume burgers for 4 foods in keeping with day. I experience consuming adventurously and making an attempt new delicacies, however not anything hits the spot like a nice burger. It’s the easiest meals and is nearly impossible to resist to me after I spot an intriguing one on a cafe menu. To that time, I’ve a large number of revel in with burgers at Disneyland Lodge, and taste-tested all of it: nice, dangerous, and unpleasant.
In truth, this submit has been “in development” for ages now. The unique draft in reality predates the pandemic, and a part of the explanation I’ve been protecting off on publishing the previous couple of years used to be as a result of a number of one-time favorites have not begun to go back. At this level, it’s turns out increasingly more not likely that they’re going to. So right here we’re, with a unfortunately quick and restricted checklist.
On a good be aware, I’ll proceed to taste-test burgers at Disneyland, revisiting acquainted favorites to verify their excellence and comparing novices to decide whether or not they’re worthy, curious about the sake of crucial analysis. As Walt Disney famously mentioned, this checklist of the most productive burgers at “Disneyland won’t ever be finished. It is going to keep growing so long as there may be creativeness left on the planet.”
With that during thoughts, I do need initially a very powerful caveat. This checklist isn’t just about as lengthy or helpful as its counterpart for Walt Disney Global. It’s no longer as lengthy as a result of, slightly merely, there aren’t as many standout burgers at Disneyland. It’s no longer as helpful since the eating places with the most productive burgers at Disneyland additionally incessantly produce other menu pieces which might be incredible. Against this, the highest burgers at Walt Disney Global are slightly incessantly a number of the most sensible few menu pieces.
Simply value retaining that during thoughts as we dig into this checklist of the most productive burgers at Disneyland, Disney California Journey, Downtown Disney, and the Resorts of Disneyland Lodge, beginning with the most recent additions for past due Summer season 2024…
Centrico – The brand new living room within the heart of Downtown Disney (therefore the title) serves what we believe to be the brand new #1 burger in all of Disneyland Lodge. Don’t let the unassuming location or title idiot you, the Céntrico Hamburger is most sensible notch–a Wagyu Red meat Burger on a Brioche Bun, crowned with Gruyère Cheese, Pickled Yellow Beets, Oven-Roasted Tomato, Truffle Aïoli, and Black Truffle Sauce.
The standard of the burger is outstanding–a juicy patty that melts to your mouth. It’s the toppings, even though, that carry it to the following degree, with wealthy cheese, juicy oven roasted tomatoes, and savory sauces (beets also are provide and don’t get in the best way however do upload texture, in order that’s a win). It comes with Garlic Butter French Fries, which might be additionally wonderful.
As a complete, Centrico is a surprisingly robust addition to the culinary panorama of Downtown Disney. It’s the similar common thought as what it changed, however we ended up a long way who prefer this iteration at the thought. It’ll nearly indubitably make our Record of the 24 Perfect Eating places at Disneyland in 2024 after we get round to updating that. (In truth, we’ll almost definitely be again to Centrico sooner than Din Tai Fung!)
Jazz Kitchen Coastal Grill & Patio – Previously referred to as Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen, this refreshed eating place has a breezy glance and vibe, with a lighter glance and cleaner design along side a extra refreshing menu of coastal delicacies. Neatly, coastal delicacies and the Space Grind Beaverbrook Burger, which is anything else however gentle and refreshing. This burger is crowned with housemade Pimento Cheese, Butter Lettuce, Tomato, Purple Onion, toasted Brioche Bun, French Fries.
The patty this is nice–like one thing you’d make your self and grill and the similar might be mentioned of the opposite toppings (with the exception of for the pedestrian thin-cut bacon). The entire reason why to like this, for my part, is the heaping serving to of gooey house-made pimento cheese. It’s addictively scrumptious, raising what would in a different way be an peculiar burger into one thing higher. Most probably wouldn’t be my first selection at Ralph Brennan’s, however burger fans can’t move unsuitable.
Ballast Level Brewing Co. – Any other access from Downtown Disney, that is almost definitely the weakest of the bunch. What you notice this is the BP Burger with American Cheese, Shredded Lettuce, Tomato, Ballast Level particular Sauce, Toasted Brioche Bun, and a Pickled Spear (plus the improve to garlic fries). For some reason why, this changed the BP Smashburger, which used to be in reality slightly scrumptious and distinctive.
The BP Burger is like one thing you’d grill at house, via and thru. There’s not anything to in reality distinguish it from one thing you have to make for your self, for higher or worse. I nonetheless like Ballast Level–it’s a spot we experience for the higher degree outside patio, which gives open first-come, first-served seating and cell ordering. That is one thing we favor, however to every their very own on that. Tables overlooking Downtown Disney also are great.
Palm Breeze Bar – Any other new eating place at Disneyland Lodge is Palm Breeze Bar, discovered within the pool space of the Villas at Disneyland Resort. In spite of some preliminary confusion, this isn’t simply open to DVC participants or visitors of the resort–any person can dine right here. On the other hand, I’m no longer solely certain why you’d need to, as our foods right here had been spotty…at perfect.
Despite the fact that it’s “simplest” a pool bar, Palm Breeze has a in reality deep menu because it’s additionally necessarily the one standard sit-down eating place at Disneyland Resort at the moment–so it fills two roles. The Palm Breeze Burger is likely one of the perfect and easiest high quality pieces right here, with a value to compare. That includes sun-dried tomato & basil pesto, burrata, and arugula, the Palm Breeze Burger is a hearty merchandise however with refreshing and lightweight taste, befitting the Palm Springs-inspired surroundings.
Black Faucet Craft Burgers & Shakes – Possibly the most well liked eating place in Downtown Disney, there’s a nearly perpetual line to reserve at Black Faucet Craft Burgers & Shakes. In truth, I believe it’s a little bit overvalued, however Black Faucet continues to be superb.
Black Faucet’s declare to popularity is the award-winning Greg Norman, which is composed of a 1/2 lb Wagyu Red meat Burger, Space Buttermilk-Dill, Blue Cheese, and Arugula. That and the Wagyu Steakhouse Burger and Truffle Burger are the most well liked choices, they usually’re all nice. However in truth, I believe the Pizza Burger or Mexico Town could be the most productive burgers at the menu at Black Faucet.
Observe that as Downtown Disney emerges from its reimagining in 2024, we can progressively be taste-testing the brand new and returning menu pieces. Burgers at older eating places in Downtown Disney don’t make this checklist for a reason why.
Carnation Cafe – This iconic spot on Primary Side road in Disneyland is house to two iconic burgers (or burger-adjacent meals merchandise), the Parmesan Toasted Patty Soften and the Carnation Café Cheeseburger. Each function the similar mouth-watering Angus Chuck Patty, and are worthy of inclusion in this checklist.
If I may simplest order one, it’s gotta be the Parmesan Toasted Patty Soften. It’s natural perfection, the quintessential greasy spoon entree. The patties, grilled onions, cheese, and residence sauce come in combination to shape a juicy and scrumptious burger, and one who checks the bounds of the Toasted Parmesan Sourdough Bread.
It passes with flying colours, protecting up beneath the load of all that whilst including its personal flavors and textures. The Carnation Café Cheeseburger is easier–a vintage diner burger, however lacks the addictively scrumptious and distinctive flavors of the Patty Soften.
Lamplight Front room – The preferred desk carrier spot overlooking Pixar Pier is house to a number of cherished pieces, and it’s tricky to deviate from the enduring Lobster Nachos right through an ordinary meal. Thankfully(?), the ones aren’t to be had on Lamplight Front room’s brunch menu. There are nonetheless a number of tremendous choices that may make opting for tricky, however no less than the Brunch Burger has a preventing likelihood right here.
The Brunch Burger is composed of a Grilled Customized Burger Mix with American Cheese, One Egg-up, Hash Brown Patty, Roasted Inexperienced Chile, Lettuce, Caramelized Onions and Paprika Aïoli on a toasted Amish Bun with Contemporary Fruit. Now that’s what I name a brunch burger!
And holy cow does the Brunch Burger ship on its description and title. The meat mix is soft and juicy, and no longer the type of patty that “wishes” to be hid by means of egg or sauces. On the contrary, the ones issues right here simplest upload to and beef up the flavour, offering great texture, a light kick–and an enormous mess–to this merchandise.
Don’t order the Brunch Burger if you wish to consume a tidy and correct meal; do order it if you need one thing incredible and don’t thoughts working to the restroom whilst you’re completed to clean your palms. The one drawback is that it’s paired with fruit–as though to function a reminder that you simply don’t want anything dangerous–as an alternative of extra breakfast-y deliciousness. (That’s simple sufficient to “conquer” by means of ordering the Indulgent French Toast for “dessert.”)
Hearthstone Front room – The “downside” with every of the following two entries is that they’re discovered on two of the inner most menus in all of Disneyland Lodge, making it tricky to suggest them over the opposite choices. On the other hand, that’s no longer an indictment of the burgers themselves. On the contrary, those are two true standouts.
Let’s get started with the Seasonal Burger at Hearthstone Front room, the Grand Californian Resort’s foyer bar. This Seasonal Burger recently is composed of American Wagyu Patty, Sonoma Sharp White Cheddar, Avocado, Lettuce, Tomato, Beaverbrook-Shallot Jam on a Herb Focaccia Bun.
The Hearthstone Burger is seasonal since the toppings vary in accordance with which greens are in season, and what the cooks deem suitable for the season. It’s almost definitely additionally an issue of what they need to make, after having a laugh with checking out within the kitchen. The commonality amongst the entire permutations we’ve had is the patty, which is in step with the following access in this checklist, too.
Regardless, the Seasonal Burger at Hearthstone Front room is basically incredible. The patty is soft, thick, and juicy with simply the correct amount of fattiness and a deeply wealthy taste. The whole thing else is solely best, with the veritable vegetable lawn of toppings on a thick basis of avocado provides this in a different way indulgent burger a quasi-healthy high quality. The bun additionally works in reality smartly, managing to include all of the ones elements with relative ease.
GCH Craftsman Grill & Bar – A stone’s throw from Hearthstone Front room, you’ll to find the GCH Craftsman Bar (outside desk carrier living room by means of the pool) and GCH Craftsman Grill (indoor/outside counter carrier eating place past the bar). Those sister places are house to probably the most stacked menu of any mid-tier eating place at Disneyland Lodge.
Probably the most many highlights this is the Wagyu Burger. The adaptation of this adjustments every now and then because of the toppings (we’ve not too long ago had each the “Gouda” and “Mediterranean” types), but it surely’s at all times scrumptious. This illustrates how you’ll take the similar basis–an American Wagyu Red meat Patty–and switch it into one thing completely other.
Even the animating thought is identical right here to Hearthstone–heavy burger with a deep umami taste, with lighter toppings to offset that. As is the case there, the Mediterranean Wagyu Burger delivers its contrasting ideas. The tzatziki sauce and feta cheese supplies a tangy and refreshing high quality that, along side the bun and seasoning, nearly supplies an earthy high quality.
Of the 2, that is the extra distinctive burger, but it surely’s additionally the extra taste-specific one. Against this, the Hearthstone providing is a crowd-pleaser that everybody is certain to like. (Neatly, I suppose it’s imaginable some other folks don’t like avocado.) In my view, I like them each. With that mentioned, the Mediterranean Wagyu Burger continues to be simplest my 4th favourite merchandise at the GCH Craftsman menus. (I’ve had it many, again and again–we consume at GCH Craftsman Grill greater than any place at Disneyland Lodge.)
Tangaroa Terrace Tropical Bar & Grill – The Angus 1/2 lb Hawaiian Cheeseburger has been at the menu at Tangaroa Terrace for so long as I will have in mind, surviving more than one menu overhauls. Disney has additionally highlighted the ‘recipe’ for the burger on more than one events, so I will simplest think this has a cult following amongst Disneyland enthusiasts.
To be solely fair, I’m simplest together with it since the checklist is in a different way means too gentle on choices. The contemporary grilled pineapple, candy & highly spiced sauce, and havarti cheese assist it stick out from an ordinary counter carrier burger, however that’s no longer in reality announcing a lot. Virtually the entire counter carrier burgers at Disneyland both beneath or weigh down thank you to ordinary patties and too many or too few different toppings. This burger is solely positive. The patty is upper high quality than the in-park places, and those flavors of the toppings supplement one some other smartly, but it surely’s not anything actually particular.
I wouldn’t suggest making a distinct travel to Tangaroa Terrace to reserve it, but it surely’s a profitable possibility if you happen to’re already there and don’t know what to reserve. (The lunch and dinner menu isn’t just about as nice as breakfast at Tangaroa Terrace.) On the very least, it’s an formidable burger that’s a reduce above counter carrier requirements. On the other hand, this burger completely would no longer make the checklist at Walt Disney Global.
Honorable Point out: In-N-Out Burger – No checklist of mine regarding the most productive burgers at Disneyland could be whole with out doing a little completely pointless loose promoting for In-N-Out Burger. If you’ve ignored my numerous plugs previously, take a look at my Consummate Carnivore’s Information to In-N-Out Burger for why I like where such a lot.
Like Disneyland, In-N-Out Burger is a California establishment that may be a must-do on any Disneyland holiday. That’s true whether or not you’re venturing past the parks or staying on-site within the Grand Californian Resort and seeking to handle the “Disney Bubble” to the best extent imaginable. It’s value bursting the bubble for In-N-Out. In truth, I’ve a sneaking suspicion that one reason why Disneyland doesn’t have a aggressive burger sport is largely as a result of they know there’s no competing with the short meals of selection for many Californians.
In-N-Out is reasonably priced and scrumptious, with a particular flavor that you simply’ll be yearning for months afterwards. My usual order right here is 2 Double-Doubles Animal Taste with uncooked onions along with grilled. All of that may set you again lower than the price of an ordinary burger at Galactic Grill, which is downright hilarious if you happen to’ve ever eaten anything else in Tomorrowland. The nearest In-N-Out Burger to Disneyland is at 1168 State School Blvd. in Anaheim. It isn’t inside of strolling distance, but it surely’s completely value the price of an Uber or Lyft to get there and again.
Worst Burgers at Disneyland – On that be aware, we’ll conclude with a handy guide a rough run-through of the lower than stellar burgers we’ve had at Disneyland not too long ago. Those come with the next:
- Galactic Grill – Deliver again the Oktoberfest Burger. Now that used to be nice. The present choices…no longer such a lot!
- Smokejumpers Grill – This counter carrier burger spot serves up 3 other double cheeseburgers, none of which might be even remotely as nice as they appear within the Cellular Order inventory pictures.
- Flo’s V8 Cafe – Not anything this is as nice because it was once. The Highly spiced Guacamole Beaverbrook Cheeseburger isn’t terrible relative to the remainder of the menu or different burgers, but it surely’s inferior to anything else at Flo’s V8 Cafe again within the day.
Past this, there’s the Vintage Angus 1/3 lb Cheeseburger that may be discovered on numerous menus all the way through Disneyland. There are some variations amongst those, equivalent to a residence sauce, other bun, or toppings.
In spite of that, they beautiful a lot all flavor the similar, with dry and overcooked patties and fundamental buns. Those principally must be drowning in dressing and toppings to weigh down the beef and flavor satisfactory. Few achieve this feat.
That wraps up our checklist of the most productive and worst burgers at Disneyland Lodge…for now. Once more, have in mind Walt Disney’s well-known phrases about burger checking out. I’ll file again as soon as I’ve the danger to check out extra burgers as they’re added to menus, and because the Downtown Disney eating places begin to open/trade/no matter. Keep tuned!
Making plans a Southern California holiday? For park admission offers, learn Pointers for Saving Cash on Disneyland Tickets. Find out about on-site and off-site lodges in our Anaheim Resort Opinions & Ratings. For the place to consume, take a look at our Disneyland Eating place Opinions. For distinctive concepts of items that’ll fortify your travel, take a look at What to Pack for Disney. For complete recommendation, seek the advice of our Disneyland Holiday Making plans Information. In any case, for guides past Disney, take a look at our Southern California Itineraries for day journeys to Los Angeles, Laguna Seashore, and plenty of different SoCal towns!
Your Ideas
Have you ever an amazing or terrible burger at Disneyland Lodge? What’s your favourite burger within the parks, lodges, or Downtown Disney? Any burgers you suggest keeping off? Do you compromise or disagree with my perfect burger alternatives? Any questions? Listening to your comments—even whilst you disagree with us—is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please percentage your ideas under within the feedback!
