Homemade Hungry Bear YUM

So, it's no secret that one of my absolute FAVES is the fried green tomato sandwich at the Hungry Bear in Critter Country. The green tomatoes! The aioli! The jicama slaw!

I had a couple green tomatoes I needed to use, so I figured I'd try a semi-homemade version of perfection, just using what I could find around the kitchen.

It was pretty easy to fry the tomatoes up - slice, then dredge in 1) flour, 2) beaten egg, & 3) breadcrumbs, fry in butter/olive oil for a couple minutes on each side till they're browned and tasty. For slaw I just used what I had on hand, which was red bell peppers. Likewise with bread (King's Hawaiian rolls) and "spicy aioli" (thousand island dressing + hot sauce, haha!). 

Yeah, very on the fly. But guess what, it was super tasty and was a refreshing taste of "home." Yummy! 

I have made Disney foods at home quite a bit - with varying degrees of success. I'll try to keep up with posting all our food adventures. 

Food Friday! Carthay Circle House Biscuits (at home)

Okay, so I've never been to the Carthay Circle Restaurant. Oh, how I wish one day! But everyone freakin' raves about their house biscuits (described on the menu as: Carthay Signature Fried Biscuits - Stuffed with White Cheddar, Bacon, and Jalapeno, Served with Apricot Honey Butter. $11!), and I just am impatient and wanted a taste of the magic. So while making dinner one night I figured maybe I'd throw together something similar, like a semi-homemade or ghetto-ized version of my own. I got some biscuits-in-a-can, cubed some cheese, roasted a jalapeño and fried some small pieces of bacon. I chopped everything up and tucked the filling inside the biscuit. They baked okay and tasted good (I ate them with some honey) but nowhere near Disney quality. I am determined to do it, though, so maybe next time I'll try a homemade (or Bisquick) dough. And maybe fry them. That's really like a fritter though, yeah? Whatever. Have a magical weekend!

White Water Snacks - a love letter.

All right, here is the blog for today, and it’s really more of a love letter.



There you are. Hey, you.

I don’t know why my best friend (also Erin) and I were determined to go to White Water Snacks on our first visit (together) to the DLR, years ago. I think we had heard through the internet grapevine that it wasn’t too crowded and had tasty food, particularly the nachos. But try it we did, and it was the beginning of a romance that continues today.



please enjoy our brightly-colored eyeshadows.

Probably the only time I’ve ever EVER beaten Erin at this. Huh.

 

White Water Snacks is one of the restaurants located in the Grand Californian Hotel and Spa – it’s just down the way from the Napa Rose and Storytellers Café. It’s the smaller and least formal of the three. Some of it is self-serve, cafeteria-style eating; you get your own drinks, treats, snacks and deli-type items, then order the made-to-order items and pay at the register. They have indoor and outdoor seating, at least one electrical outlet for charging purposes (see my earlier post!), a well-priced variety of food, and a pleasant atmosphere.

 

photo from disneyfoodblog

photo from disneyexpedition.net

 

 

WWS is bliss. I don’t know anyone who has been there that doesn’t absolutely love it.

It’s quiet there. It’s a nice quiet walk through the Grand Californian, and the music is calming; a nice change of pace after the frenetic energy of the parks and Downtown Disney. The outdoor seating is near the pool, so the sound of water also contributes to the soothing atmosphere. It’s nice and cool in the summer (outdoor seating has plenty of shade), and cozy in the winter. I’ve never had trouble finding a seat.

Our favorite items on the menu include the nachos (of course!), the burger (with a grilled chili on it, YUM), and the breakfast sandwich. The food is tasty – I’ve never had anything there I didn’t enjoy, and we’ve always left full and satisfied. I never felt like I was paying too much for what I got. I have purchased more sweet iced teas there than anywhere else at the DLR. I’ve gotten some refills, too, which is probably not something I was supposed to do, but they were okay with it – at the time. I take no responsibility if you try this and get told.





HUGE breakfast sandwich – served with fruit for $6.99

Here’s a link to the WWS Menu, thanks to allears.net

I guess it’s kind of an “insider tip” to know about it, because not a lot of people do…? Not sure, but I’d recommend it to anyone! The DLR site only has a short blurb about this "family quick-service eatery” and it’s “American” fare, but to me it’s become so much more than that! This is true love. White Water Snacks, my oasis of the Disneyland Resort. Do you miss me like I miss you right now? Sigh.