Sunday Brunch: Eatin'
Down in Port Orleans
18 March 2012
In the
Southland,
There's a city,
Way down on the river!
If this is any indication of
where we're headed for today's Sunday Brunch,
then I don't know what is! Disney's Port Orleans
Resort is one of the most popular of the Disney
resorts as it magically pulls you into the world
of New Orleans, both the city 'French Quarter'
sector and the riverbank plantation mansions and
bayou homes on the 'Riverside.' Beautifully and
faithfully recreated and themed, both resorts
are nestled on the 'Sassagoula River' named for
the Native American translation of
'Mississippi.' This river connects both resorts
as well as the Downtown Disney shopping
district.


So naturally, with the River as
a main feature of the Port Orleans area as it is
in the real New Orleans, the Riverside sector of
the resort features the Riverside Mill. The mill
provides many purposes for the backstory of the
resort, but for today's blog, we look to the
mill for the Port Orleans Riverside food court!


The water wheel is actually powered by the river

And inside the wheel turns the gears to power
the mill!
I have had the pleasure to stay
at this resort, play in this resort, and work at
this resort, so in short, this resort is
definitely a favorite. The costumes are terrific
here, with so many pieces and New Orleans style
prints and colors, it was a lot of fun to dress
up for work and get in the mood to deliver some
Southern Hospitality. With that said, come on
down and join me as we continue our photo
journey to some good eats down in New Orleans!


After going through the lobby, to the left is a
hallway leading to 'Food and Drink' and fun!
After passing
Boatwright's Dining Hall, the table service
restaurant, you are greeted by menus of the
'shops' found at the Riverside Mill




The Sandwich and Salad Shop at the Mill
With so many choices to dine on,
it is difficult to pick! Pasta, Pizza,
sandwiches, salads, burgers, etc. I decided to
get the Cajun Chicken Sandwich being in the New
Orleans themed resort, I figured I'd get one of
the few themed entrees offered. Unfortunately,
the sandwich was a bit underwhelming. It sounded
great, but the part that made it Cajun (the
sauce) was not at all what I was expecting. The
cast member serving me said it was a spicy Cajun
mayonnaise, but it was far from it. I guess
whoever made it that day forgot the spice. I'm a
bit sensitive to spicy foods, but this was
nothing for me. The grilled chicken was a little
dry as well, and could have used more of a spice
rub or whatever they meant to use to make it
Cajun. On the plus side the portion size was
nice and a fresh vegetable fixings bar was
provided for the sandwiches and the burgers.
Still, one expects the unique aspects of the
sandwich to be the positives. The sandwich was
an overall let down considering its name and the
resort I was in.

But with every down there is an
up, and dessert DEFINITELY made up for the
underwhelming dinner. The Magic Cookie Bar, a
special dessert that I've found at very few
resorts, is definitely magical. It is probably
1000 calories per bite, but who's counting on
vacation? At the Board Walk Bakery, they make
miniature versions for banquets and call it the
7 layer bar, but at Riverside Mill, you get a
huge square of magic cookie bar. The bar is
probably better known as the recipe found on
cans of Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk,
where it has been found since the 1960s and was
named the 'Hello Dolly.' Disney adds a few more
ingredients, with their version made from
condensed milk, butter/margarine, chopped nuts,
chocolate chip, butterscotch chips, and coconut
on a delicious graham cracker crust. With an
ingredient list like that, need I say more at
how delicious this was? I've been back twice for
these bars!

So in the Southland, there's a
city way down by the river, and while some of
the food is a bit underwhelming, the Riverside
Mill and the resort itself has plenty to
deliver. Along with a few weeks previous article
on beignets, it's easy to see why so many
people love the Port Orleans resort and return
year after year. Riverside Mill is probably one
of the biggest resort food courts with such a
diverse selection of offerings. We've only just
had a smackeral of what we can find here. Stay
tuned, as I'm sure I'll be heading back down the
river for another taste of New Orleans.