7 replies to this topic

[The BeastFan]

I've been wanting to start this topic for a while. On top of everything that makes parks great, food certainly has to be taken into consideration. Not just selection, but locations of certain eateries are the things that make parks memorable, part of what I think contributes to a park's atmosphere. The two main questions I'd like to ask are what are your favorite in-park foods (both classic park food and unique food) and what locations at certain parks do you gravitate towards? Also, is there anything about parks' fare you'd like to add?

Myself? I always enjoy a funnel cake or a nice cold milkshake. For something more towards a meal, I often head towards pizza or bbq items. A great smelling bakery often calls out as well.

As for some unique fare, I find the BBQ at Cedar Point, Kings Island, and Hershey to be very good. The homestyle places at Dollywood has a lot of comfort food in there, pretty awesome for an amusement park. Of course at KI, there is Skyline, LaRosa's and Graeters, all local places that always hit the spot (though I usually go to the Skyline outside the park for the full menu at the regular prices).

As for what to add, I would love to see more full service places in parks. Also more sea food selections.

[Thunderhead]

Aunt Grannys at Dollywood, as well as the cheese steak place near Aunt Grannys.

[Tyler Carlton]

Cheese on a Stick! I usually end up grabbing one towards the end of the day at Cedar Point when I'm starting to get hungry, but want to save some money and wait to eat a full meal until after I leave. For those unfamiliar with the concept of cheese on a stick its basically a corn dog with cheese on the inside instead of a hot dog.


If I have to eat a full meal at the park I usually find myself eating at Panda Express at Cedar Point. Its grossly overpriced, but my path at CP leads me right to the Millennium Force area around lunch and smelling that lo mein while in line for MF is too much for me to resist.

I usually try to pack a lunch though to save on cost. Park food usually isn't spectacular and the prices make it even worse. I must say though, I did love me some food at EPCOT.

[Vater]

There can't be an amusement park food topic without mentioning Busch Gardens Williamsburg. My personal favorites there are the chicken parmesan in Italy (San Marco's, I think?) and the BBQ at Trapper's Smokehouse.

Dollywood and Knoebels also have excellent food.

[Ryan Shrout]

Favorite park food has probably got to be Skyline at KI just for the uniqueness factor. The Zambia Smokehouse under SheiKra's far turn is also a favorite for their brisket. Oh and then the entirety of World Showcase at EPCOT has to be mentioned.

[MorganFan]

Six Flags won't allow food (or even water) to be taken in, so since I have a strong stomach, I usually eat a big breakfast before the park. If I have to eat at Six Flags Over Texas, I'll usually get a hand stamp and go to the Subway down the street. None of the restaurants there are either not very good or have a bad atmosphere.

[biZarRo]

I love the food at Knoebel's, since it's so inexpensive and it tastes great. I also loved the food at Silver Dollar City.

[Coasterholic14]

Great topic for discussion.

I will first say the food I tend to really enjoy most is the food that parks "custom cook" we'll say, something other than the standard food that the park must actually make. It's usually far tastier, better, and cheaper (or at least comparable in price), and therefore a much better value. That kind of food is part of the experience of going to the park. Aunt Grannies and the place across from Sausage Works that has the Cheesesteak are necessary stops on every trip there...but all the food at Dollywood is good! Likewise at BGW, BGT and SeaWorld, who have excellent selections and quality of food, but favorites there would be Zambia Smokehouse (BGT) and Oktoberfest (BGW). I've heard great things about Skyline Chili, but have yet to get a chance to try it.

Now on the opposite end of the spectrum, the bad food. This is the stuff you find at many of your chain parks, at least those that don't even try to throw anything special into the mix, and so far, from my experience, that would unfortunately be my home park of Carowinds. The food there is far from great, and very expensive. I usually eat at Wings because it's one of only two indoor eateries at the park, and while Country Kitchen is about equal in food quality, it's even more expensive. if you don't mind eating outside (which during the summer sucks in the south), I'd recommend a Panda's Express or other "known" food place to eat from. And don't expect anything fancy our out of the ordinary, it's all standard food (or the standard that the branded vendors serve), pizza, burgers, fries, chicken strips, nothing special. Outer Hanks is the most unique, serving seafood, but seafood and amusement parks often don't mix well...at least for me.