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Disney Dining Review Wolfgang Puck Express at Downtown Disney Market Place

Disney Dining Review Wolfgang Puck Express at Downtown Disney Market Place

Dinner

A fixture among Downtown Disney and the West Side is The Wolfgang Puck brand.  The wild popularity of Austrian Celebrity Chef Wolfgang Puck brought his clever twist on food to 2 different venues with 4 options on taste bud pleasers.  Choices include the fine dining/signature The Dining Room at Wolfgang Puck Grand Café or The Wolfgang Puck Grand Café.   Quick service options have 2 selections as well, with The Express at Wolfgang Grand Café (located in the same building as the other two) and the Wolfgang Puck Express at Downtown Disney Marketplace.   After strolling around the marketplace a few nights ago, my husband and I found ourselves there for a late night dinner.

The first thing I will report is that the line was out the door.  Not only is it the holiday season in full swing and crowds were large, but it also seemed like it was just a very popular place to eat.  After a full 25 minute wait in line, it was our turn.  I will add that is seemed like the cashiers were awfully slow, with consideration to the fact that a large amount of people did not seem to be ready with their orders even though menus are posted all over the place and even in large print above the registers.  There was also a register that was not open for a portion of the time we were in line.  When there are only three registers and a line right out the door, I expect the registers to be open.  But, it could be that they did not anticipate the crowds, were short staffed or someone was on break.  Still, I was getting a bit impatient and I wanted my meal to make up for the wait.

A really cool feature of dining at the Wolfgang Puck Express is that there is an open kitchen with seating for about 12. (There are 2 long tables set near the kitchen, so if you are a small party, others will sit with you) Wolfgang Puck Express also has servers that bring you your meal.  So, you order at a register and get your first drink from the machine in the kitchen, but the server picks up from there.  Make sure you bring a few singles (or more depending on the size of your party) because they do not give you the option of including a tip on your credit card.

Along the way to the register, I changed my mind about 42 times about what I wanted.  The selection of soups, salads, sandwiches and entrees is truly remarkable.  With options like his famous Chinois Chicken Salad with Wontons, Cashews, Ginger & Sesame Honey Dressing ($11.00), Rotisserie Turkey Club Sandwich with Avocado Jardiniere, Bacon, Red Onions, Romaine, Remoulade, Tomatoes – Served with Herb Seasoned French Fries (Subsitute Sweet Potato Fries or Butter Lettuce for $1.50) ($13.00), another famously made Barbecued Chicken Pizza with Grilled Red Onions, Cilantro, Roasted Tomatoes, Smoky Barbecue Sauce ($13.00) or what I saw on many tables the Cavatappi Chicken Alfredo Pasta with Bacon, Baby Peas, Parmesan ($15.00).  My head was spinning with choices!  My husband seemed to be having the same problem so we agreed not to tell the other what we were ordering, but promised to share freely with each other.

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When our turn came, I smartly ordered the Butternut Squash Soup with Roasted Pepper Sauce, Chives ($6.00).  I have had meals previously at all 4 Wolfgang Puck establishments and I LOVE this soup.  I would highly suggest looking for the recipe online because it should be stocked in your home at all times.  I then chose the Meatloaf Sandwich with Melted Provolone, Bacon, Tomato Chutney, Horseradish Cream, Crispy Onion Strings – Served with Herb Seasoned French Fries ($14.00).  Being that we really do tend to order similarly, my husband ordered the Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf with Mashed Potatoes, Port Wine Sauce, Crispy Onion Strings ($15.00).   Even though I had looked at the menu and knew the prices of what we ordered, I still was surprised that our bill came to $45.  Even though it is set up nicely and has the feel of a table service meal, it is a quick service location.  Actually, this would be a nice selection for a quick service meal on the dining plan due to its value.

We grabbed a table in the back of the restaurant where there are more windows than walls to allow for a nice view of people doing some holiday shopping and children playing.  Our server was prompt to say hello and give us silverware.  He also told us that he would be happy to refill our sodas.  The soup came out after about 5 minutes and was scrumptious.  Have you found the recipe, yet?  About 10 minutes later our meatloaf meals had arrived.  My sandwich was absolutely yummy. The fries have an herb coating that gives them a really nice taste and I found myself dipping them in the port wine sauce on my husband’s plate more than the ketchup. But, the sandwich was the star.  The meatloaf was very tender and juicy.  I know that a juicy meatloaf sounds messy, but I hate dry meatloaf, so this was fantastic.  The horseradish sauce was mild and flavorful and the tomato chutney was incredibly delicious, so delicious that I wish I had some for my plain turkey sandwich at home today!  My husband loved his meatloaf and enjoyed that it was bacon wrapped.  He called it a “heart attack” special, but ate every bite!  I even gave him ½ of my sandwich because I just couldn’t finish!

On previous visits, I have indulged in the Tortilla Soup with Avocado, Tortillas, Goat Cheese, Cilantro ($7.00), Caesar Salad with Chicken and Parmesan, Tomato Crostini, Caesar Dressing ($11.00), Roasted Turkey Cobb Salad with Eggs, Green Beans, Tomatoes, Avocado, Bacon, Gorgonzola, Balsamic Vinaigrette ($14.00), Chicken Aioli Sandwich with Provolone, Romaine, Tomatoes, Red Onions, Cilantro Aioli – Served with Herb Seasoned French Fries ($10.00), Traditional Margherita Pizza with Fresh Mozzarella, Tomatoes, Torn Basil ($11.00).  So, it is safe to say that I return because I really like the food.  I have also had the brownies ($3.00) which come prepackaged at the register.  I find them to be highly yummy.  I also have sampled the Vanilla Bean Cheesecake ($6.00), but I am not a huge cheesecake fan, so I didn’t find it to be anything special.

If you are at the Marketplace at Downtown Disney and crave some fare that is definitely better than most quick service joints, I would highly suggest a stop in at the Wolfgang Puck Express. I am making it a personal goal to try breakfast there because the menu is highly intriguing!  I also know that I am a repeat visitor and will find myself back time and time again…even if only for a taste of the butternut squash soup!  Try this place out, your tummy will thank you (and me!).

4 out of 5 stars: Absolutely delicious, but pricy and slow to get to the registers makes for a hungry and sometimes crabby guest. From start to appetizers, we waited over 30 minutes to eat! However, when we did eat, we did seem to forget about the wait!

F.A.S. T. Review:

Food: With the exception of some of the more “quick service” selections, like chicken fingers (which are probably delcicious) you can choose from some seriously high quality foods like Chinois Chicken Salad, BBQ Chicken Pizza, Salmon, BBQ bacon wrapped meatloaf and more! All three meals are served and the large selections of choices should have you coming back as a repeat guest.

Atmosphere: Feels like a table service meal, but is a quick service option.  Decorated with dark woods and beautiful pictures, the interior feels cozy and nice.  Tables for two up to large parties can be accommodated. You choose your own table.

Service: Ordering happens at a register but, you do get a server that will bring you food, refill your drinks and get you whatever you need.  Make sure you have some cash on you to tip because they do not allow you to tip on a credit card.

Tips: Disney Dining Plan accepted for one quick service credit.  Pretty expensive for a quick service stop, so dining plan eaters will feel like they are getting a real bargain.  I might suggest eating during “off” times to guarantee that you do not have to wait in the lines that tend to get large, especially if it is really hot out.  The lines to get in sometimes go out the door!  Get the butternut squash soup, just trust me on this!

About Lauren Wallis

Lauren Wallis was destined to love Disney. Her Mother found out that she was pregnant with Lauren after her honeymoon at WDW. After moving to Florida in 1990, every school trip, family vacation and weekend getaway was at Disney World! Lauren attended the University of Central Florida and spent her weekends looking for the most delicious restaurants on a college budget. She and her husband have relocated and now live in Central Florida, just minutes from Walt Disney World. She has stayed at every single resort and is currently working on eating at every single restaurant! She has been on WDW property over 400 times…lucky Floridian!