While it’s true that Disneyland can be really fun if you’re six years old or a first time visitor from rural Kazakhstan, for some of us (especially SoCal locals who’ve been going there since we were born) a trip to the Happiest Place On Earth™ can be more of a hassle than it’s gargantuan cover price is worth. It’s really hard to maintain a positive attitude when you’ve been standing in lines all day in 103 degree heat, surrounded by overheated, oversugared children and their scary mutant parents. Having to worry about if there are any decent vegetarian or vegan options to eat doesn’t help. I’m here to tell you that there is a light at the end of that mouse-eared tunnel, and it’s name is vegan gumbo.
More specifically, it’s name is Royal Street Veranda, the little counter service restaurant located in Disneyland’s New Orleans Square where you will find this unexpected treat (it’s just across the way from the Pirates of the Carribean). It has been verified by those in the know that this delicious bowl full of goodness is indeed vegan. You might find old information stating that it is made with butter, however that is not the case as that info is from an old recipe. Today they use cornstarch as a thickener, so there is no dairy in there.
This hearty veggie gumbo comes served in a nice fat sourdough breadbowl. They fill it to the brim with soupy gumbo that is so tasty you’ll want to go back for another serving. To tell you the truth I have no idea if it’s anything like authentic New Orleans gumbo, I’ve never been. But I can tell you that without having anything to compare it to, I think this stuff is awesome. It’s thick and chunky, filled with vegetables and long grain rice (I didn’t say it was gourmet, I just said it was good). The flavor base is like a yummy tomato stew, very savory and just a little bit spicy. The “bowl” nicely soaks up the gumbo while you’re eating it and at the end you get to munch away at all the now gooey and flavorful bread.
The line outside of this place sometimes gets crazy long but it moves pretty fast and is definitely worth it. Besides, you’re at Disneyland, so you’re already used to waiting.
For someone who’s just visiting Disneyland for the day, there’s really nothing to stress over in regards to finding plenty of veg-friendly food. Most all of the sit down restaurants have at least a few vegetarian options that could be easily veganized, along with many salads as well as fresh fruit stands through out the park. Apparently their pretzels are vegan as well.
But really, there’s nothing there that’s going to be as good as the gumbo. It’s really delicious, and not just because it’s an alternative to lesser options. Back in the day when my friends and I had Disneyland season passes, we’d go there just to eat the gumbo, watch the fireworks and then leave… and we weren’t even vegetarians then, that’s how good it is! This time around I had the gumbo for lunch, then found other nice vegan options for dinner (which sadly did not photograph well), but I just as easily and happily would have made my way back for another serving of the gumbo instead.
Tags: Disneyland, gumbo
