By Nick the Disney Devo
We all have our favorite attractions at Walt Disney World. Rides or shows that are a must every trip. There are also beloved eateries that we frequent more often than others, and of course favorite foods we eat on every visit.
And there are those restaurants that you really enjoy while eating there, but for some reason or other, you don’t get back to for a very long time.
In Walt Disney World, there are sooooo many options that these really great food spots just get lost in the sauce, so to speak.
One of these spots is Flame Tree Barbecue in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
We ate here on our first trip back in September of 2006. Every time we pass it, I say “That was some great barbecue, we really need to get back there,” and then proceed to go elsewhere. Sometimes we head to another restaurant in Animal Kingdom, or more often, we go to another restaurant in a different park, or even back to our resort for a bite.
On our trip in January, I consciously made the decision to eat at Flame Tree.
The menu is not overly extensive.
Entree selections, with meats seasoned with Flame Tree Special Barbecue Rub and Smoked In-House and served with baked beans and coleslaw unless otherwise noted include the 1/2 Slab of St. Louis Ribs, 1/2 Chicken, Pork Sandwich which is served with coleslaw, the very popular (and delicious) Ribs and Chicken Combo, Smoked Chicken Salad, which is Mixed Greens Tossed in a Balsamic Vinaigrette, and drizzled with Chipotle Ranch Dressing, the Smoked Turkey Breast Sandwich, smoked on-site, paired with lettuce and tomato on multi grain bread, topped with house-made cranberry mayonnaise and served with fresh fruit, and the famous Jumbo Turkey Leg.
Kids Meals are for guests ages 9 and under includes Grapes, Carrot Sticks, and Choice of Small Low fat Milk or Small Dasani Water.There is a Chicken Sandwich, Smucker’s Uncrustables Sandwich, a Baked Chicken Drumstick and a Hot Dog.
They also offer side items, dessert and a wide range of soft drinks and alcoholic beverages.
I had 1/2 Slab of St. Louis Ribs. They were as good as I remembered them. Tender and juicy. I love a good coleslaw, and this is very good. The beans were delicious as well.
My wife Barbie had the Smoked Chicken Salad, which she described as okay. She wished she had gotten the ribs after trying mine!
Prices are reasonable, and the portions are large enough to share.
They accept Tables in Wonderland and are a quick service credit on the Disney Dining Plan.
There are several spots to sit, each offering a relaxing and cool spot to escape the heat, which, to be honest, wasn’t really an issue in January.
The grounds are lush, and well themed with fountains and statues.
The condiments bar is conveniently located in the pavilion where we chose to sit, which is the same place we sat way back in 2006.
Located by the water, it offeres a great view of Expedition Everest.
There are a few pavilions by the water if you want to get a different vantage point of Everest.
Another wonderful thing about sitting by the water, you might have an encounter with local wildlife!
So, will we return to Flame Tree Barbecue? Yes, certainly. But it still isn’t a must do every trip.
This article was originally posted on Disney Musings Blog, which Nick co-writes and edits.
