Monte Cristo - Blue Bayou or Cafe Orleans?

[WaltDisneyFanatic]

Hello all,

We are taking my grandma with us on our upcoming trip in November (yay!). She hasn't been to Disneyland in 20 years but remembers enjoying the Monte Cristo sandwich at Blue Bayou. I am not a Monte Cristo eater so I am turning to you all! On the allears.net menu, the description for the MC at Cafe Orleans includes "berry puree" while the description at Blue Bayou does not. Grandma is really wanting the berry puree but also really wants to eat at Blue Bayou for the atmosphere and memories. Does the MC at BB include berry puree? Has anyone eaten at both places and prefer one over the other?

thanks,

WaltDisneyFanatic

[letshavefun]

I've had the Monte Cristo at the Blue Bayou and it came with some kind of berry sauce. It was really good but also a few years ago.

[missm]

Mine has always come with the berry puree at BB. It would be weird if it didn't come with the berry puree. We skipped BB on our last trip because I like to have dinner at BB instead of lunch and the Monte Cristo isn't on the dinner menu anymore.

[disneyis4us]

We have had the Monte Cristo at both places. Delicious no matter where you get it and have had the berry puree served on the side at both restaurants. To me the only difference would be the price...Blue Bayou is more expensive!

[lovechows]

It's the almost the same at both restaurants (prepared in the same kitchen). The difference is the price (BB is much more expensive) and BB has more side dishes with it. After eating at both, I prefer Cafe Orleans now. BB was my favorite restaurant at DL until they changed the menu but since the change, we never go there now.

[josephfive]

Gotta take Grandma to Blue Bayou.

[nursechrissy32]

So yummy at either location...however once in a lifetime we must all experience the ambiance of the BB .... and the berry sauce??? ahhhhhhhhhhh yum never forget it!!!

[wabby1]

I've had the MC at both places....both with the berry sauce....both are delicious, and I couldn't tell much of a difference other than the price is higher at BB...but to me, it's worth it, for the same reasons your grandma has mentioned....the atmosphere. To me, that makes BB a must-eat restaurant when I visit the park.

If you decide on eating at the BB, I would recommend calling Disney Dining up to 60 days in advance and reserve your table. You can always ask for a water-front one....but there are no guarantees. ENJOY!

[MammaSilva]

While there is never a guarantee for water side, one of the ways we've found that seems to help is to take one of the earliest reservations on opening and being there to check in as soon as they open the doors. If they open for lunch at 11:00 ask for an 11:00 seating, be at the door at 10:45 with your entire party. It has worked for us several times.

[adriennek]

The reason to go to Blue Bayou is the ambiance. That's the reason. That's it.

Keep in mind, the MC is ONLY on the lunch menu at BB. So if you go there for MC, you have to go for lunch. (Like missm said!)

I like Cafe Orleans. I like splitting it with someone else and getting the garlic fries to split with the table with the yummy sauce. In fact, I don't get my own MC, I always try to split it with someone and then get a dinner salad. By itself is just too much food for me. I'm not a fan of Blue Bayou. I think it's over-hyped and the main reason to go there is the ambiance. I don't like going there and paying the higher prices and then getting disappointing service. (It's just happened to me too many times)

Now. That said. If Grandma's memory is tied to the Bayou and not just the MC, for grandma, I'd suck it up and go to Blue Bayou.

Yeah, I would.

But then the next time I'd be back at Cafe Orleans.

[amelialourdes]

I love, love, love Cafe Orleans for the Monte Cristo because of the price and the garlic fries!

Just a fair warning. Your grandma hasn't had the sandwich in 20 years and just the last time I went with my friend, we noticed that there was a significant totally not proportional bread to actual food inside ratio. There was just WAY too much bread and not enough filling. We each got an individual plate but we should've shared since they give about four large pieces each at the Cafe Orleans. I'm sure it's the same at the BB. We noticed because we hadn't had it in a while either but it seems as if they've really made an increase in the batter compared to the actual food.

[SigalTchelet]

I know it's the ambiance at the BB she is wanting, but I think the MC at Cafe Orleans tastes better. I love the 3 cheese Monte Cristo and the Garlic Pommes Frites as well as the French Onion Soup. Plus they have an outdoor seating are that is lovely. And of course, don't forget the beignets at Cafe Orleans (Do they have them at BB??)

[bennette]

In my experience, when someone wants the Blue Bayou experience, it's best to just give it to them.

It doesn't matter if the other option is cheaper or better (I find it to be both!). It's a memory or lure people can't get around until they've been a few times.

[missm]

In my experience, when someone wants the Blue Bayou experience, it's best to just give it to them.

It doesn't matter if the other option is cheaper or better (I find it to be both!). It's a memory or lure people can't get around until they've been a few times.

Agreed! This last trip we did not do Blue Bayou for the first time (almost) ever. Since our next trip will most likely be with my parents we will definitely be doing it though. I think my reasoning for loving Blue Bayou so much is because the first time I went to Disneyland my parents took my brother and me there for dinner. They saved for our trip for literally years and years so going to a place like that was a huge treat. I really appreciate that my parents scrimped on other things in their life just so my brother and I could have the absolute most memorable trip possible. Being inside of that restaurant even as an adult brings back my 8 year old self.

I can't wait to have the Monte Cristo again! I never order it because I need someone to share with, the last time I had it was 8 years ago on my 25th birthday. My mom is the only other person that I go to DL with that likes the sandwich. This thread is making me crave that yummy goodness.

[lovechows]

I loved Blue Bayou and went there every time I visited Disneyland when I lived out of state (for over 20 years). But when they changed the menu, the entire experience changed and I hope this doesn't happen with your grandmother. I'm still bummed out about the menu change (and it's been how many years?). We went once after the change and hated it so much, we've never returned. As much as I love the atmosphere, for us, it's just not worth the money to eat there (over $20 for a MC?) and it came with creamed spinach (sorry, not something I will ever eat).

We have really become fond of Cafe Orleans for lunch (forgot to mention the pommes frites--yummy!!!) and there are so many other choices for dinner now that we love (e.g., Steakhouse 55 at DLH). Maybe an option is to have dessert at BB--if you're there in the late afternoon, that might be a great alternative.

[TTFN92]

Take her to the BB. It's an experience unlike any other. Yes it's expensive but when she hasn't been in 20 yrs and that's what she wants then she doesn't want to eat at Cafe Orleans. It's not something we do very often but it is definitely something special.

[SigalTchelet]

Or if you can swing it-go to both! Lunch one day at BB and dinner at Cafe Orleans another day-maybe right around when Fantasmic happens and sit outdoors. Just a thought. I am sure others will chime in.

[Malcon10t]

Or if you can swing it-go to both! Lunch one day at BB and dinner at Cafe Orleans another day-maybe right around when Fantasmic happens and sit outdoors. Just a thought. I am sure others will chime in.

Fantasmic! happens at 9pm on weekends, Cafe Orleans closes at 8pm on weekends, earlier during the week.