Cafe Orleans - Disneyland

This is one of my favorite eateries at Disneyland Park. Not only do they serve delicious gumbo, but they have Mickey beignets so that trumps just about anything you can find to eat at Disneyland. 

On top of great food, there is plenty of great views from the patio of not only passers by but if he boats and canoes as they pass by on the Rivers of America. 

Reservations are key and if it's cold make sure you reserve indoor seating as they book up quickly.

Items sampled: monte cristo, gumbo, pommes frites, black coffee

Location: Disneyland, 1313 S Harbor Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92802

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Rice Bowl - Las Vegas

Located in an unassuming strip mall on Durango, The Rice Shop is a great spot for a quick but hearty meal.

We ordered the pork belly bowl and the Kentucky fried fish bowl. Each bowl included a generous amount of protein and fresh vegetables and of course rice. The flavors were stellar and everything was cooked well. I enjoyed every bite and look forward to returning again. 

The owner was so attentive and accommodating. You can tell he really cares about getting honest feedback to improve the customer experience.

Items sampled: Kentucky fried fish bow and pork belly bowl

Location: 3655 S Durango Dr, Ste 9, Las Vegas, NV 89147

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Big Thunder BBQ - Disneyland Park

Hee  Haw! This restaurant is loads of fun and I'm sad that it has taken me so long to visit. 

They are closing on January 10 to make room for the new Star Wars Land so you have a limited time to get your fill of AYCE ribs, BBQ chicken, cornbread, baked beans and coleslaw. 

The servers are friendly and really seem to enjoy their jobs. Happy, smiling faces a plenty at this restaurant. We certainly had a magical experience while we were there.

Items sampled: BBQ chicken, baby back ribs, baked beans, cornbread, coleslaw

Location: Disneyland, 1313 S Harbor Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92802

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

KJ Dim Sum & Seafood - Las Vegas

This place gets crowded on weekends, but we were lucky enough to walk in about 10 minutes before the dim sum rush.

We were seated quickly and although it took a little longer than we would have liked to get drinks and dim sum service started, once the carts started coming around the food was plentiful and good.

We ordered a number of items and although not the best dim sum I've ever had, it was good and everyone in my party left satisfied. 

The decor and restaurant setup is lovely and there is plenty of space to accommodate many large parties, which is the best way to enjoy dim sum. The more is definitely the merrier here.

Items sampled: pork buns, shrimp ball,  chive dumpling, shu mai, sesame balls, Chinese broccoli, egg custard, shrimp dumplings 

Location: Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, 3700 W. Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV 89103

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Rice Bowl - Las Vegas

Located in an unassuming strip mall on Durango, The Rice Shop is a great spot for a quick but hearty meal.

We ordered the pork belly bowl and the Kentucky fried fish bowl. Each bowl included a generous amount of protein and fresh vegetables and of course rice. The flavors were stellar and everything was cooked well. I enjoyed every bite and look forward to returning again. 

The owner was so attentive and accommodating. You can tell he really cares about getting honest feedback to improve the customer experience.

Items sampled: Kentucky fried fish bow and pork belly bowl

Location: 3655 S Durango Dr, Ste 9, Las Vegas, NV 89147

Fleming's Steakhouse on Charleston - Las Vegas

I haven't been to a Fleming's in a number of years but on our most recent visit I was pleasantly reminded what I was missing.

We came for a work dinner during the holidays and the restaurant was packed for a Thursday night. We were seated quickly and service was beyond attentive despite the crowd. Refills were plentiful and our food was well-paced. 

We started with a handful of appetizers including the calamari and the pork belly, the pork belly being my favorite. For my entree I ordered a bone in ribeye and we shared one of each of the sides from the menu. The Femings potatoes, mushrooms and mac and cheese were among my favorites. My steak was perfectly cooked and enormous. I had to take more than half home with me since I was so full. 

Despite filling up on the first two courses, we powered on and ordered two chocolate lava cakes and the were delicious. Not overly sweet, the Falcons really complemented each other well.

I do see my self coming back to enjoy their happy hour again soon.

Items sampled: bone in ribeye, pork belly, calamari, fleming's potatoes, green beans, mushrooms and lava cake

Location: 8721 W Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89117

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️