Taste Pilot's Grill

• November 26, 2008
• Rated 4 of 5 by onesundaymorning from Los Angeles, California

It was one of those places that I walked past a million times, always wanted to eat at, but never did. Finally I committed myself to it, drove to Disney, and rode some rides, then made my way to California Adventure to Taste Pilot’s Grill. It's located next to Sorin’ Over California (the most popular ride in the park), so lines get long. The set up is simple, but fits the theme of Condor Flats. From the outside the building looks like a hanger with a plane bursting out of the logo. Inside is an airplane themed setting. Seating can be found both inside and outside. Even though they boast the largest seating capacity in the park, seating can be hard to come by during even slower days in the park, which to me isn't a surprise since the menu is so delicious.

Like most of the restaurants in the park Taste Pilot’s is counter service, but a great tip I found that is always handy here is to watch the lines. Like most counter service places in the parks there are two lines on either side of the register (one checker, two lines for that person), however most people only line up on one side. Most times the checker will keep yelling to get everyone to line up on both sides, but only one or two people actually listen. This is a great way to cut the line.

My greatest complaint about the parks restaurants is the lack of diversity on the menus. Taste’s Pilots is no exception, but they do offer a menu that is pretty unique to the rest of the park and the items they offer are really good.. Their menu includes ribs with slaw (three ribs $9.99, five ribs $12.49), a chicken sandwich with fries ($8.59), BBQ chicken sandwich ($8.59), chili burger with cheddar chesse ($8.59), bleu cheese burger ($8.49), or a cheeseburger ($7.59). The side orders include Full Throttle fires with cheese, chili, onions, tomatos, and sour cream ($5.49), onion rings ($3.29) or fries with BBQ sauce hot sauce, salsa, or jalapenos for toppings ($2.99). The child’s menu includes nuggests or sliders, and the toddlers menu features macaroni and cheese. There is also a beer station sering Budweiser and Karl Strauss.

I ordered the Wild Bleu Yonder burger, found a seat and dug in. I admit I was very skeptical about the food quality (I’m not a fan of the park or most of the food in it), but was very surprised. The combination of bleu cheese and BQQ sauce worked well together, although it is a bit of an acquired taste, it was really delicious. One tip though, don’t add ketchup. Trust me, I had a momentary lapse of judgment; it just doesn’t add anything to the burger.

My only complaint is the seating. They offer both inside and outside seating with very little shade. And although it is much cooler inside the tables are very close together and families tend to linger either waiting for their fast pass times to come up or to wait for family members to get their Sorin' fast pass before they order. Considering that was the only down side to Taste Piolt's that's a huge plus, as far as I'm concerned.

Overall the food is gets a B+, the price is decent, portions are big enough to fill up an adult, and the atmosphere gets a B (It’s nothing special, but it does fit in with the theme of the area). Taste’s Pilot’s Grill is miles above most of the other places in the park and should be considered by anyone who is looking for a fast meal with their kids.

From journal Eating My Way Through Disney's California Adventure

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Taste Pilot's Grill

• March 31, 2008
• Rated 4 of 5 by onesundaymorning from Los Angeles, California

It was one of those places that I walked past a million times, always wanted to eat at, but never did. Finally I committed myself to it, drove to Disney, and rode some rides, then made my way to California Adventure to Taste Pilot’s Grill. It's located next to Sorin’ Over California (the most popular ride in the park), so lines get long. The set up is simple, but fits the theme of Condor Flats. From the outside the building looks like a hanger with a plane bursting out of the logo. Inside is an airplane themed setting. Seating can be found both inside and outside. Even though they boast the largest seating capacity in the park, seating can be hard to come by during even slower days in the park, which to me isn't a surprise since the menu is so delicious.

Like most of the restaurants in the park Taste Pilot’s is counter service, but a great tip I found that is always handy here is to watch the lines. Like most counter service places in the parks there are two lines on either side of the register (one checker, two lines for that person), however most people only line up on one side. Most times the checker will keep yelling to get everyone to line up on both sides, but only one or two people actually listen. This is a great way to cut the line.

My greatest complaint about the parks restaurants is the lack of diversity on the menus. Taste’s Pilots is no exception, but they do offer a menu that is pretty unique to the rest of the park and the items they offer are really good.. Their menu includes ribs with slaw (three ribs $9.99, five ribs $12.49), a chicken sandwich with fries ($8.59), BBQ chicken sandwich ($8.59), chili burger with cheddar chesse ($8.59), bleu cheese burger ($8.49), or a cheeseburger ($7.59). The side orders include Full Throttle fires with cheese, chili, onions, tomatos, and sour cream ($5.49), onion rings ($3.29) or fries with BBQ sauce hot sauce, salsa, or jalapenos for toppings ($2.99). The child’s menu includes nuggests or sliders, and the toddlers menu features macaroni and cheese. There is also a beer station sering Budweiser and Karl Strauss.

I ordered the Wild Bleu Yonder burger, found a seat and dug in. I admit I was very skeptical about the food quality (I’m not a fan of the park or most of the food in it), but was very surprised. The combination of bleu cheese and BQQ sauce worked well together, although it is a bit of an acquired taste, it was really delicious. One tip though, don’t add ketchup. Trust me, I had a momentary lapse of judgment; it just doesn’t add anything to the burger.

My only complaint is the seating. They offer both inside and outside seating with very little shade. And although it is much cooler inside the tables are very close together and families tend to linger either waiting for their fast pass times to come up or to wait for family members to get their Sorin' fast pass before they order. Considering that was the only down side to Taste Piolt's that's a huge plus, as far as I'm concerned.

Overall the food is gets a B+, the price is decent, portions are big enough to fill up an adult, and the atmosphere gets a B (It’s nothing special, but it does fit in with the theme of the area). Taste’s Pilot’s Grill is miles above most of the other places in the park and should be considered by anyone who is looking for a fast meal with their kids.

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Taste Pilot's Grill

• August 28, 2006
• Rated 5 of 5 by Lightkeepr from Draper, Utah

From journal Disneyland

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Taste Pilot's Grill

• July 13, 2005
• Rated 5 of 5 by CoupleTravels from Concord, California

From journal Disney with Dad-Part Two

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