One of Disney’s best-kept secrets, Whitewater Snacks in the Grand Californian, was a surprise. Located near the entrance to Disney California Adventure from the hotel (From the hotel look for the signs for Napa Rose. Whitewater Snacks is past the private park entrance next to one of the pool entrances. If entering from the park go through the turn style near Grizzly River Rapids and turn left once past the entrance; however remember that if you aren’t a guest in the hotel you need to renter the park from the main entrance not through the private entrance you left the park from).
The "great Californian outdoors" theme of the hotel is carried throughout the making it feels as if you are sitting in a loge cabin. There is both inside and limited outside seating. The view isn’t great. On one side of the café is the hotel pool that is partially blocked by trees. Even though the café is directly next to the park once again shrubs block any view of it. Although there might not be much to look at there is one thing to look for; cats can be found running through the shrubs and watching quests as they eat. The cats seem very friendly, but don’t beg for food. Most people don’t know about this place so even during peak season the café is nearly empty.
Breakfast is served until 10:30am every day. Guests can choose from Buttermilk Biscuit Sandwiches (fried eggs, smoked bacon, and cheddar cheese for $6.99), Breakfast Burritos ($6.99), or French toast sticks ($5.99). After 10:30 starts their all day menu, which includes hot dogs ($6.29), personal pizzas ($6.99), charbroiled cheeseburgers ($7.59), charbroiled chicken sandwiches ($8.59), veggie burgers ($7.59), and chicken or shredded beef nachos ($7.89). Portions are generous so if traveling with a small child it might be wise to choose from the kid’s menu; the helping are not only smaller, but the prices are as well. Kids can choose from chicken tenders ($5.99), a cheeseburger ($5.99), hot dog ($5.49), and grilled cheese ($5.49). This also comes with fruit or fries, a fun straw, and the choice of milk, juice, water, or soda.
What I like the most about Whitewater compared to its counterparts was the choice that it has available. In addition to the items that I listed above they also serve cold sandwiches (chicken salad, egg salad, tuna salad, roast turkey, and PB&J) that range in prices from $7.49 to $7.99. They also offer an array snacks ranging from pretzels with cheese ($3.29, fruit ($1.59), and yogurt ($1.89) to German chocolate brownies ($3.49), chocolate mousse ($4.99), and pie ($4.99) among other choices.
I decided to split an order of shredded beef nachos with a friend and was glad that we did. We got more then we could eat. The chips themselves were delicious; they came covered in cheese, jalapeños, guacamole, sour cream, beef, and salsa on the side. These were hands down the best nachos that I have ever had.