Donald Trump’s Chef Is Moving Into Disneyland, Taking Over Two Locations ASAP

Donald Trump’s former executive chef is officially moving into Disneyland Resort.

There are a lot of changes going on at Disneyland Resort right now, with even more around the corner. Earlier this month, Josh D’Amaro – Chairman of Disney Experiences – took to the stage at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event to confirm that the original Anaheim resort will welcome a handful of new lands and experiences in the coming years, some of which are more controversial than others.

For Disneyland Park, this includes introducing a new Walt Disney Audio-Animatronics show at the Main Street Opera House. Debuting in 2025 (just in time for the park’s 70th anniversary), this will be called Walt Disney – A Magical Life and will alternate with Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. Before that day comes, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will open in place of Splash Mountain on November 15.

Its neighboring park, Disney California Adventure Park, will see the greatest transformation. Avengers Campus will double in size with two new attractions, Avengers Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab. A new version of Pandora – World of Avatar will also open, as will Disney’s first-ever Coco (2017) ride, the latter of which will apparently take its inspiration from Pirates of the Caribbean.

Beyond the parks, there’s also big changes going on at Downtown Disney. Disneyland Resort’s onsite shopping and dining district, which is home to the likes of Earl of Sandwich, Black Tap Craft Burgers, and Jazz Kitchen Coastal Grill and Patio, will soon welcome even more restaurants and stores.

Two more of these additions were confirmed this week, both linked to a chef with a rather significant resume.

New York City celebrity chef Joe Isidori is set to open two new restaurants on the former site of Tortilla Jo’s, which closed in March. According to Theme Park IQ, Disney just filed building permits to demolish the 18,900-square-foot building.

Isidori has previously led several restaurant concepts for none other than former president Donald Trump. The chef led the Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida, and DJT restaurant at the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas and Trump’s golf courses.

Technically, Isidori already has a presence in Downtown Disney. The New York native is the co-founder of Black Tap Craft Burgers, plus co-creator of Everglazed Donuts, which is located on the East Coast at Walt Disney World Resort’s Disney Springs in Florida.

His new additions to Downtown Disney will include a full-service steakhouse and an adjoining quick-service barbecue restaurant.

While the steakhouse will have “a warm and sophisticated ambiance with a menu highlighting prime cuts of beef, chops, fresh seafood, sandwiches and chopped salads,” the barbecue joint will offer “a culinary approach to quick-service, offering traditional BBQ dishes such as pulled pork, beef brisket and smoked wings that incorporate unique spices and house-made sauces.”

The latter will also include a “prominent outdoor bar will feature a wide selection of craft beers and a medley of moonshine cocktails.”

Disney is yet to announce when either restaurant will open. Stay tuned for more updates.

What’s your go-to restaurant at Downtown Disney?