Credit: DisneyWe’ve come to the final theme park in our budget bests series! So far, we’ve covered the best budget eats at the Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disneyland Park. So, naturally, this article will feature some of the best cheap eats guests can enjoy at Disney California Adventure Park!
Open since 2002, DCA has truly transformed from its humble beginnings. The theme park is now home to Cars Land, Avengers Campus, and Pixar Pier. Guests can ride thrilling attractions like Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission – BREAKOUT!, Toy Story Mania!, the Incredicoaster, WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure, Soarin’ Around the World, and so much more!
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Now, Disneyland is not a cheap place to visit. In fact, it’s Disney’s most expensive resort, so many guests really have to save if they want to have a great time without breaking the bank. But just because it’s expensive overall doesn’t mean that everything is really pricey. You can enjoy some tasty meals and still have some money to spare.
Let’s take a look at some of the best budget meals at Disney California Adventure!
French Toast Sticks – Smokejumpers Grill – $9.99
They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so for this affordable option, we are going to head to Smokejumpers Grill over in Grizzly Peak. Smokjumpers has some really great menu options, including the Breakfast Burrito, Fried Pickles, Buffalo Chicken Loaded Onion Rings, Chipotle BBQ Bacon Double Cheeseburger, and more.
Related: Budget Bests: Top Cheap Eats at Disneyland Park
But for a budget breakfast, we are going to recommend the French Toast Sticks. The French Toast sticks are soft on the inside and perfectly golden brown on the outside. They come with a side of maple syrup and are topped with powdered sugar and fresh berries. While the strawberries add a nice sweetness, the blackberries add the perfect amount of tartness to complement the dish.
The French Toast Sticks will fuel you to start your day. The portion is generous, and at just $9.99, it’s a pretty good deal.
@tinkalinda 🧚🏻Breakfast at Smokejumpers Grill ☀️ At Disney California Adventure 🎢 My order: ✨Breakfast Sandwich $13.99 (Sausage, Egg, Cheddar, Hash Browns, SJG Sauce and Green Chile on a Toasted Bun, served with Cuties Mandarin Oranges or Breakfast Seasoned Fries) ✨French Toast sticks $9.99 (with Powdered Sugar, Berries and Maple Syrup) ✨chorizo burrito $13.99 ( Sausage, Chorizo, Egg, Cheese, Hash Browns and Avocado Sauce with Molcajete Salsa, served with Cuties Mandarin Oranges or Breakfast Seasoned Fries) 📢 overall its was a great breakfast I would definitely get again #dca #smokejumpersgrill #disneyfood #foodie #frenchtoast #tinki #disneyparks
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Fried Pickles – Smokejumpers Grill – $5.79
Staying at Smokejumpers, we can’t NOT recommend the Fried Pickles, which you can get for both lunch and dinner. Is this the biggest meal you’ll eat during your Disney day? Probably not, but they are so dang good!
The Fried Pickles are pickle chips that have been battered and fried to crispy perfection. They are simple, but sometimes simple things are the best things. What sets these fried pickles apart is the Buffalo Ranch they are served with. They add that must-have ranch flavor, while the buffalo sauce adds a nice little kick.
Related: Budget Bests: Top Cheap Eats In the Magic Kingdom
Tacos Dorados de Papa – Cocina Cucamonga – $10.49
Now, I will admit, my favorite thing to get at Cocina Cucamonga is the QuesaBirria. It’s two tacos stuffed full of tender, shredded beef, ooey-gooey cheese, and topped with a tomatillo salsa. But the best part is the flavorful consommé that you dip the tacos in. It’s so delicious, and if you are visiting Cocina Cucamonga and have some extra money, I highly recommend them!
However, for the more affordable, but still filling option, then you should definitely try the Tacos Dorados de Papa.
Did you know that potatoes are one of the most satiating foods there is? So, not only are they full of great things like fiber, potassium, and vitamin C, but they will also keep you full for a long time!
Related: Budget Bests: The Top Cheap Eats at EPCOT
The potato tacos are topped with a crunchy cabbage slaw, a dairy-free crema, and a tomatillo salsa. There’s a ton of flavor packed into two tacos. And, at only $10.49, your wallet will be as happy as your stomach!
Pot Stickers – Lucky Fortune Cookery – $8.99
Sometimes you just want something quick, easy, and delicious. And if you are looking for something that falls into that category, while also being budget-friendly, then you’ll want to try the Pot Stickers from Lucky Fortune Cookery in San Fransokyo Square.
Now, it is important to note that the Pot Stickers from Lucky Fortune are technically listed as a side, so they won’t be as filling as some of the other dishes on this list. But there are times when you don’t want a full meal, and these are perfect if you want a snack.
Related: Budget Bests: Top Cheap Eats in Disney’s Animal Kingdom
The Pot Stickers are both fried and steamed, which keeps them moist on the inside and crispy on the outside. They are stuffed full of delicious chicken and vegetables. They are served alongside a traditional soy sauce/rice vinegar dipping sauce that is the perfect complement.
These Pot Stickers are only $8.99 and are the perfect option for a midday snack. They are also a great option if you are thinking of sharing a few things.
And, if you are not as concerned about sticking to a budget, then I HIGHLY recommend the Birria Ramen. It’s full of perfectly cooked noodles, a delicious soft-boiled egg, flavorful and tender beef, Monterey Jack cheese, roasted corn, onions, topped with fresh radish, and served in an incredible consommé.
Kids’ Meal Street Style Taco – Paradise Garden Grill – $8.99
It wouldn’t be a “Budget Bests” list if we didn’t include at least one item from a Kids’ Menu in the park. As I’ve mentioned in past “Budget Bests”, the Kids’ Menus can offer some really great options, giving you a decent portion size for an unbeatable price.
Related: Budget Bests: Top Cheap Eats in Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Over at Paradise Garden Grill, located next to Goofy’s Sky School (Disneyland’s most terrifying ride), guests can choose from a number of delicious entrées inspired by the blockbuster 2017 Pixar film, Coco. But if you are looking for a good meal at an even better price, then you are going to want to consider the Street-Style Taco from the Kids’ Menu.
Unlike the adult portions, the Kids’ Menu dish only comes with one taco. However, it is also served with a side of rice, a side of beans, and your choice of a small bottle of Low-Fat Milk or Dasani Water. That much food for just $8.99 is a pretty good bargain.
Subatomic Chicken Sandwich – Pym’s Test Kitchen – $10.99
For the final budget-friendly item on our list, we are going to stick with the Kids’ Menu, but head to Pym’s Test Kitchen over in Avengers Campus. Avengers Campus opened in DCA in 2021, after a COVID delay. Guests can see some of their favorite Marvel superheroes, dine on delicious food, and ride exciting attractions.
Pym’s Test Kitchen was created by Dr. Hank Pym, who has been experimenting with his incredible shrink-and-grow technology. Guests can dine on unique options like the Not so Little Chicken Sandwich that comes with a huge piece of perfectly fried chicken on a not-so-huge bun. There’s also the Humongous Taco Salad, the Pepper Particle Pasta, and the must-try Choco-Smash Bar.
For this final Budget Best item, you’re going to want to check out the Red Particle Mini Meals and order the Subatomic Chicken Sandwich.
Now, even though this is technically on the Kids’ Menu, the serving size is actually quite large. Unlike the Not so Little Chicken Sandwich, which comes with a gigantic piece of chicken, this option comes with a normal-sized piece. It is served with a mandarin orange, yogurt topped with popping pearls, and your choice of a small low-fat milk or a small bottle of Dasani water.
As you can see, not everything at Disney has to leave your wallet hurting. While many of the food options might be a little pricey, you can still find some really good options with lower price tags. Of course, the serving sizes at Disney California Adventure are typically very generous, so you won’t find yourself spending a ton of money for just a little bit of food.
We hope these dining options help you budget for your next trip to The Happiest Place on Earth! Happy eating!
What is your favorite budget-friendly meal to get at Disney California Adventure? What about over in Disneyland? Do you feel that the food is reasonably priced for the portion that you get? Share all your thoughts on dining at Disneyland with us in the comments!