Ever feel overwhelmed by the amount of choice in Disney World, particularly when it comes to restaurants and dining options? Where do you go? What places are worth your cash? Which are beloved and which are HATED? We’ve got the answers!
We’ve shared a BUNCH of restaurant tips to help you pick the right spots for you — like a ranking of the quick service restaurants in EPCOT, a look at 10 restaurants you’ve NEVER visited, and even the top picks for dinner in spots like Magic Kingdom. But there’s one particular spot that is a big fan-favorite and you might not want to miss it.
In case you’ve never heard of it, allow us to introduce you to an incredibly popular restaurant in Disney World — The Polite Pig! This is a Quick Service restaurant located in Disney Springs that is known for its modern barbecue eats and whiskey collection.
But just what is it about The Polite Pig that makes it a must-do for so many (and why might you need to add it to your must-try list)? We’ve got some answers.
You Don’t Need a Park Ticket
For starters, one of the big appeals of The Polite Pig is that it is located in Disney Springs, which means you do NOT need a theme park ticket to visit.
That makes this spot particularly convenient since you can visit on any day that works for your plans. Maybe you’ll be flying in a little later in the day and not buying a park ticket for your arrival day. Spend your time at Disney Springs and you’ll be able to enjoy everything that The Polite Pig has to offer without any extra cost (other than the cost of the food and drinks you’ll buy there!).
Couple that with the FREE parking at Disney Springs and you’ve got a spot that’s easy for guests and locals to get to.
It’s FAST!
Another great thing about The Polite Pig is that it is a Quick Service restaurant. That means NO reservations are required so you don’t have to stress about booking them 60 days in advance. Instead, you’ll simply join the standby line, order at the counter…
…grab your number…
…find a table (indoor and outdoor seating is available), and wait for your food to arrive. Another nice thing is that while it is a Quick Service restaurant, a server will bring the food to you at your table, and they can help you get any extra things you might need.
The drinks are self-serve though…
…as are the sauces (oh yeah, don’t forget to check out ALL the sauces!).
The food often comes out fairly quickly too, so you won’t have to wait for an exceedingly long time to get your eats. If you’re looking to cut down on your waiting time, consider visiting The Polite Pig as soon as it opens so you can be one of the first ones to order. You can also order your food online via The Polite Pig website!
It Won’t Totally Blow Your Budget
Another reason why The Polite Pig is a great spot is that its eats are fairly reasonably priced, so they won’t totally blow your budget. Plus, many of the items are big enough to be shared. So you could opt to split an appetizer, entree, and side with another person and still be left very satisfied!
Appetizers range from $10-$18, salads are around $12-$13, and items from the smoker (like a Half-Chicken, Layla’s Ribs, and more) range in price from around $18-$26.
The most expensive item on the “From the Smoker” section is a Butcher Board for 2 that is $44 but it includes a LOT — Pork Shoulder, Smoked Chicken, Brisket, BBQ Cheddar Sausage with Slaw, House Pickles, two Cornbreads, and a choice of two Market Sides.
Then, there are sandwiches, which range from $12-$15, and side items which are typically $6. Plus, you can’t forget dessert — those are between $5-$7.
You can also grab a kids’ meal here for $9, and then there’s a pretty large drinks menu (which we’ll get to in a second).
Prices are a bit higher than what you’d find at, say, a fast food spot outside of Disney World (particularly because some of the items — like the sandwiches — don’t come with a side), but again their sharable size makes that much more justifiable. Not to mention how delicious they are, which leads us to our next point…
The Food Is DELISH (and High-Quality)
The food at The Polite Pig is ON POINT, and it’s no surprise. The Polite Pig is a concept that comes from “culinary legends James, Julie, and Brian Petrakis” (that’s what they’re referred to on their own website and we can’t say we disagree). These folks are NO JOKE.
James and Julie Petrakis are James Beard Award-nominated chefs with other concepts in Orlando that are well-known for their high-quality eats, and The Polite Pig only continues that winning streak.
The food here is wood-fired smoked or grilled and full of flavor. Our own AllEars readers have shared some stellar reviews of this spot and it comes recommended by 95% of them. Some shared that it is “delicious,” and has “dreamy” side dishes. One reader even said it was “the best BBQ place” they had ever been to!
You can really taste the quality here — it doesn’t just feel like you’re eating a frozen piece of meat that’s been placed on the grill without any care or seasoning.
It’s More Unique
On top of the taste and quality, the food here is more unique than what you might find at your “standard” Quick Service restaurants in Disney World. Shake off thoughts of a regular burger and fries ’cause that’s NOT what this spot serves up!
At The Polite Pig, you’ll find things like BBQ Meatballs with brisket and cheddar grits, ribs served with jalapeno cornbread, cedar plank salmon, and some of the most tasty crispy brussel sprouts you may ever try.
In a sea of Quick Service restaurants with endlessly similar options, The Polite Pig truly stands out.
It’s Ever-Changing
But what makes it even better is that The Polite Pig is constantly changing things up with its seasonal side options and Chef’s Specials. These can change often, giving you reasons to come back again and again!
We’ve seen the seasonal sides include things like Bacon Macaroni Salad.
And the Chef’s Specials have featured all kinds of tasty treats, including a Polite Pork Paillard (Smoked pork loin, fried shoestring potatoes, arugula, crumbled bacon, marinated tomatoes, grated parmesan cheese, and pimento bourbon aioli).
Again, these can change often so you’ll want to check and see what is available when you visit.
They Don’t Skimp on the Drinks
Finally, one big selling point of The Polite Pig is its wide drink selection. There is a LOT to pick from here, including an entire Bourbon bar with 60+ selections. The drinks menu includes Ravenous Pig Brewing Co. beers, small-batch cocktails, cider, wine, frozen mocktails, whiskey flights, and MORE.
Some can even come in a souvenir glass if you pay a little extra. The odds are pretty good that The Polite Pig will have some kind of drink that might fit your taste, so be sure to poke around the menu and see what you might want to try.
And that’s a look at just some of the reasons why lots of people LOVE The Polite Pig. Are you a fan of this restaurant? Why or why not? Tell us in the comments!
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Do you like The Polite Pig? Tell us in the comments!
Place is the real deal. Always good. Always consistent. Chicken is really good. The Brussel sprouts are great. If you have never eaten there the 3 slider app is great cause it gives you a nice overview of the menu. The toppings for each slider is different also. Since it opened we have never missed going for lunch or dinner. Usually we hit it day we land for lunch.