REVIEW: Disney Is Stepping Up Its Burger Game and We’re Here For It

We love dining at Downtown Disney, but there are so many options, where do you even start? Don’t worry — that’s why we’re here! We try out all the restaurants so you know what’s worth the time and money during your Disneyland vacation.

We headed to Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes at Downtown Disney, and we’re bringing you a FULL review. Should you stop here on your visit? Let’s find out!

Background

This casual dining spot has burgers, milkshakes, and all the true classic American dishes. It’s a proud “throwback-style eatery” and offers lunch and dinner from 11 AM to 1 AM most days.

They have alcoholic beverages, a kids’ menu, and once you feast your eyes on these burgers, you’ll never want to go back. It’s located by Ballast Point Brewing Co. and Westzel’s Pretzels by Centrico.

You’ll order right at the counter or window and then find a seat to enjoy your meal.

Atmosphere

“An homage to the great American luncheonettes of our childhoods, Black Tap keeps it real with a fun, familiar, New York City vibe, circa the ’80s and ’90s.” Don’t be fooled by the years — it still has a modern feel that reminds us of a gastropub. There is indoor seating at high-top tables, as well as outdoor seating with umbrellas.

We love seeing all the drinks lined up on the shelves before us and admiring the kitchen at work through the window.

Let’s eat!

Food & Drinks

We started off with the Texan BBQ Wings for $18. This dish features six pieces of Sweet BBQ and Scallions, served with House Buttermilk-Dill Ranch.

These wings were so tender and came right off the bone, exactly how we like them. The sauce was very sweet, with a distinct brown sugar flavor. The ranch paired perfectly with the wings, being creamy, tangy, and light, and balanced the sweetness of the sauce.

Then we had the Black Tap Hot Fries for $15. These are served with Hot Chili Oil, Black Garlic & Chili Seasoning, Kosher Pickles, House Buttermilk-Dill, and topped with Scallions.

These weren’t the craziest fries we’ve ever had, and the spice was definitely on the subtle side. We thought the pickles made them soggy, and the ranch drowned all of the potential flavor. We’ll probably stick with the traditional fries that come with the burgers in the future.

We also had the Fried Mozz for $13.50, which is served with a Smoky Chipotle Tomato Sauce.

The outside of these was crispy and salty, and the mozzarella inside was milky and creamy — just like how we love a mozzarella stick. The marinara sauce brought in a savory flavor, paired with a light smoky note, and it even had more cheese in it! We loved these, and they were a great appetizer.

Our main course was the Black Truffle Burger, priced at $25, made with Wagyu Beef, Havarti Cheese, baby Arugula, Truffle-Yuzu Vinaigrette, black Garlic Peppercorn Aioli, shaved Parmesan, and Truffle Oil, served with Lettuce, Tomato, a Pickle, and French Fries.

We ordered our medium and it was juicy and almost melted in our mouths (talk about YUM). It has a richer taste than a traditional party, and all the toppings were fresh, which paired well with the rich and fatty patty. The toppings blended together in terms of flavors, but we loved the combined flavor. It was a bit cheesy, kinda savory, and matched the whole burger well. We only wish the bun were a little bigger to hold everything!

We knew we had to try a milkshake, so we opted for the Special Edition CrazyShake, featuring Disney’s Mickey Mouse, for $25.50. This is a Strawberry Shake with a Vanilla Frosted Rim and Mickey Mouse-shaped Sprinkles topped with a House-made Mickey Mouse-shaped Crispy Treat, White and Red Rock Candy, Whipped Cream, Red Sprinkles, and a Cherry.

If you’re looking for a picture-perfect milkshake, this might be the one. It looked as crazy as they promised, but the flavors were still pretty tame. We tasted the strawberry ice cream, which was fresh, vibrant, and not artificial in the slightest. The whipped cream melted down, adding hints of vanilla to each sip. The toppings weren’t our favorite, so we might go for a strawberry milkshake next time, but we do appreciate how it looked.

Magic or Tragic?

You should head to Black Tap if…

• • You LOVE burgers and want a craft burger experience
  • You are looking for a casual dining option that still has large, filling meals
  • You want classic American dishes with an elevated flair

You might want to skip if…

• • You want dishes that aren’t quite as messy and easier to eat
  • You prefer smaller, lighter dishes
  • You are looking for a cheaper option for lunch or dinner

Overall, we enjoyed our visit to Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes and would return to try some of their different burger options. We love specialty burgers made with high-quality ingredients, and this was delivered. While some of the sides weren’t the craziest foods we’ve ever had, the burgers stood out.

In the meantime, make sure you’re following AllEars for more food reviews for your Disney vacation. We share all the best restaurants and snacks so you know where to stop during your visit.

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Have you been to Black Tap before? Tell us about your experience in the comments.

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