Disney’s Rodeo Roundup BBQ roars loudly
We were invited to a tasting event prior to the opening and had the chance to speak with culinary chef Bobby Otero and Disney Imagineer Justin Sells for concept development.
This isn’t Chief Bobby’s first rodeo; He has been instrumental in many other dining venues around Walt Disney World, including Victoria & Albert’s, Narcoosee’s, Le Cellier, and Cinderella’s Royal Table. In this example, it was all about family-style barbecue fun with hearty flavored picnic foods on the menu.
Each set-menu meal begins with a serving of bread with a basket of soft, buttery Prospector’s Homemade Cheddar Biscuits with a side of Sweet Red Pepper Jelly. The sweet piquancy of the jelly with the slightest hint of heat complements the savory biscuit nicely, and we felt the two of them were better than enjoying the biscuit alone.
Then three salads arrived. Rootin ‘Tootin’ Tomato salad offered the classic summer garden freshness of tomatoes, pickled onions, cucumbers and dill; Rex’s Romaine and Kale Salad, full of healthy greens, had apple drizzled with Green Goddess dressing, dried cranberries, and pumpkin seed crunch; and Wheezy’s Watermelon Salad – juicy cubes of ripe watermelon with torn mint – are meant to tempt the young, but adults will also enjoy the summer nostalgia to the fullest.
Later, Evil Dr. A meat platter is provided with Smoked Ribs, Buttercup’s Beef Brisket, Barbecue Chicken, and Grilled Pork Sausage in My Boots. We sampled two and for us the smoked brisket was a standout winner. It’s easy to get the brisket wrong and end up with dry, leathery meat, but Roundup got it very, very right, with a few soft, moist slices that can make even modest appetites like ours want more.
Smoked ribs were also a meaty delight. With a meaty, deep, rich flavor, the benefits of 12 hours for a smoker on the spot really show in these soft bites. Guests can also choose from hearty spirals of pickled, smoked chicken and “snake in the drawing” sausages.
A selection of four side dishes meant to be shared by the table completing the main course. Of the eight flavors on offer, we tried a deliciously creamy combination of red-skinned potatoes with mayonnaise dressing and Vegi Slaw’s Mean Old Potato Salad, which is sweet, crunchy and crunchy. Picnic fans will be happy to know that baked beans and “street corn” corn on the cob are the other two options. Fried pickle spears and mac & cheese are also offered. Baked beans are made with jackfruit and are all plant-based.
Diners then choose from five separate desserts in a jar: Goat Apple Pie, Billy’s Chocolate Silk Pie, Gruff’s Peach-Strawberry Pie, and Bo’s Lemon and Blueberry Cheesecake, which we sampled. The light, sweet cheesecake mix topped with sweet blueberry compote, sour lemon topping, and graham cracker crust was the perfect sweet and tangy finale.
Cupcake á la Forky (mini frosted chocolate brownie with a sugar cookie shaped and decorated to resemble Forky) also arrived on our tray, and while it’s designed for teenagers, they won’t be turned down if adults choose it. sweet.
We also tried the alternative to the meat platter, as we often choose vegetarian or plant-based entrees when dining out to be comprehensive. Trixie’s Plant-Based Trio is a trio of smoked, soft-baked cauliflower with a drizzle of harissa and crunchy walnut gremolata; Impossible “meat” The scrumptious Bratwurst is the perfect substitute when you close your eyes and imagine the flavor of meat-based sausage, although its texture is lighter and more pate-like; and our absolute favorite is the Impossible “meat” Rip Roarin’ Rib Chop. No one will confuse it with its beef-based distant cousin, but this plant-based version has absolute flavor, a meatloaf-like texture, and a stylized “bone” that looks close enough to the real thing. , but not that close, it will drive away non-meat eaters.
If that all sounds pretty cheesy, Roundup Rodeo Barbecue deserves high praise. Likewise, Skipper Canteen at the Magic Kingdom has taken its flavors to a higher level than expected at a theme park, so has this new dining venue. The food is booming, and that’s before you get to the pure kid fun of the atmosphere in which it’s served.
Disney Imagineer Jason said, “We have so many little things to discover and see. There are characters who watch the rodeo happen, all our guests experience it and can enjoy the barbecue as part of the immersive atmosphere here. There are so many little details and we always encourage our guests to go and explore.”
Like the Land around it, the inside of Roundup Rodeo BBQ is all about Andy’s imagination and the world he builds from games and toys. Diners will recognize all of their favorite Toy Story characters and of course there are some fun surprises to watch on the ceiling, around each dining room section, on the walls and even on the floor. An oversized ruler reminds guests that they are toy-sized as they interact within Andy’s creation.
Set lunch and dinner is $45 per adult, $25 for ages three to nine. Diners can have as much fun as they want and, after beating the “first round” selections, they can make new selections for the “second round” (or continue with their favourites). Soft drinks, water, milk and iced tea are included. Beer, wine, specialty drinks and cocktails, and hard cider are extra. Reservation is highly recommended.
Here’s our video tour featuring our Media Manager Tharin White’s second food review:
