If you’re looking for some down home, Southern style cooking while at Walt Disney World, look no further than Crossroads at House of Blues at Downtown Disney (soon to be renamed as Disney Springs). The restaurant is located in Downtown Disney’s Westside across from Disney Quest. If you aren’t quite sure where that is, follow the walkways and head toward the big white building that houses Cirque du Soliel and the restaurant will be on your right. Also, you can’t miss the “rusty old” water tower which stands above restaurant itself.
The menu at the House of Blues was created by acclaimed celebrity chef, Aaron Sanchez, of Food Network fame, and offers something for everyone. Included on the menu are such delicacies as jambalaya, bacon wrapped meatloaf, shrimp and grits, steaks and big juicy burgers. Even the pickiest of eaters are sure to find something from the vast array of entrees on the menu.
The House of Blues is on the Disney Dining Plan and requires one table service credit per guest. If you are paying out of pocket, this is still a good choice for someone on a budget. I say that but I probably should remind everyone that you are at a major tourist attraction and you will pay more than you would at one of your local eateries. But, some of the entrees are large portions and could be shared.
When approaching the entrance to the restaurant, you may see what looks like a check-in podium on the lefthand side of the front porch of the building. From what we have been told, that is for walk-ups only and we have always been directed to the check-in desk just inside the restaurant itself. After checking in, take a moment to look around at all of the funky/odd/cool details around you.
Funky Cool Decor!
There are shoes all the way around the doors and on the ceiling itself:
Although there isn’t a lot of seating in the area, there are some benches for guests:
We have dined at the House of Blues several times with our most recent visit being in May, 2014. During this visit, we were seated in the back of the restaurant in what we call “the fire room”.
Appetizers
One of the items on the list of appetizers is Cornbread with Maple Butter, Jalapeno peppers and cheese. Cornbread is a staple in the South and we hadn’t had any since we left home so we were happy to see it on the menu. The bread was big and thick and had a slightly sweet taste. If you are concerned that the jalapeno peppers and cheese will make the cornbread too hot or spicy, don’t worry, there was just enough to give it a slight kick.
Entrees
For our entrees, my husband ordered Buttermilk Fried Chicken – Fried chicken marinated in buttermilk and adobo spice served with citrus champagne slaw and Red Rose garlic mashed potatoes topped with Cotija cheese and applewood bacon.
I ordered the New York Strip – Seasoned twelve ounce center cut steak with sauteed bourbon onions served with fresh vegetables and Red Rose garlic mashed potatoes topped with Cotija cheese and applewood bacon.
And, our son, the picky eater of the bunch, ordered the same New York strip as I did but asked that they substitute double fries for his side orders. Our waiter had no problem accommodating his wishes and the plate came out with a ton of fries.
Wrap up!
We all enjoyed our meals and were left stuffed to the gills. I didn’t care for the hot tomatoes or the hard pieces of asparagus but that’s just my opinion. Others like al dente veggies. Al dente veggies wouldn’t keep me away from the restaurant as everything else was super delicious.
From past trips, we knew that the bread pudding was almost as amazing as the bread pudding served at Ohana so we ordered one to share. I am really not sure why the picture came out as red as it did other than the fact that we were in the “fire room”.
Each one of us were stuffed from our meals and we were very glad that we had chosen to return to the House of Blues as the service, food and atmosphere are great. It’s definitely on our list of “we will return to” restaurants. Before leaving the restaurant, I made a stop in the ladies room which had the crazy cool decor as well.
More funky decor!
Taking pictures of a bathroom may be weird but I know that you, my fellow Disney lovers, appreciate the fact that I took my purse and camera with me so I could take pictures if I could.
We used the exit that was at the end of the room that we had dined in and came out near the funky weird wild archway outside the restaurant.
As we were looking at all of the details, we were trying to figure out what kind of crazy mind would think up some of these designs and why they would. It was our son that said “it’s because they make people smile and happy”. Well, there you go….reason enough.
As I hope that you were able to glean from my pictures and review, Crossroads at House of Blues is a gem of a place to visit while at Walt Disney World. Whether you are looking for comfort food, a funky vibe or both, the House of Blues is where you’ll find it.
You make me want to throw out my whole plans and try all new places! Ha ha!
Love reading your posts, Lisa.
Yum! This looks so good we may have to try it next trip!!
I have never been tempted to eat there until now. I had no idea the food was so tasty.
Heading down in 3 weeks – might have to give this one a try!
Excellent article on “OUR” house!! HOB is a feast for ALL of your senses and you captured the “flavor” of it all!!
Yum, your food pictures make me hungry! I loved the atmosphere of HOB while we were there, but could find no rhyme or reason for the decor. I like your son’s philosophy. It makes perfect sense to me!
Now I wasn’t even considering eating at HofB this visit. We ate there last time and again at the location in Anaheim. I must admit the food was very yummy and staff was quite attentive……I’m just not looking forward to the construction!