Brooke's Not Impressed: Dole Whips

Of course, Disney is known for world class attractions, theme parks, and shows but equally as amazing is the food at the theme parks. There is so much variety, from Indian food to barbecue to sushi to African cuisine to southern home cooking. If you want it, chances are the Disney parks have it, and have it good. 

There are certain food items in the parks that come and go, and then there are some that curiously reach cult status among Disney fans. You may be familiar with some- there’s the chimichanga in Disneyland, pulled pork mac and cheese in Disney World, mochi in Tokyo Disneyland, churros literally everywhere, schoolbread in Epcot, and the quintessential Disney food craze the Dole Whip.

The various stands that sell Dole Whips across the Disney parks always have lines of people waiting for their treat. What makes up this this groundbreaking dessert, you ask? Well it’s pineapple/vanilla soft serve mixed together with the most important ingredient- Disney magic. But seriously, that’s it. It’s pineapple soft serve. Well unless you get the Dole Whip Float in which case they add pineapple juice.

The waits are not ever too long because it moves fairly quickly, but there are always people there. It’s constant. The consistent waits are not the only evidence of the treats popularity. No, if you had never tried a Dole Whip surely you would not be unaware of its popularity because walk into any Disney gift shop and you will find Dole Whip t-shirts, plushes, kitchen items, and more. A Dole Whip stuffed animal? C’mon. A basic pineapple vanilla ice cream has been turned into a Disney craze and a merchandise cash cow. I mean, honestly on that note I’m kind of impressed. 

I remember when I first tried a Dole Whip. I heard all the hype and saw the lines, but I kept asking myself how good could a pineapple vanilla ice cream really be? I mean it sounds pretty basic. Could it really be as amazing as people say it is?

And then I tried it. That first cool bite hit my tongue and I knew … that I was exactly right. I am just going to say it and it’s time we all admit it; there is nothing special about the Dole Whip. It’s exactly how it sounds if not, eh, more vanilla if you will. Is it bad? No. Is it over rated? Absolutely. Let’s just say I wouldn’t wait in line for it. I definitely won’t buy a shirt with it on it ... I mean, unless it’s a really cool shirt. But all-in-all it’s a bit overhyped and I’m just not impressed. 

DCN Snack Corner: Cheddar Cheese Stick

Quietly tucked away in a nook between Goofy’s Sky School and Seaside Souvenirs at the Paradise Park section of Disney California Adventure you will find Corn Dog Castle.

A not so secret gem of a counter service restaurant that serves handmade, hand dipped, made to order corn dogs, hot link corn dogs, and the aforementioned Cheddar Cheese Stick. It’s a simple menu with a simple conceit; make three great snack items that truly standout due to the loving preparation of real ingredients and a dedication to the made to order mission.

The Cheddar Cheese Stick is aptly named as it is a stick or block, if you will, of cheddar cheese that is hand dipped in the rich corn dog batter and quickly deep fried, sealing all the gorgeous, sharp cheddar cheese inside the savory corn outer shell.

The final product is a true delight. The perfectly fried golden outer shell is dense, crunchy, and salty with a hint of sweetness added to the corn batter. The inside is an impeccably orange colored mass of gooey real cheddar cheese that is tangy and just the right amount of sharp. With each bite you get the perfect combination of the piquant outer shell and the oozing flavorful cheese, with neither overpowering the other, but both elements in flawless proportion working together to make snack magic. It’s essentially a perfectly balanced grilled cheese on a stick.

Here’s a bonus snack-hack tip for you. If you want to take your Cheddar Cheese Stick to the next level you know you have to add a sauce! And just a few feet over from Corn Dog Castle is Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta where you could get just the right sauce pairing for your Cheddar Cheese Stick. You can order a small side of Pomodoro sauce, pesto, ranch dressing, or tomato sauce. Give it a try and let us know which sauce pairs best with yours.

So if you love cheese, which who doesn’t, and if you are looking for a great flavorful, cheesy snack, look no further than Corn Dog Castle, and grab yourself a Cheddar Cheese Stick … but maybe also grab someone else to share it with you, it might not be the best healthy idea to eat an entire block of deep fried cheese alone … and it’s kinda depressing.

Happy eating!