Disneyland fans of pork spareribs, beef brisket, pulled pork and sausage links have reason to celebrate with the return of Southern-style barbecue to the Anaheim theme park for the first time in nearly a decade.
I sampled the menu of the new Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree during a soft opening on Thursday, Oct. 24 ahead of the official grand reopening of the revamped restaurant on Friday, Oct. 25.
ALSO SEE: Everything you can eat at Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree in Disneyland
The new Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree brings a thematic, musical and menu overhaul to the Hungry Bear restaurant in the rethemed Bayou Country area of the park.
The updated restaurant will soon welcome a new neighbor when Tiana’s Bayou Adventure officially debuts on Nov. 15 after annual passholder and cast member previews.
The good but not yet great barbecue joint still has room for improvement. Fortunately, there were a few places where Disneyland chefs could make a few easy changes to improve the menu.
ALSO SEE: Disneyland’s Hungry Bear restaurant brings back barbecue and Country Bears
I’m a barbecue junkie, so the revamped Hungry Bear was destined to become a go-to spot for me from the moment it was announced. My great hope is that the new place eventually lives up to its promise. The good news: Soft openings are all about working out the kinks and dialing in the menu.
Disneyland has been without a true BBQ joint since Big Thunder Ranch closed in 2016 to make room for Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge.
The restaurant remodel mostly focused on the kitchen, but Walt Disney Imagineering did sprinkle a few Country Bears posters and signs throughout the dining area during the makeover.
A country music soundtrack played with a bit of fiddle and banjo – but I didn’t hear any familiar old Country Bear songs. And don’t expect to see Henry, Trixie, Teddi or any of the other Country Bears wandering around the restaurant.
ALSO SEE: Country Bears’ journey from Sierra ski lodge to Disneyland BBQ…
Read the full article here
