Mediterranean Flavors Come Alive On the DCA Boardwalk – Disney Foodie Spotlight

Craving a gyro? Maybe a platter of shish-kebab? Did you know you can find those dishes on the pier in Disney California Adventure? Hidden in a corner of the park near Goofy’s Sky School, this tiny quick service restaurant serves a limited menu but with many options. Primarily featuring skewers, you can pick your protein and pick your sauce and your skewer will be served with rice pilaf, cucumber salad, and pita bread. They also have spicy meatballs, gyros, and a greek salad to round out the menu. They even have baklava for dessert!

Paradise Garden Grill menu includes choice of protein (including tofu) and choice of sauce to make your skewer

Location: Paradise Pier, Disney California Adventure
Type: Quick service
Specialty: Mediterranean dishes
Cost: $9 to $13
Craig’s Favorite: Grilled Steak Skewer Platter

Worried about allergy issues? Like every other restaurant at Disneyland, there is a simple menu with many choices for those with gluten, egg, fish, milk, and nut concerns. When I ordered my grilled steak skewer platter, they substituted the rice pilaf which contains wheat noodles with plain (but fluffy) white rice. And for the pita bread they gave me a gluten-free roll.

My gluten-free steak skewer platter with rice, Tzatziki sauce, cucumber salad, and gluten-free roll

The steak was cooked just right with enough tenderness to make it juicy and tasty. The rice was a nice compliment and although I’m not big on cucumber salad, I ate all of it. If you like cucumber salad, you’ll find this to be very refreshing and it was a nice complement to the steak. I was concerned that the one steak skewer would not be enough, but surprisingly it was filling. I wasn’t stuffed after eating it but the pieces were nice and fairly big and certainly worth the $12.99 price.

Since the restaurant is located off in a corner, it isn’t easy to spot. However, its next door neighbor – Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta is hard to miss. Located across from Silly Symphony Swings, it’s got a trellis in front and lots of tables and chairs before getting to the restaurant doors. Paradise Garden Grill is located to the right of it as you stand in front. Is this my favorite place to eat? No, but sometimes you just want something a little different and I like that Disney offers choices for when you’re in a different mood. So if you’re looking for something a little bit different, something that’s good, and (literally) off the beaten path, try it!