After years of stagnation, Magic Kingdom’s most mediocre meal spot has a brand-new menu! This put up lists all the new menu additions and meals pictures from Pecos Invoice Tall Story Inn and Cafe, which was beforehand lifeless to us. Plus, commentary about why that is probably taking place and what it means for Tiana’s Palace Restaurant or Nation Bear BBQ.
One way or the other, Pecos Invoice is/was not the worst counter service restaurant in all of Magic Kingdom, which is actually saying one thing (and never a great factor). Somewhat, it was the one with essentially the most squandered potential. A spot that would’ve been good and, at one time, was.
It has been stunning and disappointing that on the similar time Chipotle Mexican Grill has risen in reputation, Walt Disney World has gone within the precise other way with Pecos Invoice. Fortunately, they appear to be undoing that harm with the Fall 2024 menu overhaul, which seems to be the perfect menu at this location in virtually a decade.
The timing of that is opportune. I used to be simply engaged on a put up about nice eating surprises I’ve not too long ago encountered at Magic Kingdom eating places. It looks like this continues that pattern in a giant method. It’s as if somebody dared to dream: what if meals on the world’s hottest theme park have been really edible?
In equity, we’ve got but to do that new menu at Pecos Invoice Tall Story Inn and Cafe. So whereas it seems to be a dramatic enchancment, appears could be deceiving. If we glided by the carefully-plated promotional photos for the outdated menu, we would’ve assumed that was additionally good. And but, the precise delicacies high quality was one step above pet food.
Generally Walt Disney World’s meals stylists and photographers are miracle staff, proper up there with the group that makes the Huge Mac look extremely appetizing in photos…regardless of my actual burgers by no means trying remotely the identical (or practically as massive). However I digress.
Right here’s the complete menu Pecos Invoice Tall Story Inn and Cafe (accessible as of September 18, 2024), adopted by ideas…
Construct Your Personal
Steamed Tamale ($12.99) – Steamed Inexperienced Chili-Cheese Tamale with Stewed Pinto Beans, Queso Fresco, and Pico de Gallo
Nacho Bowl ($12.99) – Home-fried Corn Tortilla Chips smothered with Stewed Pinto Beans, Chipotle Queso, and Pico de Gallo
Southwest Caesar Salad ($12.99) – Romaine tossed in Creamy Salsa Verde Dressing, Pepitas, Queso Fresco, Pico de Gallo, and Tortilla Strips
Rice Bowl ($12.99) – Pinto Beans, Cilantro-Lime Rice, Cowboy Caviar, and Queso Fresco
With any of those construct your personal bowls and dishes, the next customization choices additionally accessible.
Protein:
- Citrus-Chipotle Rooster
- Inexperienced Chili Pork
- Coca-Cola Cherry Braised Beef ($.50)
Second Protein:
- Citrus-Chipotle Rooster ($1.50)
- Inexperienced Chili Pork ($1.50)
- Coca-Cola Cherry Braised Beef ($2)
Add a Facet:
- Queso Chipotle ($1)
- Guacamole ($2.50)
- Queso & Guacamole ($3.50)
Desserts
Candy Corn Mousse ($6.29)
White Chocolate and Raspberry Powder ($6.29)
Mexican Chocolate and Horchata Verrine ($5.49)
Turning to commentary, I’m really trying ahead to making an attempt this! Though I strongly suspect the picture vs. actuality distinction might be pretty pronounced, the factor is, it’s gotta be higher than what’s there now. I wouldn’t count on this to be on par with the standard of the meals courtroom at Coronado Springs, however it’ll virtually definitely be higher than what it changed.
Prime to backside menu overhauls like this are virtually all the time an enchancment. Disney’s culinary groups get the inexperienced gentle to make vital adjustments and, as you possibly can in all probability think about, nobody working in a inventive culinary place desires to work on an unambitious replace. The cooks don’t really wish to serve slop to visitors–that’s often the byproduct of managers coming in and simplifying or streamlining menus to make them extra environment friendly or cheaper.
I do know that sounds harsh, however it’s simply the sensible actuality of issues. Within the final a number of years, when new menus have debuted at Walt Disney World or Disneyland, they’ve virtually all the time been dramatic upgrades. The one cause I’m even saying “virtually” all the time is as a result of I feel there was one instance of a downgrade, however I truthfully can’t keep in mind the place. At the very least 9 instances out of 10, they’re main enhancements. That’s very true at a spot like Pecos Invoice, which has nowhere to go however up.
There’s additionally a corollary to this: brand-new menus are sometimes higher than 6-month outdated menus. The culinary group goals excessive, however a few of their selections aren’t all the time sensible for high-capacity areas or consistent with visitor preferences. That is the first cause that menus are dumbed down over time, in all places will get a burger added, and so on. It’s additionally typically vital to scale back preparation steps, as dishes change into too labor intensive or time-consuming to organize. I don’t assume there’s a hazard of any of that right here–this appears fairly crowd-pleasing from the get-go!
Now, if Walt Disney World is actually critical about sealing the deal on the brand new Pecos Invoice menu being a house run, they’ll carry again the toppings bar. It’s lengthy overdue, each right here and at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe. That was the factor that each of those large counter service spots had going for them pre-closure!
Lastly, there are the potential implications for the way forward for this venue. As we not too long ago mentioned in Restaurant Thriller at Magic Kingdom, it’s been radio silence from Disney about Tiana’s Palace in Magic Kingdom or anyplace else at Walt Disney World because the final D23 Expo. At one level, it appeared like a foregone conclusion that it would occur–and possibly changing Pecos Invoice Tall Story Inn & Cafe since Imagineers have been noticed poking round there on a number of events.
I gained’t rehash all the dialogue from that put up, however one factor I did recommend was this: “With all of that mentioned, I do assume one thing will occur with Pecos Invoice. The underlying IP is nearly definitely considered as “outdated” in Disney’s eyes, and ripe for alternative. Nonetheless, I feel if a change is made, it’ll be very superficial–in all probability simply the identify, signage, and a little bit of placemaking. (Sorta much like San Fransokyo Sq. at DCA, however not whilst bold as that.) If that is on the desk, I’d humbly recommend “Sammy’s Raccoon Saloon” or “Huge Al’s BBQ Barn.” And even simply revive the Mile Lengthy Bar moniker. Give us Nation Bear followers a win.”
As soon as Nation Bear BBQ Jamboree was introduced for Disneyland, I figured an East Coast outpost of the identical was an inevitability. Particularly provided that the reimagining of Nation Bear Jamboree proper subsequent door has already breathed new life into this space of the park and the Nation Bears “IP.”
Then got here the D23 Expo, and the announcement of two all-new Vehicles sights in a reimagined space of Frontierland at Magic Kingdom in addition to Villains Land growth at Magic Kingdom. Subsequent to D23, Walt Disney World revealed that the Vehicles space will really exchange the Rivers of America, that means that Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Sq. Riverboat will completely shut.
In gentle of this information, I now assume it’s pretty clear what’s taking place. Pecos Invoice isn’t going to change into Tiana’s Palace Restaurant or Nation Bear BBQ. It wouldn’t shock me if each have been significantly thought of at one level, however I strongly suspect the ship has sailed on these ideas.
As a substitute, I’d count on this restaurant to be transformed to one thing Vehicles-themed inside the subsequent 5 years. That’s actually the one choice at this level, and one which makes extra sense than Tiana’s Palace Restaurant. For one factor, Princess and the Frog is just so standard, and overdoing it on that franchise is probably not a financially-savvy transfer–particularly on the earth’s hottest theme park. (I may nonetheless see Tiana’s Palace coming to a resort–maybe nonetheless the revived Reflections mission?)
For one more factor, Vehicles is insanely standard and no quantity of theme park presence can be an excessive amount of. Since area is proscribed within the space it’s being constructed on, I can solely assume that Vehicles eating places and retail will finally take over this thoroughfare in Frontierland. It simply is sensible, as one in all Disney’s merchandising powerhouses isn’t going to get ignored on the monetization entrance. (I’d not count on Flo’s V8 Cafe, because the theme of this Vehicles land might be completely different than Vehicles Land at DCA.)
This could additionally clarify why Pecos Invoice Tall Story Inn and Cafe is getting a brand new menu now. The earlier model was terrible. Pecos Invoice was dying a gradual loss of life, however who cared? In spite of everything, it was slated for imminent alternative and it’s higher to interchange a nasty factor that nobody likes anymore than a fan-favorite. That’s, till it wasn’t.
Issues have modified, and Walt Disney World goes a distinct route, that means that Pecos Invoice is in a holding sample for the following few years. That’s a very long time for the horrible earlier menu to limp alongside on life help. Therefore this new menu, which breathes new life into the placement and buys it a short lived lease on life–and this location.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you concentrate on Pecos Invoice Tall Story Inn and Cafe getting a brand new menu? Are you excited for these adjustments and additions? Ideas on the probability of a Vehicles restaurant coming to Magic Kingdom? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions we will help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even once you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
