Roundup Rodeo BBQ at Walt Disney World has officially opened, and I had the chance to see what it is all about, and I can confidently say this restaurant is a rootin’ tootin’ time.
Roundup Rodeo BBQ
Roundup Rodeo BBQ is located inside Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World.
Disney World’s official website describes the restaurant as:
Discover what it feels like to be one of Andy’s honorary toys. At Roundup Rodeo BBQ, you will be surrounded by Andy’s rodeo at play––everything from western towns and train station playsets.
Plus, take a gander at images of popular characters, including a larger-than-life display of Jessie riding on the back of a Trixie pull toy! You can also view a scene of Bo Peep and her sheep posed to perform in the rodeo.
Grab a meal and enjoy a whimsical kaleidoscope of toys, games and playsets!
As soon as you step up to the restaurant, you feel as though you are transported into Andy’s backyard, getting ready to play rodeo with all of his toys. You will wait outside until your table is prepared, and then once your name is called, you will have to ride on the back of a horse into the restaurant. (And I must say, watching big brothers or fathers ride the horse is hilarious. Disney truly does bring out the child in everyone).
The Atmosphere
Once inside the restaurant, you will notice the walls are plastered with drawings by Andy. Everything is scaled larger, allowing Guests to feel as though they have shrunk to the size of a toy.
Disney is also great with attention to detail, and Roundup Rodeo BBQ is no different.
Drinks For The Grown-Ups
For drinks, Roundup Rodeo BBQ offers assorted fountain beverages, such as Coca-Cola products, included with the price of the meal. Still, if you are looking to splurge, the restaurant has Lil’ Rider Refreshments, including:
- Molly’s Frozen Iced Tea: Frosty blend of Iced Tea and Citrus flavors
- Frozen Cowpoke Cocoa: Frozen Cocoa and Minute Maid® Vanilla Smoothie topped with Mini Marshmallows
- Partysaurus Tex: Minute Maid® Premium Lemonade and Strawberry Puree, garnished with Gummy Candy
I did not try one of these drinks as I opted for the Grown-Up Adult beverages. If you are of drinking age, you can opt to try one of the alcoholic beverages, which include:
- Grown-up’s Peanut Butter & Jelly: Frozen Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey, Minute Maid® Vanilla Smoothie Mix, Grape Jelly
- Snake Eye Margarita: Teremana Blanco Tequila, Watermelon Juice, Lime Juice, Agave, Smoked Chili Bitters
- The Rodeo Mule: Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Lime Juice, Cane Sugar, Fever-Tree Ginger Beer
- Grown-up’s Iced Chocolate & Rum: SelvaRey Chocolate Rum, RumChata Liqueur, Chocolate, Toasted Marshmallow
- Whinnyin’ Whiskey Lemonade: Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, Aperol Liqueur, Strawberry Puree, Lemonade, Basil
- Rattler Rum Punch: Bacardi Superior Rum, Orange-Pineapple Juice, Lime, and Passion Fruit, garnished with a Sweet-and-Spicy Rim.
My husband and I decided to try the Snake Eye Margarita and the Whinnyin’ Whiskey Lemonade. While both drinks were unique and delicious, I felt the Whinnyin’ Whiskey Lemonade was a bit too heavy on the lemonade. The Snake Eye Margarita had a better balance of ingredients and flavors, making it the better of the two.
Bread Service
When I say this is the best bread service I have ever had on Disney World property — I mean it.
For starters, Guests will indulge in the Prospector’s Homemade Cheddar Biscuits, served with sweet pepper jelly. Before opening the restaurant, Disney Parks Blog says, “They’re so delicious you might be tempted to fill up on them but be sure to save room for all the delicious grub comin’ to the table!” — and they weren’t kidding.
I had to stop eating the whole basket as these biscuits just fell apart and melted in my mouth. They reminded me of Red Lobster Cheddar Biscuits, but better! (I know, that’s a bold statement, but trust me.)
Honestly, I would dine at this restaurant again just for these biscuits.
Shared Salads To Start
Next, Guests can munch on three different salads. First, the Rootin’ Tootin Tomato Salad consists of tomatoes, cucumbers, and pickled red onions tossed in a white balsamic vinaigrette and garnished with fresh dill.
The second, Rex’s Romaine and Kale Salad, is made of romaine and kale and garnished with green apples, pumpkin seeds, and dried cranberries tossed with green goddess dressing.
And the third is a Watermelon Salad, which consists of cubed watermelon garnished with freshly torn mint leaves.
All three of these salads were phenomenal, as all the ingredients were fresh. The watermelon in the Watermelon Salad was juicy, while the tomatoes and cucumbers in the Rootin’ Tootin Tomato Salad tasted as though they were just picked from the garden. And the dressing in Rex’s Romaine and Kale Salad made that offering unique.
All-You-Can-Eat Platter
As for the main course, Guests will be brought a platter of smoked meats, including Evil Dr. Smoked Ribs (which are fall-off-the-bone pork ribs, slow-cooked for hours in Disney World’s onsite smokehouse), Buttercup’s Beef Brisket (which is hand-sliced beef brisket, first smoked and then slow-cooked), There’s a Sausage in My Boot (deliciously spiced pork sausage fire-grilled over live oak) and BBQ Chicken – with Style! (Chicken brined for 48 hours and then completed with Disney’s secret backyard BBQ spice).
I am a pescetarian, so I did not try this platter, but my husband did, and he said it did not disappoint. The ribs were his favorite thing on the platter, as they fell right off the bone and were packed with flavor.
Trixie’s Plant-Based Trio
As I mentioned, I am a pescetarian. So I opted for Trixie’s Plant-based Trio, which consisted of Slow-smoked Cauliflower topped with sweet harissa drizzle, and crunchy walnut gremolata, Oven-roasted “Bratwurst” that is tender and juicy, sliced to perfection, and Impossible “Rib Chop” seasoned with spices, then roasted and glazed with sweet BBQ sauce and skewered on a sugar cane “bone.”
This is one of the best plant-based options across Disney World property. All three items were so flavorful and cooked perfectly. The slow-smoked cauliflower was my favorite, but I have nothing wrong to say about either of the two items.
Cedar Plank Saloon Salmon
Upon request, Guests can also order the Cedar Plank Saloon Salmon, and let me tell you.. this was my favorite part of the main course meal. The salmon was seasoned perfectly, and it fell apart upon cutting it. The second I took a bite, it melted in my mouth, making my taste buds tingle. I would be delighted f I just ate the salmon for my entire meal!
Reach For The Sides
Guests also get to choose four sides to accompany their entrees.
We opted for The Married Spuds (Loaded potato barrels drizzled with green goddess dressing, cheese sauce, and seasoned BBQ spices), Slinky Doooooooooog Mac & Cheese (Spiral pasta in a creamy house-made cheese sauce topped with crumbled cheddar crackers), Cowpoke Corn on the Cob (Grilled and seasoned with a chili-lime spice blend, cilantro, cotija cheese, and lime juice), and the Campfire-roasted Vegetables (A variety of roasted seasonal vegetables).
Our favorite of the four was the corn on the cob. The flavors worked perfectly together, and the corn was cooked perfectly. The campfire-roasted vegetables were a close second as the vegetables themselves were not the typical vegetables you would opt for, plus the kick on them made all the difference!
The mac and cheese wasn’t bad, but it didn’t feel like there was anything special about this dish. The same goes for the loaded potato barrels.
The other options Guests can choose from include the Force Field Fried Pickles (Jumbo pickle spears coated with a dill-flavored breading and fried to perfection), Buckin’ Baked Beans, Mean Old Potato Salad (Homestyle with red-skinned potatoes), or the Veggie Slaw (Crunchy shredded veggie slaw that is a summertime favorite).
Delicious Desserts
Make sure to save room for dessert because each Guest can choose one of five different Chuckwagon Desserts.
We opted for Bo’s Lemon and Blueberry Cheesecake and Goat’s Apple Pie, and as a special surprise, our waitress also brought Billy’s Chocolate Silk Pie.
Out of all three, the cheesecake was the winner. The creaminess was immaculate, and the flavors blended well together. The apple pie was good, but we think it would have been better if served warm. As for the chocolate silk pie, it was delicious but just a bit too rich for my taste.
Andy’s Coming!
Throughout your meal, listen up for Sarge, as he will warn you when Andy is coming! If Andy is on his way, you have to freeze; otherwise, Andy will notice his toys are alive, which will scare him.
This is one of the best parts of the meal, as everyone in the restaurant participates, including the waiters and waitresses!
The entire experience is $45 per adult, plus tax and gratuity, and $25 per child (Ages 3-9), plus tax and gratuity, and honestly, it is so worth the price. I recommend checking out Roundup Rodeo BBQ on your next Disney World vacation.
