Funnel Cake Fries. Spinal Fluid Smoothies. Green Gamora-inspired tortillas. Hulky hero-size doughnuts.
The Memorial Day weekend launch of Guardians of the Galaxy Mission: BREAKOUT! at Disneyland California Adventure inspired the park’s culinary team to introduce more than 20 galactic-themed foods for its “Summer of Heroes” season.
Available through Sept. 10, the heroic-themed meals, desserts, and beverages are found mostly in Hollywood Land. Disneyland Resort executive chef John State said each food item is inspired by various characters from Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy — from Baby Groot to Captain America to Iron Man.
“We started with the characters: who are they and what sets them apart,” State said.
That led to such creations as “The Most Dangerous Tacos in the Galaxy,” a spicy barbacoa beef taco with green onion slaw and habanero salsa. Served on green corn tortillas, State said the tacos are a nod to the “sassy and fierce” green-skinned female Guardians’ hero Gamora. The park’s bakery partner, Boudin, is known for its Mickey Mouse-shaped sourdough bread. So, State said it was a no-brainer to choose the “cute face” of Groot for Boudin to mimic.
“Obviously Nachos” is made with blue corn tortilla chips and topped with chicken, red pepper cheese sauce, chipotle crema and green onions. The easy, street food dish was developed after Galaxy’s Drax, a big “simpleton” warrior.
For breakfast, a few large “hero size” doughnuts are also available including the American Doughnut, a Captain America-inspired treat with apple filling and red, white and blue streusel topping.
Here’s a rundown of the more than 20 items, and where to find them at the park. In some cases, we sampled and posted our thoughts.
Award Wieners
This stand, known for its chili-slathered dogs, is selling two new desserts: a Hawkeye-inspired Quiver of Funnel Cake Fries (a base of mango and raspberry coulis with whipped cream, topped with funnel cake fries); a Baby Groot-inspired Angry Little Pudding Cup (chocolate pudding, chocolate sandwich cookies, whipped cream and funnel cake fries).
Schmoozies
This shop along the main drag of Hollywood Land serves several themed smoothies: Terra-Berry, Rocket Fuel (mocha), Mango Mayhem, Strawberry Banana Breakout and Infinity-Ade (lavender lemonade) with a glow cube.
Desserts: Gamma-Size Doughnut (a doughnut with green Hulk-inspired icing and stuffed with blackberry-black currant filling); American Doughnut (apple filling with streusel topping); Spider Bite (a cinnamon-spiced doughnut with red glaze and webbing made of black icing), Local Favorite (a maple-bacon filled doughnut with maple cream) and Friendly Neighborhood Macaron (filled with vanilla ice cream) Note: The doughnuts are available until 11 a.m. with the Hulk a daily item; the others will rotate.
Register favorite: The Terra-Berry is a showstopper, made with blackberries, raspberries, and peaches. Everyone stopped us to ask us where we got it. The Infinity-Ade is a sophisticated spa-like drink rimmed with sugar. The glow cube comes in various color options. We recommend the multi-color for full impact.
Bifrosties
The bar behind Schmoozies, formerly called Hollywood Lounge, is serving a number of shave ice beverages: Spinal Fluid (banana, mango coulis and chili-lime spice); Spider Venom (blue raspberry and cherry with condensed milk); Smash Ice (lime and grape); Whistle Blue (lime, blue raspberry and blue sugar); I am Shave Ice (root beer and vanilla) and Ice Reactor (strawberry and banana). Note: A scoop of ice cream can be added to any shave ice drink for an upcharge.
Register favorite: If you like Mexican street mango with a dash of serious chili powder, then the refreshing Spinal Fluid shave ice is for you. It’s piled high with ice and plenty of mango flavor. We definitely recommend ordering any shave ice with a scoop of ice cream.
Studio Catering Co.
The food truck near the restrooms is offering a Super Hero Sized Sub (a foot-long Italian hoagie with locally sourced meats such as peppered salami, capocollo, Mortadella, provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, pepperoncini and pickled onion on a hoagie roll, topped with red wine vinaigrette); Promising Future Falafel Pita (chickpea fritters with Red & Gold Slaw made of pickled red cabbage and yellow bell peppers and Charmoula sauce); and Savory Strength Falafel Pita (chickpea fritters with spinach, cucumber slaw and spiced yogurt sauce). Note: (The sub and the two falafel pitas can be found at the Cosmic Canteen in Hollywood Land until June 6.)
Chef’s favorite: State said the vegetarian “green” falafels, inspired by Iron Man and the Hulk, are his personal favorite. The pitas are jazzed up with garlic, cinnamon, cumin, honey, lemon and spiced yogurt. “It has so much flavor,” he said.
Register favorite: We tried both versions, and liked the Savory Strength best. It comes with a green mint and cucumber slaw bursting with tangy flavors and interesting textures. The Italian sandwich, served on a pillowy soft hoagie roll, was one of the best sandwiches we’ve ever eaten at any Disney park, including Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe.
Beverages/Desserts: The Milano (Fanta orange freeze with blue cream); Cherry Necroblaster (Cherry Coca-Cola Freeze); and Multiverse Parfait (chocolate cake layered with white and dark chocolate mousse and cherry jelly, and topped with chocolate ganache).
Fairfax Market/Pacific Wharf Café/Cosmic Canteen
These three locations are selling a Jalapeno-Cheese Groot-shaped Bread and a plain sourdough Groot-shaped bread made by Boudin.
Knowhere Eats
Serves Gamora green tortilla tacos dubbed The Most Dangerous Tacos in the Galaxy; Obviously Nachos (blue corn tortilla chips topped with chicken, red pepper cheese sauce, chipotle crema and green onions); and Space Outpost Tacos (chicken street tacos with chopped cilantro and onions). Note: A vegetarian version of the tacos features roasted cauliflower.
Beverages: Mythic Michaelada, Sol-Horchata (non-alcoholic), Hot Flare Margarita (jalapeño flavored) and Solar Flare Margarita (watermelon)
Register favorite: If you like bold flavors, go for the Dangerous Tacos, made with a generous portion of barbacoa beef topped with habanero salsa, pickled onions, purple cabbage and green onion slaw. For a spicy snack, go for the nachos.
New items at The Catch
The Catch’s executive chef Cory Rapp and sous chef Patrick Ruiz recently squared off against two other chefs in a Cooking Channel competition show dubbed “Farmers’ Market Flip.” The two chefs dazzled the judges by cooking with fresh ingredients from the farmers’ market in Torrance.
Rapp seems to be on a roll. Last week he updated The Catch’s menu with several new shared plates, main entrees and sides. One of the new sides, roasted corn with chorizo, was one of the winning dishes he created on the Farmers’ Market Flip show.
Other new dishes: Castroville Artichoke ($12.49) It’s charbroiled and served with chimichurri, and romesco; Dungeness Crab Croquettes ($17.49) baby arugula, lemon-poppy vinaigrette, old bayoli, pickled red onions; Chopped House Salad ($9.49) shredded romaine, baby arugula, bacon, egg, avocado, oven roasted tomatoes, pickled red onions, green goddess dressing.
New sides: All priced at $8.49, they include: sautéed kale (bacon lardons, apple cider vinegar; grilled broccoli ( lemon, romesco, chimichurri); oven roasted sunchokes (bourbon-cayenne glaze, marcona almonds), roasted corn esquites (chorizo, crema, cilantro, lime, chile limon); grilled asparagus (spring onions, basil pistou, marcona almonds); shishito peppers (purple cauliflower puree, harissa, lime); mashed potato casserole (broccoli-cheese fondue); Brussels sprouts (kimchi vinaigrette, gochujang aioli); foraged mushrooms, (brie, clover honey); and broccoli-bacon mac and cheese
New dinner and lunch entrees: Harissa Grilled Free Range Chicken, Prime Pork Chop “Chuleta,” Pan Seared Day Boat Scallops, Blackened Scottish Salmon, Dungeness Crab Croquette Salad, Blackened Scottish Salmon Sandwich, Catalan Steak Salad, The Italian Hot Mess crispy chicken sandwich.
The Catch, a popular hangout before Angel games, is at 2100 E. Katella Ave. in Anaheim.
