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Why settle for popcorn when you can have gourmet?
Let’s shatter the myth: theme park food isn’t just $8 pretzels and lukewarm pizza. A food revolution is sweeping parks nationwide—think slow-smoked brisket, cocoa-rubbed steak, and boysenberry-glazed ribs—sometimes at prices that won’t require a second mortgage and sometimes at prices that are meant to sweep you off your feet for a fanciful dinner date. Keeping this post fast and snappy, so you’re not here all day, because I’m sure you’re hungry.
As a theme park food sleuth, these theme parks are making it their mission to ensure that flavor meets value.
Top 6 Theme Parks for the Hungry Foodie
Knoebels Amusement Resort (Elysburg, PA)
Interesting tidbit: This park’s name is pronounced [kuh-NO-bell]; imagine my surprise, haha.
The Vibe: Old-school charm meets insane value with a 22-time award-winning menu. No entry fee, free parking, pay-per-ride.
Must-Try:
- Alamo: Can’t go without trying the Alamo Crab Cakes ($17.50), two crispy fried lump and claw meat cakes, served with cocktail or tartar sauce that come with two additional sides.
- Alamo: Pick up an Asian Chicken Sandwich ($10.25) to fill up a hungry stomach in between rides – Grilled chicken marinated in a honey garlic soy sauce with lettuce and tomato.
- International Food Court: Try the brand new German Sushi ($8) and see if it was worth the addition to the menu – NEW IN 2025!
- International Food Court: Instead of paying $25 for this at Wilderness Lodge at Walt Disney World, try the Bison Burger here for $10. You’re welcome.
Budget Hack: If you’re craving a Smoked Turkey Leg, this is the best place to try it for $10—half the price of corporate parks.
Dollywood (Pigeon Forge, TN)
The Vibe: Appalachian soul food with Dolly’s flair. If you’re big into BBQ, this is the place to be.
Can’t-Miss Eats:
- The Grist Mill: Well, you’re not leaving Dollywood without grabbing Cinnamon Bread of course! It’s a staple for a reason.
- Aunt Granny’s Restaurant: Sit down at one of the Top 10 theme park restaurants in the country (by USA Today) for Crispy Fried Chicken and delicious Seasonal Cobbler (the Cherry and Blackberry sure do sound spectacular).
- Front Porch Café: Step into this restaurant and try one of Dolly’s favorite dishes, Shrimp, Andouille & Cheesy Grits.
Pro Tip: If you’re going during a festival, buy a Festival Tasting Pass, the portions are full size so don’t go wasting your pass on drinks!
Silver Dollar City (Branson, MO)
The Vibe: 1880s Ozark heritage + award-winning BBQ. Dollywood and SDC are owned by the same parent company, so it’s unsurprising why they’re on this list together as both parks are well-known for their food.
Star Dishes:
- Rivertown Smokehouse: Usually I go for the big entreés in recommendations, but a salad never hurt anyone, so try the Burnt End Salad for a little bit of both words as it comes on a bed of Tender Field Greens with Beef Burnt Ends and BBQ Vinaigrette.
- Molly’s Mill Breakfast: Sometimes you just want to gorge and their Breakfast and Lunch buffets come in handy for exactly that! With offerings such as Hickory Smoked Bacon, Strudel Bites, Fried Fish, and Golden Macaroni & Cheese on the menus there’s something for every appetite.
A Little Upscale Magic: Hop on the Showboat Branson Belle for a 3-course meal on select days during the summer on a 2-hour cruise on Table Rock Lake.
Knott’s Berry Farm (Buena Park, CA)
The Vibe: Where the boysenberry was born (and still reigns).
Iconic Bites:
- Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner: With lots of options for both vegan and gluten-free inside these walls, for those who are neither try the historic Mrs. Knott’s Famous Fried Chicken ($26.50 – Dinner Menu rate) and their World Famous Boysenberry Pie ($7.25); you can’t go wrong with either of those → no park ticket needed!
- Fireman’s BBQ: There’s a lot to try here, but go with a ½ Chicken ($19.50) as a classic.
Ticket Hack: Current Deal (as of June 2025) – $341 bundle includes Knott’s + Disneyland + 4 attractions (27% savings). While available, this pass lets you experience Mrs. Knott’s fried chicken and Space Mountain in one budget-friendly trip.
Hersheypark (Hershey, PA)
The Vibe: Chocolate-infused everything (yes, even tacos).
Sweet & Savory Wins:
- The Chocolatier: If you’re daring (and not allergic to peanuts) try Reese’s Take 5 Chicken Sandwich which comes with Reese’s Peanut Butter and Jalapeno Caramel Grilled Chicken and Hershey’s Chocolate Drizzled House Bacon.
- Milton’s Ice Cream Parlor: Let’s go for a little house-made ice cream and try a Jolly Rancher Green Apple Sorbet or Graham Cracker Swirl, yum.
Free Perk: Free chocolate at check-in for the whole family if booking a hotel on property.
EPCOT (Orlando, FL)
And last, but certainly not least, the behemoth of them all, EPCOT, located within Walt Disney World.
The Vibe: A permanent world food festival with 11 country pavilions, you can’t go wrong with trying something new here (except maybe at Italy, sorry).
Must-Try:
- Les Halles Boulangerie (France): Don’t try any old chocolate croissant, nah, try a Croissant Amandes ($6.75), filled with almond!
- Katsura Grill (Japan): On their recommended menu, try the Chicken Cutlet Curry ($15.99) alongside refreshing, citrusy Yuzu Cheesecake ($6).
- Regal Eagle (America): A Food Newtwork-approved location, you can’t go wrong with the BBQ Platter ($18.49) to get a taste of everything, but if you’re in the mood for something plant-based, their BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich ($14.99) is right up your alley.
Budget Hacks: Share an iconic $4.99 School Bread pastry (Norway @ Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe) + $11.99 pretzels (Germany @ Sommerfest).
Off-Property Quick-Service Gems: Gourmet Flavors, Fast & Cheap
| Park | Spot | Dish | Price | Why It Rocks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disney Springs | Morimoto Asia; Street Food Menu | Korean Corn Dog | $8 | Sweet, savory, crunchy |
| Universal Orlando CityWalk | Voodoo Doughnut | Bacon Maple Bar | $4.75 | Sweet/salty perfection |
| Hersheypark – The Hershey Hotel | Chef’s Market (Breakfast) | Brioche French Toast | $10 | Rich and decadent |
Upscale Splurges Worth Every Penny
Even foodies deserve a splurge! These high-impact meals deliver stellar vibes without the excessive price tag:
- Sanaa (Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge): Indulge in African cuisine with Indian flavors with their famous Indian Bread Service ($22) that comes with 5 breads and 9 accompaniments made up of naan’s, kulcha, paratha, chutneys, sambals, and others. The best part of this experience are the giraffe views!
- Space 220 (EPCOT): If you’ve ever wondered what it was like to eat in space, you’ll need to book a round-trip ticket to the stars (aka reservation highly recommend) in order to grab Galactic Miso Salmon ($55 lunch prix fixe / $79 prix dinner prix fixe). The experience comes with a “space elevator” ride and Earth views 220 miles above the earth’s crust to capture you throughout your meal.
Budget Hacks for Foodie Nirvana
- Visit During Festival Season: You get to experience the park in two ways and you get access to more food! For free!
- Pack Reusable Bottles: Free water refills, save the environment, you get to save $5 every time you need water; it’s a win/win.
- Target Happy Hours: Check to see if your park happens to have a Happy Hour, if so, go ahead and save your money and indulge!
- Summer House on the Lake (Disney Springs): $10 Bottomless Truffle Fries (Monday to Fridays 3-6 PM).
- Toothsome Chocolate Emporium (Universal Hollywood): Mini Crispy Chicken BLTs ($10.95).
- Lunch > Dinner: Save 30-40% at upscale spots (e.g., Space 220’s $55 lunch vs. $79 dinner)
- Split Desserts: Beaches & Cream Soda Shop at Disney’s Beach Club Resort has their infamous Kitchen Sink Ice Cream Sundae that feeds 4 ($39).
- Off-Peak Visits: September/January = more deals on dining.
- Mobile Order Early: Skip lines → more eating time = more time in the park on rides!
- Grocery Runs: Not looking to buy anything in the parks? Cool, pack your own. Hauz ‘O Hoagies charges $15.25 for a full 12″ hero near Hersheypark. Take that up with management, just relaying the crazy prices up there, not even NYC is that insane.
Final Bite: Flavor Wins Over Fortune
As food blogger NikkyJ (@ThemeParkHipster) raves:
“You don’t need Disney’s budget to eat like royalty—Knoebels’ crab cakes and Dollywood’s cobbler prove magic tastes better when it’s affordable.”
Ready to feast? Pair this guide with our ultimate How to Eat on a Budget at Theme Parks playbook.
What’s your favorite theme park for foodies? Share below—we’ll add it to our park map!