Fairfax Fare has been one of my favorite quick service spots in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It has been overshadowed in recent years once Woody’s Lunch Box in Toy Story Land and Docking Bay 7 in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opened up shop, but it has always been a solid choice to fuel up. Whether it was Tex Mex choices or simple dogs, it wasn’t ever truly gross. However, now it’s a spot you’ll have to try to add to your plans because it’s really darn good.
The menu now features a variety of gourmet hot dogs all made with an all-beef quarter-pound hot dog. These things are thick, juicy, and delicious. These are the next evolution of the Casey’s Corner Hot Diggity Dogs, but they honestly feel more thought out. The California BLTA Dog feels like it encapsulates California flavors, which is perfect since Fairfax Fare sits on Sunset Boulevard. You can also be bold and over the top with the Truffle Bacon Macaroni & Cheese Hot Dog or the Pretzel Dog. If that all sounds too much for you, of course, you can stick with a plain hot dog.
As Disney has been doing with all of their restaurants, plant-based diners were even given an interesting option with the Chicago-style “Hot Dog” Salad featuring plant-based bratwurst. I’m trying not to rave too much before we get to the review, but even the sides feel more thought out with Pickled Vegetables replacing boring Walt Disney World French fries.
California BLTA Dog – $11.49
The California BLTA Dog is an All-Beef Quarter-pound Hot Dog topped with Lettuce, Tomato, Avocado, Applewood Bacon, Crushed Ranch Tortilla Chips, and House-made Black Pepper Mayonnaise on a Brioche Butter Bun served with Pickled Vegetables. As I said previously, the hot dogs are high quality, hefty, and bursting with flavor. This particular dog was dancing with different flavors and it all worked perfectly.
The lettuce, tomato, avocado, and mayonnaise were pushed down under and on the side of the dog making sure the toppings didn’t fall out. The bacon and crushed ranch tortilla chips, aka Cool Ranch Doritos, were sitting on top and actually stayed on the dog thanks to the mayonnaise with vegetables on the side and mustard acting as glue. There was a lot of salt and tanginess, but it was balanced well with the cool and refreshing combo of lettuce, tomato, and avocado.
Pickled Vegetables – Side / $3.99
I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about pickled vegetables as the side, but they worked out so well. It’s a mixture of cauliflower, carrots, jalapeños, and peppers. The blend was light, but the pep from the vinegar and heat from the jalapeños made it stand out from the flavors of the dogs. If pickled vegetables aren’t your thing, you can always consider throwing on a bag of chips if you need to fill out the meal.
Chicago-style “Hot Dog” Salad – $11.49
The Chicago-style “Hot Dog” Salad is a plant-based option with Romaine Blend, Plant-based Bratwurst, Sliced Sport Peppers, Tomatoes, Onions, House-made Dill Pickle, Sweet Relish, Mustard, and Poppy and Celery Seed Brioche Croutons tossed in Neon Green Relish Vinaigrette.
Overall, this dish really worked well and was a good option for those sticking to a plant-based diet. The iconic flavors of a Chicago dog were all present with the dill pickle, sweet relish, mustard, and peppers all balancing each other from tangy to sweet to spicy. The plant-based bratwurst was, like the all-beef dogs, a quality product and it was clever using the brioche bread as croutons. As crazy as the color was for the relish vinaigrette, it worked well with the dish.
Watch our full review of Fairfax Fare at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, including a bonus dessert item, and consider checking it out on your next Walt Disney World vacation!