Flame Tree Barbecue Review: My Honest Opinion
Thinking about eating at Flame Tree Barbecue? Here’s my honest review, favorite menu items, best seating tips, and whether it’s worth your time at Animal Kingdom.
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
When people ask me where to eat at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, my answer is almost always the same.
Flame Tree Barbecue.
In fact, if I only had time for one quick service meal during my entire Animal Kingdom day, this is where I’d go.
That’s saying a lot because Animal Kingdom has some of the best food of any Disney park. Satu’li Canteen gets a lot of attention (and deservedly so), but for me, Flame Tree Barbecue takes the top spot.
The food is consistently excellent, the portions are generous, and the seating area is one of my favorite hidden gems in all of Walt Disney World.
I’ve eaten here several times over the years, and I honestly can’t remember having a disappointing meal.
If you’re wondering whether Flame Tree Barbecue deserves a spot on your Animal Kingdom itinerary, here’s everything you need to know.
What to Order at Flame Tree Barbecue
My go-to order is the Half Chicken Platter with baked beans and coleslaw.
It is so incredibly good.
The chicken is smoky, juicy, and packed with flavor. Somehow Disney manages to keep it tender every single time I’ve ordered it, which isn’t always easy with barbecue chicken.
The baked beans are exactly what I want alongside smoked meat—slightly sweet, rich, and hearty—and the coleslaw adds just enough crunch to balance everything out.
It’s one of those meals that I find myself thinking about long after our Disney trips are over.
If you’re more of a pulled pork fan, you really can’t go wrong with the Baked Macaroni & Cheese topped with Pulled Pork.
One of my friends orders it almost every visit, and after stealing more than a few bites over the years, I completely understand why.
It’s rich, cheesy comfort food that’s elevated by the smoky barbecue on top.
Another favorite is the Pulled Pork Fries.
Don’t think of these as a side dish.
They’re absolutely big enough to share, and honestly, I’d be perfectly happy calling them lunch.
The Snack I’ll Never Stop Missing
Okay…
Can we have a moment of silence for the A-Maize-ing Magic Munch Fries?
Disney introduced these as a limited-time offering, and I completely fell in love with them.
They were crispy fries topped with sweet corn, chipotle mayonnaise, chili-lime cotija cheese, and…
Popcorn.
I know.
It sounds completely bizarre.
It also happened to be one of the best snacks I’ve ever eaten at Walt Disney World.
Every bite somehow managed to be smoky, creamy, tangy, crunchy, and just a little spicy all at the same time.
Then Disney took them away.
I know limited-time offerings are part of the deal, but this one hurt.
They’ve since been replaced by Black Garlic, Truffle, and Parmesan Fries, which I’m sure are perfectly good…
But I’m still hoping Disney brings the Magic Munch Fries back someday.
Don’t Miss the Seating Area
As good as the food is, the thing that really puts Flame Tree Barbecue over the top for me is the seating.
Seriously… don’t just sit at the first table you see.
Most people grab their food and sit at one of the tables closest to the restaurant.
Keep walking.
The seating area is much bigger than most people realize. There are covered tables scattered throughout the trees, and while it isn’t air conditioned, there are plenty of fans and lots of shade to help keep things comfortable.
My favorite spot?
Head down toward the lower seating areas near the water.
Trust me.
You’ll be rewarded with an incredible view of Expedition Everest across the lagoon. It’s one of my favorite views anywhere in Animal Kingdom, and it’s surprisingly peaceful considering you’re in the middle of a Disney theme park.
Whenever we eat here, we almost always end up sitting longer than we planned because it’s just such a relaxing place to take a break.
If you’re looking for one of the best places to enjoy lunch in Animal Kingdom, this is it.
Is Flame Tree Barbecue Worth It?
Absolutely.
In fact, if someone asked me where they should eat lunch at Animal Kingdom and I could only give them one recommendation, this would probably be it.
The food is consistently delicious.
The portions are generous.
The prices are reasonable by Disney standards.
And unlike some quick service restaurants where you’re simply grabbing food because you’re hungry, Flame Tree Barbecue is actually part of the experience.
I don’t eat here because it’s convenient.
I eat here because I genuinely look forward to it every trip.
Final Thoughts
Animal Kingdom has some fantastic places to eat, and my top two are honestly so close that I could probably switch them depending on the day.
But today?
Flame Tree Barbecue still gets my vote.
Maybe it’s the incredibly juicy half chicken.
Maybe it’s the pulled pork mac and cheese.
Maybe it’s those beautiful views of Expedition Everest while I’m eating lunch.
Or maybe it’s because I’m still not over the fact that Disney took the A-Maize-ing Magic Munch Fries off the menu.
Hey Disney… if you’re listening… bring back the Munch Fries.
If you’re visiting Animal Kingdom for the first time, do yourself a favor and make time for Flame Tree Barbecue. I honestly think it’s one of the very best quick service restaurants in all of Walt Disney World, and it’s a place I happily return to every single trip.
Flame Tree may be my favorite quick service meal, but Animal Kingdom has plenty of fantastic snacks too. Be sure to read my guide to the best snacks at Animal Kingdom before your visit.
