Mr. Kamal’s Review: Animal Kingdom’s Hidden Fry Stand
Thinking about stopping at Mr. Kamal’s in Disney’s Animal Kingdom? Here’s my review of the famous seasoned fries, plus why this hidden snack stand is worth finding.
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
I’ll admit it.
The first few times I walked past Mr. Kamal’s, I didn’t even notice it.
It’s tucked away on the path between Africa and Asia, and unless you’re specifically looking for it, it’s really easy to keep walking toward Expedition Everest or Kilimanjaro Safaris without giving it a second thought.
Now?
I almost always look to see if it’s open.
Not because it has some huge menu.
Actually…it’s pretty much the opposite.
I stop because sometimes a basket of really good fries is exactly what I want.
Sometimes Simple Is Better
Disney does a lot of elaborate snacks.
Loaded fries.
Crazy milkshakes.
Cupcakes piled a foot high with frosting.
Those are fun every once in a while.
But sometimes I just want something that’s hot, salty, and doesn’t require a fork.
That’s where Mr. Kamal’s comes in.
It isn’t trying to reinvent fries.
It just makes really good ones.
What I Ordered
Seasoned Fries
These don’t look all that different from regular fries.
At least…not at first.
Then you take a bite.
The seasoning is what makes them.
They’re crispy, they’re well seasoned without going overboard, and they come with dipping sauces that somehow make it even harder to stop eating them.
I kept thinking,
“Okay…one more fry.”
Then another.
Then another.
Next thing I knew, the basket was empty.
That’s usually a pretty good sign.
They’re Also Surprisingly Filling
One thing I’ve noticed while putting together all of these Animal Kingdom food reviews is how many of the snacks can double as a light meal.
The fries from Mr. Kamal’s fall into that category.
Would I call them lunch?
Maybe not.
Would they easily hold me over until dinner?
Absolutely.
Especially if you’re the type of person who likes to snack your way around the parks instead of sitting down for three big meals.
(I may or may not be describing myself.)
Looking for another hearty snack? Eight Spoon Café is one of my favorite stops in Animal Kingdom, especially if you’re craving the loaded pulled pork mac and cheese.
Another underrated spot I recommend is The Smiling Crocodile, where the cheese arepas are warm, filling, and easily substantial enough to replace a quick lunch.
One More Reason I Like This Spot
Location.
Location.
Location.
Mr. Kamal’s sits right between Africa and Asia, which means I almost always end up walking past it at some point during the day.
It’s an easy place to stop after riding Expedition Everest.
It’s an easy place to stop before Kilimanjaro Safaris.
Or honestly…
It’s just an easy place to stop when your feet need a break.
There are a few tables nearby, lots of people-watching, and it’s one of those corners of Animal Kingdom that never feels quite as hectic as Discovery Island.
Final Thoughts
I don’t think Mr. Kamal’s is trying to be one of Animal Kingdom’s headline dining locations.
And I think that’s part of its charm.
It’s just a little stand making really good fries.
Sometimes that’s all you need.
If you’ve walked past it a dozen times without stopping, I’d encourage you to change that on your next trip.
I certainly did.
And now I find myself wondering why I waited so long.
If you’re planning to snack your way around the park, don’t miss my guide to the Best Animal Kingdom Snacks, where I rank all of my favorite sweet and savory treats from across Animal Kingdom.
