Breakfast at a Disneyland Original

After opening the park and then immediately riding the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, we were starving. Our usual breakfast location in Disneyland, The Riverbelle Terrace, was under renovation (it's where we ate breakfast the last time we opened Disneyland). So this time, we went to the Carnation Café, that little outdoor restaurant in the heart of Main Street.


Amy and Tim can't decide what they want. (09/30/07)

We had been there once before for dinner, but never for breakfast, so in that sense, it was a first for us. I was surprised to learn that when Disneyland opened in 1955, that the Carnation Café was actually indoors, in the building that is now the Blue Ribbon Bakery. The area where the restaurant now sits was at one time an area where they sold fresh flowers.


Oscar's Choice: The Café Scramble. (09/30/07)

Not only is the Carnation Café a 1955 original, the food is also cooked under the direction of Oscar Martinez, who has the distinction of being Disneyland's longest serving employee (50+ years). A legend among Disneyland devotees, Oscar has been around as long as the park has. He has even cooked for Mr. Walt Disney himself.


The Carnation Café menu. (09/30/07)

On the days he works, Oscar is known to come out and greet customers, making sure their meals are satisfactory. Unfortunately he wasn't working this morning. He only works weekdays, which are the typically the days we're not there. Oh well, it leaves us something to aspire to do there another time.


The Croissant Benedict. (09/30/07)

But Tim, Amy and Ashley did pay tribute to Oscar by ordering Oscar's Choice for breakfast. I was the Benedict Arnold who ordered the Croissant Benedict. I'm sure Oscar will forgive me.