For as long as I can remember, my husband and I have a Disney tradition. We take the first non-stop flight out of our modest little New England airport, arrive in Orlando around 10, and after we check in at our hotel and drop off our bags, we take off to Downtown Disney/Disney Springs and head straight for Earl of Sandwich.
Yes, you read that correctly. With all there is to see and do at Walt Disney World, our first stop outside of our hotel is a sandwich shop.
But this isn’t just any sandwich shop… This is the self proclaimed maker of “The World’s Greatest Hot Sandwich.” A bold claim, if you ask me…
But as somebody who doesn’t even like sandwiches generally and almost never eats them unless she’s in Disney World, I can vouch that claim is 100% accurate.
Earl of Sandwich makes the best, hands down, warm sandwiches anywhere in the world.
We have a few favorites… My husband loves the seasonal meatball sub which floats on and off the menu, but he’s also devoted to The Italian, which is made with Salami, Capicola, Ham, Mortadella, Mozzarella, Roma Tomato, sprinkled with Italian Seasoning and topped with Italian Dressing.
I used to be the #1 fan of the Earl’s signature sandwich: The Original 1962. Warm, juicy roasted beef, specialty cheddar cheese and a creamy horseradish sauce make this hard to resist, and I don’t even generally like horseradish. But when the perennial favorite Holiday Turkey Sandwich was promoted from a Christmas-only seasonal offering to a full time menu item?
I may have openly wept tears of joy. That crunchy bread, thick stacks of warm oven-roasted turkey, succulent cornbread stuffing, turkey gravy (my favorite), cranberry sauce and mayonnaise come together to create what has got to be the world’s most perfect sandwich.
Their desserts aren’t too shabby either. Thick brownies, sweet cupcakes, even the occasional bread pudding can all be found to finish off your meal.
Keep an eye out for the red velvet cupcakes… They’re not too sweet, not too moist, topped with sprinkles and a cream cheese frosting, and filled with a little bit of cream. It’s heaven.
Of course, their menu also has non-sandwich offerings. There’s wraps and soups, from the classic chicken noodle soup and chicken Caesar wrap, to the more funky chicken tortilla soup or spicy tuna wrap.
If you’re a salad person, check out the berry almond chicken salad, made with fresh strawberries and blueberries, spinach, grilled chicken, and balsamic vinaigrette.
If you’re really adventurous, you can’t miss the Thai wraps or salads… Fresh field greens, grilled chicken, Chinese cabbage mix, sweet chili sauce, and wonton strips are highlighted in this gorgeous Thai peanut dressing that’s beyond delicious.
While the lines can get long and the indoor seating can be scarce (the two most common complaints I hear about the Earl), I’ve never waited much longer than 10 minutes from getting in line to getting my sandwich, even when the line was out the door.
As for the seating, there tends to be more ample seating outside or, just a short walk away, you can grab a bench and enjoy a view of the lake… My personal favorite.
Protip – Before you go, join their email list… You’ll get coupons, special deals, and a voucher for a free sandwich on your birthday (just check the fine print and make sure you can use it at their Downtown Disney location).
Speaking of good deals, there’s no arguing that Earl of Sandwich is one of the best deals in town. With most sandwiches ranging from $5.99 to $6.49 and their huge salads coming in at around $6.99 (as of 7/7/2015), you can enjoy a lot of food at a very reasonable, non-theme park price.
On the Disney Dining Plan? Surprise! So is Earl of Sandwich! One entree, drink, and a dessert will set you back one counterservice credit.
I could go on and on about why you need to visit Earl of Sandwich during your next trip to Walt Disney World… But really, the food, the prices, and the rave reviews of others speak for themselves. I highly recommend Earl of Sandwich for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and all mini-meals in between.
*Disclosure Notice – This was NOT a sponsored post, I received no free products or services in exchange for this review. I just really like these sandwiches. Like a lot.
