Accompaniment: "You're So Good To Me" from the original Paradise Pier Calliope loop
I wouldn't in a million years think that my first overwhelmingly positive Disneyland review would fall to the Corn Dog Castle for two reasons: first, the patently unhealthy foodstuffs that comprise the entirety of its menu, and second, because of its pedigree as one of the few unchanged opening day DCA restaurants. The restaurant was part of DCA's original "Route 66" - a 'two lane road' the size of a four lane highway along which were scattered badly punny establishments meant to rekindle memories of a bygone road warrior era. Dinosaur Jacks Sunglass Shack, built inside a polka dot brontosaurus, was supposed to represent a kitschy roadside gift shop. Mulholland Madness and Souvenir 66 were meant to represent cheap roadside theme parks. Corn Dog Castle was supposed to represent a billboard and a roadside trailer fast-food dive. Fast forward ten years and all of these things are gone (having failed at their essential purpose... no one knows DCA even had a Route 66 before Carsland came along). Except for the bilboard and trailer. There's a reason for that.
The years have not dimmed the luster of this place. Corn Dog Castle, as it turns out, introduced the unsung hero of Disney's stable of junk food along with Turkey Legs, Dole Whip, and Churros. Corn Dog was slow in coming to prominence. In recent years, however, with the addition of a Corn Dog cart on Main Street USA, the carby battered-sausage has become a staple. Truthfully, however, it took awhile for me to jump on the bandwagon. In fact, I had to be pulled onto it by having one thrust into my hands. And I'm really glad I was (though thirty years from now as I'm having a stint placed in my heart I'm pretty sure I'll regret it)
The menu is simple: original, hot link, or cheese, with your choice of apple or chips. The hot link is a Corn Dog Castle exclusive: you can only get it here. At about 10 inches long and an inch wide, with sweet batter circumscribing a piping hot sausage laced with pepper and spice, it is at once perhaps the single most flavorful quick-service dining option on the entire Disneyland Resort. With a bottle of water you will top out at about 10 bucks, but you will find yourself easily satisfied (and if you need another I fear for your health). Truth be told I have not sampled the "original" - and probably won't for about six months - but hundreds of fellow Yelpers can't be wrong. Should you end up with a fresh one, as I did, it's worth every lipid-laden-calorie.
Along with your corn dog selections, there are a series of soft drinks available to quench your sun-beaten thirst. And should you seek dessert a churro cart is located just across the walkway near the California Zephyr. But maybe you should just pretend I didn't say that. read more