FoodFoodThis is a topic I've considered for a long while and decided to include due to requests. First, do not plan on eating between noon and 2:00 PM. Everything is crowded and it will take a long while to be served and then find a place to sit and have lunch (however, if you bring a picnic you can eat whenever you want - it's just better to wait because the ride lines get worse between 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM).
My first choice for eating is to pack a picnic lunch and eat at one of the picnic tables or on the ground by the river. Go to the back of the parking lot, near the Chevron gas station, and work to the right. The best tables are the ones all the way near Deja'Vu, but really any setting is pretty calm. Whatever you bring will work.
Second choice is to go out of the park (get a hand stamp for re-entry), walk up the hill to the left past the Day's Inn & Sleep Inn, and eat at the Wendy's (probably the slowest serving Wendy's in the state). Yes, it's a long walk, but not much longer than the walk back to your car. If you want to drive, at the next exit west, Thornton Road, there is a Burger King, Taco Ball and Shoneys among other options.
I try never to eat in the park as it's very expensive. But here's what there is to choose from, in order of my rating best to worst, for the major eating establishments in the park. Of course this is my opinion and yours may vary.
Panda Express (formerly Whistlin' Dixie's)
(Confederate / at the base of the
Skybucket's hill): a quick-service Chinese restaurant based on
a concept that has quickly become the fastest-growing chain within
the fastest growing segment of the industry - Asian cuisine. $$$
NEW Johnny Rockets (Formerly "Tondee's Tavern", British / across
from the Georgia Cyclone): Serving all-American hamburgers, shakes and fries. $$$
Las Banderas (formerly El Jalopeno, and before that Gaslight on the Green) (French / near Lost Parents cabin): tacos, buritos, chips, and other Mexican treats. $$$
Miss Dixie's Depot (between the Mine Train and the Marthasville train station): Stop by for turkey legs, delicious BBQ, 1/4 lb. hamburgers, fries, and onion rings. $$$$
Miner's Cookhouse (next to the Lickskillet stage): BBQ and chicken sandwiches, but the service is sometimes slow. $$$
Promenade Pizza (Promenade): pizza, sandwiches, salads and expensive confections. $$$
Old South Confectionery (Promenade): funnel cake stand. $
The Carrot Club (inside the Bugs Bunny World fort): pizza, chicken fingers and fries. $$$$
Gotham City Eatery (Gotham City / by the Axis Arena exit): fried chicken tenders. $$$
DeeJay's Diner (USA / across from the Drive In): burgers, chicken sandwiches, fries and shakes. Newly renovated for 2006 and the construction of Goliath. $$$
Daddy O's (formerly "Pizza Time" in USA / next to Rabun Gap Train Station): "Settle down at the park’s newest restaurant with some clasic Southern favorites like ribs, chicken, pulled pork, all your favorite fixin’s and dessert." $$
Plantation House (French / across the midway between Monster Plantation and the Crystal Pistol theater): fried chicken fingers and fries. $$
You can also find other stands that serve a selection of treats such as ICEE's, hot dogs, pop corn, Dippin' Dots, etc.
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