Creative Cocktails Take This Disneyland-Area Restaurant To A Different Level
When I went to the Grasslands Meat Market at GardenWalk next to Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, I was expecting a lot of good BBQ meats.
And that is what I got, but I also got something more that I expected – great cocktails.
It’s kind of funny, in fact. I arrived as part of a group, grabbed a caipirinha set out for us and took a quick sip on my way to check out the area and get some photos. But I suddenly stopped in my tracks and did a “whoa!” That drink was not only tasty, but potent.
Actually, it was really well made and wasn’t overpowering; it was just obvious they didn’t skimp on the alcohol. In a place billed more for its meats than its drinks, it kind of caught me by surprise. A very pleasant surprise, of course.
I later had a drink I liked even better, a rum concoction called the Pearl Harbor. A couple of those and you’ll get bombed! My friend preferred to say it’s called the Pearl Harbor because it will sneak up on you but whatever, I could have drank those until I surrendered.
There were so many other drinks I wanted to try, too: the red sangria, Sex On The Beach (you don’t see this on the menu of many places these days) and the Fantasia Mahina, an “alternative to the mimosa” which has Botran Reserve Rum. All these are just $11, by the way, a bargain considering the quality of the cocktails.
Grasslands also has a dozen beers on draft; wines from Argentina, Chile and California; and a lot of spirits (brandy/cognac, gin, rum, scotch, tequila/mezcal, vodka and whiskey/bourbon).
So yes, you can go to Grasslands just to drink, but it’s also a great place to eat for meat lovers.
The meats are slow-cooked and are generally of the Brazilian style, but this is not a Brazilian all-you-can-eat churrascaria steakhouse. Rather, it reminded me of a nice, clean version of Southern BBQ joint (I’m from the South). Like Southern BBQ, there’s lots of sauce, which is different than the California-style of sauce-less tri-tip BBQ.
My favorite item without question were the St. Louis Pork Ribs (half rack $18) which were big, thick, meaty and covered in sauce. With more on the side. They were very, very good.
There is also a thin-sliced Picanna Churraso ($5 quarter pound, $10 half pound) that is the “price of the Brazilian churrasco” according to the menu. Plus slow-smocked brisket $7 quarter-pound, $12 half pound), pulled pork ($6, $10), slow-smoked beef baby back ribs ($7 for one boine; 7 bones for $30), BBQ shrimp ($10.18) and a delicious roasted chicken ($8, $14).
There are also salads, sides and sliders as well as platters ($18.50-30.50). OR perhaps you’ll prefer the “Ultimate Steak Burger” for $13.95.
At any rate, with all this great food and drinks, you’ll be well satisfied by the time you leave.
And guys, you’ll love the urinals in the bathroom. This may be an odd thing to put into a food review, but they are stainless steel kegs of beer. You can make your own jokes about putting the beer back in the place it started, of course.
Overall, Grasslands is a great meal worthy of a quality cocktail. Or a great cocktail worthy of a quality meal.
And get this – all summer there’s a $5 BBQ, Brews & Booze Deal.
Also see PubClub’s blog post about the Grasslands experience.
Grasslands Meat Markets started in Las Vegas and there’s also a location in Palo Alto. Below are the deets on the one in Anaheim.
HOURS:
Su-Th – 4-10 p.m.
F-Sa – 4 p.m.-Midnight
ADDRESS:
Grasslands Meat Market | BBQ & Churrasco
400 West Disney Way, Suite 199, Anaheim, CA
Free parking available at GardenWalk for first hour, validation provided for second hour.
WEBSITE, PHONE & SOCIAL
Website: www.grasslandsusa.com
Phone: (657) 208-1133
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GrasslandsMeatMarket/
Instagram: @grasslandsusa
Twitter: @GrasslandsBBQ
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