While driving to work I was listening to Lou Mongello’s WDW Radio Show #166 for the week of April 18, 2010 as he discussed Pinocchio’s Village Haus with Jim Korkis. For those who don’t know, Jim Korkis is a man of many talents including professional actor, magician, teacher, author, foremost authority on animation history, and a renowned expert on Disney. As they were talking, Jim Korkis made a revelation that caused me to slam on my car brakes. Did I hear right? Could it be? Was it really possible? I had to rewind a section of the show on my ipod and listen again. Once again, I could have sworn I heard Jim Korkis say that Lou Mongello never had Figaro Fries. I was flabbergasted! How could it be that the great Lou Mongello could have missed out on this fried food delicacy? To find out the answer you’re just going to have to listen to the show at http://www.wdwradio.com/.
So, for those who don’t know what Figaro Fries were they consisted of the most delicious french fries topped with cheddar cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, and ranch dressing. The only place you could find them was in the Magic Kingdom at Pinocchio’s Village Haus in Fantasyland.
In the early summer of 2008 I remember reading somewhere on the Internet that Disney was no longer serving lettuce and tomatoes with the Figaro Fries. This was something I was just going to have to find out about for my self. I’ll never forget that day when I found out if that news was true or not.
I was in the Magic Kingdom with my wife, son, and daughter and we just finished eating lunch at Pecos Bill’s complete with salad, burgers, and dessert. Well, my wife and son wanted to take a break and go to the pool at our resort. My daughter and I decided to stay at the Magic Kingdom. So, we made our way slowly over to Fantasyland and there off in the distance was the answer to my quest, Pinocchio’s Village Haus.
Even though I was full from lunch my brain was sending Figaro Fry signals to my heart which was beating faster and harder with each step I took toward the restaurant. It was incredibly hot outside and all my daughter wanted was something cold to drink. That sounded pretty good to me too except I didn’t walk all that way in the hot sun just for a cold drink. We stepped inside and as I gazed upon the menu I spotted the Figaro Fries still listed on it. So, I asked the cast member for two sodas and an order of Figaro Fries.
As another cast member brought our order over to the counter the very first thing I noticed was no lettuce and no tomatoes on my Figaro Fries. I played dumb and politely asked if I could get some lettuce and tomatoes on the fries. The cast member politely said, “The Figaro Fries no longer come with tomatoes and lettuce.” I was disappointed, not because the cast member wouldn’t give me the Figaro Fries with the lettuce and tomatoes, but because the news I read on the Internet was true.
My daughter and I quickly found a table and just before I started to eat I had a thought. I could take the fries over to Pecos Bill’s fixin’s bar and add the lettuce, tomatoes, and ranch dressing there. It was so hot outside so I knew the fries would stay warm. Then I looked over at my daughter and I could see from the expression on her face the heat was starting to take its toll. That’s when I decided, to eat the fries as is. Even without the lettuce and tomatoes the fries were very good but, I miss the original recipe.
Sadly, I have heard that Figaro Fries have been completely removed from the menu at Pinocchio’s Village Haus.
Contributed by: Stuart S. (NDD #47). Stuart is our resident Disney geek and creator of Disney Geek Dad.
Stuart is the DDL resident Geek Dad and claims New York as his birthplace. Currently, though, he resides in New Jersey and is a husband and father of two as well as a huge Disney World, Springsteen, Yankee, and NY Ranger fan. He wakes up and goes to sleep thinking about Disney World. He listens to Disney podcasts to and from work and at night before sleep. He drives his family nuts talking about Disney and is always planning their next Disney World trip. In addition, he is known to always volunteer to help extended family and friends plan their next trip. Stuart’s personal blog is disneygeekdad.blogspot.com. He can also be found on twitter by following @disneygeekdad.
Gosh, I hope you're wrong about Figaro fries being removed from the menu.
The last time we had them was in 2008 and there was no lettuce and tomato, which was fine with us. But, we did ask for some blue cheese dressing to go on them and it was pretty darn good. Pretty heavy too, but still good.
The news about Figaro Fries is sad, but I'm incredibly impressed with the idea to walk over to Pecos Bills. Need is the mother of invention . . . or of long, hot walks through crowded parks while balancing two sodas and a plate full of fries.
I would have loved to capture such a unique quest on video. I'm heartbroken now that it will never happen.