Bengal Barbecue marks a quarter of a century at Disneyland

Can you believe Bengal Barbecue has been at the Disneyland park for 25 years? This is one of my favorite quick service eateries at the resort. The food is great and it’s a really healthy option. They also cater to vegetarians as well. My personal favorite is the Safari Skewer, which is grilled asparagus spears wrapped in bacon with a wedge of lemon on the side. The lemon adds a nice citrusy, sour aspect to balance the saltiness of the bacon.

The history of the Bengal Barbecue location dates back to 1962. Back then, this establishment had been known as “Sunkist, I Presume.” Instead of grilled skewers, they served mostly drinks. For the most part, it was fresh-squeezed orange juice, lemonade, and coffee. However, their claim to fame was the “Jungle Julep.” This sweet elixir was made of guava nectar, orange juice, lemonade, and grenadine.

Some food was available, albeit limited. The list included hot dogs, sandwiches, and donuts. Purportedly, the donuts were said to be “different.” Upon further investigation, I could not uncover information regarding what made them unique. In any case, frozen yogurt and juice bars were offered as well.

Another interesting fact is that Sunkist, I Presume used to make Mint Juleps to serve on the Mark Twain Riverboat. Yes, they actually provided drinks on the attraction! I discovered the information in a story written by a former cast member by the name of Ron Fleischer. You can read about his entire experience in this article: Working at Sunkist.

After Sunkist decided not to renew their sponsorship in 1990, the place transformed into Bengal Barbecue. So, next time you visit, take a moment to appreciate its history.

What’s your favorite food at Bengal Barbecue?  We’d love to know in the comments!