We’re stopping in for a quick, midday bite to eat at Cookes of Dublin!

You’ll find this little fish and chips shop at Walt Disney World’s Downtown Disney, adjacent to Raglan Road Irish Pub. In fact, it’s part of that complex and shares a kitchen with the Pub.

Cookes has been a consistently reliable stop for a quick, hot meal every time we’ve visited. And we think they serve some of the best Fish and Chips around. But I simply can’t resist their Irish Vintage Cheese and Bacon Dip (and you shouldn’t, either).

But on a recent trip, we decided to branch out a bit and try a few other menu options! Let’s check out what we sampled this time out.

Atmosphere

You’ll find Cookes of Dublin around the corner from Raglan Road. If you’re coming from the Downtown Disney parking lots directly in front of Raglan Road, you’ll veer right, just past the gift shop and Hole in the Wall Bar.

As you wait in the queue to order, be sure to take in Cookes Philosophy. This spot is more quick service than counter service; you can expect a bit of a wait while your food is cooked to order, but it won’t take long.

This is a really, really small space, but it’s not without charm. Trim on the floor and the counter are vintage-looking tile in classic Slytherin colors (probably coincidental), and there are plenty of brass accents as well.

Once you place your order, you can proceed to the right side of the ordering area, where you’ll pick up condiments and fill your drink cups.

You’ll find a full array of toppers for your meal, including some familiar favorites. After all, you can’t have fish and chips without malt vinegar and tartar sauce.

You’ll also get your own drinks at the Beverage Station.

This old-fashioned mirror with the name of the restaurant on it has nothing neon or flashy about it, but it perfectly conveys that vintage tone achieved by the rest of the decor.

I’ve always been puzzled by this teeny-tiny seating area. More than once, I’ve wondered where in the world I was going to sit once I had my food (somehow, it always works out, though). But recently, while on Raglan Road’s website, I noticed that Cookes is specifically billed as a take-away spot. They never really planned for you to hang around. There are a few tables outdoors as well, but if this spot is busy, you’ll be waiting a while for a seat.

The walls are covered with portraiture and more mirrors, which lend an air of family history and make the space feel a little larger.

Now that we’ve taken the tour — such as it is! — let’s check out the dishes we decided to sample on this visit.

Eats

If you’ve been to Cookes — well, anytime, pretty much — you’ll notice that the menu offerings and prices have changed very little. That’s a good thing! It’s always nice to find something you love and know that you can keep getting it.

The Kids’ Menu stays on theme as well, but you should be able to find something for little ones to eat with a wide array of kid-friendly options.

I’ve had Cookes Fish and Chips special, the One and One, lots of times. It’s some of the best fish and chips I’ve had in the States — always fresh and delicious.

And while I was not equally enamored with their Battered Burger, I think there’s some serious potential there.

Others swear by the traditional Meat Pies that you can get at Cookes. Again — such an awesomely authentic taste of Ireland, and it’s something you can’t really get around these parts unless you’re willing to make them at home. 🙂

These were all good, solid choices on previous visits. But today, we were out to show you a couple of new options.

My Dad went with the Battered Chicken Tenders. He wanted something a little lighter on the side though, and opted to replace the traditional thick-cut Chips with a Side Salad. The batter on the Chicken, which is the same as you get on the fish and other selections, was crisp and not greasy. The Salad was fresh and the dressing has the flavor of something made in house from scratch.

I decided to go for the Mini Irish Style Battered Sausages and Chips. Now, if you’ve ever dined and Raglan Road and you’ve ordered the Dalkey Duo, these little sausages should be familiar to you.

They’re incredibly delicious, with just a little bit of kick that I love.

They aren’t served with that killer creamy mustard sauce that you get with the Dalkey Duo, though. Bummer. Still, it’s a delicious and different take on lunch, and I enjoyed them. The chips were nicely golden and delicious, too.

Here, you’ll get a sense of what the sausages are like — light in color, sort of like bratwurst, but with lots of good spice and flavor.

I mentioned the Irish Vintage Cheese and Bacon Dip above earlier. It makes a great extra alongside just about anything you order. We’ve dipped chips, chicken, burgers, fish — you name it! It’s so amazing, and definitely worth a few bucks extra for something pretty unique.

And don’t forget to take a tour of the dessert menu! It’s hard to pass up a Doh-Bar — a donut battered Snickers or Mars Bar. Yup. Deep fried deliciousness in dessert form. How could you resist??

With another delicious meal from Cookes in the books, we headed out for a little Downtown Disney Shopping.

Overall

What’s not to love about Cookes? The warm, vintage decor, the delicious and varied menu of comfort foods, the consistent quality. Simply put, we’ve never had a bad experience here. Sure, they could do with a little more seating, and it would be great if you could get a pint here, rather than having to go next door to the Hole in the Wall to grab a beer. Even so, it’s a winner.

All of its attributes — plus that amazing dip!! — work together to make this a highly recommended stop if you’re looking for some good food in the Downtown Disney area. Try Cookes. I think you’ll be happy you did.

Will you be stopping by Cookes for some delicious, Ireland-inspired eats? Leave a comment and tell us what looks good to you!