RIP, Pork Shank…
We’ve been hearing rumors about this for a while, and it has finally to pass — the Pork Shank is no more.
Gaston’s Tavern opened in late 2012 as part of the New Fantasyland expansion in Magic Kingdom, featuring a variety of snacks and beverages. Headliner items on the menu — which, until now, has remained basically unchanged since the opening — include LeFou’s Brew (the Tavern’s own signature beverage) and Warm Cinnamon Rolls (noteworthy since they are no longer served at Main Street Bakery).
The one non-snack item on the list, though, might be the one that gained the biggest reputation from the get-go: the Pork Shank. This huge serving of meat-on-bone drew immediate comparisons to the iconic Jumbo Turkey Leg. Unlike the Turkey Legs, though, which have a home in every park, Gaston’s Tavern was the only place where you could consistently find a Pork Shank (aside from being served for a stint at Min & Bill’s Dockside Diner in Hollywood Studios), and ultimately it drew a dedicated fan base of its very own.
Pork Shank
The Pork Shank has recently been removed from the menu at Gaston’s Tavern. Below is a screenshot of the current menu from the Walt Disney World website.
Screenshot of Gaston’s Tavern menu on Disney World website
Say what you will about the Pork Shank (it brought on some of the same love-it-or-NO-WAY reaction as the Turkey Leg), I always thought it was wonderfully themed to its location at Gaston’s. Who couldn’t picture Gaston himself holding court in the enormous chair in the Tavern’s corner, chowing down on a Pork Shank while listing all the attributes that make him so great?
Gaston’s Tavern
But wait! There’s more… Thanks to one of our DFB Readers, we know that the Pork Shank was also removed from the menu at Edelweiss Snacks in Disneyland.
That’s what we know so far in the Case of the Disappearing Pork Shank. And, of course, if any other almost-a-meal menu items come up in an attempt to replace it, we’ll keep you posted here on the DFB.
Are you among those who will miss the Pork Shank? Please let us know with a comment!
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I’m so sorry we missed it. I had the opportunity this summer to visit Gaston’s Tavern but neither my wife nor my 2 boys really wanted to try the shank or LeFou’s Brew (only I did!) and we left after only getting some cool pics of the interior and Gaston’s chair.
No, say it isn’t so! We were so looking to try it when we go next fall.
I’m upset not because this was an item I regularly ordered, but because it makes this snack location the same as every other. Disney could really stand to individualize the restaurants so there’s more of a draw. They’re so great at theming the park, but fall short with food and merchandise.
It certainly had a large fan base — seems odd that they took it off the menu! I can only hope that it will be replaced with an even better savory item though 🙂
Well, that sucks!
No really, that was one of my favorite reasons for eating there!
disney ruins everything. Bring back Eisner ! Bring back Eisner! I also just learned tonight that my 2nd favorite dessert has been “laid to rest” the bacon sea salt peanut butter banana cake thing from The Boardwalk Bakery. If they get rid of then lemon tart heads will roll
Well, I will definatly miss it!! I loved this. We would split it with more than 2 of us because it was huge and so tasty!!! I am so sad.
Last January we got this at The Pop Century food court. It was yummy. Not sure if it is still available there.
The pork shank was the only reason to stop here. We will skip Gaston’s in June.
Oh no! That was the only reason we’d stop in there. I guess we won’t be any more.
They should’ve got rid of Lefou’s brew.
And yes, one of the best parts of having the pork shank was you could totally imagine Gaston eating it there 🙂
It was so gross! That said, I like diversity, even if it includes things I don’t like. Hoping they replace it with something else. Roast capon would be fitting, and would be something I would eat!
I wonder if it was removed because it is on the “no-no” list of foods for many religious groups (Muslims, Jews)? Some members of those groups may not even venture into the Tavern knowing that pork was being served.
*insert Darth Vader style “NOOOOOOOOO” here*
Maybe Disney is working on it’s pork being sourced from more humane sources? I hope this is a sign of something better!
NO! It was delicious! 2 of them with a side of fruit would be a meal for our family of 4.
Oh well, at least I had one before they got rid of it! But the company I had when I ate one makes me not miss them anyhow. Both were great but not worth the effort.
That makes me sad. I’m glad I got one this past summer though. Maybe they will bring it back eventually
So sorry to hear this!! This was a great item, very well cooked and big enough to share between at least 2 people. It was really delicious 🙁
Annnddddd now im never going in gaston’s again… stupid descision and lost sales. What are you thinking disney!?!
Say it ain’t so!!! This was hands-down my family’s favorite thing to eat in Disney World. Sad to say, but we will walk right by Gaston’s in the future. I hope this is only temporary once they discover how many people truly enjoyed this treat. Guess I’m on a quest for this at other Disney dining establishments!
I was just their in Aug and my son and I shared a pork shank it was awesome. Sucks that it won’t be their on the next visit.
This is terrible. It was by far the best food item in MK. Just like I won’t go in starbucks because I loved Main Street Bakery I won’t go in Gaston’s ever again.
very bummed….thought it was delicious…but no worries, there are other items there or will be introduced soon….thanks for the update!
Highly unlikely this had to do with religious reasons, there is pork served in some form at almost every restaurant. I’ve never heard of Disney making a decision based on religion.
The pork shank and the apple cider in the Lefou’s brew are perfect together. Won’t need to go there anymore.
I would have loved to have tried it!!!
Sad new!! Loved the inclusion of the shank in the tavern. Now the only thing to pull people to this location is the brew. Love the passion fruit topping. YUM!! But as all things Disney its best to not get to upset until we see the replacement. I do however hope they choose something unique to pull people to this beautiful section of New FantasyLand.
As beast said when Cogsworth told him that Belle had rejected his diner invitation…WHAT!!!!!!!
I am deeply saddened and disappointed at this news. I looked forward to that savory pork shank every year. That just ruined my anticipation of our trip to WDW this coming May. Good Grief!
My husband thinks that Disney finds out what people love and then they take it away. His theory is that they hired all the miscreants responsible for New Coke.
It was a best value for me at Disneyland. Very sad to see it go.
WHAT?!?! Noooooooo!!! This was one of my favorite lunches at Disney World :'(
Why is Disney taking away everything that people like? This item was very well prepared and tasted great!
Gaston’s is no longer on our places to grab a snack. They’ve also messed up the menu and Pecos Bill’s.
The rampant changes about the parks, lend merit to comments that the management isn’t worried about what people like anymore, it’s likely that they’re bending under political correctness pressures and destroying the traditional and historical aspects of the parks as well.
Very sad….it was the only reason to go to Gastons. It was not only good and full of tender meat (unlike the tough turkey leg) but it was unique in 4 parks full of turkey legs. You had something many people loved, oh well, one less stop for us now.
It was delicious, it was gluten free, and it was my favourite quick service meal at Magic Kingdom. Really sad it’s gone.
Bring back the pork shank! One of the best snacks I’ve had at Disneyland!
Words cannot describe the ANGER I have to this stupid decision to get rid of the BITCHINEST pork shank ever !! Now what they need to do is have a pork shank food cart somewhere in MK. Hopefully the Disney putz that made the decision is reading all these comment’s and will rectify this situation !!!!
I will miss it!!! Too many changes at WDW and now, the Shank??? It was a truly delicious, hunk of pork. Great for dinner if you didn’t have a reservation somewhere
Corparate probably gave in to pressure from the Muslim population that frequently visits the park, as they don’t eat pork. I really hope I’m wrong, but we’ll never know.
Normally I don’t make these kinds of comments on the DFB, I save them for the “official” Disney Parks Blog.
This is the fall when thoughts of bonuses run through the minds of Disney management and executives young and old. Anything they can cut (especially food) will make them a bonus that’s a percentage of the money saved.
This also happened a few years ago at Disneyland’s French Market, they switched from boneless chicken to regular bone in chicken for the French Market Chicken and said it was what the customers were asking for. My wife and I saw a min riot with at least 10 families upset over the change. It was so bad that evening the shift manager wouldn’t come out and talk with the crowd!
That is so disappointing. No reason to go out of the way to visit Gaston’s anymore. Seems like every time they introduce something new, within a few months it is cut back. That’s been happening since the park opened and it is still happening today.
The pork shank was my #1 food choice at Disney World! I couldn’t wait get in the gate so I could head back to Gaston’s for my pork shank! Disney should be adding it at other food restaurants, not taking it away! Sounds to me like Disney needs some new management! The pork shank was the only food item worth it’s price W.D.W. What would Walt say? Clifford
Went there Monday, 11/2/15. Boy were we disappointed when told the shank is gone. What are these people at Disney thinking.
Whaaat?! Why would they do such a thing? It was one of the best things to eat in all the parks.
A Roast Beef soup is replacing it for now
They got rid of it because, it honestly didn’t sell. It cost more to buy it then anything. It sold roughly 100 a day and that’s a stretch at times.
So sad to hear this! My family loved the pork 🙁
It’s a d@mn shame..! Way way wayyyy tastier than a turkey leg! My dad will be so disappointed. Every trip, on our last day, we ask each other if we’ve eaten everything we wanted…my dad always gets himself a pork shank. :(((( #bringbacktheporkshank
It has nothing to do with religion. There are too many other pork choices throughout all of Disney’s properties. If this were the case they would stop the serving of pork at every location not just Gaston’s. I am curious to see what they choose as the replacement. I heard a rumor that it is going to be mutton. It would also be a good place to serve the turkey leg too.
So why would they even keep the building there? Total waste of four walls and a ceiling if they don’t have pork shank! They might as well re-label it Bells Bagels and Baguettes. They can make it a tea tavern and we can all eat pinky sandwiches and sip tea Gaston. Gosh