¡Viva Navidad!

¡Viva Navidad! @ Disney's California Adventure 1600 S Disneyland Dr Anaheim, CA 92802 (714) 781-4565 Official Site

From now through January 6, 2014, Disney California Adventure Park is holding a ¡Viva Navidad! celebration in its Paradise Pier area. I knew they were going to have a few Mexican food items but when I went earlier today I was surprised at how much they had. I was able to get some pozole and chocoflan earlier today and am going to try to make it back to try some more. If I do then I'll post some more photos. Some of the items are at Paradise Garden Grill and some are at Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta and there's also a dessert cart that seems to be on the outer perimeter of the whole Paradise Pier area. UPDATE: ¡Viva Navidad! has been renewed for the 2014-15 holiday season.

Here's a video that was just posted at the Disney Parks Blog:



Again, the food is a good bit more authentic than you would expect at Disneyland. The fact that they call their tacos "street style" seems to indicate they know tacos are not called "street tacos" in Mexico, while acknowledging that people here think they are called "street tacos." And the prices are not like those at Tacos el Chavito but are comparable to prices at many other places in the county. It's hard to not appreciate the fact that they are using masa harina in their hot chocolate and that they have pineapple dessert tamales.

If you were a fan of when DCA did their Food & Wine Festival you might want to make sure you stop by in the next few days as they will be doing some culinary demonstrations then. Here's a clip from their Disney Parks Blog about it:

As part of Limited Time Magic, you can stop by Paradise Gardens from November 14 – 17, 2013 to enjoy some savory treats, including Champurrudo and Pineapple Sweet Tamales—each prepared by Disneyland Resort chefs during exciting culinary demonstrations!

Paradise Garden Grill

Entrees

Torta al Pastor

Fresh-made Telera Bread with Chorizo Beans, Marinated Pork, Shredded Lettuce, Sliced Avocado and Crema drizzle with Tortilla Chips and Salsa $10.99

Sopes de Barbacoa

Two Lightly Fried Sopes with Chorizo Beans, Barbacoa, Shredded Cabbage, Cotija Cheese and Crema drizzle with a side of Achiote Rice and Tortilla Chips and Salsa $10.99

Street Style Tacos

Three Street-Style Tacos (Barbacoa or Al Pastor) on soft Corn Tortillas garnished with Cilantro and Onion with a side of Achiote Rice and Tortilla Chips and Salsa $10.99

Mahi Veracruzano

Sustainable fish topped with Salsa Veracruz with Achiote Rice, Nopales and Jicama Salad and a side of tortillas $12.99 (This item didn't seem to make it back for 2014.)

Ceviche

Seems to have been re-imagineered for 2014

Chicken Mole

Roasted Chicken topped with Chocolate-infused smoked Chili Sauce with Achiote Rice, Nopales and Jicama Salad and a side of Tortillas $12.99

Desserts

Buñuelos

Two Golden Fried Flour Tortillas dusted with Cinnamon Sugar served with a side of Cajeta $4.29

Sweet Pineapple and Golden Raisin Tamales

A pair of Traditionally made Sweet Tamales with Pineapple and Golden Raisins $4.29

Champurrado

Traditional Christmas Time Mexican hot chocolate is a combination of chocolate, milk and masa harina $2.79

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• Buñuelos with Cajeta
• Chips and Salsa
• Cajunzihos - "Trio of Mini Peanut Kisses"
• Abuelita Hot Cocoa

UPDATE: Also see here and here for more reports on ¡Viva Navidad! at the Disney Parks blog.

Panchito

Of course, one of the best parts of this whole celebration is that it features The Three Caballeros, including the Mexican rooster Panchito aka Panchito Pistoles aka Panchito Romero Miguel Junipero Francisco Quintero González III, who can be seen on this blog from time to time and who serves as the @ocmexfood Twitter avatar. If you don't know him, get to know him: