Who’s up for a bit of pub grub at The River Roost?

I seriously love River Roost lounge. It’s located in one of my favorite Disney World Resorts: Port Orleans — Riverside. Better yet, it’s home to Yeeha Bob, an honest-to-goodness Disney World treasure. Bob Jackson is a recipient of the Walt Disney Legacy Award who shares his humor, fun, energy, and music with audiences at the River Roost four nights a week.

Oh! And I’ve enjoyed some pretty tasty food here, too. I loved the trio of Prime Rib Sliders that used to be on the menu here. But those were taken off the list some time back, and I’ve been looking for a River Roost replacement.

So if you, too, find yourself at Port Orleans in search of some Potables, Victuals…

… and/or Libations and Spirits, then join me at The River Roost!

After all, it’s been offering these to visitor since 1886 😉 .

Atmosphere

Above are a few pictures of the outdoor area surrounding The River Roost, which sits right next to Boatwright’s Dining Hall <– another hidden gem in its own right. But you can also walk in straight from the lobby.

The old-fashioned southern charm of the Resort is equally on display at The River Roost.

Seating is divvied up into two sections. One offers table seating right near the bar and the stage for show nights.

The other features cozy chairs and couches, and my very favorite touch of all.

The fireplace!

Back in the table seating area, you can see where Yeeha Bob lives: on this stage with his rockin’ — Literally! You gotta see it! — piano.

Here’s how you can tell I was NOT visiting on a night when Yeeha Bob was playing: it was easy to find a seat!

This is not the case pretty much any night Yeeha Bob has a show. Though his schedule can vary, Yeeha Bob can typically be found at The River Roost starting at 8:30 pm Wednesday through Saturday nights. It is best to arrive at least a half hour ahead of time (I’d suggest even more on the weekends). The wait is well worth it, though.

Even though this particular visit didn’t include a show, here’s a pic of Yeeha Bob from another evening for anyone who wants to say, “Hi!”

In the words of the great man himself: “Nobody has more fun than us!”

Anyhoo, I promised a bit of pub grub for you, so let’s dig in.

Eats

The River Roost is a Disney Resort lounge, and therefore features the standard bar drinks you’ll find in lounges all over Disney World. That said, you’ll find a few cocktails and beers unique to the River Roost (and its sister club at Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter: Scat Cat’s Club).

The cocktails are, of course, New Orleans classics; and Abita brews are served on tap.

The River Roost is typically open from 5:00 pm until midnight or 12:30 am, but you can try something from the Appetizer menu until 11:30 pm, as noted. Aside from the Riverside Burger, which is more of an entree, selections are easily shareable around the table.

The last time I went to a Yeeha Bob show, I must have seen (and sniffed!) the Loaded Potato Puffs carried to a dozen different tables, so I knew that was what I wanted to try on this visit. Here’s why:

Yep. It’s a big ol’ pile of Potato Puffs (Tater Tots) loaded up with Carolina Pulled Pork, Abita Beer Cheese, and Pico de Gallo.

The fragrance of this dish comes from the barbecue sauce covering the tender pulled pork on top.

The Pico de Gallo adds some garnish and a nice bit of zest from the onion.

But I must admit — the ingredient that most intrigued me in the description was that mention of Abita Beer Cheese, so I was on the lookout. I did spy small amounts of it here and there.

But I wondered where the rest of it might be… until we dug in. Turns out the entire pile of potato puffs actually sits on top of a river of the rich, yummy beer cheese!

And there is plenty of it to dip each and every tot, which were nice, crispy, and golden brown, and not at all greasy.

It all comes together as an incredibly flavorful indulgence. There were three of us sharing this dish and as tasty as it was, we had each had enough by the time we finished because it was so filling. To think we had almost started by ordering TWO. There’s no way we would have made it! So, my recommendation is to start with one order and you can always order more or mix them up with some other apps if you want.

In any case, DO order them! The Loaded Potato Puffs are a super duper fun and tasty dish meant for enjoying with some friends or family, served up in a charming space (made even more special on nights when you can catch a show).

Overall

Hoping to try out The River Roost? Port Orleans, Riverside (and likewise, French Quarter) is accessible by bus from any park and Disney Springs. But the most fun way to get there is by taking the Sassagoula River Cruise from the Disney Springs Marketplace (it’s free, like the busses). You do have to plan plenty of extra time for the boat ride, but it’s a wonderful way to travel, and could be a nice cap to a day at Disney Springs.

Okay, so, clearly I’m a wee bit biased by my love for all things Port Orleans. But I am guessing if you have ever visited, you likely are, too. That said, all the ingredients are at The River Roost for a wonderful evening: drinks and terrific pub grub in a relaxing — or completely energizing, in the instance of a Yeeha Bob show! — setting, with plenty of Disney magic to spare. I hope you likewise enjoy it 🙂 .

Have you paid a visit to The River Roost? Please let us know with a comment!