Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory Review

Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory is the quick-service restaurant at Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Resort. Like the rest of the resort, the restaurant has New Orleans theming. Specifically, it’s designed to look like a warehouse storage area for Mardi Gras parade props. It’s pretty cool but most will agree it’s not nearly as fun as it was before the last major refurbishment when things were simplified. But that’s become the norm for now, and it’s a pretty decent place to grab a bite to eat.

Below, we’ll provide an updated review of Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory. We visit the resort a couple of times a year and try to keep tabs on things. This location serves anything from Creole-inspired dishes to American classics like cheeseburgers and pizza. Entrees at this location will qualify for a quick service credit on the Disney Dining Plan. A few items will also qualify for a snack credit.

My history with Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory dates back more years than I would care to admit. Back then, I was in the Orlando area almost full-time. Often, I would work on the website during the day and go for a jog in the evenings at the resorts. This practice helped me familiarize myself with the different resorts at Disney World and their layouts.

I have many fond memories from this time in my life. You see, at that time, this website went by another name. And I tried to cover everything at Disney World, which felt impossible. As it turned out, these evening jogs helped me clarify what I love the most about Disney: the resorts.

Anyway, you came here to read about Sassagoula Floatworks, not the history of this site. But I can’t help but reminisce about what I had for dinner after my jog that first evening I jogged here: a beignet burger with fries. To this day, that burger remains the best counter-service Disney burger I’ve ever had. Unfortunately, it’s not on the current menu, but there’s always hope it will return.

Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory is located a few steps off the lobby of Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter. It is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. These are pretty standard hours of operation for most resort counter services. However, I recommend checking the exact hours during your visit. They will be listed in the resort hotel section of the My Disney Experience app.

French Quarter is the smaller of the two Port Orleans Resorts. It has a boutique feel, with all of the resort’s amenities centrally located in or around the lobby. You will not need a map to get around. Everything is in one place and simple to find. After entering the lobby, Sassagoula Floatworks is on the left toward the back corner. Upon entering the restaurant, you’re greeted by this large open space.

Several electronic menu boards offer a preview of what’s available. Additionally, you can preview the menu in the My Disney Experience app and place a mobile order if you like. We enjoy using mobile order and like to take advantage of the service when we’re riding the bus back to the resort. If you place your order when you board the bus, you can select “I’m Here, Prepare my Order” when you get close. In our experience, our order is usually ready by the time we get to the pickup window. If you’re tired, exhausted, and hungry at the end of a long day in the theme parks, you won’t have to deal with the crowd or wait in another long line for food.

The Baton Rouge Burger remains the resort’s specialty option. (Please bring back the Beignet burger!) A few other items include the grilled chicken sandwich and the barbecued pulled pork sandwich. A Korean-style Impossible Burger is a plant-based option.

Similar to most resort quick service restaurants, Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory is set up like a food court. Customers can walk up to the various stations and see what’s available before ordering. Other menu items include:

• Salmon with Vegetables
• Buttermilk Fried Chicken
• Grilled Chicken Sandwich
• Bacon Cheddar Cheeseburger
• Cheddar Cheeseburger
• Chicken Strips
• Prime Rib Dip
• Ham and Cheese Sandwich
• Honey Barbecued Pork Sandwich

If you’re looking for Jambalaya, Gumbo, or Shrimp with Grits, you can walk or take a boat or bus to Port Orleans Riverside. Riverside Mill Food Court usually has these types of selections. French Quarter used to have these kinds of items and several other Cajun dishes like shrimp po’ boy and muffuletta sandwiches. But they did not have as much variety during this last visit. I also want to point out that the baked macaroni and cheese shown on the menu below is not listed online, nor is the French Dip sandwich. So you might want to survey all of your options when you arrive.

Kids’ Meals include:

• Chicken Strips
• Cheeseburger
• Macaroni and Cheese
• Chicken and Vegetables with Pasta

Bakery Items:

• Mardi Gras King Cake
• Cupcakes
• Ice Cream
• Brownies

Here is a look at the pizza and pasta station items:

Items include:

• Chicken Parmesan Pasta
• Penne Pasta with Meatballs
• Super Slice of Pizza (Cheese or Pepperoni)
• Large Family Pizza (Cheese or Pepperoni)

Salad Choices include:

• Caesar Salad (with or without chicken)
• Greek Salad (with or without chicken)
• Mediterranean Curry-Chickpea Salad

During my last stay, I ordered the prime rib dip with a side of fries. I’m always happy to see this kind of offering and have enjoyed it a couple of times since then. It wasn’t anything out of the norm as far as roast beef sandwiches go. However, it was warm, filling, and freshly prepared. I much prefer this kind of item over anything pre-made.

On a recent visit, I was leaving the resort to go to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. I was super hungry and decided to just wait until I got to the park to eat. However, when I got to the bus stop, a 25-minute wait was posted. It was about 1:30 p.m. So I went back inside and ordered the create-your-own salmon with rainbow carrot and rice. This turned out to be an excellent meal.

For breakfast, Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory has pretty much the same items you’ll find at most moderate resorts.

Menu items include:

• Mickey-shaped Waffles
• Waffle Bounty Platter
• Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Bagel Sandwich
• Ham and Cheese Omelet
• Vanilla Pancakes with Berry Compote
• Loaded Totcho Bowl

Plant-based items include:

• Plant-based Frittata
• Plant-based Waffles
• Overnight Oats

Kids’ Meals:

• Oatmeal
• Scrambled Eggs
• Pancakes
• Mickey Waffles

For breakfast, I ordered the kids’ meal with oatmeal, a side of turkey sausage, and a bag of apples. Instead of milk, I elected to get a fountain drink. Then, I ordered a coffee and picked up yogurt from the refrigerated case. (If you’ve been around the site before, you know this is my traditional resort quick-service breakfast.)

On a previous visit, I ordered beignets with chocolate ganache for breakfast. You can order beignets at Scat Cat’s Club Cafe. I paired my beignets with bacon and a coffee from Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory. It was a memorable breakfast.

As far as decor goes, Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory underwent a significant refurbishment several years ago. As a result, many argue that the restaurant’s theming went from over-the-top to bland.

However, I think this resort’s quick service is tastefully decorated. The design has a subtle charm and fun references to The Big Easy.

The quick service offers a few grab-and-go items. Fresh fruit and cereal options were available near the register.

However, most of the snack items, like bags of chips and candy, are across the lobby at Jackson Square, French Quarter’s gift shop. A large refrigerated case sits in the center of the food court. It has a good deal of items.

Make sure to walk all the way around the cooler. It’s packed with juice, milk, soda, beer, fruit, yogurt, and sports drinks. I was shocked at how many items this thing could hold.

Here’s a look at the layout of the food court.

After your order is prepared, you will take it to the cash register and pay.

You can also mobile order. When you receive the notification that your order is ready, show the cast member your order number, and they’ll direct you to the correct station to pick it up.

Here are a few more items we’ve yet to discuss, like freshly baked cookies, cupcakes, donuts, and brownies.

A large beverage and condiment section sits in the middle of the dining room. A toaster and microwave are available should you need one.

Unfortunately, when the quick service was last remodeled, they added Freestyle soda machines. The common stance on these things is that everything they spit out tastes horrible. Recently, I went on a cruise that had these machines. On that trip, another guest shared a tip with me. They always select water first and let it run for at least 15 or so seconds to clear out the residue from the previous drinks. I thought it was a great idea and now do the same. You can also use the water to rinse out your refillable mug.

Refillable mugs are available at Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory. You can purchase one and refill it at any of the resort’s beverage stations. They are good for the length of your stay and can be used to refill tea, soda, or coffee. Regarding dining, you’ll find plenty of room to eat inside at the quick service.

But we usually like to find a place outside.

Here are a few more photos of the restaurant.

Hopefully, this review gave you an idea of what to expect at Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory. We include this location in our list of the best quick services at Disney Resorts. For more information about Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Resort, you might enjoy the following:

• Port Orleans French Quarter Dining Guide
• Port Orleans French Quarter vs. Riverside (Which One is Right For You?)
• Transportation Options and Tips for Port Orleans French Quarter
• The Resorts Gal Guide to the Pool at Port Orleans French Quarter

Or you might enjoy some of our other Disney World Resort Reviews. Here are a few:

• The Best Off-Site Resorts Near Disney World
• Planning a Split Stay at Disney World
• Benefits of Staying at a Disney World Resort
• Benefits of Using a Travel Agent for Disney

In the Comments

So, have you ever enjoyed a meal at Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory? Leave a comment with your thoughts below.