Review and Photos! Lunch (Including a Secret Menu Cocktail!) at Disney World’s Gurgling Suitcase in Old Key West Resort
Greetings from Disney’s Old Key West Resort! This week we stopped by to check out the lunch options at The Gurgling Suitcase! The Gurgling Suitcase is a relaxing respite in Disney World, and they didn’t always serve food (though you could order from Olivia’s). But for a few years now they have their very own menu!
The Gurgling Suitcase
It’s already super hot in Florida so we were excited to swing by for a quick bite and cold drink! By the way, did you know the Gurgling Suitcase got its name from people trying to smuggle alcohol from Cuba into Key West in their luggage? Inspectors would shake the suitcases to see if the “gurgled” — hence the name The Gurgling Suitcase. Always so clever, Disney.
Atmosphere
The Gurgling Suitcase is a quaint hole-in-the-wall in between Olivia’s Cafe and Good’s Food to Go. The walls are adorned with fire station and police department patches that have been donated by DVC members!
Gurgling Suitcase Interior
You’ll also see donated license plates, and it’s such a fun, personal touch to the bar. One thing’s for sure, the DVC members at Old Key West sure love their resort! 
Gurgling Suitcase Donated Patches and License Plates
There are a few seats inside the bar, but the majority of the seating is outside. If you’re headed to the outdoor seating (or the pool) the bartenders can package your food and drinks to-go, so it’s easy and there’s no glass to worry about!
Gurgling Suitcase Outdoor Seating
Personally, I love the picnic tables and umbrellas. Talk about a great, relaxing space for a nosh and a drink!
Gurgling Suitcase Picnic Tables
There isn’t a ton of seating directly near the Gurgling Suitcase. But don’t forget, you’re welcome to bring your goods to the pool — or anywhere else around the resort for that matter!
Eats
As you may expect, The Gurgling Suitcase offers bar food, but with a fun, beach-y twist.
Gurgling Suitcase Menu
And of course the drink menu features lots of tropical flavors, including lots of frozen delights!
Gurgling Suitcase Drink Menu
We decided to try the Conch Fritters, Pickle Chips, and Pork Nachos. And to drink we sampled the popular Turtle Krawl.
Gurgling Suitcase Items
The Turtle Krawl is made with Siesta Key White Rum, Parrot Bay Coconut Rum, and Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum with Grenadine, Pineapple Orange, and Key Lime Juices.
Gurgling Suitcase Turtle Krawl
The Turtle Krawl was definitely on the sweeter side, but it was very refreshing on a hot day! You can certainly taste the rum, and the splash of Key Lime juice is a fun twist.
The bartender also let us sample the Key West Freeze. She was making it for another guest and had some left in the blender, and asked if we wanted a sample. The answer is always “YES!”
Gurgling Suitcase Key West Freeze
The Key West Freeze is Vodka, Melon Liquor, Piña Colada Mix, Pineapple Juice and Strawberry Syrup. This was a wonderful surprise! Reading the description, it sounded sickly sweet but it was actually very light and refreshing. I highly recommend this if you’re in the market for a frozen cocktail.
Now for the eats. First up, the Conch Fritters.
Gurgling Suitcase Conch Fritters
These are Olivia’s famous recipe and are served with Key Lime Mustard and a spicy Remoulade Sauce for dipping.
Gurgling Suitcase Conch Fritter Close up
These are lightly fried to perfection! They have a little bit of spice but beyond that there isn’t a very distinct flavor. However the dipping sauces are incredible. We loved the kick of the Remoulade, and the tartness of the mustard. If you order anything at Olivia’s or the Suitcase, make sure to order these!
We also tried the Fried Pickle Chips.
Gurgling Suitcase Pickle Chips
These also come with the spicy Remoulade dipping sauce as well as some delicious house-made Ranch dressing. As far as Pickle Chips go, these are excellent. The pickle itself really shines through — it doesn’t just taste like a bunch of fried batter. I would absolutely order these again, with a side of that Key Lime Mustard.
Last but not least, we tried the Barbecued Pulled Pork Nachos.
Gurgling Suitcase Pork Nachos
Along with the pulled pork, these housemade chips are topped with Pepper Jack and Mozzarella cheese, fresh Pico de Gallo and Jalapeños and Sour Cream.
Gurgling Suitcase Nachos Close up
As you can see, the toppings were plentiful! We also really liked the use of homemade chips instead of classic tortilla chips as well as the fresh jalapenos and pico. While this may not be the most unique flavor combination of all time, it really hit the spot. If you’re looking for a good (shareable!) nosh during a pool day, this will certainly fit the bill.
Before I left, a manager popped by and let me know about a SECRET. MENU. DRINK. Now those are three words that definitely peak our interest.
Gurgling Suitcase Bourbon Berry Lemonade
The drink is called the Slappy Joe’s Bourbon Berry Lemonade and it is exclusively available at The Gurgling Suitcase. Some of you may remember the now-gone massage house at Old Key West, Slappy Joe’s, which is where this cocktail’s name comes from.
The Slappy Joe’s Bourbon Berry Lemonade is Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Blackberry Brandy, Odwalla Lemonade, and a splash of grenadine. It was an awesome beverage! The Woodford comes through strong, so if you’re not a bourbon fan, this is probably not the cocktail for you. But it’s a great way to put a tropical twist on a bourbon drink, or enjoy something beach-y that’s not too sweet.
But don’t forget, this is a Secret Menu Item so you’ll have to ask for it by name! 
Overall
Overall, the Gurgling Suitcase remains a destination-worthy spot in Walt Disney World — and the delicious bar noshes only make it better! The drinks are refreshing and tropical and I will dream about that Key Lime Mustard until the next time I can get to Old Key West. Which will hopefully be soon because The Gurgling Suitcase is a real winner!
Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
Don’t Miss Out on Any Disney Fun!
The 2019 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is now available!
With more than 750 pages, the 2019 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 20+ years of visits. We’ve done the research for you, so you’ll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family’s needs!
With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you’ll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2019 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2019 to save 25% today!
Use code WDW2019 at check-out for a 25% off the cover price!
Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose.
Are you a fan of The Gurgling Suitcase? What is your favorite thing to eat and drink there? Let us know in the comments!
from the disney food blog https://ift.tt/2THJNnG
Post a Comment