The food offerings within Disney’s Animal Kingdom vary from high quality to below average theme park cuisine. Many bad dining choices call to guests as they experience the theme park. Some of the counter service options rank as best in Walt Disney World theme parks, like Satu’li Canteen. Sure, the standard below average burgers and pizza can be found at counter service options. However, Animal Kingdom also offers some of the best table service options within the Walt Disney World theme parks. Of course, Rainforest Café exists here also. Poor Rainforest Café must compete with Tiffins and Tusker House in this park.

The other table service option at Animal Kingdom is Yak & Yeti. Ironically, both Rainforest Café and Yak & Yeti are run by same third-party company. However, Yak & Yeti might provide the best table service overall value at Animal Kingdom. Yak & Yeti, according to Disney’s website, serves American, Asian, Chinese, and Seafood style dining. Usually when a restaurant tries to provide a wide variety of cuisine, they fail. Yak & Yeti presents many solid options. I would suggest ordering the Asian style food here. Though, the Kobe Beef Burger tastes great

A popular entrée here at Yak & Yeti is the “Chicken Tikka Masala.” This entrée costs $25.99. The menu description reads “boneless chicken breast marinated in yogurt and freshly ground herbs cooked in a traditional Masala sauce (with) jasmine rice.” This menu item also comes with garlic naan bread.

Chicken Tikki Masala comes from an Indian cultural origin even though other cultures have modified it a bit for their purposes. Traditionally, the chicken gets marinated in a spicy curry sauce with plain yogurt. The cooking preparation involves tomatoes, more spices, and perhaps a few more vegetables. This dish generally comes with rice. If you are familiar with a version of Indian Butter Chicken, this one function usually as the slightly spicier cousin.

So how does this menu item measure up? Well, that depends on your perspective. For theme park dining, the portion size exceeds expectation. If desired, this dish could be shared. This hearty dish comes in a larger than normal bowl. When the meal arrives at your table, the aroma helps prepare guests for their dining experience.

All components of this dish come well prepared. The chicken offers solid flavor and tenderness. The spice level fits well for this dish in a theme park setting. For those looking for some spice, you will find it in this tikka masala. Now, if looking for a proper amount of spice for this dish, you will be disappointed. However, the compromise level should work for most guests. The quality or grade of chicken could be higher but functions well within this tikka masala.

For some guests, the bread shines as the star of this dish. The bread dipped in the sauce works very well for flavor. I have heard more than a few guests express a desire for more bread. Also, as you would expect, the rice helps balance out the strong flavors overall.

Personally, I see this entrée as a safer option for guests concerned about spice level at an Asian themed place. When dining here, I seek out dishes with a more authentic spice level. For example, I would order the Malaysian Seafood Curry. That might be a perfect choice for me. Now, I just need them to remove the zucchini. However, most guests will enjoy the Chicken Tikka Masala. Of the many good choices here, I hear the most positive statements about this and the Ahi Tuna Nachos. I suspect if you give this menu item a try that you will be a satisfied customer also. As always, eat like you mean it!