November 2012 – June 2018
LOCATION
Downtown Disney – The Earl of Sandwich sat at the tail end of Downtown Disney, near the Disneyland Hotel. To find this restaurant, guests walked toward the opposite end of Downtown Disney from the parks. The restaurant overlooked the ESPN Zone at the end of the district.
EXPERIENCE
The Earl of Sandwich was the Disneyland Resort’s most popular quick service restaurant. The Earl served a variety of sandwiches, salads, soups, and macaroni and cheese, all of which were customizable to your personal preference. Guests sat in the smaller dining room overlooking the Disneyland Hotel, or at a long, beer hall style wooden table on the Downtown Disney patio.
CLOSURE
The Earl of Sandwich consistently made lists of fan favorite dining at the Disneyland Resort, with steady crowds streaming through from breakfast to dinner. Like the Rainforest Cafe, its closure came not from dwindling interest, but from a need for more space. Disney announced plans to construct a 4th hotel in 2017, situated between the Disneyland Hotel and the Downtown Disney District. This meant that the Rainforest Cafe and Earl of Sandwich would close, alongside the AMC theater and several other retail locations. The Earl served his final sandwich in June 2018.
TRIVIA
My original rating: I was hesistant to try the Earl of Sandwich for a long time because it always seems insanely crowded. But I finally stopped by on a quieter day, and I immediately understood why it’s so popular. The sandwiches are large, tasty, and decently priced (for Disney of course). The menu is really large, so even the pickiest eaters can find something great to eat. If you’re in the mood for a sandwich while visiting the resort, the Earl is the place to go. (★★★★★)
The Earl of Sandwich was not exclusive to Disneyland. You can find restaurants at various locations across the United States, and in Disney Springs at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Paris.