AntSol Travel

Introduction of Before Centrico.

In Downtown Disney, there are plenty of shops & restaurants that keep Disneyland guests on property longer, or even just a night out for dining & light shopping if you visit for a few hours. According to Yesterland, Two of the restaurants were Catal, a sit down Mediterranean restaurant, and UVA Bar, at first had tapas then switched to burgers, managed by the Patina Group since the early 2000s.

The Patina Group announced that Catal & UVA Bar would be replaced by new restaurants by Chef Carlos Gaytan, and closed on April 14, 2023. Replacing the space of Catal, UVA Bar, and Sprinkles Cupcakes spaces are three new restaurants by Michelin starred chef, Carlos Gaytan, Paseo for small & large bites restaurant, Centrico for an al fresco bar, and Tienda for a quicker counter service option, respectively. Centrico just opened for the day for lunch when I got there at 11 am on May 7, since I was there, I might as well eat there and write about it. 

About Chef Carlos Gaytán

According to Centrico’s website, Chef Carlos Gaytán, was born in Huitzuco, México, Chef Gaytán loved to cook from a young age and over time, self taught himself cooking skills & moved to Chicago working as a cook that eventually led up to him to open his own restaurant, Tzuco, that earned the Michelin star. He was a contestant on BRAVO’s Top Chef, T.V. show as well, and earning multiple accolades in the culinary industry. On May 1, 2024, three new dining concepts opened at Downtown Disney. Let’s see what the new restaurants were like. 

Centrico’s Dining Experience

Taking the place of UVA Bar is Centrico, an open air bar setting in Downtown Disney. It has a glass top lattice structure to let sun in and not have much issues with lighter rain, and straw covered lamps hang from the lattice structure. The bar is in the middle and the seating surrounds it, the food is delivered from the kitchen across the walkway to Centrico. I was there myself and got a table for two that happened to be away from the view of most staff. I did not want to sit at the bar since I don’t want to take pictures of my food in front of the bartenders.

When I was seated, I recorded the menu as I thought of what to eat. My waiter, Heidi, came to get my order. I got the chicken taquitos and a Stardust Beer’s lager. Heidi asked me what brought me into Centrico, I told her I was there mostly to Disneyland park’s updates & to check out Centrico. Especially since I am never really subtle about taking pictures with my DSLR camera & iPhone. She said “If you really like it here, please post on Yelp, and put #Heidi !” Which I happily & jokingly did in my review here now. 

About six minutes later, I got my beer and taquitos! I took a quick picture with my phone and then with my DSLR camera. The plating was really nice, it had four chicken taquitos topped with lettuce, tomato, queso fresco, and avocado. Along with a side of salsa verde, guacamole, and a corn on the cob. It was delicious and worth $18.

About Centrico, Paseo, and Tienda.

For Centrico, all tacos, quesadillas, and main dishes average about $25 and all kids menu items are $11. Additional sides are separate charges ranging from $7 to $9. Overall, it was good & reasonably priced.   

Paseo, taking the place of Catal, is a more formal sit down but does more of a mix of large & small plates, and even a cold seafood bar. Small plates average about $16 & large plates are well over $45.

Tienda, taking the place of Sprinkles Cupcakes, is a counter service restaurant that guests order from a kiosk and pick it up from the counter for tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, ceviches salads, and a $10 kids menu. This is great if you to experience Chef Carlos Gaytán dishes without with the wait staff.

Parking Validation and Magic Key Discounts.

All restaurants do take Magic Key Pass discounts & validate parking if you parked in the Downtown Disney parking lot for $10 for four hours for sit down, or three hours for quick service. 

What About Patina Group’s Restaurant Tortilla Jo’s?

Since the Patina Group, who manages the three restaurants, also had Tortilla Jo’s as their Mexican sit down & quick service restaurant with the Taqueria, both were closed in March 2024, to be replaced by steakhouse & barbeque restaurants sometime in the future. R.I.P. Tortilla Jo’s. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, Chef Carlos Gaytán did a great job with the restaurants and his skills shine with the dish & preparation, and at reasonable prices as well. I a a great experience at Centrico, the chicken taquitos I got were delicious & well plated, and my waiter, Heidi. was nice with great service. I recommend anyone looking for great Mexican food if you happen to be at Disneyland, to check it out.