For the first time in two years, Disney California Adventure Park is hosting its Food & Wine Festival, giving Disney fans an eclectic menu full of sweet, spicy and even shocking food and drink options to indulge in.

With California being in a situation where most mask regulations have been lifted and crowds can enjoy the park as they did prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Disney is welcoming back crowds with comfort foods that add to the the theme park experience.

“I’ve been walking the marketplaces and the restaurants… and I was reminding myself, it’s almost been two years since we’ve done this,” Executive Chef at Disney California Adventure, Jeremiah Balogh, told L.A. Weekly. “We haven’t had Food & Wine since 2019 and so the excitement, the team’s energy behind doing what we do and the passion behind doing it is key and that can’t be replaced.”

(Isai Rocha/L.A. Weekly)

The Disney culinary team did not hold back with its creativity, putting out food offerings that will truly pique the interest of park-goers, from spicy mango-based churros, to a sweet and savory guacamole ice cream.

“How do we keep things fresh, unique and inspirational? It comes from a constant push from oneself and the team, whether it’s on the beverage side or the food side,” Balogh said. “We always try to think about what’s trending, what can we do that’s new and we also have our eye on the past, as well. Oftentimes you’ll see a returning item, but you’ll see a plethora of new items that, hopefully, will then take off and those will be the next inspirations for future festivals.”

The festival runs through April 26, with booths opening at 10:30 a.m., daily. Food items can be bought a-la-carte, but most on this list can be acquired via the 8-item “Sip & Savor Pass,” which can be bought at kiosks inside Disney California Adventure park for $57.

The festival has dozens of new, seasonal items at every corner of Disney California Adventure and here are some of the highlights from the 2022 Food & Wine Festival.

Snickers Mickey Macaron

(Isai Rocha/L.A. Weekly)

The SNICKERS Caramel-Peanut Milk Chocolate Mickey Macaron is a lot larger than the macarons you’re used to. The macaron is filled with caramel ganache and SNICKERS pieces. (available with Sip & Savor Pass)
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Mango Churro

(Isai Rocha/L.A. Weekly)

The Mango Churro may sound like it shouldn’t work, but between the mango sauce, chile-lime sugar and tamarind chamoy, you get a sweet and spicy combination stimulating your taste buds. (available with Sip & Savor Pass)
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Glazed BBQ Pork Belly

(Isai Rocha/L.A. Weekly)

The Glazed BBQ Pork Belly is tender and sweet, with a zesty furikake-togarashi mac salad on the side. (available with Sip & Savor Pass)
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Southwest Cheesesteak

(Isai Rocha/L.A. Weekly)

While the Southwest Cheesesteak at Award Wieners is not a Sip & Savor item, it is a new seasonal item worth considering. In Philly cheesesteak style, the sandwich has a generous helping of thinly sliced steak, caramelized grilled onions, Poblano peppers, pepper jack cheese, guacamole, and a Chipotle aїoli all nestled within a toasted baguette.
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Chile Relleno Empanada

(Isai Rocha/L.A. Weekly)

The Chile Relleno Empanada is stuffed with a chile de arbol-based salsa, and both Oaxaca and Cotija cheeses (available with Sip & Savor Pass).

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Blueberry Buttermilk Pie

(Isai Rocha/L.A. Weekly)

The Blueberry-Buttermilk Pie is another sweet treat that blueberry lovers will enjoy. One of the more traditional items on the new menu, the pie works as a dessert between the savory dishes. (available with Sip & Savor Pass)
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Raspberry Spiral Ration

(Isai Rocha/L.A. Weekly)

The Raspberry Spiral Ration can be found within Avengers Campus and has a yellow strawberry spiral churro with a berry compote. (available with Sip & Savor Pass)
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Elote Pretzel

(Isai Rocha/L.A. Weekly)

The Elote Pretzel is also in Avengers Campus, inside the Pym Test Kitchen restaurant.  It is a 5-ounce pretzel topped with corn pieces, a corn aioli and popcorn. Adorning it are cilantro sprigs, radish, cotija cheese, and flavored crema. While the new item is not part of the Sip & Savor pass, it can be purchased separately.
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IPA Sausage Dog

(Isai Rocha/L.A. Weekly)

IPA Sausage Dog is on a soft pretzel roll with onion-pepper jardinière, cheddar cheese sauce, and malt vinegar-jalapeño crunch. (available with Sip & Savor Pass)
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Cantarito Style Paloma

(Isai Rocha/L.A. Weekly)

The Cantarito-style Paloma consists of a reposado tequila, habanero-pineapple juice, rock melon syrup, lime, and Fresca.
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Chicharron Crusted Fried Artichoke Dip

(Isai Rocha/L.A. Weekly)

The Chicharron-crusted Fried Artichoke Dip is everything you love about artichoke dips, stuffed within a fried little ball. The fried balls sit on a bed of  smoked pepper crema and Oaxacan cheese. (Available with Sip & Savor Pass)
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PB&J Macaroni

(Isai Rocha/L.A. Weekly)

The Peanut Butter & Jelly Mac is unlike any macaroni you’ve ever had. Layered with a brown sugar streusel, peanut butter and a jelly drizzle, your taste buds will be tested after taking a bite of the popping rocks sprinkled overtop. (available with Sip & Savor Pass)
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Frozen Guacamole

(Courtesy of Disneyland Parks)

The Frozen Guacamole is an avocado paleta topped with lime crema, pico de gallo, and chile-lime seasoning. It is akin to eating a spoonful of guacamole and was an early favorite among park-goers. (Available with Sip & Savor Pass)

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