Was not impressed here. It seems like they have increased and improved the options available, compared to other reviews here. The rest of my family seemed satisfied with their meals. I got the "crispy tofu bowl" from the menu board. Unfortunately, after she had built all of it, the staff member told me they didn't have the red curry dressing so I would have to choose another dressing. Those were all regular salad dressings like ranch and Caesar. Obviously I would have just done a build-a-bowl using different ingredients if she had told me earlier. Rather than the cilantro and coconut. So I was really not happy with the end product here. For $18, this was just not acceptable at all. The rice and fried tofu were really nice and I'm sure my lunch would have been fine if she had just told me ahead of time that they didn't have a crucial ingredient for their featured menu item. It's a large seating area and pretty loud, since there are a lot of kids there since it's a zoo, so that's fine. There is ample seating outside which I believe was added during Covid times. Something that I found REALLY irritating here was that the menu board and signage really emphasize how sustainable and eco-conscious they are there. But then when we were finished eating we realized that the ONLY things that they composted were the actual food scraps. NOT EVEN THE NAPKINS. Or the compostable paper food containers, or the compostable forks and spoons. Considering the signage, this was the worst case of "greenwashing " that I have EVER seen. If they don't want to compost or recycle, fine, but don't make a huge deal about sustainability and then just go against the message. read more

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A bit overpriced, as is everything at the zoo, but thankfully, it was good quality food. Not the usual burgers, fries and fried chicken which are normally the only options at these types of parks. Nice to have vegetarian protein options, and everything was fresh and crisp! It's pricey, but it's good. Would revisit next time I'm there. read more

Dancing Crane Cafe - Crispy Tofu Bowl - Fast Food Near Me - Bronx, New York

This is the main cafeteria for the Bronx Zoo. It's gotten better but it's pricey. There are better options now there too. You walk in and there are there main food stations. The grill which is burgers, hotdogs, chicken fingers, and fries. Then there's a pizza station which also has snacks like donuts, Fruit cups and a few more options. Then there's a salad section which is nice. There's also fountain drinks, and beer ha. You grab a tray then grab what you want and then pay once you have everything. The condiments are right after the checkout place. There's limited seating indoors but they have tables and counters and bathrooms. There's a lot of outdoor seating most of which is covered. read more

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The pizza was inedible. It's hard and the cheese is stale. Their burger was pretty good, and so was the macaroni salad. Water is $4.79, which is overpriced but normal for outside places like this one. They had pumpkin ice cream but it was hard and needed to wait a long time for it to melt. Service was fine, I mean, they don't really do anything except stand there since you just pick up the food. The ambiance is ok, it's nothing to clap about but typical for a zoo. My mom slipped on their wet floor. read more

Dancing Crane Cafe - Fast Food Near Me - Bronx, New York

The dancing crane is definitely not the same pre-Covid as it was no post Covid. Well they still have the Peafowls and the peacocks still walking around, there are no more indoor seating in this beautiful restaurant. Outdoor seating is still available after you order inside. The menu pretty much consist of nachos and cheese, burgers and fries, chicken tenders, pizza, some soft drinks, and a bit more. The line was fairly quick, all the employees wore their mask, and there was a social distancing spots located on the line so that people you were to stand. Just warning if you plan to be here on a wet day, he won't have an indoor dining place to sit. You do however have the outdoor on the outside with a cover on one of their technique areas. We got ourselves the five piece chicken tenders with fries, a plain pizza and a souvenir cup. The chicken and fries were very filling and I wish we decided to share that instead of ordering two and a plain pizza for two adults, that's on your own, and a toy room. Junk food and fried food makes it more filling. Save your money and either bring your lunch, or just order a meal to share instead of buying so much since it is a bit pricey. My meal came out to about $80 for two people with the membership. Overall, still my favorite spot in the zoo to eat since there are no (very slim) food trucks or shops open around the zoo itself anymore. even the gift shops have condensed to which ones are open. If you are in this area and definitely need food, I would recommend grabbing it. read more

Not many option here at Bronx Zoo when it comes to food. It seemed like each eatery offered the same menu. Mainly, burgers and chicken tenders with fries. Here at Dancing Crane Cafe, as soon as you walk inside, there was a long counters where you order and pick up your food. It seemed like the staff working at the counters were local kids, young, but they were doing pretty good job, trying there best to be efficient. The area behind the counter was kept pretty clean, and everyone was wearing hair nets and gloves, which was good to see. The whole ordering and picking up the food took a while. After you get your food, you go to the cash register behind you, and you pay there. You could also pick up some juice and what not from the refrigerator by the cashiers. The indoor eating area was filled with family and kids, and even more so, filled with food and trash on the floor, chairs, and tables... Not very well kept, the outside seemed much cleaner. If you were not in a mood to get chicken tenders, burger, pizza, or hot dog, and the only healthy option they had here was veggie panini, then you are in for a huge disappointments. And even if you are ok with these selections, do not get your hopes up, it is not that great, not worth the price. read more

Dancing Crane Cafe - Chicken Tenders with Ranch & Bacon fries - Fast Food Near Me - Bronx, New York

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Good stop that is farther in the park and away from where the school initially stop in the park. The food is average, but they have large portions. We were able to share a sandwich and macaroni salad. Both were decent. read more

Many changes here post-COVID. You can sit inside or outside (beware the very sociable peacocks if you sit outside). What I appreciate is that prior to COVID it was all fast-food type of food; they now offer a build your own salad option, fruit salad, and some other non-fried options. Is it overpriced? Yes, but I look at it like I'm helping to contribute to the animals' care with my lunch money. They also have beer and spiked seltzer, if you're so inclined. Definitely liking the post-quarantine Bronx Zoo! read more

Like many other reviews have stated this is not an impressive selection. The food is what you would find at any other amusement park. Overpriced burgers, hot dogs, fries, chicken fingers, and pizza. This location happens to have some pre-made salads and sandwiches available along with beer! I ordered the chicken fingers and fries combo : a number 3 I believe and opted to get the boo at the zoo cup that you could refill all day for free. All in all my meal came to about 17$. They do offer a lot of options for dipping sauces for the chicken fingers, the honey mustard was pretty good. One thing I wasn't happy with was how fast my fries got cold and ultimately inedible. The set up in the dining area is kinda crazy. First you can go up to one of the lanes to get your food or you have the option of grabbing a pre made meal. Once you get one of those options you are supposed to go up to the lanes and pay for your food. One thing that I did notice was a lot of people skipping out on paying there bill. For the zoo's sake i'd try to come up with a way of either opting for more staff to ensure payment was made. Not fair that I get stuck paying $17 and they get it for free. One cool thing about eating in the park and being a member you get 20% off discount. read more

Dancing Crane Cafe - a man standing in front of the entrance - Fast Food Near Me - Bronx, New York

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They make their own pizza dough and sauce on site, have nice Nathan's hot dogs, purple grapes in a cup and even sell beer! Staff was very hospitable and swift. Solid dining for a zoo. read more

Really crappy fast food joint! The cheeseburgers are disgusting. Eat the pizza, it's much better. It's a shame families come to the zoo with kids, yet the only place to eat there is shitty fast food. read more

Surprisingly okay food, but was definitely overpriced for the quality and quantity.

You know what you're in for when you find yourself at the Dancing Crane Cafe: extortionately priced carnival food. You'd think with the turnover here, though, that the food would at least be fresh. Nope. A $4.50 pretzel that any Central Park hot dog vendor could competently execute was completely inedible at Dancing Crane. Thankfully, the zoo allows you to bring in your own food and drink. That should be your strategy. read more

Not an impressive selection. The food is basic summer amusement park fare. They have burgers, fires, hot dogs, pizza, and chicken tenders. They also have some prepared salads. The burgers are "okay", but they take an inordinate amount of time to prepare them. Yesterday, I ordered two cheeseburger combos, one for me and one for my boyfriend who was staking out a table outside. They put two orders of friends and one burger on my tray and then I had to wait several minutes for the second burger. Meanwhile, the fries were no longer under the light, so they were getting cold. I lost patience and substituted chicken tenders for the remaining burger. If all of the food is not ready, don't serve any. Even if the food is not freshly prepared and is just sitting under a light, at least it will remain warm. My boyfriend's fries were cold by the time he got to eat them. It's, of course, also expensive. I'm sure most people would expect that from a venue with a captive audience. On the plus side, they did have both barbeque and honey mustard available for the chicken tenders and they offer a 20% member discount on the food. read more

Really nice & friendly employees. Their right there to help & get you going. We went on a Monday it was still packed. The food was you can expect.. Try their crispy chicken tenders & fries the kids will like them and so will you! read more

Dancing Crane Cafe - the entrance to the restaurant - Fast Food Near Me - Bronx, New York

Horrible service. They don't know how to put in and fill orders in a timely manner.

"Loaded chili fries" are the size of an eye and taste like saggy frozen fries covered in a dead animal and some fake cheese. For $7 they can at least try ... Overall visit almost made me cry . Pizza is not worth $11 either ... 4 greasy slices with a tiny spoon of sauce on deformed cheap crust. Just take your own pb&j from home or stop in subway on the way . read more