Hi Tonya!
Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel! Want to hear a Disney confession? My visits to Walt Disney World Resort are usually planned with such short notice that I never really pre-plan where I want to eat a full meal. I usually focus on snacking around the 'World and re-dining where I know and love. (Or by whatever is close!) I haven't used a Disney Dining Plan in so long that I almost forgot how it worked. So, to fix this egregious error, I booked an upcoming one-night Disney Resort Hotel reservation with a one-night Disney Dining Plan, and am carefully weighing my options. For #resEARch purposes.
Some
Disney Dining Plan options, like you mentioned, are more combo-style meals that are an entree with a side or two. An example, and one of my favs, is the Grilled Salmon at Columbia Harbour House that comes with rice and veggies. Sides aren't always guaranteed, and sometimes the inclusion varies by what you're ordering, not the
Dining Location itself. Currently, most options at D-Luxe Burger and Chicken Guy, both in Disney Springs, do not include a side, nor will one be included when using a 2018 Quick-Service meal entitlement. There are a few menu items that denote that they do come with fries, like the BLT Sandwich on the Secret Menu at D-Luxe Burger or the Combo at Chicken Guy. (If you order the Combo at Chicken Guy, then you'll automatically get a soda instead of a specialty beverage option.)
For my upcoming trip, I've found some of the best values for a Quick-Service credit to be at Flame Tree Barbecue in Disney's Animal Kingdom, The Polite Pig at Disney Springs, breakfast at Be Our Guest in Magic Kingdom Park, La Cantina de San Angel in Epcot, and ABC Commissary at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
I hope this helped, Tonya, and We'll See You Real Soon!
~Kristen