Sorry for the delay in the answer; we've had an icky cold bug hit our family.
You are fine not to rush into a reservation, but when it gets to a year away I'd go ahead and book it. Then if any discounts come out later, the reservation can be modified. We just did that with our next trip!
And now counter service dining; here are my recommendations:
MK: Pecos Bill for typical hamburger fare. Cosmic Rays has a great bargain with its rotisserie chicken, mashed potatoes, and veggie (easy to split!). Columbia Harbour House is my first pick, however, with its tasty fish/chips, yummy soups, & lighter sandwiches.
AK: When available, I LOVE the Picnic in the Park. A picnic lunch with plenty to eat (we had leftovers) & a shopping bag to keep. Yak & Yeti has a counter service with stir fries & lo meins. And for bbq, you can't beat Flame Tree Barbecue.
DHS: I like the sandwiches at Starring Rolls Cafe that are available late morning. ABC Commissary has burgers, but also has fried fish, chicken curry, and Asian salads.
EPC: This is by far the toughest to narrow down with SO many choices. Sunshine Seasons offers a HUGE variety of choices: sushi, grilled items, sandwiches, salads, soups. Gives each family an individual choice with only one cash register to deal with. Now when you get to the World Showcase, nearly each country has an option. Lotus Blossom is fine, but we usually skip it since we have Chinese food readily available at home. Tangierine Cafe is a favorite - especially baklava. Sommerfest has brats & beer. My kids like Yakitori House for sushi. You may want to consider a small sample from several of the CS restaurants to take a quick tour around the world!