I spent $44 at Disney World's popular Yak and Yeti restaurant, and it was totally worth it to get out of the heat

From the outside of Yak and Yeti, you can see Expedition Everest and hear riders as they zip down the big drop at the end of the attraction.

But as you get closer to the Animal Kingdom restaurant, there are so many details to notice. There are intricate carvings along the sides of the entryway and a large wooden door that beckons you to come inside.

The restaurant is also two stories, which is somewhat of a rarity at Disney World because many of the buildings just use forced-perspective techniques to seem bigger than they are. 

Since I didn't have a reservation and Yak and Yeti is a very popular restaurant at the park, I requested to sit at the bar, which is first come, first served.

There were plenty of open seats. I strategically chose one under the air vent to cool off faster because it was so hot the day I was in the park. 

I love sitting at the bar at restaurants because you can often order, eat, and pay much faster than you would at a regular table. 

The dark bar was surrounded by little trinkets and photos of the fictional family who "owned" the restaurant.

It was fun trying to piece together the story that Walt Disney Imagineering created for this space as I waited for my food to arrive.

When I looked at the menu online beforehand, I was impressed by the number of options.

After I sat down and guzzled a glass of water, the bartender handed me two menus — the one that I'd seen online and another with seasonal specials.

Dishes on both menus ranged in price from $8 to $14 for appetizers and soups and $16 to $36 for shareable plates and entrées. 

The restaurant is known among Disney fans for its ahi tuna nachos and wonton soup.

One thing I'll always order if they're on a menu are pot stickers. The ones from Yak and Yeti ($12) were filled with a flavorful mix of pork and aromatics. 

The menu stated I could choose from pan-fried or steamed, and I chose pan-fried so there'd be a bit of crunch on the wrapper. It added some texture to what's normally a very soft bite.

When the plate came out, I was excited to see five beautiful pot stickers. They were served with a soy-lime dipping sauce that added just the right amount of saltiness and acid to cut through the fatty pork. 

The bartender let me know the dragon-roll bowl ($27) on the specials menu was especially tasty, so I ordered it based on his suggestion. After further research, I found that it's often available, so be sure to ask about it if you don't get the second menu.

Once the bowl was placed in front of me, my eyes lit up and my stomach started growling because it looked so good. There was a myriad of colors and textures in the bowl, and I knew it was going to be great. 

The dish is basically a deconstructed sushi roll. It had a large bed of rice on the bottom and was topped with spicy tuna, dynamite crab, teriyaki salmon, cucumbers, edamame, carrots, mango, tempura crunch, and a dollop of smashed avocado. 

I loved that the dish came out with the toppings in sections so I could assemble each bite with different flavors and textures. After eating some of the toppings in sections, I decided to mix the bowl together so it was easier to eat.

The portion was much larger than I was expecting it to be, and it could've easily been split between two people for lunch.

I was curious about the other seating arrangements inside Yak and Yeti, so after I ate, I walked around to see the restaurant. 

The first floor was one large room divided by a large staircase leading up to the second floor, where there was additional seating. 

I didn't go upstairs because the restaurant was getting busy, and I didn't want to be in the way. On other occasions, I've eaten upstairs, and it's much quieter, with great views if you can get a coveted table by a window.

In total, I tried one appetizer and one entrée for $44 with the tip. 

I was able to use my annual pass to get a 10% discount off my total before the tip, which saved me a few dollars. 

There are so many places to eat at Disney World, and Animal Kingdom in particular, but Yak and Yeti is a great spot if you want a quick lunch or dinner — especially if you're willing to sit at the bar.

The friendly service and delicious food make for a fantastic experience.