Negative Boma Review

[ToyStory3]

I've never been to Boma but it was at the top of my list to try next time based on all of the positive reviews I've read. I recently started listening to Dis Unplugged and just listened to a scathing Boma review. I know that everyone's taste is different and it's always subjective. And, anyone can have a bad experience even in a great restaurant. But, it was multiple reviewers who all had a bad experience. And, they commented that they've gone several times and don't understand why everyone raves about it. They think the food is terrible. They were going to the kiddie station to try to find something to eat. Just wondering what others think???

 

[DeborahA]

We have eaten at Boma many times, probably 10 times. We have never had a bad meal there. I can tell you we don't usually enjoy buffets, but we make an exception here. I say give it a try. I don't take the reviews of Dis-unplugged very seriously, I find most of them to be negative. You may like Boma.

 

[Quin]

Well, I've been several times and would cheerfully go again. The food IS a little 'different' for me, so I appreciate the buffet setting that allows me to take little taste-size portions of tons of things, then go back for more of the ones I liked.

My biggest complaint is that sometimes the soups are so good it's hard not to fill up on them and then be disinterested in the rest of the meal.

 

[amfie928]

I've never been to Boma but it was at the top of my list to try next time based on all of the positive reviews I've read. I recently started listening to Dis Unplugged and just listened to a scathing Boma review. I know that everyone's taste is different and it's always subjective. And, anyone can have a bad experience even in a great restaurant. But, it was multiple reviewers who all had a bad experience. And, they commented that they've gone several times and don't understand why everyone raves about it. They think the food is terrible. They were going to the kiddie station to try to find something to eat. Just wondering what others think???

I think its all subjective. I went last year and loved it. The cream of mushroom soup and mulligatawny soup were fantastic. I loved the various salads and the beef at the carving station. I was surprised at that one because if I remember correctly the rub they use on the beef has some cinnamon in it and I don't generally like cinnamon. I didn't have any desserts (not generally a sweet fan) plus 2 bowls of that mushroom soup put me over the edge!

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

We enjoy Boma, have eaten there several times, even Thanksgiving dinner. The only drawback is the price as far as I am concerned.

I enjoy Kevin and John's reviews, but I also think that they are often negative. I think they are accustomed to more fine dining than my family members are. This review was also from over 2 years ago. Have a look at the reviews of Boma on Tripadvisor or on Allearsnet rate and review for more recent reviews and some by families.

 

[ToyStory3]

Makes sense. I definitely feel like it's worth a try to see if our family will enjoy it or not. Most of what I've read is very positive. Thanks everyone!

 

[penel3]

Well, I've been several times and would cheerfully go again. The food IS a little 'different' for me, so I appreciate the buffet setting that allows me to take little taste-size portions of tons of things, then go back for more of the ones I liked.

My biggest complaint is that sometimes the soups are so good it's hard not to fill up on them and then be disinterested in the rest of the meal.

Boma is the one "must do" of my DH.....now my son and I are super, super, SUPER picky and generally bland eaters. BUT I do the same as you at Boma, I try little bits of lots of the different items (trying not to be wasteful) and then go back for more of what I found I liked. We have eaten there at least 10 times and I always leave quite full and satisfied. My DS always finds plenty to fill up on as well, although it is usually the "kids" buffet area.....lol

too many WDW trips to mention, 2007 Wonder Concierge, January 2013 Wonder Concierge, March 2014 Walter E. Disney Suite (finally!!!!)

 

[spruce]

I'm not sure if familiarity devalues the experience or if dining quality has diminished. Jiko, Boma, Flying Fish, Le Cellier, and other good dining at Disney seems to be less than what our first few experiences were at those locations.
It does seem that from those first few visits that, generally, menu's changed, removing favorite dishes with the new stuff not being as good as what was previously offered but cost more.
These restaurants are still good but just not as good.

 

[mickeynut1]

I've never been to Boma but it was at the top of my list to try next time based on all of the positive reviews I've read. I recently started listening to Dis Unplugged and just listened to a scathing Boma review. I know that everyone's taste is different and it's always subjective. And, anyone can have a bad experience even in a great restaurant. But, it was multiple reviewers who all had a bad experience. And, they commented that they've gone several times and don't understand why everyone raves about it. They think the food is terrible. They were going to the kiddie station to try to find something to eat. Just wondering what others think???

Boma is one of our favorites and is a must do for us every trip. We have gone the last several years and haven't had a bad meal yet.

I definitely feel like it's worth a try to see if our family will enjoy it or not.

I agree. Every restaurant gets good and bad reviews and what one person doesn't like, another one will. I say go for it as you never know if it's to your liking unless you try it for yourself .

 

[spidet1964]

I was on basic free dining in 2009 and tried it because I wanted to check out the lodge. OMG I would have never paid 40.00 to try a buffet but now I will not go back without eating there. I tell everyone if someone were to offer to fly me anywhere just for dinner it would be Boma. The differen flavors of hummus are awesome. I don't care for ginger but the ginger carrot soup is to die for.

 

[disneybliss2]

We really enjoyed our meal at Boma. My DH loved it!!! It's helpful if you're willing to try different foods. However, they do have plainer options that appeal to kids, and some adults.

I've learned to take the reviews with a grain of salt. Typically, they're helpful, but you're always going to have some negative reviews. If the menu and atmosphere appeal to you, I say go for it otherwise you'll always wonder. Give it a try and form your own opinion.

 

[Jennasis]

Same with Ohana. John and Kevin ripped the place a new one (and rightfully so, IMO...blech!) but Ohana is consistently a top rated restaurant among DIS'ers. There are a lot of factors in play...personal taste, time of day, crowd levels, server attentiveness and the ubiquitous "off-day" a restaurant can have.

DH and I love Boma with the white hot intensity of 10,000 suns, but recognize that it isn't for everyone. My sister hated it. The flavor profiles are unique (which blows my mind since I am usually a suspicious and picky eater). But we've always had great service.

Mostly I enjoy John and Kevin's reviews for the snark and entertainment value and that's about all. I'll try a restaurant myself and make the good v bad determination for myself thankyouverymuch, and John and Kevin actually encourage folks to do just that.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Our Ratings of Boma - Dinner: (rev 3/23/2013)
. . . food price value: C
. . . food quality: C
. . . food quantity per serving: A
. . . food prep speed: A
. . . food selection: C
. . . seating quantity: B
. . . seating comfort: C
. . . eatery atmosphere: D
. . . eatery convenience: C
. . . staff friendliness: C
. . . staff attentiveness: B
. . . character interaction: n/a

NOTE1: Boma's outstanding for breakfast buffet. For dinner it's below
average and worth passing by. I have worked in Africa, and menu items
are highly Americanized, which distorts the flavor - it is neither African
no American and coms off as a mish-mosh. African and Middle Eastern
are usuaally spiced with cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, cardamom, which
can make food appear sweet to the taste buds. If doing dinner, go for
the soups. There are fifteen different soups at five per night. Leave the
meats, salads, the desserts - except for the Zebra Domes. FYI: bring
the ear plugs, as it does get REALLY noisy; we think AKL was a good
location, as it sounds like a herd of elephants coming throuh.

NOTE2: When we sit, we always ask the waiter what he recommends.
Our surprise was his comment that, "taste all of our soups, as they
are terrific, and leave the rest of the buffet to the tourists." This was
a birthday dinner, so the statement really stood out - and was true.

 

[rustyanchor]

I agree that people shouldn't listen to reviews and should just try something if they really want to try it.

Personally I wasn't nuts about Boma. I am a pretty adventurous eater but didn't find anything on the buffet that I was crazy about other than the peanut rice. I didn't even like the famous zebra domes. I did have fun trying all of the different foods, and my boyfriend did too, so that made it worth the cost of the meal for us (at least for the first time). I don't think I will be back for dinner anytime soon but I might be willing to try breakfast.

Then take 'Ohana, which I had read consistently awful reviews leading up to our first visit there. For awhile I even contemplated cancelling our ADR! But I really wanted to try it, so I kept the ADR, and it ended up being our favorite meal at Disney ever. Seriously, all of the food was sooo delicious (but I can see how having one or more of the meats cooked badly could throw the meal off for someone).

With that said, I still like reading reviews and getting opinions on restaurants just because I'm that kind of person. I read reviews on practically EVERYTHING that I buy and every place that I eat/vacation. Doesn't mean that I will necessarily follow the advice. In the end, I like to make up my own mind about things, and I think that others should, too!

 

[North of Mouse]

I know that everyone's taste is different and it's always subjective. And, anyone can have a bad experience even in a great restaurant. Just wondering what others think???

Just this!! If you let reviews like you've been reading keep you from going to Boma, or any other restaurant, you will 'never' try any of them

EVERY person has restaurants that they love and hate, based on their own observations, personal likes, an 'off' night, etc.

Take 'Ohana, for instance. It has lots of 'haters', but you can hardly get ADR's because so many people also love it. It's one of our faves.

Try Boma for yourselves and enjoy!

By the way, TheRustyScupper, have you seen very many restaurants in the USA that have not been 'Americanized'? (A few, maybe, but not main restaurants for the general public) I'm a south LA gal and you leave the area and you can't even get decent Cajun food!!!

 

[CruznLexi]

BOMA is a must do for us plus we stay at KV. I think BOMA may get some negative reviews because the food is different. We have been at both breakfast and diner though we prefer Tusker house for breakfast and Boma for diner. They have carved meats, fish lots of soups the seafood gumbo was fantastic. The coconut rice was fantastic. I can't say enough good things.

 

[sotoalf]

You can't compare 'Ohana and Boma: two different experiences.

 

[Jennasis]

You can't compare 'Ohana and Boma: two different experiences.

Sure you can.

 

[JennyDrake]

I eat at Boma 3x/year. While I've had lackluster service a couple of times, I've never eaten a bad meal there! Going back soon!

 

[Magic3forme]

we were at Boma last week.. (and have been once before)

we liked the food alot last week, especially the mushroom soup and the seafood gumbo.

it was our 15 dd first time there and she really enjoyed it.

We would go back!!

Give it a shot... we wont go back to LeCellier and that is a huge hit for everyone. ( we had terrible service and our food was not prepared right)