T-Rex Cafe- My review. - The DIS Discussion Forums

mouser_momof2 · 07-09-2009, 11:47 PM

I can't remember exactly what day I was here. It was a week day in late May /early June, so not to long ago.

It was just me, my 3.5 year old and my 17 month old. We went to Downtown Disney just to get out of the house and have a fun day together.

We were there about 1 or 2 in the afternoon, and the wait to get in wasn't to long. Maybe 5 minutes. We were seated in the comet room (I can't remember the exact name they called it) and had a view of fire where they do the chickens, as well as the Ice cave and the ocean room.

First, the tables are kind of close together and made it hard to maneuver high chairs around. Our hostess was nice, as was our waiter. However, we didn't find out he was nice for quite a while as it took him a bit to come over to take our order.

I ordered one order of the kids pasta for them to share as neither will finish a whole order on their own and I ordered myself just an appetizer for my meal. I tried the two dip appetizer with the queso and creamy shrimp dip. So not worth it.

First it took a long time to get our food. At least my boys had the light up cups to keep them occupied. Then, when we received our food, mine was wrong- they brought me sliders. My boys didn't eat much of their pasta, which is unusual for them as it's their favorite dish. It was kind of cold when it came out, but they usually prefer their pasta to be room temp.

Finally after about another 10 minutes I received my appetizer. I had to eat it fast as the boys were starting to loose interest fast in their food. The occasional sounds from the animals and the dimming of the lights helped keep their interest. But it turned out that eating it fast wasn't a problem as it was horribly gross.

The queso wasn't hot- I wouldn't even call it warm- and that made it clumpy. The red and blue chips, while decorative, were chewy. The creamy shrimp dip was more like a thin soup with a few pieces of shrimp thrown in. I would have said something to our waiter, but he was no where to be found and no one else stopped by so after a few bites and $10 wasted, I gave up. As soon as our waiter reappeared I asked for the check. I didn't even get an apology for the wait to get my food, or the fact that my order was wrong to begin with.

So my verdict: If you're looking for lunch or dinner skip it. It's not worth the price for the quality of food you get. We basically spent $23 on one kids meal, one appetizer and 3 drinks.

However, several people around us ordered the volcano dessert- that did look yummy and people were liking it. My advice would be to go there just for a shared dessert to enjoy the decor and a little bit of cool air or to sit out the afternoon rain.

MarkinNM · 07-10-2009, 12:16 AM

WOW, sorry to hear that..........

Did you tell the waiter about your food??

We are booked in Sept and hope things get better!

carmiedog · 07-10-2009, 12:20 AM

I'm sorry you had a bad experience.

We had a fabulous time there with good food and great service.

Disneyliscious · 07-10-2009, 12:35 AM

Sometimes things can and will go wrong. Its just part of business. We each have to understand that it could be our "lucky" day and we're the ones who are going to get the short end of the stick that day.

With that said, you should have taken the time to ask for and wait on a Manager. To see how he would have handled your situation would have been the true test of the restaurant. You gave them no opportunity to correct what was a bad situation.

terri01p · 07-10-2009, 01:12 AM

We went here in April and my family had looked forward to it for almost a year, I really really wanted to like it, and I did to a point.

I knew it would be loud but boy oh boy it was loud and the metor ( sp)showers really started freaking my dd out to the point she really couldn't enjoy her meal.

But the worse part had to be the food, there was no one that really enjoyed the meal, the food was just plain bad and trust me we are not picky eaters.
We had gotten the sampler wiith ribs and the ribs were good and the rest was just bad, tasted like it was bad. It was not worth the 75.00 plus that we spent for 4 meals....

To me it's a one time experience after that forget it...I might would go for a desert but that would be it.

Joshua_me · 07-10-2009, 01:14 AM

Sorry you had a rotten time, but I don't know if I'd judge an entire restaurant by one appy and a kids pasta meal.

Still, bad service is always unacceptable.

I'd give the place another chance....

mouser_momof2 · 07-10-2009, 01:46 AM

Oh, I know to take it with a grain of salt. I was just really unhappy with the whole visit overall. And, I forgot to mention that they forgot the side to my kids meal- a banana. Which I did ask the waiter for to take with us and he never brought it.

Trust me, I'm not that picky of a person and have no problem asking for a manager- but by the time the waiter even came back to check on us (I didn't even get a drink refill) it had been so long that I was just ready to go.

We have eaten at the Rainforest Cafe before and loved it.

Disneyliscious · 07-10-2009, 05:16 AM

Maybe you could write a letter explaining what happened (you might can do it by email on their website) and include a copy of your receipt or receipt number. See what, if anything, happens then. I'd be curious to know. I feel that you should have been given some kind of perk for what you went through and its still not too late to contact them, given the fact that you waited so long while you were there.

natalielongstaff · 07-10-2009, 11:59 AM

What a shame you didn't enjoy T.rex

EpcotSweetHrts0512 · 07-10-2009, 12:36 PM

Sorry you had subpar service and didn't enjoy the food. DH, DD, my sister, BIL, and I had a fabulous dinner there in May. We all enjoyed our food and it turned out to be one of our favorite places! Definitely a must-do for next time.

Pumbaa_ · 07-11-2009, 11:48 AM

how disappointing! First hard juggling 2 small ones at any time! But then trying to eat a meal in stages, not easy

Sorry you had a disappointing experience

thunderbug548 · 07-11-2009, 09:50 PM

I'm sorry you didn't like it! We've been twice now at lunch time and the food has been hot, fresh and yummy and the service has been quick. I hope you'll try it again one day.

wilma-bride · 07-13-2009, 01:24 PM

Sorry you had a bad experience - I am still looking forward ot trying it myself, though. Let's hope our experience is more enjoyable, although if I have issues with the food I will definitely bring it to the attention of our server.

chum · 07-15-2009, 05:00 PM

We (family of 5) tried T-Rex early Feb 09' and did enjoy the experience, service and food.
I was skeptical going in but everyone in our party liked their meals.

Not all experiences will be the same and consistency is key to a sucessful restaurant.

dawminatrix · 07-19-2009, 12:27 PM

we ate there yesterday.....

Our waiter felt more like a salesman trying to sell me alcoholic drinks and his "best sellers"

my 2 year old DD was a tad frightened by the meteor showers...but she liked watching the ice room change colors. DS who is 3 didn't seem to be interested in the dinosaurs at all, but he's more of a car guy.

2 diet cokes, 2 apple juices, 1 kids meal and 2 entrees (quesadillas and chicken sandwich) was $57.00, The food was good, I have no real complaints about that part....but in looking at the menu....$16.00 for a salad....REALLY?!?!

I'd say it was fun to do once, and we did it for the kiddos.

07-09-2009, 11:47 PM	#1
mouser_momof2 Earning My Ears Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Orange Park, FL until October or November, then Louisiana Posts: 43	T-Rex Cafe- My review. I can't remember exactly what day I was here. It was a week day in late May /early June, so not to long ago. It was just me, my 3.5 year old and my 17 month old. We went to Downtown Disney just to get out of the house and have a fun day together. We were there about 1 or 2 in the afternoon, and the wait to get in wasn't to long. Maybe 5 minutes. We were seated in the comet room (I can't remember the exact name they called it) and had a view of fire where they do the chickens, as well as the Ice cave and the ocean room. First, the tables are kind of close together and made it hard to maneuver high chairs around. Our hostess was nice, as was our waiter. However, we didn't find out he was nice for quite a while as it took him a bit to come over to take our order. I ordered one order of the kids pasta for them to share as neither will finish a whole order on their own and I ordered myself just an appetizer for my meal. I tried the two dip appetizer with the queso and creamy shrimp dip. So not worth it. First it took a long time to get our food. At least my boys had the light up cups to keep them occupied. Then, when we received our food, mine was wrong- they brought me sliders. My boys didn't eat much of their pasta, which is unusual for them as it's their favorite dish. It was kind of cold when it came out, but they usually prefer their pasta to be room temp. Finally after about another 10 minutes I received my appetizer. I had to eat it fast as the boys were starting to loose interest fast in their food. The occasional sounds from the animals and the dimming of the lights helped keep their interest. But it turned out that eating it fast wasn't a problem as it was horribly gross. The queso wasn't hot- I wouldn't even call it warm- and that made it clumpy. The red and blue chips, while decorative, were chewy. The creamy shrimp dip was more like a thin soup with a few pieces of shrimp thrown in. I would have said something to our waiter, but he was no where to be found and no one else stopped by so after a few bites and $10 wasted, I gave up. As soon as our waiter reappeared I asked for the check. I didn't even get an apology for the wait to get my food, or the fact that my order was wrong to begin with. So my verdict: If you're looking for lunch or dinner skip it. It's not worth the price for the quality of food you get. We basically spent $23 on one kids meal, one appetizer and 3 drinks. However, several people around us ordered the volcano dessert- that did look yummy and people were liking it. My advice would be to go there just for a shared dessert to enjoy the decor and a little bit of cool air or to sit out the afternoon rain. __________________

07-10-2009, 12:16 AM	#2
MarkinNM NO SOUP FOR YOU!!!! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Albuquerque NM Posts: 2,408	WOW, sorry to hear that.......... Did you tell the waiter about your food?? We are booked in Sept and hope things get better! __________________

07-10-2009, 12:20 AM	#3
carmiedog needs more kool-aid Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,706	I'm sorry you had a bad experience. We had a fabulous time there with good food and great service. __________________ Proud Survivor of Splash Mountain

07-10-2009, 12:35 AM	#4
Disneyliscious Mouseketeer Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 406	Sometimes things can and will go wrong. Its just part of business. We each have to understand that it could be our "lucky" day and we're the ones who are going to get the short end of the stick that day. With that said, you should have taken the time to ask for and wait on a Manager. To see how he would have handled your situation would have been the true test of the restaurant. You gave them no opportunity to correct what was a bad situation. __________________ Our 1st MNNSHP- October 7th, 2009 - October 16th, 2009 Dream Vacation! - MK, AK, Epcot, DHS, US and US IoA May 28, 2010 - June 12, 2010!

07-10-2009, 01:12 AM	#5
terri01p the tail was in my hair, that's what woke me, I'm still having nightmares about it Gosh darn once again I've got another thread locked up Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 3,196	We went here in April and my family had looked forward to it for almost a year, I really really wanted to like it, and I did to a point. I knew it would be loud but boy oh boy it was loud and the metor ( sp)showers really started freaking my dd out to the point she really couldn't enjoy her meal. But the worse part had to be the food, there was no one that really enjoyed the meal, the food was just plain bad and trust me we are not picky eaters. We had gotten the sampler wiith ribs and the ribs were good and the rest was just bad, tasted like it was bad. It was not worth the 75.00 plus that we spent for 4 meals.... To me it's a one time experience after that forget it...I might would go for a desert but that would be it. __________________

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07-10-2009, 01:14 AM	#6
Joshua_me THE SHADOW KNOWS........ Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sarasota, FL Posts: 821	Sorry you had a rotten time, but I don't know if I'd judge an entire restaurant by one appy and a kids pasta meal. Still, bad service is always unacceptable. I'd give the place another chance.... __________________ Luke: "I don't... I don't believe it !! " Yoda: "That...is why you fail..."

07-10-2009, 01:46 AM	#7
mouser_momof2 Earning My Ears Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Orange Park, FL until October or November, then Louisiana Posts: 43	Oh, I know to take it with a grain of salt. I was just really unhappy with the whole visit overall. And, I forgot to mention that they forgot the side to my kids meal- a banana. Which I did ask the waiter for to take with us and he never brought it. Trust me, I'm not that picky of a person and have no problem asking for a manager- but by the time the waiter even came back to check on us (I didn't even get a drink refill) it had been so long that I was just ready to go. We have eaten at the Rainforest Cafe before and loved it. __________________

07-10-2009, 05:16 AM	#8
Disneyliscious Mouseketeer Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 406	Maybe you could write a letter explaining what happened (you might can do it by email on their website) and include a copy of your receipt or receipt number. See what, if anything, happens then. I'd be curious to know. I feel that you should have been given some kind of perk for what you went through and its still not too late to contact them, given the fact that you waited so long while you were there. __________________ Our 1st MNNSHP- October 7th, 2009 - October 16th, 2009 Dream Vacation! - MK, AK, Epcot, DHS, US and US IoA May 28, 2010 - June 12, 2010!

07-10-2009, 11:59 AM	#9
natalielongstaff I need a cup of tea and a big bar of free chocolate nowI will be back later too stalk some more Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: leicestershire,england Posts: 71,490	What a shame you didn't enjoy T.rex __________________ April 2003 DLRP, November 2004 WDW and Barbados, September 2005 WDW, September 2007 WDW,October 2009 WDW

07-10-2009, 12:36 PM	#10
EpcotSweetHrts0512 Mouseketeer Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 403	Sorry you had subpar service and didn't enjoy the food. DH, DD, my sister, BIL, and I had a fabulous dinner there in May. We all enjoyed our food and it turned out to be one of our favorite places! Definitely a must-do for next time. __________________ Jenny and Dave DD5 Meg Belle Had our own DFTW at Sea Breeze Point 05/12/08!

07-11-2009, 11:48 AM	#11
Pumbaa_ Hakuna Matata! My first attempts at gravy required slicing It probably got lost in the scrolling Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: CT Posts: 7,044	how disappointing! First hard juggling 2 small ones at any time! But then trying to eat a meal in stages, not easy Sorry you had a disappointing experience __________________ Jody ºOº Co-Moderator Restaurant Board

07-11-2009, 09:50 PM	#12
thunderbug548 Mouseketeer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tampa Bay Area Posts: 319	I'm sorry you didn't like it! We've been twice now at lunch time and the food has been hot, fresh and yummy and the service has been quick. I hope you'll try it again one day. __________________ ~~ Karlise Dh Robert Ds Logan 9/02 Ds Ian 5/05 DD Bella 3/08 ~CSR Nov 2006, Poly Feb 2007, POFQ Sept 2007

07-13-2009, 01:24 PM	#13
wilma-bride Would love a diet on Cadbury Flakes Admits she's strange when it comes to eggs Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Calne, Wiltshire Posts: 12,171	Sorry you had a bad experience - I am still looking forward ot trying it myself, though. Let's hope our experience is more enjoyable, although if I have issues with the food I will definitely bring it to the attention of our server. __________________ Joh Fred and Wilma Go On Honeymoon Fred and Wilma Second Time Around Fred and Wilma and the Girls Came Too Fred, Wilma and Friends February Fun & Frolics Fred and Wilma do DVC, DCL & DDP - The Food Fred, Wilma and Family do Disney Bad Mothers Handbook - a work in progress Nat and Joh make a (food) Porno

07-15-2009, 05:00 PM	#14
chum Your island buddy! Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Hilton Head Island, USA Posts: 168	We (family of 5) tried T-Rex early Feb 09' and did enjoy the experience, service and food. I was skeptical going in but everyone in our party liked their meals. Not all experiences will be the same and consistency is key to a sucessful restaurant.

07-19-2009, 12:27 PM	#15
dawminatrix Celebrate You! Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 200	we ate there yesterday..... Our waiter felt more like a salesman trying to sell me alcoholic drinks and his "best sellers" my 2 year old DD was a tad frightened by the meteor showers...but she liked watching the ice room change colors. DS who is 3 didn't seem to be interested in the dinosaurs at all, but he's more of a car guy. 2 diet cokes, 2 apple juices, 1 kids meal and 2 entrees (quesadillas and chicken sandwich) was $57.00, The food was good, I have no real complaints about that part....but in looking at the menu....$16.00 for a salad....REALLY?!?! I'd say it was fun to do once, and we did it for the kiddos. __________________ Dawn DH DD(15) DS(3) DD(2)

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