Alfredo's vs Spoodles

[drcmk]

Which would you choose for an Epcot day dinner? We are two adults and two elementary school children. We have enjoyed Alfredo's in the past (but it has been about 4 years since we've been there) and like Italian food in general. I am always interested in trying someplace new, which Spoodles would be for us. How different are these two restaurants? How different are the children's menus?
Thanks.

 

[bicker]

I've read so many bad reviews of Alfredos that it remains one of the two places we've never eaten at WDW. By contrast, we have eated at Spoodles dozens of times, and each time is it utterly fantastic.

 

[drcmk]

Thanks, Bicker. Do you consider Spoodles a good restaurant for kids?

 

[mjh8955]

We also love trying new things and Spoodles turned out to be our favorite. We tried Alfredo's and found it to have unimpressive food and no so great service. Spoodles was a real dining experience and our kids liked it too. Much more spacious and an interesting atmosphere. The first time we ate there our kids were around 5 and 7. They were fine with the kids' menu. We look forward to going back to Spoodles, never again to Alfredo's.

Our kids also had a wonderful time at llunch at Coral Reef. Very relaxing to watch all the fish. We all enjoyed Le Cellier too.

 

[hmgolden]

I would go to Spoodles. Alfredo's used to be favorite of my family, and then they changed the menu several years ago. It hasn't been the same since. Spoodles is on our must do list now!

 

[marcyinPA]

We've never experienced Alfredo's, but we just ate at Spoodles for the first time last week. I booked it after reading excellent reviews, but I have to honestly say we were disappointed with the food and the service. Maybe it was an off night, but we aren't in a hurry to go back again.

However, I believe in trying things for myself, so I'd say give it a shot if the menu interests you!

(oh, and our kids are 6 and 10 and the atmosphere was just fine for them!)

 

[DoxaWeKnee]

We've eaten at Alfredo's three times. Disappointed 1st time but much later gave them the benifit of the doubt because I realized I don't like pine nuts in my pesto. Disappointed 2nd time when DW & I both had the lasagna. I couldn't quite pinpoint what it reminded me of till my DW said "chef-boy-r-dee" . She was spot on. Gave it one last try in May and was pleasantly surprised. The Fettuccine all'Alfredo was great, totally lived up to its reputation. Service was a little slow but acceptable.

We have eaten at Spoodles several times and honestly I can't think of anything bad to say about it. Well... actually my DW does now because they took her favorite dish - Orreschetto (sp) - off the menu. Try the Mediterrainian dips for a family appetizer. Spoodles also has a great atmosphere.

 

[Micca]

Fredo's is our all time favorite WDW restaurant. Haven't tried Spoodles.

 

[webray]

I've read so many bad reviews of Alfredos that it remains one of the two places we've never eaten at WDW. By contrast, we have eated at Spoodles dozens of times, and each time is it utterly fantastic.

We were like you, we avoided Alfredos because of poor reports on this message board. Now, Alfredo's is one of our favorites. The food and service are fantastic. We also like spoodles, we mainly go their for breakfast. Only been for dinner once, it was good, but that was a long time ago. Alfredo's is fantastic..don't cross it off your list. Remember, most people think Alfredo's/Italian as olive garden, which we all know is not real Italian..lol.

 

[TEXASPRINCESSES]

Ate at Spoodles in May and it was perfect for us and our 6 year old--there were tons of families in there and it is nice and loud! Try a Blue Spoodle drink--they are fantastic!

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

We have never missed going to Spoodles on a trip since they opened. It is usually where we eat on arrival night. It is very family friendly and there are always lots of kids. It is a nice walk or boat ride from Epcot.

We have only eated at Alfredo's once.. in 1990. The food was ok, but I hate eating places where the tables are on top of each other. Unless something is done about that, we will not be back. There are so many people at WDW, i like some elbow room at dinner to relax.

 

[Ladyhawke10]

We were like you, we avoided Alfredos because of poor reports on this message board. Now, Alfredo's is one of our favorites. The food and service are fantastic. We also like spoodles, we mainly go their for breakfast. Only been for dinner once, it was good, but that was a long time ago. Alfredo's is fantastic..don't cross it off your list. Remember, most people think Alfredo's/Italian as olive garden, which we all know is not real Italian..lol.

So is Alfredo's NOT like Olive Garden? It is more authentic? Hmmm, sounds interesting. I just tried Bucca di Beppo's for the first time, and really loved it. Anything like Bucca's?

 

[Cookie Princess]

I am a little cranky with Spoodles for taking the calamari off the menu. Do you think if I boycott this year they will add it back??!!

We have never had a bad experience at Alfredo's, but prefer going for lunch as it gets super busy at dinner.

 

[Mamu]

We love Spoodles. The food is more mediterranean then Italian. More elbow room too.

 

[Wendy1953]

Haven't been to Spoodles yet, but every time we go we go to Alfredo's....guess we'll have to add a trip to Spoodles to see for ourselves! Alfredo's gets very busy in the evening, might want to try for lunch instead. We're attending a food & wine paring at Alfredo's on the 16th.....let you know how that goes when we get back!

Lots of people have different likes and dislikes, and just because some people don't particularly care for food at one place....I save give it a try, you'll only know if you like it (or don't) if you try it yourself.

 

[byoung]

You get our vote also for Spoodles.

 

[DisneyJen0504]

Spoodles!!! We have given Alfredos two chances and both times it was just bad bad bad! The food is just awful.
Go for Spoodles!

 

[unixadm]

Spoodles was our favorite restaurant for the week

Here is my review:

Spoodles - Boardwalk - DINNER ***** (5 Stars)
WOW...just WOW! So far, the BEST meal we have had....in presentation, taste of food, and friendliness of wait staff and Chef (yes, I said Chef).

The Chef came out and went around talking to people. He sat down at our table and got our son to eat more of his dinner! He chatted with us for a little while. He did the same with many others as well. I was VERY impressed with this.

Our Waitress was friendly and helpful as well and she got an extra special tip because of her fantastic service.

Myself: Shrimp Appetizer, Fettuchini with add-on Scallops (they let us do the add-ons with the meal plan with no additional charge), Excellent....the Shrimp was to die for...only 4 shrimp, but they were HUGE, and the Fettuchini/Scallops were fantastic. WAY too Much food, though...had to leave about 1/4 of my plate.

Wife: Shrimp Appetizer, Seafood Stew (Paella) - She LOVED it. She said that it was by far, her favorite meal of the week so far (and favorite dining out meal for at least the past year or so).

Kids: Mickey Mouse Mac and Cheese.....they both ate a good amount and liked it.

Photo of the Shrimp Appetizer:

Photo of the Fettuchini with HUGE scallops:

Photo of the Seafood Stew:

Photo of the Mickey Mouse Mac and Cheese:

Desserts:

We wanted the Sampler to share with the family like we did at Italy, but they said that it wasn't included in the plan

We both ended up with the Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee......mmmmmm . LOVED it! I ended up pairing it up with the recommended Grand Manier

TOTAL BILL: $98.69

2 TS Credits Used: 18 TS Credits Remaining.

OOP: After a bottle of wine, some dessert drinks and the kid's meals and drinks, it was $61 after the DDE discount!

 

[danny1649]

Get's our vote,great food and service.

 

[drcmk]

Okay, you have convinced me to go with Spoodles. I am glad to have made a decision, since I was waffling. We will go to Animal Kingdom in the morning then take the bus to the Boardwalk and stroll through Epcot after dinner.