American Adventure, wishing for something.

[GeminiAngel]

I'm not getting why there isn't a decent place to eat at American Adventure.

You would think someting along the lines of Liberty tree tavern or somekind of steakhouse would be perfect. Anyone know of any plans for the future in American Adventure?

 

[pigletto]

I agree 100%.
The last time I was there I was thinking that it is a really good size if they wanted to change it to a TS restaurant.
I have heard no plans for a change.. but I think it is kind of odd to have a totally mediocre burger place there when they could do something really interesting there.. JMO.

 

[Condorman]

I'm not getting why there isn't a decent place to eat at American Adventure.

You would think someting along the lines of Liberty tree tavern or somekind of steakhouse would be perfect. Anyone know of any plans for the future in American Adventure?

The only reason they have that counter service there to begin with is to give unadventurous diners someplace to get their burger and fry fix. Lord knows, you can get that garbage anywhere. The whole point of the World Showcase is to get you to try different foods from various nations, something you can hardly do at any other park.

Why would they put a steakhouse in America when they have one in Canada? Why would they put a Liberty Tree Tavern in America when they have one at the Magic Kingdom?

If you don't like Chinese, Italian, French or German food, don't visit the World Showcase. But just because they don't have an TGIFridays or a Chili's there, doesn't mean Disney is doing something wrong. Disney has no plans of changing the current offering, nor should they have to. You just have to broaden your taste buds a little.

 

[TDC Nala]

As far as I know there are no plans to make changes to the American Adventure's restaurant. Big changes going on in Mexico and Italy though.

 

[GeminiAngel]

The only reason they have that counter service there to begin with is to give unadventurous diners someplace to get their burger and fry fix. Lord knows, you can get that garbage anywhere. The whole point of the World Showcase is to get you to try different foods from various nations, something you can hardly do at any other park.

Why would they put a steakhouse in America when they have one in Canada? Why would they put a Liberty Tree Tavern in America when they have one at the Magic Kingdom?

If you don't like Chinese, Italian, French or German food, don't visit the World Showcase. But just because they don't have an TGIFridays or a Chili's there, doesn't mean Disney is doing something wrong. Disney has no plans of changing the current offering, nor should they have to. You just have to broaden your taste buds a little.

Not where I was going with this at all, I wasn't talking my personal tastes. I eat everywhere and everything. I love WS.

Just thought it would be nice to represent America with something else other than junk food. Maybe a buffet style that hosts different foods like pacific northwest, southern cooking, etc... Flavors of America.

tgi and chili's qualify as Junk food to me.

 

[DisneyGirlie]

This is going to sound like I'm poking fun at my own country, but is America not heavily dependent on fast food and junk food? The CS just feeds the stereotype. I guess a better restaurant would be nice, but I think a PP makes sense when they say the whole point of it is for the picky people. As a child, I didn't really like any of the WS food.

 

[cigar95]

My guess is that what we're seeing is a combination of what a couple of other posters have already said.

In World Showcase, the restaurants are intended to reflect the iconic dining experiences of the host nations. But in the US, to the extent that there *is* an iconic image of how we dine, it's already reflected in a majority of the restaurants all over WDW. So if there was an "iconic" American restaurant, it would look a lot like the Captain's Galley or Flying Fish or Narcoossees or Olivia's Cafe, and so on.

With the new construction in Italy, all the nations in World Showcase (Germany?) will now have both a sit-down and quick-service place. It may be that with the size of the attraction theater, the American pavilion isn't large enough to have both. (But I think if that were the only reason, it could be overcome with a little creative construction.)

 

[GeminiAngel]

And that's fine that there are great sit-down American fare in other parks and resorts. But what about Epcot? I still say a regional type buffet that is NOT junk foods.
--------------------------------------------
Agreed! This is what I mean.

Granted that America is a blend of international foods. But there are some down home good dishes that are true to America. I know some of may be redundtant, but how about some good Texas BBQ, Southern fried chicken and okra with really good mac n cheese, smoked salmon & oysters, hash brown casserole, spinach souffle. These are all regional dishes that any google search can pull up. And these are types of foods not yet found in Epcot. I don't always want to leave the park to get American fare. If that's what we want that day. Also take Tex-Mex, it is different than traditional Mexican food.

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

This subject comes up from time to time. The best idea I remember from one of the prior threads was a food court style restaurant offering various regional American specialties (for example--New England clam chowder, NY deli sandwiches, cheesesteaks, shrimp and grits, conch fritters, barbecue, Chicago style pizza and/or hot dogs, etc.) along with locally brewed beers. I think that would be pretty easy to pull off.

 

[brobrosmom]

This subject comes up from time to time. The best idea I remember from one of the prior threads was a food court style restaurant offering various regional American specialties (for example--New England clam chowder, NY deli sandwiches, cheesesteaks, shrimp and grits, conch fritters, barbecue, Chicago style pizza and/or hot dogs, etc.) along with locally brewed beers. I think that would be pretty easy to pull off.

I think this would be a great idea. Regional foods: pacific northwest, california, tex-mex, southern, north eastern, etc. Not everyone who visits the WS is from America so maybe sampling foods from around America would be nice for them as well.

 

[Planogirl]

Throw in Cajun food and I'm there too. I think that focusing on regional flavors would be interesting. They could still offer the burgers and hot dogs for those who want that.

 

[pigletto]

If you don't like Chinese, Italian, French or German food, don't visit the World Showcase. But just because they don't have an TGIFridays or a Chili's there, doesn't mean Disney is doing something wrong. Disney has no plans of changing the current offering, nor should they have to. You just have to broaden your taste buds a little.

Wow. Way to miss the point.

 

[TinkerbellinLouisian]

I do think the CS in America is a good value... WE've fed family of 5 there with food to spare...

I thought about this ...then PP's beat me to the punch...but wouldn't that be GREAT to have a menu with a "Feature Meal" for every state?

We ARE ...after all ...the "Melting Pot"

Louisiana - Crawfish Etouffee...Gumbo
Texas - Chili or BBQ
Florida - Fried Fish/Oysters...
Mississippi - Red Beans & Rice
New Mexico - "Green" chili soup

ETC....

HUGS
Mary

 

[cglaura]

Not defensive, just well-versed on the ways of Disney and that there is a decisive, well-studied reason for everything they do. The question you asked was akin to wondering why they don't have a better sports bar in the middle of your local library. Answer (once again, he rolls his eyes): Because it's a library, and you should be there to learn about other things, i.e. cultures, histories and people, and not the same old whatever you can find everywhere else in town.

Don't blame me for failing to understand an intelligent reply to a stupid question... and it was a stupid question.

That is exactly the op's point. Shouldn't this pavilion have something that better represents America, to TEACH others about our culinary culture/history...this is NOT represented well with a burger joint. The other pavillions are represented with corresponding ethnic food. Kind of sad and pathetic that is what we are represented by...fast food. I think that is what the point of this conversation was....how could it be better?

I love the idea a pp stated of some sort of buffet with specific regional specialties.

The initial mention of a steakhouse I'm sure was just an idea thrown out. I think anyone with a brain did not automatically equate that to a TGI Fridays, etc. They didn't say why isn't there a well know national chain restaurant that you can find in any city in the American pavillion. I think steakhouse just popped to mind. Especially if you live in an area that actually has a steakhouse....ie, an independent somewhat unique, restaurant. I'm not sure what part of the country you are from, but a steakhouse is not even close to chain food TGI Friday, Outback, etc. places.

 

[hoverpumpkin]

I don't know if any of you folks have ever been to the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC, but their museum restaurant - Mitsitam Cafe - is what I would envision for building my ideal new restaurant at American Adventure. (Mitsitam means "Let's eat!" in the language of the Delaware and Piscataway peoples.) It's pretty much my favorite place, ever.

It is styled like a food court, with five areas that represent areas of the continental Americas, and each section offers traditional Native foods that correspond to those areas. You get a tray and can go around to the stations and order things a la carte. The menu changes a lot, but it is always inspired by traditional First Nation recipes and ingredients. here's some examples.

Northwest Coast (fiddlehead fern salad, juniper salmon, roasted wild mushrooms, etc)

Northern Woodlands (baked oysters, turkey, venison, dandelion green salad, pumpkin corn bread, cranberry stuff)

South America (tamales, jicama salad, guava flan, ceviche, adobo pork, avocado dishes)

Mesoamerica (Plantains, tacos, roasted sweet corn, totopos, blue cornbread)

Great Plains (Buffalo burgers, buffalo chili, Navajo tacos, frybread with honey, succotash.)

THIS is what we should have representing America in Epcot!

 

[kaytieeldr]

And that's fine that there are great sit-down American fare in other parks and resorts. But what about Epcot? I still say a regional type buffet that is NOT junk foods.

Garden Grill. Why would Disney put an American restaurant in World Showcase, when SO many restaurants all over the property offer American fare?

For that matter, what IS "American" fare?

But there are some down home good dishes that are true to America. I know some of may be redundtant, but how about some good Texas BBQ, Southern fried chicken and okra with really good mac n cheese, smoked salmon & oysters, hash brown casserole, spinach souffle.

I think this would be a great idea. Regional foods: pacific northwest, california, tex-mex, southern, north eastern, etc. Not everyone who visits the WS is from America so maybe sampling foods from around America would be nice for them as well.

Throw in Cajun food and I'm there too.

I thought about this ...then PP's beat me to the punch...but wouldn't that be GREAT to have a menu with a "Feature Meal" for every state?

We ARE ...after all ...the "Melting Pot"

Louisiana - Crawfish Etouffee...Gumbo
Texas - Chili or BBQ
Florida - Fried Fish/Oysters...
Mississippi - Red Beans & Rice
New Mexico - "Green" chili soup

Way, way, way, way, WAY too many assorted menu items, especially in comparison to ANY other Disney-owned restaurant.

 

[kaytieeldr]

That is exactly the op's point. Shouldn't this pavilion have something that better represents America, to TEACH others about our culinary culture/history...

No. Again, this counter service location is there to cater to the unadventurous diner, the one who's satisfied with a burger. SO many restaurants onsite, including in Epcot (I already mentioned Garden Grill; there's also Coral Reef) and in the Boardwalk/Beach Club/Yacht Club area (Yachtsman, Captain's Grill, Cape May) offer "American" fare. It seems redundant to put an "American" restaurant in World Showcase, plus it'd be impossible to cater to everyone's definition of American cuisine.

Focusing on this again

I thought about this ...then PP's beat me to the punch...but wouldn't that be GREAT to have a menu with a "Feature Meal" for every state?

No, it'd be impossible. Fifty different featured meals? Impossible.

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

It's not that complicated. Five stations, like Cosmic Ray's, each with a few menu choices.

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

I agree that the American Adventure could have an amazing restaurant.

However, I recall reading that Imagineers nixed the idea of a sit down restaurant at the American Adventure because they felt that World Showcase was a place where people should come to learn about other cultures.

I think if there was a restaurant at the American Adventure it might prompt more families to take the "safe" route and go with food they already know instead of trying something new.

Plus, there are so many fantastic "american" restaurants already on property
-California Grill
-Artist Point etc..

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

But there are some down home good dishes that are true to America. I know some of may be redundtant, but how about some good Texas BBQ, Southern fried chicken and okra with really good mac n cheese, smoked salmon & oysters, hash brown casserole, spinach souffle.

I think this would be a great idea. Regional foods: pacific northwest, california, tex-mex, southern, north eastern, etc. Not everyone who visits the WS is from America so maybe sampling foods from around America would be nice for them as well.

Throw in Cajun food and I'm there too.

I thought about this ...then PP's beat me to the punch...but wouldn't that be GREAT to have a menu with a "Feature Meal" for every state?

We ARE ...after all ...the "Melting Pot"

Louisiana - Crawfish Etouffee...Gumbo
Texas - Chili or BBQ
Florida - Fried Fish/Oysters...
Mississippi - Red Beans & Rice
New Mexico - "Green" chili soup

For that matter, what IS "American" fare?

Way, way, way, way, WAY too many assorted menu items, especially in comparison to ANY other Disney-owned restaurant.

The above can be said of every country in World Showcase.

Le Cellier is not representative of ALL of Canada in terms of food. Trust me, there is very little that is "Canadian" about a spicy chicken sausage with polenta, or the former asian wasabi shrimp cocktail.

At Chefs de France they focus on cafe foods, but they are not representative of the dozens of regions in France and the huge variety in cuisine.

At Tutto Italia, they serve was Americans consider to be traditional Italian, but they don't highlight the northern regions that are more akin to Swiss cusisine.

Heck, Teppan Edo is a fantastic example! It is actually a case of WESTERN culture making an impression on ASIAN cuisine and then becomming synonymous with ASIAN cusine in WESTERN countries. Teppanyaki was introduced in 1945 in Japan as a way of getting the Japanese more interested in western style food. It backfired and became more popular with foreigners. So now, it is considered "Japanese" when in fact it was originally inspired by "American" food.