Best Counter Service at Resorts

[fall08CP]

Yeah CSR was very good until recently, but they no longer have the rib eye.
It has been replaced by a generic steak. It's not all that good, had many thick strips of fat running through it, but it is still cooked to order.
They also got rid of the Fajitas and the Tuna steak.
At lunch some of the meals do not come with the sides. You have to pay OOP.

I had a couple of meals there and it was OK, but I was staying at the CSR.
I would not travel to the CSR for a meal at Pepper Market.
I used to always make at least one trip over.
Now I only eat there because I am staying at the CSR.

The dessert is also very plain tasting. They look amazing, but even the Oreo cookie dessert was tasteless.
They have a daily special which is nice, but again nothing amazing.
Everything was somewhat plain, not what you expect in a southwest themed restaurant.

Overall I was very disappointed with the changes at Pepper market.

Also just so you are aware many of the good items are not available until 4PM.
I feel they did this to keep people from popping over for lunch from the parks.
Many people with the DDP would go there for lunch and get the rib eye (myself included).
It was always very busy, but now it is a ghost town at lunch.

I'm not sure they still let you get smoothies, but they will not let you get espresso or a cappuccino as a drink.
They are very strict and they are not managed by Disney (outsourced) so I understand they need to make a profit but the quality has dropped very quickly.

When I was there in March it was still good, the changes seemed to start full force in September.
Not sure how "free" dining affects the reimbursement of a place like Pepper Market, but hopefully it will get better once FD is over.

x2.

We used to use alllll of our CS credits at the Pepper Market every time because the food was outstanding for the price. However, they have cut out more than 50% of the menu and it's very generic now. They got rid of the deli, chopped the pasta menu down to 1-2 kinds, and got rid of most of the Mexican grill options. No fajitas, no wet burrito , and I thought the taco salad was gone too.

It's noteworthy that it's owned by an outside company, and I wonder if the dining plan contributed to the fewer options available.

Oh, and the smoothies were no longer included as of at least May.

Very, very disappointing.

 

[djp0630]

We stayed at BLT and really enjoyed the Contempo Cafe at CR. I had one of the best turkey sandwiches ever! DH really liked the steak salad and we all enjoyed the chicken alfredo. The cheeseburgers were good. The desserts were great too. Although we didn't try them, they had the most yummy looking cupcakes. We had the brownies & cookies and they were great!

 

[a1tinkfans]

POR Pasta station (choose a pasta, choose a sauce, choose your sides) is good and their entire counter service is really good overall!!

The rest of family likes Trails End....but I am not a buffet person............

 

[Pirate Me]

My favorite resort CS is Captain Cook's for their pineapple dole whips and adult grilled cheese. It is so good! One of my favorite CS meals. A lot of cheese and the housemade polynesian chips are delicious.

The Mara also had some nice options.

 

[Magic3forme]

we were at the POR last year and we all ate somewhere different for lunch and there were plenty of choices. ( salad, pasta, pizza, sandwiches and awesome desserts!!)

 

[NeverBeen2DW]

I think the Pepper Market at CSR is a good value. I also think the Mara at AKL has some interesting items.

These two are my favorites! At pepper market I have eaten breakfast (the portions are huge). I have eaten the chicken ceasar, the roasted chicken, the Salmon, the pizza (is big enough for 2), the burger and more .... I need to look at the menu. Put it this was everything I have ordered from there was big enough for my son and I to split! I have never been disappointed by anything from pepper market. If you are on the dining plan it is a great deal. If you are paying OOP it may seem pricey. At AKL the choices are great and the food is really fresh! Mara is the only place I could eat when we stayed at AKL. I did not like Boma or Jiko.

 

[acourtwdw]

i am a big fan of the Beach Club and the made to order salads. First of all they are huge (enough for 2 people to share.) Think Seinfeld and the big salad episode. Secondly, since they are made to order, it is always fresh. Yummo!

 

[jtlover]

We like Gaspirillos at GF and love the chicken jerk wrap. In fact it is so huge you can share it. Everything it made to order and it is great to go there mid day and then go back to MK for the afternoon

 

[tami82]

Contempo Cafe was very good also the cupcakes I got with the counter service were huge and very good.

 

[Get me to Disney!]

Now I will admit that I don't spread my wings much when it comes to trying new places for CS. So, when it was convenient, we ate at our home resort which was ASMovies. I had a nice chicken alfredo which was a whole breast of chicken with noodles, alfredo sauce and a breadstick. I also enjoyed the taco bowl. Also, the pasta and the pizza. It was all good!!

For traveling, we thought Wolf Gang Puck Express at DTDisney was phenominal and will definitely be going there again!!!

 

[webprinter]

If you are any where near DD, Wolfgang Puck Express is wonderful. For resorts, our favorites are the pasta station at Port Orleans Riverside and Pop Century. At POP dh likes the fish sandwich and I like the chicken and pasta alfredo. Both dessert, we both like the ice cream sundaes at POP.

 

[Christine9125]

POP Century-Rueban Flatbread

 

[yankeeGLEEgirl]

fried chicken and biegnets at POFQ