Big River and ESPN Cafe

[madalex]

Had lunch at both if these restaurants during our trip last week.

Big River seems to have a lot of detractors on this board, but I have always enjoyed it and last week was no exception. I had a honey mustard chicken sandwich, with bacon and cheese, that was cooked to perfection and tasted wonderful. And, of course, the beers are always quite good.

ESPN Cafe, meanwhile, seems to have a lot of fans on this board, but I have never had a really good experience there and, again, this time was no exception. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich and the sandwich I got was not as good as the one that I had at the Flame Tree Barbecue at AK a couple days earlier (I find it sad that a counter service restaurant is serving better food than a sit down place).

Service at both restaurants was courteous and efficient, although neither restaurant was very crowded at the time.

Anyway, one man's opinion on these two establishments.

 

[jx3smom]

I prefer Big River for the food but my DH and DS love the wings at ESPN and there really is no place like it to watch a game. We were there for the Super Bowl last year and had a blast.

 

[lillygator]

Thanks for the reviews...we are heading up on Friday and had planned Friday night to eat at Cape May, I changed that to Spoodles and we are going to keep that as a backup to see if we can get in to ESPN with not much wait time!

 

[Crazy Hakim]

Thanks for the reviews...we are heading up on Friday and had planned Friday night to eat at Cape May, I changed that to Spoodles and we are going to keep that as a backup to see if we can get in to ESPN with not much wait time!

If you are talking about this weekend (3/3 thru 3/5) then expect a LONG wait at ESPN because it's ESPN Sports Weekend.

http://allearsnet.com/tp/mgm/espn.htm

 

[cdtommie]

We usually go to Big River because the beer selection at ESPN is horrible...the worse I've ever seen in a sports bar.

We do love the wings at ESPN and sometimes get them for takeout.

 

[lillygator]

If you are talking about this weekend (3/3 thru 3/5) then expect a LONG wait at ESPN because it's ESPN Sports Weekend.

http://allearsnet.com/tp/mgm/espn.htm

yepper! That's why I got me a plan - booked the Spoodles so we would have a definite ADR and still try and see if we can shimmy our way up to the front at ESPN.

 

[The VWL Five]

We hit Big River each trip. Love the meatloaf. One of my favorite places to eat in the 'world'

 

[HGLightlyj]

I prefer ESPN for the food. Surprisingly their special of the day - usually a grilled mahi mahi is excellent. I have ordered it several times and it has been excellent each time. Otherwise their pub food is typical better sometimes than others.
It's great to keep up with favorite sports' teams!

 

[perdidobay]

I've eaten at both and like both for different reasons.... does anyone know if
ESPN takes adr's? We might try to eat there Saturday night, but we don't arrive at Boardwalk until after 8pm.

 

[lillygator]

I've eaten at both and like both for different reasons.... does anyone know if
ESPN takes adr's? We might try to eat there Saturday night, but we don't arrive at Boardwalk until after 8pm.

no ADR's!!

 

[Crazy Hakim]

does anyone know if ESPN takes adr's?

Nope, walk up and wait. Expect it to be very busy this ESPN Weekend.