Big River Grille and Brewing

[Brob2132]

Curious if anyone has any thoughts on the merits of Big River a)based on experience b)based on beer. We’re staying at the Swan for a night before we check in for the week at the GF this fall, and we wanted something a bit more casual since we’re planning on several fine dining options throughout the week. We love a good brewery/gastropub.

 

[CindyT]

We went last April. Appetizers are great. My husband had a beer he liked but doesn’t remember the name of it. I had a fantastic pineapple mojito

 

[AllisonLB1994]

We stayed in December 2019 and stopped in there to grab some beers as a break on our Hollywood Studios day. My husband and I frequent local breweries and thought this was a great place. I believe we got the Vienna Lager and their IPA and we enjoyed both. We went mid-afternoon and there was barely anyone. Found a spot at the bar no problem. This upcoming December we will probably eat there and grab some drinks on our arrival day.

 

[MamaJessie]

We went in April. Definitely a solid casual dining choice. My husband is a beer snob so he wasn't impressed with the beer lol If I was staying at a resort nearby I would definitely go again (we were at BCV so it was a nice walk over) but would not make a destination just to visit. I think it fits the bill nicely for what you are looking for however I will say Ale and Compass is also nearby and I loved the food there.

 

[Brob2132]

We went in April. Definitely a solid casual dining choice. My husband is a beer snob so he wasn't impressed with the beer lol If I was staying at a resort nearby I would definitely go again (we were at BCV so it was a nice walk over) but would not make a destination just to visit. I think it fits the bill nicely for what you are looking for however I will say Ale and Compass is also nearby and I loved the food there.

I’ve been debating whether just to casually walk up to here, or go through with an Ale & Compass ADR. Thanks for the feedback, especially from your husband the “beer snob”. Sounds like we would get along haha!

 

[Nabas]

We have been going to Big River Grille for years. We have been twice since they reopened, once when we were staying at the Swan, another when we were staying at the Boardwalk Villas.

They have a limited selection of good beers, along with several tasty American food options on the menu.

It's a great environment to eat, especially if you get an outdoor table on a nice day. (Typically, you do not want to be outside in the hot sun. Better to be indoors to cool off.) They have about 10 outdoor tables.

They were still training staff both times we went, and were very busy. Service was just so-so.

The beer selection is limited at the moment. I think they have only 5 in-house brew choices. (Of course, you only need to like one!)

Perhaps the biggest disappointment is that they used to cook their own potato chips. We think they are store-bought now.

I suggest you reserve a table using OpenTable.com. The two times we went in 2021, they seemed to be much busier than our pre-COVID visits.

The views from our table during our last time there earlier this month (May 2021).

 

[Aimeedyan]

I think it's a solid lower cost casual food spot. We've never been unhappy with anything we had there, but never blown away either. It's good for what it is. DH is not impressed with their beers so we go for food/cost/convenience.

I went a couple months ago with my 1 year old (alone) and had the BEST service of any Disney spot that I can remember. Just a really excellent waiter. I wish I had noted his name so I could dine in his section again!

 

[drwadadli]

We ate there several years ago and unfortunately haven't and don't plan on eating there again. Our burgers were just okay (better burgers at D-Lux Burgers) but the beer selection was pretty descent.

 

[GAN]

We went there a few years ago and it was just average at best. Beer was good, but not up to most craft beer standards -food wasn't great. Honestly, the food at ESPN was better and they have a pretty varied selection of beer as well.

 

[Nabas]

We went there a few years ago and it was just average at best. Beer was good, but not up to most craft beer standards -food wasn't great. Honestly, the food at ESPN was better and they have a pretty varied selection of beer as well.

We are BWV DVC members and have been to ESPN Club and Big River Grille many times.

A long time ago, Big River Grille was special. Now that craft beers have become all the rage, Big River Grille has become just another place serving beer.

We've been to BRG twice in 2021. Several food items have improved. My favorite is the Brewer's Club (Roasted Turkey, Ham, Bacon, Cheddar and Swiss Cheeses, Tomato, and Lettuce with Chipotle Mayonnaise), which I don't remember being on the menu before. (I'm a club sandwich fan.)

Today, the best reason to go to BRG is to hang outside when the weather is nice. (Although I also should note that their prices are less than the WDW TS average, making BRG a good onsite choice if you are tired of Disney prices.)

ESPN Club's food is among the most ordinary of all WDW TS restaurants. The reason to go there is to get a pitcher and watch your favorite sporting event. After the first pitcher, ESPN Club's food becomes more palpable. We're hoping they improve the food if they ever reopen.

The best reason to go to the ESPN Club is when a "big game" is on.

 

[hereforthechurros]

It’s more sports bar than gastropub IMO. Food is on par with a TGIFridays. Their light beer, Southern Flyer, was refreshing and pretty solid. The IPA was decent too. Worth a try because you never know when something will be your new fave, but it’s pretty unremarkable otherwise.

 

[KMarston]

We have reservations for several nights next week and got them from Open Table. Staying at the Dolphin and didn’t get many ADRs so figured they would have something the kids would like and the majority of the adults are big beer drinkers . The prices also looked very reasonable since we’re feeding seven all week. I like that I can cancel last minute if we change our mind.

 

[Capitalangel]

We are there Friday night and it was good. My heffiwiessen beer was enjoyable and the menu had food my kids would eat which is a huge plus not to have that fight after a day of travel.

 

[LovesTimone]

We have been a couple of times over the years...

DH gives a thumbs up to the beer selections... and the food is pretty decent...

My problem is that it is so loud inside like a echo chamber or something... I'm not sure why its so loud... Every time we go its like this... We could not even hear what we saying to each other at the bar, and our friends were with us... We decided to skip dinner there, and I found a last minute ADR in the World Showcase, so we walked over and had dinner there.

 

[gharter]

Previously, the food was good bar and grille food, about what you'd expect. Haven't eaten there since it reopened.
The beer was good, but we have much better microbreweries around us. Still worth checking out.

 

[GAN]

Previously, the food was good bar and grille food, about what you'd expect. Haven't eaten there since it reopened.
The beer was good, but we have much better microbreweries around us. Still worth checking out.

Agreed. I think the overall take is to go in with tempered expectations -it's not your local microbrewery and not a gastropub ...but it serves the need if you're looking for basic, decent food/beer. I would go back again, but given the option would go to ESPN.

 

[jillt2ph]

Add me to the list of club sandwich fans. It is soooo tasty! And the second half makes a great midnight snack