Big River Grille or ESPN for late dinner?

[Malibelle]

Where would you eat and why?

We plan to do this on our first day since we will probably get in to Disney late and we are staying at the Boardwalk. I have not been to either place.

 

[madalex]

Big River Grille

Why? Because ESPN has the worst food of any TS restaurant at WDW.

 

[swandiverpatt]

Big River

You have the option of sitting outside at Big River and the noise level in both of these places is pretty much up to 10.

 

[TDC Nala]

I went to Big River Grill on Friday - just for a midday snack - and I like it. I prefer their beer cheese soup to Le Cellier's - it tastes like cheese, whereas Le Cellier's tastes like bacon and salt. And they tapped a hefewiesen for me...

 

[kifuller4]

Hope you don't mind me asking a question on your post....

Can you just walk up to these resturants and get in? We are planning on going to both, but can't find where I can reserve them online.

TIA.

 

[TDC Nala]

You can't reserve them online. ESPN does not take reservations at all and Big River does not take reservations through Disney. You may be able to call Big River directly but I am not certain of their reservation policies. There were some reports from persons who called them and were told they wouldn't need a reservation.

If you are staying club level, there is another poster who mentioned that club level IPOs might have some access to Big River reservations.

 

[xipetotec]

Where would you eat and why?

We plan to do this on our first day since we will probably get in to Disney late and we are staying at the Boardwalk. I have not been to either place.

Big River HANDS DOWN. We love the food, there are tables right on the boardwalk, hand crafted beer. In fact, I wish I had remembered ESPN club in the "top 5 least favorite places to eat" ... dang!

 

[trac96]

another vote for big river grille. we ate there last april while sitting outside watching our boys on the sea raycers. food was good as was the service.

we also ate at the espn club last april and it was the worse meal we have eaten in 12 plus visit's to disney. the service was even worse than the meal and that was bad! our family will NEVER go back to espn.

on another note, you will love the boardwalk. the resort is great and the boardwalk itself is a nice way to wind down after a long day at the park. we stayed in the villa's and loved them. oh and try the pizza on the boardwalk it's so very good.

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

big river grille is delish!!! one of our favorites!!

 

[djp0630]

We really enjoyed Big River Grille, we sat outside on the boardwalk and had the beer sampler. Perfect end to the arrival day. I called them directly with a time and I'm glad I did. We went on a Friday night and it was a 45 minute wait, but we got seated after 10 minutes since I had called. Doesn't hurt to put your name on.

 

[altus]

Sounds will have better food

 

[stitch34]

Good question... was curious about both of these places myself. Thought we'd do ESPN - but huh, it's really that bad? Maybe will try Big River Grill instead then!

 

[stitch34]

Okay... checking out the menu at Big River Grill... pretty much would be going there for burgers and stuff like that... but menu shows no fries? just chips? Nope, guess it's a no for me and the kids then!

 

[Malibelle]

Looks like its going to be Big River as my pick. Thanks for the feedback! I will have to call them directly once I find out our flight times.

 

[vicb]

Big River Grille

Why? Because ESPN has the worst food of any TS
restaurant at WDW.

agreed!

we also ate at the espn club last april and it was the worse meal we have eaten in 12 plus visit's to disney. the service was even worse than the meal and that was bad! our family will NEVER go back to espn.

on another note, you will love the boardwalk. the resort is great and the boardwalk itself is a nice way to wind down after a long day at the park. we stayed in the villa's and loved them. oh and try the pizza on the boardwalk it's so very good.

again, agreed!

Okay... checking out the menu at Big River Grill... pretty much would be going there for burgers and stuff like that... but menu shows no fries? just chips? Nope, guess it's a no for me and the kids then!

Don't make your decision based on fries alone. Before our last trip in Feb I would have said ESPN hands down because we had been there everyother trip and had fun with the atmosphere and thought the food was decent. This past trip the food was just awful. Worst of all I got sick about an hour after eating there (pulled pork sand that was cold on arrival, I should have known better than to eat it) Nothing like feeling sick at eve. emh at the studios when riding RnRc is your goal! Later in the trip we ate a late dinner at Big River after leaving Epcot. Had good food and service, a window table to boot. Didn't have a ressie, had to wait about 15 min but keep in mind it was Feb so not as crowded that week as some other times and you couldn't eat outside it was too chilly. Good luck.

 

[Morganw42]

How late are you thinking? If it's open I'd suggest Kouzzina ahead of either of those two. I've heard terrible things about ESPN so we've never bothered going there. We have, however, gone to Big River and had the worst on-site dining experience of any visit. Poor service, uninspired menu that was badly executed and a decor that is so disconnected from the concept of a brew pub that it boggles one's mind.

Kouzzina provided one of our best onsite meals. The theming and service are first rate and the food is excellent.

 

[WVParkfan]

ESPN Zone is fun, but the food is overpriced bar food.

Big River Grille has great beer and good food. I had a "blackened Mahi-Mahi Caesar Salad" there that was delicious and very original! The New York Oscar is outstanding. I don't agree with those who said that their menu was "uninspired." Sure, you can get a burger. But, there are many other items (Chicken Cashew Salad, Chicken Alfredo, Hazelnut Crusted Mahi Mahi, ribs, steaks, and great desserts).

As for the chips, they are homemade chips (i.e. very thin-cut homemade french fries). Good stuff. Not out of a bag.

Here is their menu. See for yourself.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?restaurant.ID=2

 

[starsinnight]

disappointed to see all the ESPN hate here...

but if my opinion counts at all, we love it and go every visit. We've been to many of the popular WDW places (Kona, 50s PT, etc) and while we love those too, ESPN we always go to every trip.

Why you should go:
1) if you have a sports fanatic in the family.
2) because you have 2 choices/lines at the door. one for the bar (less of a wait) and one for a dinner table.
3) they have the best bbq chicken wings i have ever had and that's literally why we go, for the bucket of them.
4) you can go eat some for me, now that i don't eat meat anymore. although i am tempted
5) it is always packed (so i am not the only person who likes it) more so on big game nights, and the bar obviously has less of a wait but they have tables by the bar area too.

So you should definitely try both!

 

[dgagnon519]

We are going to big river on july 1st. They do priority seating. You call and give your name number in your party and when you would like to come and whether or not you want indoor or outdoor seating. What it does is if they have a wait you get bumped to the top of the list.