Big River Grille--So-so meal, with so-so service

[Uncleromulus]

Last Monday evening was our big dinner at V&A, so on Tues. were were in no condition for a big meal. The friends we were with had never been to the Boardwalk area, so a somewhat lighter dinner at Big River Grille seemed appropriate.

They don't take PS, but it wasn't a problem. We were seated immediately and the place was not crowded at all. The inside seemed a bit "drab" to me this time around--I guess the metal chairs and tables don't really add to the ambiance. The sevice was what I call "Young Indifferent"--meaning lots of young servers, many of whom are more interested in having a good time amongst themselves than they are waiting on tables. Even the manager was having a grand time with her own staff--she never made any move to inquire of the patrons how the meal was etc and my guess is that she didn't really care.

Anyway--once Mrs. U got new silverware (hers was absolutely filthy) we were ready to order. Several of our group ordered several different microbrew beers (I got my usual Wowzer's Wheat) and everyone seemed satisfied. For an appetizer (for the whole table) we got a Spinich and jalapeno tortilla dip. Very tasty, and all of it disappeared very quickly. Entrees included 3 brewburgers, one Salmon, one Meatloaf (mine) and one Hazlenut encrusted Chicken(Mrs. U). There is a rule about hazlenut encrusted chicken that I always follow--before you order it, first be sure you like hazlenuts!! Well--Mrs. U found that she dosen't like hazlenuts, so an otherwise nice looking entree was mostly uneaten. My Grilled meatloaf was quite good--it had Italian Sausage in it and a slight kick. Three nice size peices that go well with the Wowzer's Wheat. The Salmon and Burgers were all pronounced "Good" by those who ordered them.
They only had 2 desserts available that evening, so we just ordered coffee.
The bottom line (for me ) is that BRG is an OK spot for a brew and a burger (or meatloaf, if you are hungry) but not a great spot for a "real" dinner. And next time I think we'll eat outside. Just too drab inside for me inside.

 

[Magic2000]

For the last few years, on our visits to Disney, we usually arrive around 3:00 PM, so after unpacking, we had been heading down to the Boardwalk for a relaxed first day. We always ate at the Big River Grille for burgers - and they were great!!

However, last summer, my brother was with us and for our first night - we walked the Boardwalk, rode the bike (which is harder than it looks!), and ate at Big River. The burgers were good, but not the same as we remembered. But the service was lacking. It took forever for our waiter to come check on us for refills on our tea. My husband and brother had ordered beer, and never did get their second beer that they ordered. This was early in the evening and the place was not crowded.

We were disappointed with the service, and have decided to try another restaurant for our first night at Disney!

 

[aring75]

Thanks for the review.

After reading several of your posts (which are always quite informative and easy to read), I find myself wondering whether you are in search of the perfect meatloaf. . .

That being said, let me ask you this. Where is the best meatloaf in the "world." DH will appreciate an answer to this one as he loves meatloaf. It would be nice to take him somewhere I knew he could get a good serving.

Thanks!!!
aring75

 

[Wildcard]

While I may not be a meatloaf expert, I once got it at 50's Primetime and it was possibly the best I ever had (after mom's, of course...)

 

[ahutton]

Big River's is really good. I loved the meatloaf over at Gulliver's at the Swan - outstanding. Better than I can make, and I am Mom!

 

[wdw_dine_junkie]

Thanks for the reviews! We had a similar experience as you. There's so many other places to try before we head back to Big River..

 

[zurgswife]

Our only visit to Big River a few years ago was also...so so....We haven't been back since....There are so many places that can be discribed as bette then so so...

 

[Uncleromulus]

aring75:
I'd be even more of an expert on meatloaf if I did more lunches and less "big dinners". But the meatloaf at BRG is good. Different in that it has the sausage, and different in that it's also grilled. So it's a lot more "firm" than the usual meatloaf.
By the way--I make a mighty-fine german meatloaf myself. Beef, Veal. Pork, Dark beer, salt, pepper,chopped sauerkraut, some mushroom stems, diced carrots, caraway seed, etc etc. Has become quite a favorite amongst my family and friends---. Too heavy for summer, but great for cold winter nites!!
Anyway--wish the beers at the Big River could find their way into other WDW restaurants. One of the main reasons I do go back is that Wowzer's Wheat!!

 

[CdnDisneyFan]

Did you happen to see Lobster Pot Pie on the menu?? I will be there next month (at the World), and read in Birnbaum's guide that they serve the pie, and thought I'd ask.

Thanx

Jules

 

[Uncleromulus]

Jules:
To be honest-no. But then I wasn't looking for it either. I just sort of browsed on down until I found the meatloaf.

 

[KayleeUK]

We were disappointed with it when we visited in 2000, seems like it hasn't improved so we won't be going back this year either

Kaylee

 

[monte]

Hubby and I ate there on 10/1/02 and we weren't that impressed either. It wasn't horrible, but it didn't meet our expectations. all other restaurants, with the exception of Husker House, were awesome!

 

[danny1649]

For the info on BRG,DW and I have not dined at BRG.Sounds worth a try.

 

[aring75]

Might have to try the meatloaf after all. BTW - Yours sounds really good too! All this talk is making me hungry.

 

[WolfpackFan]

Originally posted by aring75
That being said, let me ask you this. Where is the best meatloaf in the "world."

Wolfgang Pucks - absolutely delicious. In fact going to Wolfgangs and getting the meatloaf is one of our firstnight traditions.

 

[NJmouse]

Uncleromulus, do you remeber what your servers name was? I was just curious. I have never had a bad meal there. We always get great service too. We always request Kandayce as our server. She has worked there for a few years and she has seen alot of servers come and go. If she isn't working we don't eat there, none of the other servers can stand up to her standards of service.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Don't remember her name. I probably would have checked if the service was awful (or excellent). But in this case, it was simply "indifferent"

 

[BCV23]

We don't care for the decor or attitude in this restaurant either. My sons and I went in for lunch one day a year or two ago. The tables were dirty, the staff was busy visiting with each other and we could smell the deodorant from the restrooms. We left after sitting for a couple of minutes during which no one came to take our order. The restaurant was empty that winter day.

 

[Jen D]

We went last fall. We had not intended to go at all, because of mediocre reports here and in the Unofficial Guide. But, we checked into the Boardwalk well past lunchtime, were starved from the forced fast they give you on airplanes, and too tired to make the long hike over to Beaches an Cream. We were pretty satisfied, actually! We didn't get too ambitious and stuck to burgers, but the burgers were good and the kid liked her little kids meal. We thought service was fine. (the place was deserted, it was less than two weeks after 9/11). Anyway, doubt I'd go for a serious meal and get expensive entrees, but it's not a bad spot for a burger and a beer.

Of course, we hadn't eaten for most of the day, so our standards may have been modest.