Big River Grille???

[IndyClown]

Don't see much written about it on here. Is it good? I need to pick between here and Spoodles for dinner one night. Which would you recommend?

2 adults
2 kids (6 and 5)

Thanks!

 

[DeadHead]

Love Big River! This October had the Red Rocket Ribs - awesome, salad was good, the beer and cheese is very good. The service was very good. Sitting on the boardwalk, people watching and eating very nice. The beers are also very good. A lot of folks were trying the beer sampler the day I ate there, I had a pale ale very nice.

 

[madalex]

I am also a Big River fan. I eat there (but usually for lunch) at least once on each trip to WDW. The food is pretty good bar food, the service has always been decent and I love the beers.

 

[kmk1180]

Definately go to Big River.
The kids will be fine. It's nice but not too formal
while be relaxed enough for kids too.

Try the filet.
And the cheese cake is a must for dessert

If your lucky you can sit on the patio outside and enjoy the Boardwalk while you eat.

 

[webray]

Love Big River...great food and beers.

 

[NorweJenNY]

I haven't heard much about Big River either... any chance anyone has pictures?

 

[Aimeedyan]

I guess I'll be the voice of dissent. I was not impressed and likely won't be back. I can't imagine picking it over Spoodles... it's a chain American food restaurant. There is no atmosphere to speak of, unless you score a seat on the Boardwalk, and the food was about the quality of TGIFridays or the like. I am not keen on going to WDW and eating at a place I can eat at back home. The day we were there, the smell of the beer fermenting was almost too much for me to stomach. The food was fine, it was basic chain fare, service was fine. I didn't like any of their beers, though they were nice and let us sample each one before ordering.

 

[colinsdad]

I'll second the dissent on BRG. Worst meal I ever had at WDW.

I had a surf and turf special so it should have been good. The steak tips were rare/undercooked (ordered med. rare) shimp were cooked but were cool (i.e. sitting under lamp too long), and garlic mashed were cold too. The chocolate cake dessert was very forgetable, we took it to go after one bite and ended up throwing it away. Service was below average and it wasn't busy at all.

The good parts: BRG seating was outside which was nice. The chicken quesidilla was delicious (and free since I signed up for their email club) and I did enjoy my beer sampler so it wasn't all bad. Maybe they had an off day.

However if I had to choose between them and Spoodles, its no contest. I had the most delicious lobster ravioli, green lipped mussels appetizer and lemon pound cake dessert during the same trip. Not to mention, they had outstanding sangria at Spoodles. We will be going back to Spoodles, but not BRG.

If you do decide on BRG, go to their website and sign-up for their email club about 30 days before you go. They'll send you a coupon for the free app. Don't sign up too early because it does expire. Also, if you have a birthday in the group have them sign up too (free entree coupon will be emailed too).

 

[IndyClown]

LOL...ok Spoodles it is! Thanks everybody!

 

[Robert P]

Of the two, I'd pick Spoodles (easily).

Big River has slipped considerably in the past few years. The once excellent meatloaf has fallen mightily, and we have been cursed with bad service on 2 of our last 3 visits. Haven't been back (for a meal) since. The beer is pretty darned solid, but the food, just, so so. Too many other good places in that area to try out.

It's good for a beer and a burger, and/or if you just can't get in anywhere else nearby.
(Proper credit for the 'beer and a burger' line goes out to Uncle Romulus. I borrowed it here).

 

[Beachangel]

Love Big River - delicious salads, but would definetely pick Spoodles if given a choice!