Big Thunder Ranch BBQ - any good?

[rszdtrvl]

Between this board and mentioning it to DH (who reminded me that we almost did this on our last trip to DL) I am sold!

Thanks so much!

 

[pixiewings71]

This is one of our must do's. With an AP discount its a good value when compared to other Disney venues. The ribs, chicken and sausage are very good.

The baked chocolate chip cookie pie with ice cream is excellent!!

CM told me that AP'ers do not have to eat dinner if all they want is dessert. Non-AP'ers must pay for dinner.

I've heard that everyone must order a full meal, they don't do dessert only for anyone, AP holder or not.

I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE RIBS.

Are the ribs smoked or just baked/grilled?

Is the BBQ sauce super sweet? I hate super sweet sauce that makes you feel like you're eating candied ribs.

Thanks!

Not smoked, just grilled, maybe baked first and then grilled, I don't know for sure but I know you sure can smell the amazing BBQ scent floating through the air. There are times I am not hungry at all then we walk past the BBQ and I'm starving. LOL
It isn't super sweet sauce IMO, it's sweet and tangy but not super sweet.

Between this board and mentioning it to DH (who reminded me that we almost did this on our last trip to DL) I am sold!

Thanks so much!

I hope you enjoy as much as we do!

 

[Disco]

Yeah, I don't remember the ribs being a sweet sauce. I remember that they were exactly the same as the Test Pilot ribs except with a different sauce. I liked the TP ribs better because they were sweeter but they were both good. Not the best ribs ever mind you but they both are very tender and come off the bone easy. You can just tell that it is a more "processed" texture with them than fresh off the grill ribs. Hard to explain I guess.
Everything else was very good. The first round of meat was too much for us to eat. We asked for seconds on the beans I think it was. The server kind of gave us a weird "I can't believe they asked me for more vibe". Nothing major just kinda strange given the very good service.
Had dessert which was stupid. Felt like ticks that were going to pop. It was a free meal for us though so we had to do it all. One was a cobbler and I think the other was a ice cream cookie. I think we didn't care much for the cobbler which we usually love but it has been over a year so I not 100%.
The lunch show are kids participated in was a lot of fun.

 

[BryANDJessMom]

We liked it! My DD (8) doesn't usually eat chicken so we ordered her the veggie skewers. She didn't eat all of them, so my DH finished them off...they said they were really good too!!

 

[DisneyIsMagical]

On 10/9 we walked by during the MHP and it looked as though Billy Hill & the Hillbillies were performing just at the next entrance to where the petting zoo area is, I'm not sure if this is the case for the time being or what? Although we did not eat there this trip, in March the performance during lunch on the stage where the tables are was a man and woman singing duo. HTH

 

[pixiewings71]

Yeah, I don't remember the ribs being a sweet sauce. I remember that they were exactly the same as the Test Pilot ribs except with a different sauce. I liked the TP ribs better because they were sweeter but they were both good. Not the best ribs ever mind you but they both are very tender and come off the bone easy. You can just tell that it is a more "processed" texture with them than fresh off the grill ribs. Hard to explain I guess.
Everything else was very good. The first round of meat was too much for us to eat. We asked for seconds on the beans I think it was. The server kind of gave us a weird "I can't believe they asked me for more vibe". Nothing major just kinda strange given the very good service.
Had dessert which was stupid. Felt like ticks that were going to pop. It was a free meal for us though so we had to do it all. One was a cobbler and I think the other was a ice cream cookie. I think we didn't care much for the cobbler which we usually love but it has been over a year so I not 100%.
The lunch show are kids participated in was a lot of fun.

We always ask for second helpings and never get weird looks. We usually get more meat and more slaw and sometimes more beans and even more corn bread. lol We generally go through 2 buckets of meat and at least 2 bowls of slaw. I could honestly go in there and eat nothing but the slaw and be happy. LOL
The cobbler is seasonal, ours was peach and blueberries and was amazing!

On 10/9 we walked by during the MHP and it looked as though Billy Hill & the Hillbillies were performing just at the next entrance to where the petting zoo area is, I'm not sure if this is the case for the time being or what? Although we did not eat there this trip, in March the performance during lunch on the stage where the tables are was a man and woman singing duo. HTH

Miss Chris is always there, it's her ranch. She comes out and performs on stage with a guy who plays piano, there is also a guy who wanders and plays guitar and sings.

 

[Tif]

Can anyone tell me how much this is per person (non-AP holders)?

Thanks!

 

[Huff]

I've heard that everyone must order a full meal, they don't do dessert only for anyone, AP holder or not.

Thats too bad if they changed that. It was full meal for everyone but they allowed dessert only for AP'ers on our visit last March.

 

[ShaunaM]

Thats too bad if they changed that. It was full meal for everyone but they allowed dessert only for AP'ers on our visit last March.

Large party but my dd did want any of the offerings so we did not pay for her...they told us we were also welcome to bring in outside food.

 

[CajunMomof3]

My youngest has autism, and while he loves cornbread is not fond of overly loud shows while he eats. Could someone tell me if the noise level was over the top (he will mostly tolerate Hoop Dee Doo Revue at WDW as a reference).

 

[Thundergod]

Huge fan of the ribs and beans. Chicken is okay.
It's a must for us to eat there when we go now.
It's my favorite place in the park to eat

 

[isisisme]

This is one of our musts when we come down to the park. DH loves it. I really like the veggie option. I am always stuffed when we leave. Last time they kept bringing food and we had to call "no mas' otherwise I would have to sleep at the table.

 

[Huff]

My youngest has autism, and while he loves cornbread is not fond of overly loud shows while he eats. Could someone tell me if the noise level was over the top (he will mostly tolerate Hoop Dee Doo Revue at WDW as a reference).

Hoop Dee Doo is a dinner show with somewhat loud crowd laughter etc. Big Thunder BBQ is not a dinner show. Its dinner with light entertainment. Usually just 1 or 2 people playing a guitar and singing folk songs. They sing for 15 minutes then are gone for 15. Just background entertainment really. I have heard people mention Billy Hill & the Hillbillies appearing here which would increase the noise level slightly but still below Hoop.

 

[CajunMomof3]

Thanks, Huff. That should work great for us!

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

Can someone fill me in on the veggie option? We are going for dinner... not vegetarians... but for example at Bengal BBQ we'll get a chicken skewer, a steak skewer and a veggie skewer and share it all and get extra veggies that way... wondering if I could order the veggie option and DH, DD and I could then have more veggies (other than coleslaw and corn!)

 

[pixiewings71]

My youngest has autism, and while he loves cornbread is not fond of overly loud shows while he eats. Could someone tell me if the noise level was over the top (he will mostly tolerate Hoop Dee Doo Revue at WDW as a reference).

It isn't that loud at all. Billy Hill inside the Golden Horseshoe was louder. If you think it might bother him tell them you would prefer a table away from the stage, they will accommodate your request.

Thats too bad if they changed that. It was full meal for everyone but they allowed dessert only for AP'ers on our visit last March.

I didn't ask at the restaurant but have heard from other AP holders that when they tried to do this they were turned away.

Hoop Dee Doo is a dinner show with somewhat loud crowd laughter etc. Big Thunder BBQ is not a dinner show. Its dinner with light entertainment. Usually just 1 or 2 people playing a guitar and singing folk songs. They sing for 15 minutes then are gone for 15. Just background entertainment really. I have heard people mention Billy Hill & the Hillbillies appearing here which would increase the noise level slightly but still below Hoop.

Billy Hill is not at the Ranch, Billy Hill is at the stage behind the Ranch. I'm not sure if you can hear it or not. I haven't been there since August.

When we were there in August we had a large group, 11 people, only 9 of us wanted to eat at the BBQ (my girls aren't fans) so we 9 ate there and the girls ate at the Golden Horseshoe or Village Haus, can't remember which now. When they finished they came and sat with us and we ordered desserts, 2 for the table. We asked the server what the policy would be on the girls joining us for the dessert (I couldn't imagine eating that cookie pie without them wanting some lol) and the server told us that they could join us because the desserts are not included in the dinner price. So the girls joined us for cobbler and cookie but not for the full meal. So others can join for dessert but I don't know if you can take in outside food or just order dessert, that may be decided on a case by case basis.

 

[Crazy4Disney06]

A few questions about the BBQ at big thunder ranch. Is this a meal that I should make dining reservations for? Also how much does this meal cost per person?

Thanks

 

[NiceOneSimba]

A few questions about the BBQ at big thunder ranch. Is this a meal that I should make dining reservations for? Also how much does this meal cost per person?

Thanks

If you are going during a peak season, I would absolutely make reservations for this one. The line can get very long, and I'd rather spend my time waiting in line for rides, not food!

We went last October, and everyone was very happy with the meal. The coleslaw is delicious, and everyone found a meat option they loved. My daughter loved the corn, and my husband liked the sausage, so we were glad to go at dinner.

I believe dinner is $24.99 for adults, and lunch is $21.99. It is all-you-can-eat, and we found that to pretty reasonable, especially compared to other table-service venues in the park.

 

[Crazy4Disney06]

If you are going during a peak season, I would absolutely make reservations for this one. The line can get very long, and I'd rather spend my time waiting in line for rides, not food!

We went last October, and everyone was very happy with the meal. The coleslaw is delicious, and everyone found a meat option they loved. My daughter loved the corn, and my husband liked the sausage, so we were glad to go at dinner.

I believe dinner is $24.99 for adults, and lunch is $21.99. It is all-you-can-eat, and we found that to pretty reasonable, especially compared to other table-service venues in the park.

Thank you! Emailed Disney Dining with our reservation request!

 

[pixiewings71]

Remember that lunch is cheaper because you don't get the corn (which is delish) or the sausage (also delish lol).