Blue Bayou vs. San Angel Inn at Epcot

[Jdismom]

Has anyone been to both? We are debating whether to try BB when we visit DL for the first time. It seems pretty pricey and looks like the same food is available at Cafe Orleans. We've done San Angel a few times for the atmosphere. Is Blue Bayou pretty similar?

 

[pigby]

Guess I will know the answer in a few weeks - we are visiting BB at the beginning of September, having been to San Angel before. When are you going if I report back after then?

 

[AustinTink]

I've been to both many times. San Angel Inn is the winner in my mind simply because every table is a good one. You don't have to sit by the water to feel totally immersed.

At BB we have gotten non-waterside tables twice and the experience was just "meh" for us both times. So if you can get a table by the water (if you are willing to wait for one) then go for it. Otherwise, the food is just fine at Cafe Orleans.

 

[pinksand]

I would respectfully disagree with the above poster. I've been to both, and while I really liked San Angel, I really love and prefer Blue Bayou. I feel it's a much more immersive experience and if you can get a waterside table, it's extra magical.

 

[Nettester]

We've been to both. San Angel Inn is by far my favorite. Can't beat the indoor/outdoors room and volcano. Blue Bayou was OK, not as magical as San Angel Inn

 

[Eclectic Goddess]

I liked both,.

I preferred the food at San Angel (more variety, more veggie options), but like the overall ambience better at Blue Bayou. It's true that the non-waterside tables at BB aren't as good as the non-waterside at San Angel, but that's why we always ask to sit waterside.

 

[Jdismom]

Thanks for all the responses. I'm thinking we might save the money and try a different signature restaurant. There seems to be a lot of choices that get good reviews.

 

[pavicich]

Done both. BB is not to be missed! Admittedly We did have a table right on the rail/water however would totally do again.

 

[ktlm]

We've done both multiple times. The atmosphere is very similar- dark outside feel with boats going by. BB is a New Orleans veranda by the river/bayou, where San Angel is outdoors in Mexico. It is a very similar feel. We prefer the food at San Angel. DH likes the salmon at BB so we go there since I like the atmosphere. I have had the filet more than once there, and at no time have I gotten a steak that I feel was worth $43. We can get better steaks in restaurants here at home for that price or less. My steaks at BB have generally been not cooked evenly, fatty on the edges, and once even rubbery and chewy. I've had the chicken which was just okay. I've had better chicken at CS at DL/CA. Honestly if DH didn't really like the Salmon I probably wouldn't go there again, although I do love that atmosphere. I'm not a seafood fan so I haven't tried the Salmon. I'm thinking next time, maybe I will try the beef strip loin and see how that goes.

 

[BriannaRuth]

I've done both and definitely preferred BB. Although I do like the gift shop area of the San Angel better.

 

[Fantaluminishes]

I've been to San Angel Inn on every trip to WDW. I've even dined there twice on one trip. I've dined at BB maybe 4 times in the past 20 years, but not in the last 10 years. I have a lunch ADR for next week, but am not sure if I'll keep it. I may just do Cafe Orleans instead. Never thought I'd say this, but I kinda prefer San Angel for the food and the experience.

I feel if you don't have a waterside table at BB, you are just paying for an expensive meal in a restaurant. It's the waterside tables that make this experience. Once you've tried it, you don't really need to go back.

 

[Keels]

Thanks everyone for this - I love the San Angel, but don't do it often and was curious about how BB compared. I'm not overly thrilled with the menu, so this has helped a lot. I think I'll spend my TS $$ somewhere else this trip ...

 

[PinkBudgie]

Just went to San Angel Inn for the first time two weeks ago. LOVED IT! BB used to be my favorite place to go at DL about 15 years ago. I love the atmosphere, even without a water side table. It looks like night, you hear the banjo playing. But the food prices have gone up and I keep hearing how the quality has gone down and the menu doesn't interest me anymore. So we haven't been in a while. I will say the food we had at SAI was on the expensive side but so yummy! That said, if I was coming to DLR for the first time or a once in a life time trip I might give it a try just for the atmosphere.

People told me that Sci-Fi Drive In was just ok. But I wanted to try it anyway. I knew I wasn't going for a gourmet meal, but it looked neat. It turned out to be one of our very favorite places! So I would say if you are interested, give it a try.

Oh, and we do always eat at Cafe Orleans now. Eating at an outside table is a great place to people watch while you relax.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

We've done both as well and I think BB is far superior. We've never had a waterside table and still love it. It's a wonderful place to chill out and relax in the afternoon. Yes it's a little expensive but the Monte Cristo sandwich is to die for. SA is probably some of the worst Mexican food I've ever had, but being from AZ we are used to Sonoran style, and that's not what they serve. BB is truly about the atmosphere, just go there and enjoy a nice slow paced meal and soak up the calming spirit of the bayou.

 

[cmwade77]

Unfortunately the service at BB has gone way downhill.....last time we were there we got on refill on our drink, our food was sitting getting cold while we ate our salad and then still took 10 minutes for someone to bring it to our table, etc.

I would take San Angel Inn over it any day.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

I've been to both many times. San Angel Inn is the winner in my mind simply because every table is a good one. You don't have to sit by the water to feel totally immersed.

At BB we have gotten non-waterside tables twice and the experience was just "meh" for us both times. So if you can get a table by the water (if you are willing to wait for one) then go for it. Otherwise, the food is just fine at Cafe Orleans.

This. At BB, if you aren't waterside during lunch or early dinner on a sunny day (which is most days at DLR), the glare from outside can really dampen the ambiance depending on the location of your non-waterside table and the direction your seat is facing. I've often thought they should do a better job of blocking outside light from invading the dining room from the waiting area.

 

[ktlm]

Thanks everyone for this - I love the San Angel, but don't do it often and was curious about how BB compared. I'm not overly thrilled with the menu, so this has helped a lot. I think I'll spend my TS $$ somewhere else this trip ...

Thanks to you too. Because you reminded me how mediocore I have found the food for the price and seeing the other posts, I just cancelled my reservation. The thought of spending another $43 on mediocre or even bad steak or $32 for mediocre chicken, really had me rethinking as much as I do like being there and love the inside of the place. DD usually falls asleep on the table by the end of the meal because it is so dark and service and food can be a little slow and she doesn't think the food is that great there either, so she didn't care. DH said it wasn't a must do for him, and he would just as soon try someplace new, either TS or CS because we always go to the same places. We will just ride POTC a few times to soak up the ambiance floating by!

This. At BB, if you aren't waterside during lunch or early dinner on a sunny day (which is most days at DLR), the glare from outside can really dampen the ambiance depending on the location of your non-waterside table and the direction your seat is facing. I've often thought they should do a better job of blocking outside light from invading the dining room from the waiting area.

The absolute worst table is the one that is right at the end of the entry steps where people are brought in to get to their tables. It is bright all the time, people walk by constantly, and it is noisy because you can hear all the people waiting a few feet from you. There is no ambiance at all there. We got that table once, and I nicely asked if there was any way we could move to any other table in the restaurant. I told the guy I did not need to be by the water or even closer to it, I just didn't want to be right in the light right where people were constantly walking by and that any other table in the entire place would be fine. To my surprise, we were given a prime waterside table. The guy said he liked that I was nice about it and was happy to take anything else, because a lot of people that get that table really complain, demand to be by the water, and can be quite nasty about it. We went from the worst table in the place to the best table in the place. Honestly, I know they want to cram people in, but I think they should just get rid of that table as much as people pay for the the ambiance and food. We've had other non-waterside tables, and still really enjoyed the atmosphere.

 

[JasonShannon76]

Blue Bayou food is better than Cafe Orleans. The Surf & Turf and Creme Brûlée at Blue Bayou is awesome and not available at Cafe Orleans.

When you check in for your reservation, you can request a water side table and they will let you wait for one.

Blue Bayou is awesome! The good at Steakhouse 55 is amazing too!

 

[tiffjoy]

I prefer the ambiance at SAI over BB. I agree about the waterside table at BB being a must to get the real feel, but even then, I prefer SAI.

I don't really love the food at SAI, though, but in general, I find the Mexican food at the parks to be meh (Mexican is one of my favorite cuisines, so in all fairness, I have a higher standard). The food at BB is nice, but not really worth the prices. You are really paying for the ambiance, so a waterside table is really a have to.

We enjoyed Cafe Orleans more if you are looking for an alternative.

 

[GatorChris]

This is a tough one for me. San Angel has great ambience, unless your near the wall or waiter entrance. That was where we were and the ambience sucked. What made it worse was the food. Being from Modesto, I'm spoiled on really good Mexican food, so going to San Angel for the food is definitely out.

For the BB, we ate in the middle of the room once. The ambiance was nill. All it was to us was dark and kinda noisy. The food was way too expensive as well.

Overall, I'd say San Angel is better IF you like the cheap mexican they make. The price there is the same as any other Epcot restaurant so I guess that makes up for the bland flavor. I really have to desire to ever hit BB because of the price. For the same price, I can have lunch at Flo's and then have dinner at Goofy's Kitchen - both places the kids will love, and I'll love the price.