Boardwalk Area Low-Maintenance Meal

[tjkraz]

We're in the market for a low-maintenance meal location while staying at BWV. We're already planning one meal at the ESPN Club, but for another I'm torn between Big River Grille at the Boardwalk and Beaches & Cream at BC.

I've heard a lot of good things about Beaches & Cream. The main complaint seems to be crowds / wait time. Is this an issue? Is one part of the day busier than another (lunch vs. dinner)?

Don't hear much at all about Big River Grille. Any comments?

Any other locations we're forgetting that might be of interest? For various reasons we're not really interested in Spoodles, Flying Fish, Cape May or Yachtsman. Anything at Dolphin or Swan that is more recommended than the above?

 

[conciergekelly]

We had the best chili dog at ESPN. We often joke about flying down just to get one. They also have "to go" cups of your favorite beverage to enjoy while walking to Epcot or the Boardwalk. It is loud but the food is good!

 

[Cyndy]

Beaches and Cream is a hands down winner....hence the problem with crowds. We've been there several times and never had a problem getting a table, only needed to wait a few mins.

Big River Grille is at best okay food. Never a problem to get into....

And be sure to get the ESPN Chili Dog as said above it is super!

 

[DVCconvert]

The only way I'd eat at the BRG again, is if I wanted a burger, and I could sit outside. We've done that before and been very happy. We ate inside once, party of 4, our table was about 18" in diameter and we sat on glorified bar stools - we did not find it pleasant. ESPN is good

I have had good experiences at B&C. Another possible suggestion would be The Galley in the YC they offer a breakfast & ala carte breakfast, lunch & dinner.

HTH

 

[awatt]

BRG- Worst meal we've ever experienced- anywhere. This was complimented by equally lousy service. Stay away.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

TJK: I think it comes down to what you've already mentioned. What time do you want to eat at and do you care if you wait or not. At busy times, you can usually walk right up to the BRG. But at B&C, there is usually (always) a wait. I don't like going to B&C when I'm not staying at the BCV. It's not fair for the kids to have to stare at SAB. In the old days it was nice when you could still pool hop to SAB. The kids could swim while the DW and I waited for our table. We've eaten at BRG a couple of times, but only because there was too long of a wait at ESPN.

Good luck.

HBC

 

[CharlesTD]

B&C but only for the fact they have such great sundaes for after the meal. I want to try to devour a kitchen sink on our trip in May.

 

[Sammy]

B&C was great....but a very long wait the time we went. Try to go there on "off-meal" times to decrease the wait.

Another place to try is the Dolphin Fountain restaurant at the Dolphin. I hardly ever see this place mentioned on the boards, but I have to tell you that every time we go here, we have a great meal! It's got a slight "50's" diner theme. They have awesome burgers, sandwiches, and a terrific chicken ceasar salad that is served in an herbed bread bowl....YUM !! The menu is not extensive, but covers a little something for everyone. If you have kids, the children's meals come in little cardboard replicas of '57 Chevys! This has become one of our favorite places for a meal and often make a special trip over no matter what resort we are staying at!

Sammy

 

[Terry S]

B&C We normally order a meal and split it between 2 people, both their hot dogs and hambergers are a good size. That way we have enough room for ice cream afterwards.

 

[bobbiwoz]

The service at the Dolphin Fountain and Snack Shop seems to be slow. DH enjoys the food, I like the ice cream sodas! We both enjoy Fresh Meditteranean Market for lunch, also at the Dolphin. There's 20% members discount at both places.

Bobbi

 

[shelbyjosh]

We ate dinner at Big River Grille a month ago. I got a steak and it was great. DD had their ribs and she really liked those, too. We ended up going there because ESPN was packed. We were able to get a table for 7 right away at BRG.

 

[OneMoreTry]

I would get sandwiches at the bakery. Or maybe just chocolate criossants. I would also consider poolside.

(We enjoyed Big River a lot mostly due to the beer sampler tray -- outdoors once the shade hits that part of the boardwalk -- but to me it's not low maint.)

 

[ErinC]

We loved our meal at Beaches and Cream. Just a question/ comment, if you eat ar BRG do you need something other than your KTTW card for payment? Seems like I read that they don't take KTTW cards because they aren't owned by Disney. Sometimes our KTTW cards are all we carry(poolside) and I wouldn't want to be caught without some way to pay for my food!

 

[SleepyatDVC]

If it make any difference to you, Big River Grill does not accept the DDE card. As someone else pointed out, it is not owned by Disney and doesn't participate in the program.

 

[DeeDeeDis]

Not sure this is what your looking for but.....

For a low key meal, pizza delivery is alway great. They deliver it to valet area
we do this at least one nite every trip we take. We also started getting sandwiches at the Earl of Sandwich and bringing them back to our resort.

We always have soda, water, mik, juice and chips in our room so not only are these two low key meals but they are also cheap.

Have a great trip
deb

 

[CRSNDSNY]

We've eaten at both Big River and Beach n Cream several times. It's a little more difficult depending on the time of day to eat at BnC, but the food is by far much better.

I'm not sure if you like Japanese, but for dinner we like Kimonos in the Swan. I also like Tubbi's in the Dolphin (it is a cafeteria-style eatery). Both of these locations offer a DVC discount, as well.

 

[tjkraz]

Thanks for all of the great suggestions.

Regarding Beaches & Cream--does lunch tend to be busier than dinner? Vice-versa? About the same?

 

[zurgswife]

BRG- Worst meal we've ever experienced- anywhere. This was complimented by equally lousy service. Stay away.

pretty much ditto...except the family next to us had there kid throw up on the floor to boot...YUMMY~!!!! I have kids so don't flame me...it just added to the memoriable negitive experience..

 

[Ralph&Pam]

B&C was great....but a very long wait the time we went. Try to go there on "off-meal" times to decrease the wait.

Another place to try is the Dolphin Fountain restaurant at the Dolphin. I hardly ever see this place mentioned on the boards, but I have to tell you that every time we go here, we have a great meal! It's got a slight "50's" diner theme. They have awesome burgers, sandwiches, and a terrific chicken ceasar salad that is served in an herbed bread bowl....YUM !! The menu is not extensive, but covers a little something for everyone. If you have kids, the children's meals come in little cardboard replicas of '57 Chevys! This has become one of our favorite places for a meal and often make a special trip over no matter what resort we are staying at!

Sammy

I concur that the Dolphin Fountain is worth the walk. In addition to the things Sammy mentioned, they serve a true "Chicago style" hotdog (that's with onion, relish, mustard, tomato, dill spear; not sure they do the traditional celery salt and optional sport peppers, but it's close enough for my taste). The root beer is also quite good (IBC brand, I believe).

They do give a 20% DVC discount.

Ralph

 

[idratherbeinwdw]

I found the service and food at Big River to be among the worst in WDW. I will never go there again unless I hear reports from numerous folks that it has imporved.