Cake Bake Shop at the BoardWalk is now open

[Scalemaster34]

Yeah family went and they were disappointed in the food, food.... but the Cake is what really left them wanting. Too many other options for a great desert in WDW. Last time we walked by, there was very little activity there.

Have to wonder what Disney's plans are for the Boardwalk... too many empty spaces.

 

[zackiedawg]

I'm one who would have preferred something else be in that spot, closer to the old ESPN...I decided I'd try Cake Bake when it opened as Boardwalk is my home and I wanted to at least give it a one-and-done. But I'm not interested at all in the bakery portion - just the restaurant. Prices were ridiculous initially, but did adjust downward a bit - it's still one of the moderate to higher priced spots. Expectations were that I wouldn't go back.

But I found the food quality to be very good, service was very good, and my final bill really wasn't any different than most of the other Disney restaurants I eat at (Steakhouse 71, Tiffin's, Topolinos, etc). I have actually gone back 2 more times since as it turns out to be a decent spot for good quality food when I'm staying at Boardwalk. I'm not at all into the aesthetic - too frou-frou for me - but the food's good so that's what's really most important for me. I don't think I'll ever eat a desert there, but I'm not a real desert kind of person anyway.

I still want a sports bar, American food, or moderate restaurant option at Boardwalk again, so I'll keep hoping - given the choice to keep Cake Bake or bring back ESPN, I'll bring back ESPN every time. If they can put something like that in the Big River Space, that could appease me and I'm OK keeping Cake Bake around as an occasional choice.

 

[reddog21]

California where I live is also at will but it takes A LOT of documentation and time to fire someone. Retaliation is not legal as well so if employees speak up they shouldn't fear losing their job and if they do... well, they'll probably have a strong case.

As someone that worked in FL, it's considered an employer-friendly state. In CA, the employer has to provide proof of termination. In Florida that proof is squarely on the employee. If you're working as waitstaff, are you going to be able to afford a decent attorney to prove you were illegally fired?

The FL whistleblower regulations are just as foolish; you can't even raise an issue without concrete evidence without risking termination.

 

[CoachBeard]

I'm one who would have preferred something else be in that spot, closer to the old ESPN...I decided I'd try Cake Bake when it opened as Boardwalk is my home and I wanted to at least give it a one-and-done. But I'm not interested at all in the bakery portion - just the restaurant. Prices were ridiculous initially, but did adjust downward a bit - it's still one of the moderate to higher priced spots. Expectations were that I wouldn't go back.

But I found the food quality to be very good, service was very good, and my final bill really wasn't any different than most of the other Disney restaurants I eat at (Steakhouse 71, Tiffin's, Topolinos, etc). I have actually gone back 2 more times since as it turns out to be a decent spot for good quality food when I'm staying at Boardwalk. I'm not at all into the aesthetic - too frou-frou for me - but the food's good so that's what's really most important for me. I don't think I'll ever eat a desert there, but I'm not a real desert kind of person anyway.

I still want a sports bar, American food, or moderate restaurant option at Boardwalk again, so I'll keep hoping - given the choice to keep Cake Bake or bring back ESPN, I'll bring back ESPN every time. If they can put something like that in the Big River Space, that could appease me and I'm OK keeping Cake Bake around as an occasional choice.

Re: prices not being much different. The price of a place serving essentially grilled cheese and other sandwiches or chicken piccata should not be similar to a steak house in my opinion. $49 crab cakes at cake bake shop is wild to me.

I’m glad you like the food and find the value in it. $8 for a side of broccoli or $24 for a ham and Brie sandwich seems excessive… to me.

 

[ChrisD34!]

I have been twice now (two lunches). Boardwalk is my home resort so I'm thrilled to have another higher end food option. I would agree that the cake is overpriced and not that great. It was one and done for me. I think the cake at Gideons is significantly better and less expensive. I do really like the menu, food quality, service and ambiance. I will definitely keep visiting there. My significant other loves the fact that there is a coffee option other than Joffrey's as well. I had hoped to make it there for breakfast but time did not allow, perhaps next time.

Regarding the employee stuff. I feel for the staff if they are getting short changed but they are not forced to continue their employment there, are they? I would think that there are a myriad of other server jobs available in the immediate vicinity.

 

[zackiedawg]

I didn't buy any $8 broccoli, so maybe that helped keep things reasonable. A salmon filet comes with potato and asparagus for $41, while the salmon at Flying Fish close by with risotto and fennel is $49...angel hair pomodoro is $25 - spaghetti and meatball at Tutto Italia is $29 but does come with a meatball. Last time I ate there, I got truffle fries which were very good, and the gumbo (entree, not cup) - total for appetizer and entree was $42 - about what I typically spend at a moderate Disney restaurant. It may be menu-dependent - some things are reasonably matched in price to competitors, while others might be higher.

 

[CoachBeard]

I didn't buy any $8 broccoli, so maybe that helped keep things reasonable. A salmon filet comes with potato and asparagus for $41, while the salmon at Flying Fish close by with risotto and fennel is $49...angel hair pomodoro is $25 - spaghetti and meatball at Tutto Italia is $29 but does come with a meatball. Last time I ate there, I got truffle fries which were very good, and the gumbo (entree, not cup) - total for appetizer and entree was $42 - about what I typically spend at a moderate Disney restaurant. It may be menu-dependent - some things are reasonably matched in price to competitors, while others might be higher.

Good points. Hey, we all go where we prefer right? I’m glad you see positives in it where I can’t see them. It’s largely subjective but I think we all agree, like you said, it’s “frou-frou”

 

[The Foolish Mortal]

Respectfully asking, how do you know if you've never been? Eating in a whimsical environment can be a fun experience.

I understand if the pricing is disappointing to you, but calling for the building to rot without ever stepping inside is an extreme reaction.

The food does not match the rest of the experience. It's easy to build a pretty building, but to actually have good food is apparently a challenge. I have never been but friends have gone and I trust their opinion. They felt the same way.

Having read through the various opinions, I don't understand the acrimony because all of the opinions are correct. More than one fact can be correct at the same time. I have dined there a couple times now. The prices are high, the building is very pretty, and the food is very good quality but that doesn't mean it is necessarily appealing to @muppets3d 's friends. FWIW, I enjoy the food. Its better quality than most of the food offered at WDW. But I also understand that the pricing can make some people cringe. Nothing wrong with that. I will admit, though, I don't understand the complaints about the cake being frozen. The cake slices are not served frozen. Whomever told you that is mistaken. That said, I am certain the cakes were frozen at one time. I'm glad they were. Otherwise, it would be like eating cardboard (cakes are frozen to lock in moisture; its pretty common and most people do not realize that the cake they purchase at a restaurant or store that is not a bakery has been frozen at some point)

 

[GADisneyDad14]

This thread and its staying power is really fascinating to me.