Cali Grill vs. Jiko vs. Narcoosees

[princssdisnygina]

Ok... I need some advice! I have been to Jiko and Narcoossees but never Cali Grill. We are HUGE Filet lovers so we want a good filet. We are going to do two of the three and I enjoyed the filets at both places I went. However... is Cali Grill as good as the others? Or is it more about the view and such? We have ressies around Wishes time for both Narcoossees and Cali Grill but need to eliminate one... any suggestions or thoughts? TIA!

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

California Grill is my second favorite WDW restaurant; Jiko is my third favorite, and Narcoossee's is my fourth favorite, so I don't think you can go wrong.

I didn't love the filet that came with Narcoossee's surf n' turf, but the actual filet dish looks good. Both Jiko and California Grill have oak-grilled filets, but I think the teriyaki barbecue sauce that comes with CG's filet can be overwhelming - my mom always orders the steak sauce on the side, just in case it's too sweet or too strong.

But in general, I love CG's food. I don't go there for the Wishes view - in fact, I don't even think the view of Wishes is that great (because it's from an odd angle and the fireworks don't appear centered over the Castle). But the sushi, appetizers, chicken and seafood have always been very good.

 

[JenSop]

I've eaten at Jiko three times, Narcoossee's twice, and Cali Grill once.

For my own personal preference based on my experiences, this is how I would rate them:

1. Jiko
2. Cali Grill
3. Narcoosee's

 

[princssdisnygina]

California Grill is my second favorite WDW restaurant; Jiko is my third favorite, and Narcoossee's is my fourth favorite, so I don't think you can go wrong.

I didn't love the filet that came with Narcoossee's surf n' turf, but the actual filet dish looks good. Both Jiko and California Grill have oak-grilled filets, but I think the teriyaki barbecue sauce that comes with CG's filet can be overwhelming - my mom always orders the steak sauce on the side, just in case it's too sweet or too strong.

But in general, I love CG's food. I don't go there for the Wishes view - in fact, I don't even think the view of Wishes is that great (because it's from an odd angle and the fireworks don't appear centered over the Castle). But the sushi, appetizers, chicken and seafood have always been very good.

My mother and I aren't huge seafood eaters and none of us are all that extravagant food eaters... prefer to know what I am eating and being able to pronounce it... ya know? I haven't eaten at the Cali Grill since it was Top of the World. We are on the Deluxe Dining plan so I want to get the most bang for our buck... ya know?

I've eaten at Jiko three times, Narcoossee's twice, and Cali Grill once.

For my own personal preference based on my experiences, this is how I would rate them:

1. Jiko
2. Cali Grill
3. Narcoosee's

See... I LOVED Jiko but it is a pain in the butt to get there. We are staying at the Poly so I am trying to figure out how we are getting there and back without taking two hours and paying $20 a taxi ride. Any suggestions?

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

My mother and I aren't huge seafood eaters and none of us are all that extravagant food eaters... prefer to know what I am eating and being able to pronounce it... ya know? I haven't eaten at the Cali Grill since it was Top of the World. We are on the Deluxe Dining plan so I want to get the most bang for our buck... ya know?

I wouldn't worry about weird food at California Grill. The filet, for example, is basically beef, potato, asparagus, and barbecue sauce. The menu makes everything sound more complex than it is. And there are lots of safe choices on the menu, such as the cheese flatbread which could be a great starter. If you were fine with Jiko, then California Grill shouldn't be problematic.

It's also a great choice if you want bang for your buck. Its menu prices are among the highest of any signature (ignoring the lobster at Narcoossee's), making it a good choice when you're using credits instead. Plus you can stay or come back for the Wishes view, which is never the reason I go, but might be a nice bonus.

 

[princssdisnygina]

I wouldn't worry about weird food at California Grill. The filet, for example, is basically beef, potato, asparagus, and barbecue sauce. The menu makes everything sound more complex than it is. And there are lots of safe choices on the menu, such as the cheese flatbread which could be a great starter. If you were fine with Jiko, then California Grill shouldn't be problematic.

It's also a great choice if you want bang for your buck. Its menu prices are among the highest of any signature (ignoring the lobster at Narcoossee's), making it a good choice when you're using credits instead. Plus you can stay or come back for the Wishes view, which is never the reason I go, but might be a nice bonus.

I think I have worked it out to do all 3! We normally go to Chefs de France which is really good... but we do it every year so we may try something different this year! I have ressies for CG and Narcoossees about 30-45 mins before Wishes! YAY! I think we will give it a try with the deluxe dining plan this time! Thanks!

 

[Sweet Melissa]

The California Grill does a good filet too. There are also a lot of excellent first-course options. As for comparing the restaurant on the whole to the others you mention, Jiko is my favorite restaurant at WDW, bar none. California Grill is my second favorite. I think that Narcoossee's is the weakest of the Disney signature restaurants.

 

[JenSop]

See... I LOVED Jiko but it is a pain in the butt to get there. We are staying at the Poly so I am trying to figure out how we are getting there and back without taking two hours and paying $20 a taxi ride. Any suggestions?

Hmmm... I'd just take the monorail over to MK, then hop on an AKL/AKV bus.

 

[maggiew]

Here is a picture of my filet from California Grill, just to give you an idea.

This was DH's pork, in case anyone in your party was interested in this.

I agree with the previous poster that the sauce on the filet was a little overpowering. I liked my filet at Chefs de France better, due to the sauce on the filet at CG. However the meat itself was fabulous!

Maggie

 

[Uncleromulus]

The filet has been a CG mainstay for quite sometime. Mrs U had it last visit and it was quite good!!

 

[psac]

The filet at the Cali Grill was the one dish we've tried there out of six (between me and tasting my wife's dishes) that neither of us really liked. It could have just been a bad piece. Everything else there has been EXCELLENT. We've done every signature except Yachtmen's, and I would rank Cali Grill first, followed by Flying Fish. Oddly enough, FF has one of the best steaks on property, but it's not a filet. I actually think the best Filet in the World is the 8oz at Brown Derby.

 

[MickeyNicki]

Dh always orders a filet at every signature. The one at Jiko was flavorless but they added this terrible smokey sauce to it so it wasnt good. Narcoossee's was a terrible cut and very dry. We just ate at Cali Grill a week ago and he had this huge, tender, tasty filet and he was so happy...make sure you get the teriyaki sauce on the side as it is so overpowering.

 

[madalex]

For my own personal preference based on my experiences, this is how I would rate them:

1. Jiko
2. Cali Grill
3. Narcoosee's

This is how I would order them as well (but Narcoossee's would be a distant third to the other two). For the record, I have been to both CG and Jiko more times than I remember, but Narcoossee's only twice.

The filet at Jiko (with the delicious red wine reduction sauce) is fabulous! Ask them to serve it on the mac and cheese (no longer on the menu that way, but you can request it); it is out of this world!

 

[princssdisnygina]

Dh always orders a filet at every signature. The one at Jiko was flavorless but they added this terrible smokey sauce to it so it wasnt good. Narcoossee's was a terrible cut and very dry. We just ate at Cali Grill a week ago and he had this huge, tender, tasty filet and he was so happy...make sure you get the teriyaki sauce on the side as it is so overpowering.

See just two weeks ago I had filet at both Jiko and Narcoossees and they were both AMAZING!

But... if we do eat at CG I will definitely be asking for the sauce on the side.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

The filet at CG is very good.

 

[vettegirl]

The filet at the CG is devine. My meal at Jiko a couple of weeks ago was disgusting! Hoping it was an off night.