California Grill Attire

[CyanFey]

I was wondering if anyone can tell me what kind of dress is appropriate for the california grill? Is it okay to wear shorts, t-shirts, and flipflops --- or is something on the more formal side better?

 

[MJMcBride]

I went naked and got tossed out so what do I know?

 

[bicker]

The dress code is "business casual." Nice dress shorts are fine. T-shirts and flipflops aren't compatible with the dress code either. I typically wear a nice rolled-collar shirt (like a golf shirt) and docksiders.

 

[MartDM]

I was wondering if anyone can tell me what kind of dress is appropriate for the california grill? Is it okay to wear shorts, t-shirts, and flipflops --- or is something on the more formal side better?

T-shirts and flip flops wouldn't be appropriate, but I wouldn't really consider it to be formal. When we visited, people were casual but in a nice, put-together kind of way. Khaki type shorts with a golf shirt/button down shirt/blouse and nice sandals or docksiders seemed to be the norm. Think of it as what you would wear to a company picnic or a business golf outing or that type of thing.

 

[MJMcBride]

I guess these other people were a bit more helpful, huh?

 

[majortom]

I was wondering if anyone can tell me what kind of dress is appropriate for the california grill? Is it okay to wear shorts, t-shirts, and flipflops --- or is something on the more formal side better?

On my three most recent visits there after Disney instituted this dress code, a large percentage of guests were wearing jeans and t-shirts. On my last visit they did not seem to enforce their dress code (except for a hat worn for religious reasons - others baseball hats were left alone).

/carmi

 

[Uncleromulus]

Officially, t's and flip flops are out.
AS noted however, the code is rarely enforced.

 

[majortom]

flip flops are out.

This is the Dress Code detail I understand least. While I can somewhat understand how my ratty t-shirt might upset another guest, why does anyone even notice what I have on my feet? I never understood this for clubs either (many UK clubs ban "trainers" - gym shoes to we Americans) - if I am on a crowded dance floor I can see shirts, maybe pants, but shoes?

/carmi

 

[Uncleromulus]

The only thing I can think of is those pool-stlye flipflops that make a "smacking" sound when some folks walk in them.

 

[BCV23]

We dine at CG three or four times/year and our experiences have been very different than majortom's.

I've never seen someone in a baseball cap, thank goodness. Not even small boys.

In warmer weather, nice shorts are common on men but there are as many or more guys in slacks.

In cooler weather, pants are the norm with an occasional pair of jeans. I'm old so jeans do stand out to me in a nice restaurant so that is one thing I do notice. They are however perfectly acceptable according to the dress code.

We always see some guys in jackets as well. I think it is a restaurant that people use for meetings as well as a date night destination for locals. We have even seen kids dressed for prom.

I do see guys in Tshirts but that seems to be the exception as most people do dress up a bit as you would expect in a nice restaurant in a resort. I think most people do attempt to follow the dress code as undemanding as it is.

But I agree that you do see a wide variety which is also fitting in a resort IMO.

 

[Rneighh]

My hubby was told he had to take off his hat -- Which really ticked him off. They were able to calm the savage beast and he really enjoyed the meal and seeing Wishes.

Renee

 

[majortom]

From StarChefs.com The Magazine for Culinary Insiders

From an article by James Feustel and Amy Tarr

2. What is Casual Dress?
According to the 2004 Zagat Survey Guide, over two dozen restaurants in New York City still require gentlemen to wear jackets and ties. But these are exceptions in a restaurant world where jeans and sneakers have become the new casual-chic. As fine dining restaurants move away from the old jacket-required policy, it raises the question of just what exactly is appropriate to wear when dining out. Casual attire to one person may mean jeans and a sweatshirt; to another, khakis and penny loafers. If you’re headed to a restaurant for the first time and are unsure about how to dress, call and ask the host outright what the dress code is. When in doubt, it’s safer to wear something more conservative.

The trickier issue is for the host. How should you treat an underdressed guest? The general manager of a famous, very expensive New York City restaurant once said that he didn’t enforce a dress code among patrons because if Mick Jagger showed up in torn jeans and sneakers, they wouldn’t refuse him service. Just because a customer is underdressed doesn’t mean he doesn’t have money to spend or fine taste in food and wine. Our advice is to seat an ill-dressed customer out of the way, without commenting on the attire. Chances are they will take in the dress of the other patrons and realize their gaffe.

Both points of emphasis are mine. I think these are doubly important in the theme resort that is Disney. Just for the record, I disagree with the authors on one point. I do not think that most guests will think that they are underdressed and so consider it a gaffe (a view I share).

/carmi

 

[bopper]

The dress is business casual. Polo shirt and khakis would be fine. For a female, capris or a skirt or a dress or pants would be fine. No t-shirts, hats, flip flops.
Most, but not all, people dress appropriately.

 

[BCV23]

majortom, nice article.

For those of us who are the guests at a WDW restaurant or any other for that matter, I think the last two sentences of the first paragraph are very apt.

If you do ask as suggested in your article...or usually even if you don't... you will be told collared shirts for men, etc..

I think the second paragraph including your highlighted portions probably explain very well why we all see such a variety of dress at even the nicer resort restaurants at WDW. Rather than embarass or antagonize patrons, management probably does exactly what you've highlighted. I suppose they may put their foot down if someone comes in a bikini or waterpolo helmut, etc.

 

[MScott1851]

Also, there is a huge difference between rubber flip flops that you buy for $1.99 at Old Navy and a pair of jeweled thong sandals on a woman. There is also a difference between acid-washed Levi 550's and dark dressy denim that fits appropriately on women.

Personally, DH will wear a pair of slacks with a nice golf shirt, or a button up with the sleeves rolled once, and I wear either a sundress or a pair of nice slacks/dark trouser-style jeans with a cute top. Not formal, but not too casual either. Basically, I wear what I'm planning to wear out when we go downtown and go to a club.

 

[bicker]

Ignoring the requests of a host is always a gaffe.

 

[majortom]

I suppose they may put their foot down if someone comes in a bikini or waterpolo helmut, etc.

Although as a guest, I would be entertained if someone showed up at a fine dining restaurant at which I was eating wear a bikini and a water polo helmut.

/carmi

 

[MommyPoppins]

So what is a "t-shirt". All I own are plain v-neck shirts, different colors.click here for shirt I found a shirt that fit me comfortably, and well I bought every color. I only own jeans and jean shorts, I can't wear capris...too short, and my skirt is denim. DH has polo shirts, so that's not a problem...but as for pants....he only has jeans, and shorts...his only non-jean pairs are camo or kahki cargo shorts. Would the kahki cargo shorts be okay? Are CROCS okay for shoes?

 

[majortom]

We dine at CG three or four times/year and our experiences have been very different than majortom's.

Out of curiosity, for how long have you been doing this? Was this your experience from before they instituted this dress code?

I've never seen someone in a baseball cap, thank goodness.

What is it about a baseball hat that bothers you? Would a fedora be a problem for you? What about ski cap? A Sikh turban? A Kaffia?

In general why do you care at all if one has one's head covered? If a person recently had surgery on his head and had a big hairless patch with stitches would you rather it be left uncovered or should he cover it?

I do see guys in Tshirts but that seems to be the exception as most people do dress up a bit as you would expect in a nice restaurant in a resort.

Are you saying that everyone (or even most people) expect to dress up to go to dinner at a theme resort?

Even in New York and New Orleans most restaurants have eliminated their (or reduced them to insignificance).

But I agree that you do see a wide variety which is also fitting in a resort IMO.

Here we agree.

Just to be clear, I am really asking to try to understand your view. I eat in fine dining restaurants quite often and rarely wear more than a t-shirt and jeans. I rarely pay any attention to what other diners are wearing and I am not sure why you (and others on here do).

/carmi

 

[TinksMagic54]

We ate at the California Grill twice on our last visit. My DH wore collared shirt and shorts (no hat) both times. DD 25 wore shorts, flip-flops and a decorative Harley shirt (not a t-shirt); DD10 wore short set and flip flops. I was similar to DH and wore shorts and polo type type. Both my girls were dress fine for dinning and the flip-flops didn't make noise. Nothing was ever said to us about the dress code or the way our DD's were dressed.

However, DD 10, was one of the few kids eating there. She is now 12 going on 30 so I guess behavior means allot too.