Can you believe this

[si-am]

I would never go to a theme park, not even Epcot, and expect the food to be 100% authentic. The food at Epcot doesn't disappoint me because I just don't expect too much out of it.

I mean, if they were really concerned about providing an authentic experience, they never would have turned Akershus into a princess meal.

 

[tony67]

I would never go to a theme park, not even Epcot, and expect the food to be 100% authentic. The food at Epcot doesn't disappoint me because I just don't expect too much out of it.

I mean, if they were really concerned about providing an authentic experience, they never would have turned Akershus into a princess meal.

Yeah, I used to really enjoy Akershus. The problem was that most people did not. "It was all pickled fish."

Now you cannot get into the place, I don't even know what kind of food they serve, I have no interest in the Princesses.

I think it's just really disappointing to those of us that have been going to Epcot for years and remember what it was.

 

[bavaria]

One that really disappoints me are the pretzels.

Aren't they horrible? The somewhat authentic ones are stale; the directive now is not to refresh or replenish what they do not sell, so they are often more than past the freshness.

Awhile back I was standing in line at Sommerfest just to buy a bottle of water. A foursome of older Americans was ordering a sausage on a bun which is served with Sauerkraut. They were arguing endlessly with the CM, demanding that she substitute French Fries. She explained over and over that they don't serve them there, and offered up alternate locations which did serve them.

They finally left after yelling at her, and when I ordered she told me that they deal with that all day long. Frankly, even if they did serve 'Pommes' or 'Frites' the German way is with mayonnaise, and not with ketchup, so I doubt that they would have been happy with that either.

The customer has driven this change. The demand is for 'familiar' foods, and the more authentic ones didn't sell. Blame the visitors, not the vendors, for having to adapt.

 

[si-am]

Yeah, I used to really enjoy Akershus. The problem was that most people did not. "It was all pickled fish."

Now you cannot get into the place, I don't even know what kind of food they serve, I have no interest in the Princesses.

I think it's just really disappointing to those of us that have been going to Epcot for years and remember what it was.

I agree! Akershus used to be a FAVORITE in my family. Even my brother who is allergic to most fish loved it. Now we don't even bother trying to go (I don't have kids so I'm not interested in princesses. At all.)

I really miss Akershus.

 

[tony67]

They finally left after yelling at her, and when I ordered she told me that they deal with that all day long. Frankly, even if they did serve 'Pommes' or 'Frites' the German way is with mayonnaise, and not with ketchup, so I doubt that they would have been happy with that either.

The customer has driven this change. The demand is for 'familiar' foods, and the more authentic ones didn't sell. Blame the visitors, not the vendors, for having to adapt.

True. I always get odd looks when I put mayo on my fries. It is good though. If I’m going to eat bad I may as well go all the way.
Also Coleslaw or Curry sauce is nice on chips, I wish they had a proper chip shop in then England pavillion(trying to bring it back to the OP).

Speaking of Sommerfest I have to say the quality of the Brat has gone way down hill and they are now very stingy with the Sauerkraut. If you ask they will give you more, but they decide too many people were not eating it.

Also if they want to be authentic how about adding Currywurst?
I think it would sell quite well.

 

[traviesojmt]

Aren't they horrible? The somewhat authentic ones are stale; the directive now is not to refresh or replenish what they do not sell, so they are often more than past the freshness.

Awhile back I was standing in line at Sommerfest just to buy a bottle of water. A foursome of older Americans was ordering a sausage on a bun which is served with Sauerkraut. They were arguing endlessly with the CM, demanding that she substitute French Fries. She explained over and over that they don't serve them there, and offered up alternate locations which did serve them.

They finally left after yelling at her, and when I ordered she told me that they deal with that all day long. Frankly, even if they did serve 'Pommes' or 'Frites' the German way is with mayonnaise, and not with ketchup, so I doubt that they would have been happy with that either.

The customer has driven this change. The demand is for 'familiar' foods, and the more authentic ones didn't sell. Blame the visitors, not the vendors, for having to adapt.

Forget the mayonnaise, if they are going to serve french fries then they need to serve the curry ketchup I fell in love with when we lived in Germany. BTW, I remember the first time that we ate at the German pavilion. It had been over a year since we had moved back from Germany and we really missed the food. We lived in a rural area of Germany and the food was wonderful. There really was no comparison. Now I am really craving Swabian Pork Tenderloin and Spaetzle. YUMMMY!!

 

[dizneedoll]

Wait a minute here...everyone is discussing the authenticity of the food but that isn't what the op complained about. They complained the food was cold and the waiter offered a replacement and it was refused. Why was it refused? Then they wanted the meals removed from the bill and free desserts to boot.

 

[summerlady]

In the end your experience reminds me of an episode of Fawlty Towers (best Comedy Series ever IMO).
Someone tries to complain to Fawlty and he ends up agreeing and complaining back.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Arrad: Excuse me.
Basil Fawlty: Yes?
Mr. Arrad: Look, we've been waiting here for about half an hour now, I mean I gave the waiter our order...
Basil Fawlty: Oh, *him*. He's hopeless, isn't he?
Mr. Arrad: Yes, well I don't wish to complain, but when he does bring something he's got it wrong.
Basil Fawlty: You think I don't know? I mean, you only have to eat here. We have to live with it. I had to pay his fare all the way from Barcelona, but you can't get the staff you see. It's a nightmare.
Mrs. Arrad: You were supposed to be complaining to *him*.

Veal substitute, anyone?

 

[Doctor P]

Authentic can also be in the eye of the beholder and vary by era and by level of snobbery one chooses to apply. For example, ham in the United States has changed over time in terms of both salt content and fat content. Does that mean that ham dishes today are less "authentic"? I would say no, they are just different. For example, in the several weeks I spent in Austria (throughout the country), I'm not sure I ever saw veal-based schnitzel on the menu. We were told that it was a combination of cost, health, and personal tastes that led to most schnitzel dishes now being chicken, turkey, or pork (all of which were quite good).

That said, American palates for ethnic food are definitely different. I am first generation American on my mother's side. My grandmother's ethnic cooking was quite good, but if you were to put it into a restaurant most Americans would complain and would not eat it (and claim it wasn't "real" because it was not the type of Italian food that they are used to). Similarly, genuine Mexican food is not something most Americans have ever been exposed to and often are shocked, surprised, and dismayed at how different it is from what passes as Mexican food in the mainstream of what Americans know as Mexican restaurants.

 

[tony67]

Wait a minute here...everyone is discussing the authenticity of the food but that isn't what the op complained about. They complained the food was cold and the waiter offered a replacement and it was refused. Why was it refused? Then they wanted the meals removed from the bill and free desserts to boot.

Yeah, it just kind of leads down that road. I think the people in the restaurants are just as frustrated as the foodies and once we get going you can stop us.

Back to the OP...
I know I usually do not want a replacement meal in the same situation and I am just happy if they take the meal off. I'm always suspect of what goes on in the kitchen after something has been sent back. (Things I know for a fact that I will not discuss here)

I would not ask for something more, but usually they will also offer dessert or a bottle of wine (if you have already had a few).

If the customer was unhappy, right or wrong, then the manager should have done something more. Especially since they were paying OOP and he had spoken to them in that manner.

 

[jiminyfan]

The culinary front at WDW has changed so dramtically; it took a giant upswing several years ago and recently plummeted to a very low standard. Many of us no longer go to WDW looking for great dining experiences, or realise that we generally find those more often at the non Disney run establishments.

We agree 150%, since free dining also became a way at life the culinary experience at WDW has taken even more of a nose dive. Same proteins at every restaurant and the variety of choice so limited. I long for the days where we used to go to WDW for dining alone and the parks were just used to fill time between the meals!!!!!

 

[Chris and Pooh]

Wait a minute here...everyone is discussing the authenticity of the food but that isn't what the op complained about. They complained the food was cold and the waiter offered a replacement and it was refused. Why was it refused? Then they wanted the meals removed from the bill and free desserts to boot.

That is not the correct facts, the manager not the waiter offered a replacement for the mac and chees, as we had already waited 20 minutes for our mains my sister in law did not want to wait again. The manager refused to acknowledge my requests for something to be done re my meal not necessarily a refund, as was my request afterwards for complementary desserts, he was too intent on flirting with my sister in law which was not on the review. my requests for acknowledgement of the problem were totally ignored right up to the point where we received the bill.
An apology was what I wanted foremost which was never received

 

[MickeyNicki]

We ate dinner there last month and the food was horrible and served cold.

 

[snookiedoodles]

I ate at other countrys and been told that this is not "authentic" food, and very different from that country. And yes, the word "Americanized" was used.....I was like.....thanks