Citrico's or California Grill

[AggieTexan]

I'm having a difficult time deciding between Citrico's or California Grill. Which would you recommend and why?

My biggest priority is food quality. The view at Cali Grill is appealing, but I'm most concerned about the service and food. If we eat at Citrico's, is there a recommended location at the GF to watch fireworks? Maybe out by Narcoosee's? Monorail to one of the other resorts? We will be staying in the Epcot resort area, and I don't necessarily want to go into the MK after dinner just for fireworks...I'd rather watch from one of the resorts.

My dates aren't open for reservations yet, but in looking at some earlier dates to get an idea, it seems like everything at Cali Grill is either early (5:50) or late (7:30), whereas 6:30 is available at Citrico's. I don't want to eat too early, but I know that an ADR can still mean a wait, so I had thought about making reservations for earlier than I would at a non-Disney restaurant. In your experiences, how close to your ADR time are you seated at these 2 restaurants?

Thanks for your help!

 

[JimmyV]

Tough to go wrong with either one. My advice is to scout out the menus at both places and see which appeals to you more. For me, the ability to order a first course of sushi , as well as the view, tips the scales in favor of CG. But if you prefer the food choices at Citico's, then your decision would be an easy one. As for fireworks, if you dine at the CG, you can stay (or return if you finish too early) for the fireworks and watch them from the obsevation deck. My other favorite place to see them is from the beach at the Poly. Great straight-on-view of the castle. Music is pumped in both at the CG and at the Poly.

 

[Pakey]

I think it depends on what you want to eat.

Ca Grill sushi is very good. We go for that. Otherwise, I think Citricos has better food and service. Except dessert, I think Ca Grill's are better. From Citricos, you can walk to Narcoosees and view the fireworks from their dock.

We have had some fairly long waits getting seated at Ca Grill as it's the current darling of the fireworks viewing crowd. If you are going early enough to miss that crowd, you will probably be seated on time. We've never waited past our ADR time to be seated at Citricos.

 

[OKW Lover]

If food and service is your priority, then its Citrico's. CG, while acceptable, gets by more on the view than the food/service.

 

[wdwislife]

We LOVED the California Grill on our trip this past February, but I've heard great things about Critico's as well.
Whatever food you're more in the mood for!

 

[BriarRosie]

If I was getting an entree, I'd lean more toward Citrico's. But I'm always happy with the sushi, flatbreads and appetizers/starters in general at California Grill. I can easily make a meal of that, often sharing sushi and flatbreads.

 

[AggieTexan]

Thanks! We don't care for sushi, so it looks like Citrico's may be our best bet!

 

[Ron from Michigan]

California Grill.

 

[tyandskyesmom]

We vote for Citricos for food...definately.

We enjoy California Grill but if I could only pick one there would be no contest!

 

[vettegirl]

Howdy fellow Aggie. I can only speak for the Cali Grill, which had amazing views, service, and one of the best filets I have ever tasted. Have fun!

 

[tinacaplan]

First of all, I have to say that I completely agree with PPs who have said to check out the menus. That is kind of the most important part; which menu looks more appealing to you? We ate both in February and while they both were good, we found Citricio's to be pretty lackluster, both in terms of service and food. California Grill was delicious. I still dream about the flatbread and the sushi we had. My entree was good, too, as was dinner.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

We prefer Citricos
. . . usually less crowded
. . . better behaved and fewer kids
. . . less noise
. . . better service (at least we think so)

 

[BC1836]

First of all, I have to say that I completely agree with PPs who have said to check out the menus. That is kind of the most important part; which menu looks more appealing to you? We ate both in February and while they both were good, we found Citricio's to be pretty lackluster, both in terms of service and food. California Grill was delicious. I still dream about the flatbread and the sushi we had. My entree was good, too, as was dinner.

We agree. CG has never disappointed foodwise.

However, the restaurant has no dress code, despite the dining reservations edicts. Since Disney can't afford to chase dirt bags with cash away during these economic times, CMs, unfortunately, look the other way. And with people who dress as if they were mowing their lawn instead of dining out, general behavior deteriorates quickly.

All the best.

 

[missminniemouse]

We prefer Citricos
. . . usually less crowded
. . . better behaved and fewer kids
. . . less noise
. . . better service (at least we think so)

We agree 100% We did both restaurants on our trip last December. Everybody went "eh" about Cali Grill, but they all asked to return to Citricos on our trip next month........for the 3rd straight year.

 

[MickeyNicki]

Both places are excellent, we are dining at both (and Narcoossee's) in a few weeks.....if I had to pick just one it would have to be Citrico's, we had an incredible meal there last year and it was a tad bit better than Cali Grill and the atmosphere was more relaxing and quieter

 

[cbg1027]

if I had to pick just one it would have to be Citrico's, we had an incredible meal there last year and it was a tad bit better than Cali Grill and the atmosphere was more relaxing and quieter

Ditto!

 

[aubriee]

I like both, but if I could do only one it'd be Citricos (better food, better service, and quieter, plus they have that crab gateu I love). I do love the sushi and flatbreads at California Grill though.

 

[psac]

Been to CG twice and Citrico's three times. I would rate the last CG dinner the best meal I've had at WDW in all of our trips. By far. Talking no comparison with anything else (haven't tried V&A). The other time I would rate below the three Citrico's dinners (didn't like the CG filet AT ALL). Strange how these things can vary. But personally I'm looking forward to the CG dinner more than the Citricos dinner on our trip next month, though I'm sure both will be good.

 

[shannn]

California Grill is my hands down favorite restaurant (probably anywhere). In fact, I went there for my birthday dinner last week. The pork tenderloin and Valharona Chocolate Cake~~ to die for!!

 

[kwdw]

Citrico's! Better food, better service, quieter. I was downright disappointed with California Grill last time. Very noisy with a lousy server. It's way overrated, IMO.