Breakfast at ABC Commissary
This was the first day of the first Star Wars Week-end. We had headed to MGM for the morning extra magic hours. I wanted to get a few rides of Star Tours in early so we could enjoy the rest of the Star Wars events.
We headed over to Star Tours when we were let into the park. However, when we got over there, it was roped off they were shooting some promo or video or something. You couldnt get to Muppets 3D so we decided to go to the Great Movie Ride (we dont do ToT or RnR rollercoaster so EMH rides are pretty limited). But that wasnt working! They had a delay in opening and the CM told us they wouldnt open until at least 9 am.
So, what to do around 8:30am? Well, have breakfast of course. I checked the times guide and the ABC Commissary (which is just steps away from the Great Movie Ride) was open and although I havent read a lot of good things on the DIS, I knew at least the muffin and yogurt combo was good (as my mom and I had gotten this last year). We were pretty hungry not having eaten anything prior to leaving the hotel, and then being turned away all over the place, I have to say we were pretty grumpy. I was hoping for a good meal.
We ordered two scrambled egg platters with bacon, sausage, hash brown potatoes and a biscuit (normally $5.99) and two large diet cokes with no ice (it was hot and we needed liquid more than bad coffee or sweet OJ).
These two platters came out and wow! They are packed. They had a large scoop of scrambled eggs, a large scoop of hash browns, a sausage patty, 2 pieces of bacon and a biscuit. My mom and dad each started on the main platters while I enjoyed a biscuit with butter and jam and then the second biscuit with a sausage patty on it (I am the only one in my family who will eat biscuits). I also had a little egg and a little hash brown. Between the two meals all three of us were stuffed. Although not the best use of a counter service credit, it was a very good meal and I would not hesitate to have breakfast here again.
A word about the seating this is a very large indoor, air conditioned seating area with comfortable seats (both chair and benches). Although the lunch menu isnt very appealing to me and mine, I do think that this is the nicest counter service place in MGM and at breakfast, it was us and maybe 3 other families so it was quite and spacious.
Lunch at Pepper Market
I made the mistake before we left of telling my Dad that there was a counter service restaurant where you could order a steak. He had been trying to work it in all week so finally when we left MGM around 2:00pm he made the suggestion of trying the Pepper Market.
Since we have a car and drive to the parks, it wasnt a hassle to get there. I knew that it was in the Animal Kingdom area resorts so we headed that way and followed the signs. It was easy to find. My dad parked the car and we headed in to the resort. We followed the signs down the hallway and waited to be seated.
They gave us a brief explanation of what to do (take the card, order, theyll stamp it bye!). My mom and dad both opted for the steak and I tried the pick two Chinese food option.
My dad got the steak cooked medium, mashed potatoes and veggies and my mom got the steak cooked well done and mashed potatoes. They were very unorganized and didnt give my mom any veggies, my dad had to remind the guy about the mashed potatoes (since he went to hand my dad a plate with just the steaks) and he asked about the veggies (since the sign says they are included) and the guy put them on one plate and not the other.
I ordered the Sampler - any two of the following: roasted pork, bourbon chicken, spicy chicken Kung Bao or stir fry beef and an egg roll $15.95. Except they didnt have any roasted pork or spicy chicken Kung Bao, so I got the bourbon chicken and the stir fry beef. It also comes with your choice of rice or noodles I got the noodles and they were cooked plain and then he poured a sauce over them. I had to remind him about the egg roll.
The desserts were somewhat limited (any of the pastries but nothing in the refridgerator case). I got a chocolate croissant (very good) and my mom and dad got pecan sticky buns (good but not great).
When seated we were asked if we were on the dining plan, then the CM who brought us our drinks asked us again. When I went to pay I assumed it was somewhere on the ticket that they give you nope. The CM punched everyone in and asked my for $87 (including a $10 tip for the server who brought us 1 drink and then we never saw her again). When I informed her that we were on the dining plan, she cleared the total and the new total was $33.10 and so she took my card and deducted 3 cs credits.
The food was good but not good enough for us to make a special trip here unless we have some CS credits burning a hole in our pocket and are looking a real meal.