Coral Reef - Strip Steak???

[Lothlórien]

I really want to dine at the Coral Reef on my next trip. I need that shrimp and grits.

The trip will be me and the love of my life. My husband is not a fan of seafood. He does like steak, but we are picky steak eaters. I normally have Filet Mignon and he either has Filet Mignon or Prime Rib.

What is the NY Strip Steak from Coral Reef like? Obviously not in the same caliber as what we normally order. Good Flavor? Tenderness? He would get it between medium/medium well (I think they call it medium plus).

 

[JZCubed]

How about he gets a salad, and you go to Shula's later for dinner (where you should have the chocolate souffle for dessert)?

 

[Serenebean]

I had the NY Strip there....I found it to be good. I had read reviews that it was not though. I ordered Medium and it came out nicely cooked. I thought the flavor was very good.

 

[DeanDoug]

The strip is fine... just make sure it is done to dh's preference. The experience is worth the trip!

 

[Lothlórien]

How about he gets a salad, and you go to Shula's later for dinner (where you should have the chocolate souffle for dessert)?

I do not see the point in us having dinner at separate places. If we went to Shula's, I would want Filet, not chocolate. However, if this was just about steak, we would just wait for our Narcoossee's night.
I just want to find something he can enjoy since seafood is not his thing, but he wants to try Coral Reef. Too bad they removed the pasta from their menu.

 

[LaBelleVie]

My husband LOVED the steak, and he's pretty critical when it comes to food (particularly meat, which is pretty much his favorite thing). He said he'd rank it in the top 3 steaks he'd ever eaten (we ate there in November 2015).

 

[Disney Khaleesi]

Not my favorite, and I'm far from refined as far as my tastebuds go. Coral Reef was interesting, but it just isn't a restaurant we ever need to do again. I think the steak I had there was slightly more exciting than one I would get at Outback Steakhouse.

 

[Mr & Mrs DD]

I had the New York Strip the last time that I was there. It was VERY good. I would love to go there again for the steak. The Baileys & Jack Daniels Chocolate Mousse dessert is very good as well. This place gets a lot of mixed reviews and perhaps they aren't very consistent, but we had a very good meal there.

 

[FunFamily]

It is a very average steak. The overall experience can help make up for it. Service is generally very good. At times the restaurant can become a bit noisy and hectic.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[JZCubed]

I do not see the point in us having dinner at separate places. If we went to Shula's, I would want Filet, not chocolate. However, if this was just about steak, we would just wait for our Narcoossee's night.
I just want to find something he can enjoy since seafood is not his thing, but he wants to try Coral Reef. Too bad they removed the pasta from their menu.

Disney is actively promoting a dining around the Monorail Resorts program called 'Highway in the Sky'.
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/contemporary-resort/highway-in-the-sky-dine-around/

People frequently mention the idea of dining around the World Showcase in Epcot.

What I'm suggesting is you have an extremely light lunch at Coral Reef. Absorb the view. Eat something small. Move on.

Then you can both go to Shula's for a very good steak if this is what your family member really wants.

I'm suggesting a win-win, both Coral Reef and a good steak.

 

[Lisa F]

Disney is actively promoting a dining around the Monorail Resorts program called 'Highway in the Sky'.
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/contemporary-resort/highway-in-the-sky-dine-around/

People frequently mention the idea of dining around the World Showcase in Epcot.

What I'm suggesting is you have an extremely light lunch at Coral Reef. Absorb the view. Eat something small. Move on.

Then you can both go to Shula's for a very good steak if this is what your family member really wants.

I'm suggesting a win-win, both Coral Reef and a good steak.

I think the OP wants to eat an actual meal there and is trying to find something her husband wants to eat... and also they have a nice steak dinner planned later in the trip.

I did not have the strip steak there but the kid's steak was quite good. I have seen generally positive reviews of the strip steak there. I am not a huge fan of strip steak myself, preferring filet mignon and rib eye (not prime rib so much but ribeye is basically the same cut I think but as a steak) but we had a strip steak at Sci Fi and it was tasty and fine... not filet, not rib eye but it was tasty.... and it is probably bottom of the barrel as far as TS steaks go at WDW. I think that Coral Reef is more on the caliber of BoG or Mama Melrose - both not signature experiences with well reviewed steaks.

I think as long as your husband goes in expecting something that is tasty and satisfying but not the best steak of his life he'll be fine. The other thing about the strip steaks that disney serves is that they tend to be on the thinner side, which is not a huge issue if you are not looking for rare to medium rare... a bit more than medium you should have no issues at all. IMO steaks less than an inch thick are kind of hard to get right if you like a cooler temp.

I had the shrimp and grits and it was delicious. Or maybe it's my fault you want them, lol.

 

[JZCubed]

I think the OP wants to eat an actual meal there and is trying to find something her husband wants to eat... and also they have a nice steak dinner planned later in the trip.

I did not have the strip steak there but the kid's steak was quite good. I have seen generally positive reviews of the strip steak there. I am not a huge fan of strip steak myself, preferring filet mignon and rib eye (not prime rib so much but ribeye is basically the same cut I think but as a steak) but we had a strip steak at Sci Fi and it was tasty and fine... not filet, not rib eye but it was tasty.... and it is probably bottom of the barrel as far as TS steaks go at WDW. I think that Coral Reef is more on the caliber of BoG or Mama Melrose - both not signature experiences with well reviewed steaks.

I think as long as your husband goes in expecting something that is tasty and satisfying but not the best steak of his life he'll be fine. The other thing about the strip steaks that disney serves is that they tend to be on the thinner side, which is not a huge issue if you are not looking for rare to medium rare... a bit more than medium you should have no issues at all. IMO steaks less than an inch thick are kind of hard to get right if you like a cooler temp.

I had the shrimp and grits and it was delicious. Or maybe it's my fault you want them, lol.

We enjoy Sci-Fi - it's not about the food.

Coral Reef is a similar situation - it's a non-Signature that is more about a uniquely-Disney ambiance.

Coral Reef serves reasonable seafood for the money (plenty of folks disagree with my assessment). There are presently 4-of-9 entrees that are not seafood. Regardless, a meal here is not about food quality and there are nearly as many seafood options as not.

But before someone spends $35 for a lousy steak, I'm suggesting they drop in for a quick bite without the expectation or need to order what is likely to be, at-best, a mediocre steak.

I'm offering a win-win solution, while too many other folks are suggesting the steak isn't really that bad.

 

[Lisa F]

We enjoy Sci-Fi - it's not about the food.

Coral Reef is a similar situation - it's a non-Signature that is more about a uniquely-Disney ambiance.

Coral Reef serves reasonable seafood for the money (plenty of folks disagree with my assessment). There are presently 4-of-9 entrees that are not seafood. Regardless, a meal here is not about food quality and there are nearly as many seafood options as not.

But before someone spends $35 for a lousy steak, I'm suggesting they drop in for a quick bite without the expectation or need to order what is likely to be, at-best, a mediocre steak.

I'm offering a win-win solution, while too many other folks are suggesting the steak isn't really that bad.

yeah I know a lot of people hate this place. As I said, I had the shrimp and grits in december and it was one of the best meals of the trip... but it is not an often reviewed dish. Most of the dishes there will run you in the $30 range (+/- of course) and the steak is as good as any other +/- $30 steak at WDW (from reviews). Of course at a signature it is going to be much better, but if as you said it is about the experience then it's as good a choice as any and people seem to think it is tasty. I don't think for the OP it is about having a great steak, it is about having something he will enjoy at the coral reef. He's got his great steak planned for Narcoossees. When I see bad reviews of Coral reef, they are most often countered by people saying they had the steak and it was really good... so I would say it's not a bad choice out of the rest of the menu... as long as he is not expecting it to be a $50 steak that is! Then you are sure to be disappointed!

Of course those are Disney prices... I thought the Sci Fi steak was tasty but it was in no way a $34 steak or whatever it is. but it was the right thing at the right time for us!

 

[GillianP1301]

I've had the strip steak at Coral Reef every time I've gone (3 times total) and have enjoyed it every time. It's not the caliber of Yachtsman, but always very good. They also have one of my favourite desserts there as well, The Chocolate Wave.

 

[Lothlórien]

I think the OP wants to eat an actual meal there and is trying to find something her husband wants to eat... and also they have a nice steak dinner planned later in the trip.

I did not have the strip steak there but the kid's steak was quite good. I have seen generally positive reviews of the strip steak there. I am not a huge fan of strip steak myself, preferring filet mignon and rib eye (not prime rib so much but ribeye is basically the same cut I think but as a steak) but we had a strip steak at Sci Fi and it was tasty and fine... not filet, not rib eye but it was tasty.... and it is probably bottom of the barrel as far as TS steaks go at WDW. I think that Coral Reef is more on the caliber of BoG or Mama Melrose - both not signature experiences with well reviewed steaks.

I think as long as your husband goes in expecting something that is tasty and satisfying but not the best steak of his life he'll be fine. The other thing about the strip steaks that disney serves is that they tend to be on the thinner side, which is not a huge issue if you are not looking for rare to medium rare... a bit more than medium you should have no issues at all. IMO steaks less than an inch thick are kind of hard to get right if you like a cooler temp.

I had the shrimp and grits and it was delicious. Or maybe it's my fault you want them, lol.

Bingo on the first point. I really do not see any value in spending a large chunk of my day in restaurants. We just want to share a meal together.

I have been to Coral Reef several times. In the past they had a decent pasta dish without any seafood, but not anymore. They also had a decent chicken dish on the menu, but...also gone.
My husband likes (some) fish tacos, but that is not an option there either. The pork shank does not look good to him, so that leaves the steak. He has never been there and would like to go, but he is imited with the menu.

I had the shrimp and grits on my last visit.....SO GOOD! Maybe you and I should have dinner together. I eat around 5. What do you say? LOL

 

[DisneyHardin]

My DH had the steak there last year and he thought it was really good.

 

[Lisa F]

Bingo on the first point. I really do not see any value in spending a large chunk of my day in restaurants. We just want to share a meal together.

I have been to Coral Reef several times. In the past they had a decent pasta dish without any seafood, but not anymore. They also had a decent chicken dish on the menu, but...also gone.
My husband likes (some) fish tacos, but that is not an option there either. The pork shank does not look good to him, so that leaves the steak. He has never been there and would like to go, but he is imited with the menu.

I had the shrimp and grits on my last visit.....SO GOOD! Maybe you and I should have dinner together. I eat around 5. What do you say? LOL

Totally game! We can start a coral reef shrimp and grits fan club. Just might be the two of us though, lol.

 

[cobright]

The NY Strip at Coral Reef is about as good as one can expect a NY strip to be. As a cut of meat, I rate the strip to be an unfortunate tag-along on my porterhouse bone. I've ordered it at Coral Reef once and had a bit of my son's on another occasion. Order it on the rare side of your normal preference, then let it sit on the plate a bit at the table while you chip out the appetizers or side dishes.

On the other hand, I found the pork shank to be very good. If your husband is not a seafood fan, I can recommend this.

 

[justme0729]

Steak was good! We didn't eat at any signatures and it was the best of the trip

 

[jo-jo]

OP, glad you asked this. We have this on our list for our DGS (5 & 1)for the experience and several of us are not seafood lovers.