Corral Reef or Mexico for Lunch?

[psindone]

I know that the food in Mexico is nothing all that great. I have not eaten at the Coral Reef for quite a few years. Years ago I really did enjoy it. Since it has become a more kid friendly place, it seems that the reviews have given it a thumbs down. We are going to be on the DxDP and need another place for lunch. So what do you think???????

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

Haven't eaten at either and have heard very mixed reviews for both. I can see the attraction though for the atmosphere at both. I would have a hard time choosing.

 

[Pakey]

Being huge fish lovers, we still enjoy going to Coral Reef if we can get the very first lunch seating before the place becomes a madhouse. Not all of the dishes served here are that good but there are still some decent things to eat. My biggest problem with CR is the horrific noise level once it fills up and the slow service that seems to happen no matter when we dine there.

San Angel is the absolute worst TS food I've had at WDW. I live in an area where there are many Mexican restaurants and grocery stores; I've been to Mexico several times. So I'm biased because I have certain expectations. However, the restaurant is very pretty and it's definitely more relaxing than CR.

I would look at the menus and pick based on which offers more items that you are interested in trying.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

Never been to Mexico yet but I can speak for Coral Reef love it here. Good food and an Awesome Aquarium.

 

[Dawn68PA]

Another vote for Coral Reef! Excellent food and service and the tank is a nice bonus!

 

[flamom]

we ate at Coral Reef for lunch in June and loved it both the food and atmosphere were wonderful. we have also eaten dinner at San Angel and enjoyed that very much too. Just depends on what you feel like eating.

 

[MICKFan]

Another vote for Coral Reef. dd and I were there May '08 and LOVED it......Living in Texas, we have GREAT Mexican restaurants!! IMO, San Angel is just OK.

 

[goofy&tigger2]

I'll take Mexican over Coral Reef.When we were at Reef service was bad and food was bad. Over priced fish.

 

[LeahA]

I have never been to Coral Reef, but, I did not like Mexico at all, so I'd say Coral Reef!

 

[TxMickeyLover]

I loved Coral Reef. Mexico was just okay. I would definitely go for Coral Reef!

 

[ibouncetoo]

Funny you should ask.......

We're splitting up for this one: the girls are going to Coral Reef (we both live in Arizona, we know real Mexican food) and the boys are going to San Angel (one of them is a vegetarian and couldn't take looking at the fish in the aquarium while the rest of us were eating some). I'm looking forward to my first visit to Coral Reef.

My friend is a diver and this was the only restaurant she requested. Just found out yesterday that she was able to book a dive there!

.

 

[erinch]

we actually do both for lunch....neither of them for the food, particularly. I absolutely book the first booking for Coral Reef. If you have a party of 4 ask for by the tank. It gets slower and slower as the day goes on. If you want anything...more water, more bread, etc. make sure that you snag whoever delivers your food, and confirm that they will bring it to you. On several occasions we went most of the meal w/out seeing our server.

 

[tinker_belle 17]

i went last year for lunch at coral reef and it was great.

when we went this spring we ate in mexico and lets just say someone didnt have a great night..

also i loved coral reef, i loved the atmosphere and thought it was really cool. and the food was really good too!

 

[familyS]

We love Coral Reef, it is one of our "must do" restaurants, even for the meat eaters in our family.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

Coral Reef

We ate there on the DxDP for lunch on July 1st (review is in my signature). It was one of our best meals food and atmosphere wise.

 

[Took]

EIther restaurant is fine. We've enjoyed many meals at both! San Angel is not (remotely) "southwestern" or "tex-mex" and they don't do these kinds of dishes very well when they try. However, they do have some coastal dishes that are very good (the "a la veracruzana" dishes come to mind) and they usually have a "Surgencia del Chef" that's quite good.

Coral Reef is also quite good. As other posters have said, go to CR early, before the crowds come. That's what we did last June and we had a very pleasant lunch with attentive service.

took

 

[Jerry@dvcstore]

Mexico all the way. The Coral Reef is a cool restaurant because of the aquarium but the food in Mexico is much better.

 

[n2mm]

We've done both and Coral Reef wins by a landslide. We just ate lunch at Coral Reef 3 weeks ago and it was our second best meal and we at signature restaruants the entire week. (Only Narcossees came in first). We had a wonderful server who was attentive and perfect and the food was great. We too were on the delux ddp so appetizers were included. We have found with lunch TS locations, most have eliminated the bread, but bread is still offered at Coral Reef (and LeCelliers). We had one of the first lunch seatings which was great, at least until the family of 20 was seated near us (OK behind us), then the noise level went up.

 

[mrstamil]

We ate at both 2 yrs. ago. Mexico was a MUCH better atmosphere. At the Coral Reef, we had to crank our heads backwards to see the tanks, were way up high, it was EXTREMELY loud and the food was horrible. We've eaten there twice now. Never again....

 

[Lynn5700]

Coral Reef. Love it there.