CherylDan
Survivor
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2004
- Messages
- 651
We were a group of four: me (mom), my DD17, her DBF, and his mom DearBoyFriendsMom (dont recall ever seeing the abbreviation DBFM before!) Our trip was from March 27-April 1. I'll have to apologize for not having pictures - but honestly, I don't think any of us ordered anything that there isn't already of picture of on the food thread. And to everyone who does post pictures 
We were not on the dining plan, nor were we ever asked at any time if we were .I was just a bit surprised by that. I'll give each place a grade for service and food. On with the review.....
Chef's de France:
This was our first meal after arriving at WDW. I was not all that impressed with my last visit to this restaurant, so I was hopeful for a better experience this time. Our ADR was for 5:00, and we were called about 5:15. Our server very promptly took our drink orders, and returned quickly with them. Our food also came quickly. Three of us had the french onion soup, which was, oddly enough, lacking in onions. The cheese topping was wonderful, and the broth was also really good. The bowl is rather large though, and I didn't even finish half of it. Our main courses soon followed. DD & DBF had the roast chicken, which looked just like roast chicken anywhere looks. They said it was good. DBFM had the strip steak, which got a rating of just OK. I ordered the filet with au gratin potatoes, and found it to be just so-so. The steak was tender, but really lacking in flavor, and the potatoes were kinda ho-hum. Creme brulee came with the two chicken dinners, and we didn't order any other desserts. I thought the creme brulee was very good, but no one else liked it. Overall, I found the atmosphere very nice, but the food to be overpriced for what it was.
Service: B+
Food: C
50's Prime Time Cafe:
Our ADR's were for 12:00, and we were seated promptly. I was hoping for a fun server, since neither the DBF nor DBFM had ever been there. Cousin Brenda was our server, and she started us off by telling us to set the table, and reminding "Skippy" (DBF) that only ladies wear hats at the table. She said she'd be back to take our orders when we got our table set. There was a whole lot of yelling going on between the servers during this time, which was great in adding to the experience. Brenda talked DBF into a PBJ milkshake and an order of onion rings before dinner. The milkshake was really yummy! I thought the onion rings were greasy, but the others gobbled them up. My DD and I both ordered the fried chicken, only I tried to order mine with out any vegetables, but Brenda wouldn't hear of it! The chicken was excellent, hot and juicy, and not at all greasy. The mashed potatoes and gravy were also good. I couldn't say how the green beans were.....
DBF had the meatloaf, which he said was great, and DBFM had a turkey sandwich which was huge!
Of course, after dinner, Brenda made a big deal about how everyone but me cleaned up their plates and could have dessert - and then she made her way over to my plate with the pile of green beans in the center. But I was ready for her, and before she could try to feed them to me, I told her I would like a to-go box for them. She just kinda said sure, and took our dessert orders. Before long, here she came back to the table with a huge shipping box (think UPS) being carried by another server, and she made a big announcement to the rest of the restaurant about how I wanted my green beans "to go". She pulled a normal sized to-go container out of the big box, and in it were my green beans covered in whipped cream and sprinkles!
Dessert was the smores and Dad's supper sundae - such fun!
Service: A
Food: B+ (not an A only because of the greasy onion rings)
Wolfgang Puck Express:
This was my first visit here, and I didnt really know what to expect. It was quite busy, but the line only took about five minutes. We were not all that hungry after the huge lunch we had at Prime Time, so we ordered a strange assortment to share between the four of us. We had a BBQ chicken sandwich, an individual cheese pizza, and a kids mac and cheese. We found a nice table outside (it was a beautiful evening) and they brought our food out to us about 5-10 minutes later. Everything was good, fresh, and hot. For a counter service place, this place is certainly a step up from the normal.
Service: A (way beyond what you'd normally get at a counter service)
Food: B+
San Angel Inn:
After reading bad review after bad review of this place, I was rather hesitant to try it, but DBF requested it. It had been several years since my last visit there, and I liked it then, so I was hoping that it would be good. Turns out it was one of our favorite meals! We were seated exactly on time at 11:30, at a very nice table along the wall next to the river. Our server immediately brought us salsa and chips and took our drink orders. I had a frozen margarita (lime and strawberry mix) which was to die for! It was, in a word, excellent, and a very nice size.
DD and I both ordered the Plato Mexicano it was a lot of food, and Im pretty sure we could have shared this no problem, especially since neither of us finished it. Very tasty. DBF had the chicken nachos, which, according to him, must have had a pound of cheese on them along with everything else, and were quite good. DBFM ordered the tacos al carbon, and they also received a thumbs up. No desserts here as we were all stuffed. It is, as they say, quite dark in this restaurant, but none of had had a problem reading the menu however, we did spend about a half hour in the marketplace and on the river ride before eating, so maybe our eyes had plenty of time to adjust. Also, I did notice that some tables did seem to be quite close together, but the one we had was in an excellent location and not crowded at all.
Service: B+
Food: A- (the chips were nothing special, but they were also free cant beat that deal)
Margarita Stand, Mexico
I had been looking forward to tying the fiesta margarita ever since seeing a picture of it way back when. We finally made our way back around to Mexico fairly late in the evening, and I was all set. We ordered two of them to share (yeah, we let the teens share-I know, we were bad). Lets just say they arent anything like the ones inside at the San Angel Inn. The best thing I can say about these were that they were cold and wet, and I was thirsty. But as for taste? Just yuck, yuck, yuck!
Everyone else in the group agreed (and yes, that even includes the two teens) that it was just plain bad.
Service: --
Food: D- (only reason its not a F is because I was so thirsty, I drank it anyway)
Yorkshire County Fish Shop
DD wanted a snack, and decided on the fish and chips. She said it was really good, but I didnt try it. It looked similar to Long John Silvers, but she said it tasted much better. So, per DD ..
Service: B (the line was very long, but she said they moved it along fairly well)
Food: B
Boma
Our ADR was for 9:00, and the waiting area was packed. We were given a pager, looked around outside for a bit, and were called about 9:30. However, once we were in the restaurant, we could see that there were many empty tables. The waiting area, however, was still packed. I dont know if they just didnt have enough servers or what the deal was.
Anyway, our server immediately brought us the frunch which was wonderful, and we made our way to the buffet. I sampled quite a few different items, but my favorites were a sausage type casserole with biscuits on top, and the potatoes with peppers. I didnt care at all for the pork roast (very dry) or the breakfast pizza. DD and DBF stuck with mostly normal breakfast foods, and DBFM was quite impressed with the made to order omelet she had. Our server was very efficient at keeping our plates cleared and our juice glasses filled, and overall it was a very nice start to our day.
Service: B (only because of the long wait to be seated when there were plenty of empty tables)
Food: B+
Whispering Cannon Café
We took the boat over to the Wilderness Lodge from the Magic Kingdom for our lunch at 12:30, and were seated right away. Ginger Ale was our server, and she was such fun! Another server also was quite interactive with our table .lots of attention given to the DBF. I did tell our server how thirsty I was, and asked for a refill of my diet coke, and lo and behold, what does she bring me? Nope, not a great big bucket, but instead, a tiny little miniature mason jar, the size of a salt shaker!
It was just a constant playing around during the entire meal, and we all had a great time. Oh yeah
.the food! DD & I shared the pulled pork sandwich with fries and baked beans it was plenty to share, and very, very good. Then it was time for the dessert I was most looking forward to during the entire trip. We each had our own banana tortilla dessert, and it did not disappoint! Only thing is, its huge, and neither of us were able to finish it. DBF and DBFM both had the smoke stack sandwich, and the apple pie, and they seemed to like them. DD and DBF also had the bottomless milkshakes, and they were truly bottomless she just kept on bring them out. I think the DBF finally stopped after the fourth one. The restaurant wasnt all that busy, only about half full, but they still did the stick horse races, the picture coloring stuff, and even a call for ketchup. After reading several reviews that mentioned that there wasnt much happening during lunch, I was a bit worried, but as it turned out, there was still plenty of fun to be had! 
Service: A
Food: A
Tusker House
We had an early lunch at Tusker House, before it got too crowed. DD and DBF each had the chicken and mashed potatoes. DD liked everything, but DBF didnt care for the gravy on the potatoes, or the veggies. DBFM and I each had the fried chicken sandwich with fries, and it wasnt very good. I thought the chicken tasted like it had been sitting around awhile. Just not as hot and fresh as it should have been. The fries were fine. Its not something I would ever order again. DD and DBF had the carrot cake, which they both loved, and I had one of the best rice krispie treats Ive ever eaten.
Service: B (was fine, the line moved nicely, and the tables were clean)
Food: C (honestly, Ive had way better fried chicken sandwiches from McDonalds, but the rice krispie treat was really good)
Overall, we had mostly great experiences. Im headed back to WDW in January with DH (just the two of us!) and we will be doing the dining plan. Of all the places I was just at, Ive already decided to return to: 50s Prime Time, San Angel Inn, Boma, and Whispering Cannon. I have no plans to return to Chefs de France any time soon, and I think Ill trade Tusker House for a visit to the Flame Tree. But most of all, I will be staying very clear of that stand in Mexico that pretends to have margaritas!
Anyway, I hope all my ramblings are helpful to someone. 
We were not on the dining plan, nor were we ever asked at any time if we were .I was just a bit surprised by that. I'll give each place a grade for service and food. On with the review.....
Chef's de France:
This was our first meal after arriving at WDW. I was not all that impressed with my last visit to this restaurant, so I was hopeful for a better experience this time. Our ADR was for 5:00, and we were called about 5:15. Our server very promptly took our drink orders, and returned quickly with them. Our food also came quickly. Three of us had the french onion soup, which was, oddly enough, lacking in onions. The cheese topping was wonderful, and the broth was also really good. The bowl is rather large though, and I didn't even finish half of it. Our main courses soon followed. DD & DBF had the roast chicken, which looked just like roast chicken anywhere looks. They said it was good. DBFM had the strip steak, which got a rating of just OK. I ordered the filet with au gratin potatoes, and found it to be just so-so. The steak was tender, but really lacking in flavor, and the potatoes were kinda ho-hum. Creme brulee came with the two chicken dinners, and we didn't order any other desserts. I thought the creme brulee was very good, but no one else liked it. Overall, I found the atmosphere very nice, but the food to be overpriced for what it was.
Service: B+
Food: C
50's Prime Time Cafe:
Our ADR's were for 12:00, and we were seated promptly. I was hoping for a fun server, since neither the DBF nor DBFM had ever been there. Cousin Brenda was our server, and she started us off by telling us to set the table, and reminding "Skippy" (DBF) that only ladies wear hats at the table. She said she'd be back to take our orders when we got our table set. There was a whole lot of yelling going on between the servers during this time, which was great in adding to the experience. Brenda talked DBF into a PBJ milkshake and an order of onion rings before dinner. The milkshake was really yummy! I thought the onion rings were greasy, but the others gobbled them up. My DD and I both ordered the fried chicken, only I tried to order mine with out any vegetables, but Brenda wouldn't hear of it! The chicken was excellent, hot and juicy, and not at all greasy. The mashed potatoes and gravy were also good. I couldn't say how the green beans were.....
DBF had the meatloaf, which he said was great, and DBFM had a turkey sandwich which was huge!
Of course, after dinner, Brenda made a big deal about how everyone but me cleaned up their plates and could have dessert - and then she made her way over to my plate with the pile of green beans in the center. But I was ready for her, and before she could try to feed them to me, I told her I would like a to-go box for them. She just kinda said sure, and took our dessert orders. Before long, here she came back to the table with a huge shipping box (think UPS) being carried by another server, and she made a big announcement to the rest of the restaurant about how I wanted my green beans "to go". She pulled a normal sized to-go container out of the big box, and in it were my green beans covered in whipped cream and sprinkles!
Dessert was the smores and Dad's supper sundae - such fun!Service: A
Food: B+ (not an A only because of the greasy onion rings)
Wolfgang Puck Express:
This was my first visit here, and I didnt really know what to expect. It was quite busy, but the line only took about five minutes. We were not all that hungry after the huge lunch we had at Prime Time, so we ordered a strange assortment to share between the four of us. We had a BBQ chicken sandwich, an individual cheese pizza, and a kids mac and cheese. We found a nice table outside (it was a beautiful evening) and they brought our food out to us about 5-10 minutes later. Everything was good, fresh, and hot. For a counter service place, this place is certainly a step up from the normal.
Service: A (way beyond what you'd normally get at a counter service)
Food: B+
San Angel Inn:
After reading bad review after bad review of this place, I was rather hesitant to try it, but DBF requested it. It had been several years since my last visit there, and I liked it then, so I was hoping that it would be good. Turns out it was one of our favorite meals! We were seated exactly on time at 11:30, at a very nice table along the wall next to the river. Our server immediately brought us salsa and chips and took our drink orders. I had a frozen margarita (lime and strawberry mix) which was to die for! It was, in a word, excellent, and a very nice size.
DD and I both ordered the Plato Mexicano it was a lot of food, and Im pretty sure we could have shared this no problem, especially since neither of us finished it. Very tasty. DBF had the chicken nachos, which, according to him, must have had a pound of cheese on them along with everything else, and were quite good. DBFM ordered the tacos al carbon, and they also received a thumbs up. No desserts here as we were all stuffed. It is, as they say, quite dark in this restaurant, but none of had had a problem reading the menu however, we did spend about a half hour in the marketplace and on the river ride before eating, so maybe our eyes had plenty of time to adjust. Also, I did notice that some tables did seem to be quite close together, but the one we had was in an excellent location and not crowded at all.Service: B+
Food: A- (the chips were nothing special, but they were also free cant beat that deal)
Margarita Stand, Mexico
I had been looking forward to tying the fiesta margarita ever since seeing a picture of it way back when. We finally made our way back around to Mexico fairly late in the evening, and I was all set. We ordered two of them to share (yeah, we let the teens share-I know, we were bad). Lets just say they arent anything like the ones inside at the San Angel Inn. The best thing I can say about these were that they were cold and wet, and I was thirsty. But as for taste? Just yuck, yuck, yuck!
Everyone else in the group agreed (and yes, that even includes the two teens) that it was just plain bad.Service: --
Food: D- (only reason its not a F is because I was so thirsty, I drank it anyway)
Yorkshire County Fish Shop
DD wanted a snack, and decided on the fish and chips. She said it was really good, but I didnt try it. It looked similar to Long John Silvers, but she said it tasted much better. So, per DD ..
Service: B (the line was very long, but she said they moved it along fairly well)
Food: B
Boma
Our ADR was for 9:00, and the waiting area was packed. We were given a pager, looked around outside for a bit, and were called about 9:30. However, once we were in the restaurant, we could see that there were many empty tables. The waiting area, however, was still packed. I dont know if they just didnt have enough servers or what the deal was.
Anyway, our server immediately brought us the frunch which was wonderful, and we made our way to the buffet. I sampled quite a few different items, but my favorites were a sausage type casserole with biscuits on top, and the potatoes with peppers. I didnt care at all for the pork roast (very dry) or the breakfast pizza. DD and DBF stuck with mostly normal breakfast foods, and DBFM was quite impressed with the made to order omelet she had. Our server was very efficient at keeping our plates cleared and our juice glasses filled, and overall it was a very nice start to our day.Service: B (only because of the long wait to be seated when there were plenty of empty tables)
Food: B+
Whispering Cannon Café
We took the boat over to the Wilderness Lodge from the Magic Kingdom for our lunch at 12:30, and were seated right away. Ginger Ale was our server, and she was such fun! Another server also was quite interactive with our table .lots of attention given to the DBF. I did tell our server how thirsty I was, and asked for a refill of my diet coke, and lo and behold, what does she bring me? Nope, not a great big bucket, but instead, a tiny little miniature mason jar, the size of a salt shaker!
It was just a constant playing around during the entire meal, and we all had a great time. Oh yeah
.the food! DD & I shared the pulled pork sandwich with fries and baked beans it was plenty to share, and very, very good. Then it was time for the dessert I was most looking forward to during the entire trip. We each had our own banana tortilla dessert, and it did not disappoint! Only thing is, its huge, and neither of us were able to finish it. DBF and DBFM both had the smoke stack sandwich, and the apple pie, and they seemed to like them. DD and DBF also had the bottomless milkshakes, and they were truly bottomless she just kept on bring them out. I think the DBF finally stopped after the fourth one. The restaurant wasnt all that busy, only about half full, but they still did the stick horse races, the picture coloring stuff, and even a call for ketchup. After reading several reviews that mentioned that there wasnt much happening during lunch, I was a bit worried, but as it turned out, there was still plenty of fun to be had! Service: A
Food: A
Tusker House
We had an early lunch at Tusker House, before it got too crowed. DD and DBF each had the chicken and mashed potatoes. DD liked everything, but DBF didnt care for the gravy on the potatoes, or the veggies. DBFM and I each had the fried chicken sandwich with fries, and it wasnt very good. I thought the chicken tasted like it had been sitting around awhile. Just not as hot and fresh as it should have been. The fries were fine. Its not something I would ever order again. DD and DBF had the carrot cake, which they both loved, and I had one of the best rice krispie treats Ive ever eaten.
Service: B (was fine, the line moved nicely, and the tables were clean)
Food: C (honestly, Ive had way better fried chicken sandwiches from McDonalds, but the rice krispie treat was really good)
Overall, we had mostly great experiences. Im headed back to WDW in January with DH (just the two of us!) and we will be doing the dining plan. Of all the places I was just at, Ive already decided to return to: 50s Prime Time, San Angel Inn, Boma, and Whispering Cannon. I have no plans to return to Chefs de France any time soon, and I think Ill trade Tusker House for a visit to the Flame Tree. But most of all, I will be staying very clear of that stand in Mexico that pretends to have margaritas!
Anyway, I hope all my ramblings are helpful to someone. 
