Does anyone like Tony's in MK ?

[pooh2001]

Tony's menu does not seem to bad. Everyone in my family found something to thier liking on the menu's web-site.

I have not read too many positive reviews of Tony's in MK on these boards.
What do you think of Tony's ?

Thanks aw:

 

[CVW]

It's a great restaurant. We ate there last week before the MVMCP. I had low expectations because of these boards, but was just happy to get a table anywhere. It was much, much better than I expected. My wife had the braised salmon. I had the NY strip. I also had the butternut squash soup, which was the best soup I had all week. (Including the soups at Boma's, which was my favorite restaurant of the week.)

People can rightfully bash ANY restaurant at WDW. There's very little anywhere on property that can compare with the best of, say, Las Vegas or Chicago. So you accept that and move on. People who bash amusement park dining have rather misshapen priorities.

Is it the best Italian food I've ever had? Not even close. Probably somewhere around Olive Garden quality without the great house salad and breadsticks. But it's by far the best Italian food I've ever had within a thousand yards of a roller coaster. I actually enjoyed it more than Liberty Tree Tavern.

 

[webray]

The menu sounds great but the food is a huge disappointment.

Food is very subjective, so give it a try, as people on these boards are used to very different things. Hubby and I have very open minds when trying new restaurants, but Tony's was one of the worst for sure.

 

[Kewz1]

We've enjoyed it everytime we've eaten there!

Kristen

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

We were very disappointed with Tony's. But that being said, it was 2 years ago. Not only was the food bad (IMO) but our service was very disappointing.
Yes, I am part Italian. No, I do not expect my Grandmother's cooking at any restaurant. BUT, no one should have to cut meatballs with a knife, similar to a steak. My DD was 3 at the time and she spit her pizza back out. We have better frozen from the grocery store.

But like I said, it was 2 years ago and hopefully things have changed. I'd be willing to give it another try myself, but my DH would rather go back to the Castle.

 

[bicker]

Given the choice between Tony's at about $20 per person for lunch, and CRT at $34 per person for lunch, I feel Tony's is the better value. However, many folks will really appreciate the special experience you get at CRT, and will enjoy that so much more than it would be worth the higher price.

 

[luvdmouse]

I always go to Tony's with picky eaters. Pizza always works for them. We've always had decent food. Not a huge menu. What we like about Tony's is we are able to get a great spot for Spectromagic after dinner. That is by far my kid's favorite parade. They can never get enough of it.

 

[Bob P]

Tony's does get a lot of negative feedback, but I always suggest that if you see a mneu and it appeals to you, you should give it a try. Everyone's taste is different! If you look at anything subjective (food, movies) you will find plenty of opinions.

I think you should go to Tony's, give it a try, and form your own opinion!!

Bob

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

I've liked it in the past but I've got to say that it was not good at all when we ate there on October 30, 2005. It took forever to get our food, DH and my steaks were bland and potatoes were cold and hard. However, I'm trying to attribute that to the fact that they were open late for MNSSHP and were absolutely swamped that night. Our server was very nice though. I'll give it another try sometime in the future but it's not going to be on our list for the next trip.

I always enjoyed breakfast there, wish they still did that.

Hope you have better luck with it.

 

[bicker]

Everyone's taste is different! If you look at anything subjective (food, movies) you will find plenty of opinions. I think you should go to Tony's, give it a try, and form your own opinion!!

That's good advice, but it sort-of invalidates the whole idea of discussion boards!

Seriously, the reviews of Tony's I've read don't seem to be focused on the taste of the food, at least not that much. Rather, the message I get from the reviews of Tony's I have read is that a lot of folks experienced sticker-shock -- they were just not prepared for the difference between what things cost normally IRL and what things cost on Main Street USA, in the Magic Kingdom. (Sorry folks, but the Plaza Restaurant doesn't qualify. It's not much more than a glorified burger stand.)

I suspect that's one reason why every other restaurant in the Magic Kingdom offers character meals: Because it is so difficult for average folks to accept that that is how much supply-and-demand dictates the price should be for a plain, full-service restaurant in the Magic Kingdom.

 

[mickeyfan2]

I am italian and the food is excellent. I have never understood the dislike of this restaurant. Whenever we eat there, it is full and no walk-ups are taken. So somebody must like it. Many complain about the price. Lets see, you are at WDW in the MK eating at a sitdown restaurant on Main Street and you want to pay what is costs you to make spaghetti at home from a jar? Good sauce and meatballs are more expensive than you think. And no I would never eat the frozen meatballs that you can buy. They are horrible.

 

[G8RFAN]

Our DS loves spaghetti and meatballs, so we find ourselves at Tony's quite often (at least 8 times in the last two years). I've learned to ask for extra sauce for my spaghetti, as it is consistently on the dry side, but that's my personal taste. The service has been good with the exception of one time when dining in the atrium, our waiter disappeared never to be seen again and at least two other tables were getting pretty upset as they were trying to get the check. It's definitely not at the top of my Italian themed restaurants in WDW, but it is convenient and for us consistent in food quality.

 

[Allison]

I had lunch there with my husband a few weeks ago and it was fine. The service was poor but the food was fine. 20% off with our DDE card made the price better but it's a theme park, so I expect the prices I saw.

He had lasagna and I had the chicken panini. I have no complaints about the food and it was actually nice not to get huge portions and be absolutely stuffed when we left.

The service was lacking. Our server wasn't rude or mean or anything. She just wasn't very good. It wasn't a big deal as the server for the other tables around us helped us out. She was very sweet.

I do have a lunch for Tony's scheduled on our next trip. I think the kids will like it and it's very convenient.

 

[Lewisc]

Bicker--My wife was served a raw pork chop. It came back badly under-cooked the second time so we changed the order. The "chief" was new and thought they were pre-cooked and only had to be browned. I didn't ask for anything free, nothing was offered, but most restaurants would have at least comped coffee.

Many of us think the pasta and sauce doesn't taste any better than what you get in a can.

I agree some posters may have "sticker shock" but I wouldn't go back if it was free. The prices are on the menu that's outside the restaurant and can be found in many web site so I don't think "sticker shock" accounts for most of the posts. My problem is the quality of the food doesn't match the prices. I think the food at Mama Melrose is much better. I think the food at many of the CS restaurants is better.

The restaurant is well themed and is in a prime location in what is probably the busiest theme park in the country (world?). I'd expect the restaurant will be crowded even if they don't get very many repeat customers.

 

[bicker]

20% off with our DDE card made the price better

This is one of my biggest fears -- that prices are adjusting to supply and demand driven by all of these discount programs, so anyone who doesn't have such a discount (like me) ends up paying more. It's pretty much what happens in grocery stores, now that they have all these affinity discount programs: The only way to get a good deal is to register with the store. (Luckily, there are still a few stores left that don't offer affinity discounts.)

 

[Allison]

This is one of my biggest fears -- that prices are adjusting to supply and demand driven by all of these discount programs, so anyone who doesn't have such a discount (like me) ends up paying more. It's pretty much what happens in grocery stores, now that they have all these affinity discount programs: The only way to get a good deal is to register with the store. (Luckily, there are still a few stores left that don't offer affinity discounts.)

Could be, but I still believe the dining plan has a bigger impact than the DDE card. But, I see what you are saying especially if you consider the 2 together.

 

[Chuck S]

We like Tony's for lunch. The Squash soup is the best! It is a seasonal offering, though. The pasta primavera was delicious, as are the sandwiches. I would advise against a tomato based pasta dish, though. I had the baked ziti last trip, and it was just "OK", nothing special.

If you want dessert, try splitting the cinnamon gelato, it is to die for.

 

[MickeysMommy]

We ate there twice and enjoyed it both times.

 

[skent10]

My memories of Tony's from 2000 are very good ones. On a trip with my DM, DF, and DSis I had DD2, DS1 and was 7 months pregnant with twins (DH was smart enough to have to stay home and work!). At 2:30 in the afternoon, I was bushed and really needed a break.

Tony's was the only place that could take our party of 6 for a walk in. There were very few people in the restaurant and we had a lovely table in the glassed in area. I don't remember the food much (which must mean it wasn't bad but not spectacular), but I do remember the incredible service. They were so helpful with my little ones and did everything to make us comfortable. I remember not wanting to get up from the table and go back out into the park!

I have no idea what the reality is now, five years later, but Tony's will always be a great restaurant to me.

 

[G8RFAN]

Hi skent10, I noticed you are from Libertyville. I grew up there and moved away in the late 70's when I was 14. Very fond memories fishing at Lake Butler, playing with friends, etc. Lived off of Golf and Bedford Ln if my memory serves me correctly.

OK back to topic ..

As far as service, Cast Members are just locals working for Disney. Like any company, a bad apple may get through the screening process or sombody could just be having a bad day. I understand this more than most as I paid my way through college managing restaurants, so I may be a bit more tolerant of blips because I know they WILL happen. It is up to the manager to maintain expectations of both the patrons and the employees and if someone is having a bad day to adjust their attitude or just send them home. I'm sure the typical Orlando resident who works for Disney is not sprinkled with pixie dust each day. If your experience is horrible and your CM is not resolving it, talk to the manager, that is what they are there for. The example I gave earlier, the manager did comp us for coffee and desert even though we did not ask for it nor were we aware of it until the bill came.