EPCOT Country Dining = Over-rated?!?

[Disney DieHard]

Hey there all my fellow Disney Maniacs! I'm calling on all experienced Disney Vacation-ears for this question!!! I have a topic which I always voice my opinion on and I was wondering how many people are behind me on the topic of EPCOT Country Dining being over-rated.

Whether I am talking to friends in person or writing on message boards I always try to dissuade people from eating at the different lands in EPCOT. Now that being said ... EPCOT IS my favorite park and I DO make MANY dining reservations for on-property eateries but there is something about the countries that tweaks me. I was NEVER impressed with any of the countries that we have tried over the years and maybe it is a lack of a sophisticated palate but I always feel like I'm being soaked when I eat there. So, if people have the means of leaving Disney grounds ... which some do and some do not ... I recommend eating off-property.

For example ... a lot of people want to know about the Teppan Edo restaurant in the Japan pavilion and it is my personal opinion that an off-property place like Kobe will give you more food and a better show at a cheaper price. There have been quite a few times when my family and I went to Teppan and we felt rushed and ended up leaving the park and going to get a snack because we just weren't satisfied with the portions there. (No, we are not fat people either ... just in case that's what you're thinking!)

Canada and Italy were the same way ... we felt they were a glorified Red Lobster and Olive Garden respectively ... the steaks in Le Cellier in Canada were good but nothing WAY better than a Red Lobster or other steakhouse and the restaurant in Italy didn't seem anymore Italian or authentic than an Olive Garden.

Whenever I reply to somebody asking for info I always tell them that it is THEIR vacation and they have to do what they want to but I just like offering an alternative ... and I DO understand the whole atmosphere and experience of eating in the countries but I feel that it may be negated sometimes.

Is there anyone else that agrees with me? I always feel like I am standing against the wind on this ... which is fine by me ... but am I REALLY alone on this one???

Lemme know what you're thinking! and thanks in advance for your kind replies!!!

Frank
Disney DieHard

 

[Lesleyluvsdisney]

Hi Frank,

A big part of our Disney trip is to eat at a good few World Showcase countries, but I do agree in part, the food is not always outstanding, for example ALL marinara sauce, wherever its served in WDW all taste the same.

However we still go for the experience, and really do enjoy that!


Lesley

 

[sjs314]

I can not personally recall any specific meal I have had in the WS and yet for me the restaurants there are a must do on each visit, one or two and usually one new one, what is memorable for me is the overall theme nobody does themeing like Disney and it is nice to enjoy a meal and feel that you are no longer in florida but off on an adventure in another country, a wakening of your taste buds to perhaps some new food never tried before.

 

[alohamom]

WEll, I am split on this one-in Dec we ate at the 9 dragons and it was pretty unrefined. Everything was covered in hosin sauce and there was zero authenticity for what I felt was a very expensive meal(over 100 for our family of 4). Having said that we LOVE the Biergarten to the point that we talk about it between trips!My mother in law was German and much of the food like the cucmber salad and the meatballs are very authentic and well executed(the spetzle, not so much) I guess it depends on your palate and how willing you are to forgo mediocre food for atmophere as the above poster mentioned...

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

It wasn't always that way. I remember when... and not so very long ago, mid 90's...

Dining in the WS was actually a pretty good snapshot of a given country, from the food, to the servers (usually natives of the represented country) and the custom...

Now, not so much. Everything seems to have gone through the generic foodmill to be processed into bland, boring and expected. Still a few places that have a dish or two that isn't a total bore, but few and far between any more.

 

[Tiger926]

Do you totally eat off-site most of the time? I see that you say you do eat at Epcot, but I'm wondering why if you don't like it so much?

What other WDW restaurants do you find enjoyable? Tiger

 

[LaurenT]

I am not overwhelmed by the world showcase restaurants in whole, but there are plenty of awesome places to eat on property....
For the showcase, I am a fan of Akershus - the salad bar offers may unique items. Other than that, France isn't bad and the quick serve at Morocco is my favorite lunch while in Epcot.
But - just a few steps away (save yourself the car fare heading off to red lobster or kobe),
is phenomenal steak at Yachtsman's Steakhouse (or Shula's I've heard), and incredible seafood at the Flying Fish. Both of these places are right off the showcase at the boardwalk.
Also, for a free shuttle, you can have some of the best food in Florida at Jiko or Sanaa. The monorail will bring you to Citrico's, Narcosee's, California Grill....
ok, now I'm getting hungry! My point is, if you're in a theme park, WDW has the best theme park food available..but that's not saying much. If you want the good stuff, you have to leave the park, but not the world!

 

[centurythree]

Sorry, I'm still scratching my head over how Red Lobster qualifies as a steakhouse.

I think that the World Showcase restaurants do a great job relative to theme park restaurants outside Disney. As for finding better restaurants elsewhere . . . that could go for any restaurant anywhere in the country, except for the very best in each category. For example, I find Ruth's Chris Steakhouse inferior to other places I've been, but that doesn't mean that it's not a good restaurant and that I try to talk other people out of going if it is convenient and they want to try it. All that does is partially if not totally ruin their experience at the restaurant, because they will go in wondering if they are being cheated rather than in a mindset to completely enjoy themselves.

 

[drenalin'junkie]

In WD you are paying as well for convenience,location and theming.We eat in the World and out and do not often find the time spent travelling to be worth any savings.We will travel for a specific event,meal or cuisine but find the World's menus in most cases are quite good.Some items are even on a "must" list.

The exception is Tutto Italia which is a pale replacement for Alfredos and the food does not justify the price,packing or attitude to us.

 

[persimmondeb]

The WS restaurants don't really "work" for us, mostly since my DH is very, very picky, but that doesn't make them overrated. My DS and I had a really lovely lunch at France last year, and we were actually able to talk DH into Le Cellier, which we all enjoyed. Not the very best meals I've ever eaten, and a little pricy, but very good just the same. Certainly better than most chain restaurants, and rather extraordinary for a theme park.

 

[RMulieri]

While the food may not be outstanding, we love eating in WS .It is more convenient to us then having to get in a car and go driving..the food may not be authentic, but we love it and don't find it overrated at all.Maybe more people will have your thinking, then I can get my ressies easier

 

[Tiger926]

While the food may not be outstanding, we love eating in WS .It is more convenient to us then having to get in a car and go driving..the food may not be authentic, but we love it and don't find it overrated at all.Maybe more people will have your thinking, then I can get my ressies easier

Tiger

 

[OhThePain]

I agree with the idea that some of the restaurants in the WS, as well as throughout the rest of WDW, are very overrated. Places like Le Cellier, Tappen and Tutto, IMO, are really not very good at all (I have eaten at each of them at least twice, just to be sure). While on the subject of poor EPCOT restaurants, Coral Reef has also gone way way down hill over the last 10 years or so and has gone from a must do to a won't do again.

On the other side I do enjoy places like Biergarten and Les Chefs. Biergarten doesn't have great food, but it is pretty good and I love the atmosphere and the beef tenderloin at Les Chefs destroys any steak at Le Cellier.

 

[sotoalf]

In 1982, when most small towns supermarkets couldn't even spell sushi, the WS restaurants seemed exotic. Now that it's much easier to buy hummus, falafel, escargot, fish and chips, and Peking duck, the WS restaurants have lost some of their luster. I'm not suggesting the "dining experience" is minimized, though.

 

[emmabemmainc]

LeCellier = Red Lobster????

I don't think so.

BTW--I actually like Red Lobster, but I never thought of RL once when I ate at LeCellier.

 

[goodfood4ursoul]

... and I was wondering how many people are behind me on the topic of EPCOT Country Dining being over-rated. ...

I think that some of this perception depends on how many of those places people have visited or if they are from a particular ethnic background...
but I believe that ethnic cuisine prepared by chefs and people especially brought in from those countries to cook their specific food and represent their cuisine should be better than I can get anywhere else except... in that particular country...

PP mentioned how uninspired the food at Nine dragons is and I totally agree.
Our local Chinese restaurant, while not as well decorated, has MUCH better food than that. You can't eat the decorations... on second thought, they might taste better

We only have 1 Japanese restaurant in our rural community, and it's not a teppanaki style place, so we enjoy Teppan Edo as we like the "show".
Going off property is not an option for us.

Restaurant Marrakesh- overpriced, not impressed, the belly dancing is fine, but next time we're eating at Tangierine Cafe- I hear the food is better!

Tutto- better than an Olive Garden (I refuse to eat there- yuck!)
more authentic, but not going back any time soon. Bread should not be COLD!

Biergarten- as PP mentioned, some stuff is authentic and good, others, not so much.
The Schnitzel is not worth the calories- might as well be fried chicken tenders- not pounded at ALL.
Schnitzel should be pounded thin.
(THAT would be the first thing I did post-trip at home- make good schnitzel and spaetzle- I had felt deprived )
Otherwise, Biergarten is a taste treat and rather authentic and I was able to re-create some of the desserts at home that I enjoyed there.

Akershus- my favorite, hands-down.
Going here for my birthday this year
The only place I can get Gjetost cheese without ordering it over the internet ($$$) and can get pickled herring, fresh norwegian salat and brod, always a realy great fish entree and riskreme (dessert) without having to make it myself.
Norwegian heritage- what can I say?
Now I just with I could get lefse at the bakery withOUT cinnamon sugar on it- just butter, thanks!

In conclusion, I wish most of the restaurants there were more authentic, but then you have folks complaining because their picky eaters cannot find anything that they like to eat...

Now I'm hungry... again

 

[GuySmiley]

I was wondering how many people are behind me on the topic of EPCOT Country Dining being over-rated.

I just try not to expect too much I've always been a fan of the stoic philosophers.

So, if people have the means of leaving Disney grounds ... which some do and some do not ... I recommend eating off-property.

We never have a rental car when we go but I think even if we did the extra time it would make it not worth it.

For example ... a lot of people want to know about the Teppan Edo restaurant in the Japan pavilion and it is my personal opinion that an off-property place like Kobe will give you more food and a better show at a cheaper price. There have been quite a few times when my family and I went to Teppan and we felt rushed and ended up leaving the park and going to get a snack because we just weren't satisfied with the portions there. (No, we are not fat people either ... just in case that's what you're thinking!)

Well where I live (Colorado) the hibachi restaurants are staffed by 21 year old white college students, so when I go to Teppan Edo I'm easy to please.

Canada and Italy were the same way ... we felt they were a glorified Red Lobster and Olive Garden respectively ... the steaks in Le Cellier in Canada were good but nothing WAY better than a Red Lobster or other steakhouse and the restaurant in Italy didn't seem anymore Italian or authentic than an Olive Garden.

I've seen Canada compared to Outback but never Red Lobster, thats new. But this is where I differ. Why does it have to be WAY better? I like Outback and Red Lobster. Because you are paying more? Of course, its Disney. Its like the $6 beer at a sporting event. Its no better than the $2 beer you can buy at the store, but I buy it because its part of the experience.

Whenever I reply to somebody asking for info I always tell them that it is THEIR vacation and they have to do what they want to but I just like offering an alternative ... and I DO understand the whole atmosphere and experience of eating in the countries but I feel that it may be negated sometimes.

Thats great advice, at least tell them the options. Food, music, art, style . . . its all just opinion and people like what they like.

Lemme know what you're thinking! and thanks in advance for your kind replies!!!

Oh great, now I have to go back and edit to be kind!! j/k

 

[fey_spirit]

Sorry but not me...
Frankly some of my favorite restaurants are in the countries, and my favorite IN PARK restaurants are in World Showcase...

Chef De France is fun
Their new Italian place was the best Italian I've eaten anywhere (and I wont step foot in an olive garden unless I'm desperate.)

As for the prices - you expect that gong in, it's a theme park resort after all.
We always bring a car because I hate the busses, but I wouldn't dream of eating off property A.) Takes way too much time out of our fun and B.) Who wants to eat at places that I can eat at home?

Hey there all my fellow Disney Maniacs! I'm calling on all experienced Disney Vacation-ears for this question!!! I have a topic which I always voice my opinion on and I was wondering how many people are behind me on the topic of EPCOT Country Dining being over-rated.

Whether I am talking to friends in person or writing on message boards I always try to dissuade people from eating at the different lands in EPCOT. Now that being said ... EPCOT IS my favorite park and I DO make MANY dining reservations for on-property eateries but there is something about the countries that tweaks me. I was NEVER impressed with any of the countries that we have tried over the years and maybe it is a lack of a sophisticated palate but I always feel like I'm being soaked when I eat there. So, if people have the means of leaving Disney grounds ... which some do and some do not ... I recommend eating off-property.

For example ... a lot of people want to know about the Teppan Edo restaurant in the Japan pavilion and it is my personal opinion that an off-property place like Kobe will give you more food and a better show at a cheaper price. There have been quite a few times when my family and I went to Teppan and we felt rushed and ended up leaving the park and going to get a snack because we just weren't satisfied with the portions there. (No, we are not fat people either ... just in case that's what you're thinking!)

Canada and Italy were the same way ... we felt they were a glorified Red Lobster and Olive Garden respectively ... the steaks in Le Cellier in Canada were good but nothing WAY better than a Red Lobster or other steakhouse and the restaurant in Italy didn't seem anymore Italian or authentic than an Olive Garden.

Whenever I reply to somebody asking for info I always tell them that it is THEIR vacation and they have to do what they want to but I just like offering an alternative ... and I DO understand the whole atmosphere and experience of eating in the countries but I feel that it may be negated sometimes.

Is there anyone else that agrees with me? I always feel like I am standing against the wind on this ... which is fine by me ... but am I REALLY alone on this one???

Lemme know what you're thinking! and thanks in advance for your kind replies!!!

Frank
Disney DieHard

 

[fey_spirit]

I wont disagree with this (at least not competently - lack of authenticity doesn't have to mean it tastes bad), and I would love to see them be more true to the cuisine of the area - that said I can't blame Disney.

Blame for this falls square on the shoulder of "middle Americans" (for lack of a better way to define it) - if they were truly authentic your average joe wouldn't eat there... (Why do you think Le Cellir is so popular? It's you're average, steak, rice, potatoes kind of place. Granted their great takes on those foods - but still what your average American is used to.)

I can't count the number of authentic and delicious places in this area that have closed down to make room for watered down "Americanized" versions of these types of food... heck we have exactly 2 authentic Chinese places in the area and about 12 of those big Chinese buffets.

It wasn't always that way. I remember when... and not so very long ago, mid 90's...

Dining in the WS was actually a pretty good snapshot of a given country, from the food, to the servers (usually natives of the represented country) and the custom...

Now, not so much. Everything seems to have gone through the generic foodmill to be processed into bland, boring and expected. Still a few places that have a dish or two that isn't a total bore, but few and far between any more.

 

[fey_spirit]

This - yes.
The best food is in the resorts - as a matter of fact I could have written this post... we have all of the same favorites.

I am not overwhelmed by the world showcase restaurants in whole, but there are plenty of awesome places to eat on property....
For the showcase, I am a fan of Akershus - the salad bar offers may unique items. Other than that, France isn't bad and the quick serve at Morocco is my favorite lunch while in Epcot.
But - just a few steps away (save yourself the car fare heading off to red lobster or kobe),
is phenomenal steak at Yachtsman's Steakhouse (or Shula's I've heard), and incredible seafood at the Flying Fish. Both of these places are right off the showcase at the boardwalk.
Also, for a free shuttle, you can have some of the best food in Florida at Jiko or Sanaa. The monorail will bring you to Citrico's, Narcosee's, California Grill....
ok, now I'm getting hungry! My point is, if you're in a theme park, WDW has the best theme park food available..but that's not saying much. If you want the good stuff, you have to leave the park, but not the world!