Epcot Mexican Restaurant(s)

[DisneyLvr55]

I am thoroughly embarrassed to admit this. So many trips, so much planning... How could I not realize this?!? There are two sit down Mexican restaurants inside of Epcot??? So now that I'm totally confused, talk to me like I'm a 5 year old....

The one inside of the "temple" - The one on the left side of the road when coming from FutureWorld - What is the name of that one?

Where is the other one?? Is it on the other side of the road? I thought there was a CS over there, and that was it....

Food based opinion only - Which do you like better?

What do you see from the one not inside the "temple"? Is it outdoor dining, or is it inside a building? Can you see the fireworks from it at night??

For both of them - If going in a group where some people love authentic mexican, and some people love burgers.... which would be better?

Again, I'm hanging my head in shame that I did not know this

 

[conniehar90]

The outdoor Mex place is a CS place - but they do have ample seating outdoors. You can get a really good view of Illuminations if you want to get there several hours ahead and grab a table by the lagoon. We did this once and spent our time enjoying some margaritas. I probably wouldn't do it again because it did waste time and there are good viewing spots all around the lagoon.

The problem with picky eaters and the World Showcase, is that there are not a lot of "American" choices. You aren't going to find a burger at the Mexican restaurants. You either have to go back to Future World or to the American pavillion - both are a hike. Go to allears.net to view all of the menus.

 

[Axel]

I am thoroughly embarrassed to admit this. So many trips, so much planning... How could I not realize this?!? There are two sit down Mexican restaurants inside of Epcot??? So now that I'm totally confused, talk to me like I'm a 5 year old....

The one inside of the "temple" - The one on the left side of the road when coming from FutureWorld - What is the name of that one?

Where is the other one?? Is it on the other side of the road? I thought there was a CS over there, and that was it....

Food based opinion only - Which do you like better?

What do you see from the one not inside the "temple"? Is it outdoor dining, or is it inside a building? Can you see the fireworks from it at night??

For both of them - If going in a group where some people love authentic mexican, and some people love burgers.... which would be better?

Again, I'm hanging my head in shame that I did not know this

1. The one inside the pavilion is the San Angel Inn.
2. The one outside the pavilion (and on your right as you enter from FW) is the Cantina de San Angel and La Hacienda de San Angel. The Cantina is QS whil the Hacienda is TS.

If you are eating at the Cantina, you can sit outside and enjoy a view of the lagoon, or (on occasion) you can sit inside and still have a fairly decent view of the lagoon. If you are eating eating at the Hacienda, you sit inside and getting a view of the lagoon is hit-or-miss as some of the seating areas have good views and others are completely inside with no view.

Food-wise, I have not eaten at the Hacienda. However, I have eaten at San Angel Inn and the Cantina. I'm not a huge fan of Mexican food outside of burritos and tacos (which in and of themselves are largely American-ized foods), but I really enjoyed our meal at SAI. My father is not a Mexican fan at all and he was mildly unhappy with the selection (he is also not a very adventurous eater, unlike my mom and I). My mom, however, was unimpressed for a different reason: the food wasn't authentic enough! She used to live in South Cali and would get authentic Mexican cooking while she lived there so for her, SAI did not measure up. On the whole though, I would eat here again, but maybe not if I had somebody in my party who did not enjoy Mexican at all.

That said, the Cantina makes some pretty delicious nachos, but they are pretty much only a couple steps above Taco Bell. They're good if you want quick Mexican, but don't expect to be wow-ed by the food.

Menus for each are here (Hacienda), here (SAI-Dinner), here (SAI-Lunch), and here (Cantina).

 

[minnie mum]

The restaurant inside the pyramid is the San Angel Inn. Very dark and atmospheric. For years this place received a lot of negative reviews for the quality of the food. Reviews have improved over the last year or so, but I'm still not a huge fan of this place. Here's a link to the menu: http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?restaurant.id=93

The restaurant on the lagoon side of the pavilion is an indoor facility called La Hacienda de San Angel. It is physically attached to the CS Cantina de San Angel which is open air. The Hacienda is only open for dinner. During the day it is used for overflow seating by the Cantina. There are a few tables directly in front of the windows that have an Illuminations view, but they are very limited. The rest of the tables have a partial view or no view at all. We have really enjoyed our meals at this place and feel that the quality of the food is superior to San Angel Inn (although they are all owned by the same parent company). The food is true Mexican, not the Tex Mex that a lot of Americans are familiar with. Here's a link to the menu:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?restaurant.id=161

You won't find a burger on either menu.

 

[DisneyLvr55]

Thanks everyone. I love planning our Disney vacations, but its always a little bit harder when my husbands parents are involved!!! They are not adventurous at all!! And coming from someone who grew up eating sushi at age 2... Its a difficult plan!

 

[minnie mum]

Thanks everyone. I love planning our Disney vacations, but its always a little bit harder when my husbands parents are involved!!! They are not adventurous at all!! And coming from someone who grew up eating sushi at age 2... Its a difficult plan!

Hmm- wonder if we have the same in-laws.

If you've got really 'meat and 2 veg' eaters, maybe just stick with the tried and true? How about Biergarten- if they'll tolerate eating at a communal table. The buffet is quite extensive, and I'm sure they'll find lots to eat that is familiar and palatable for them. Or maybe the Rose and Crown's menu is more their style?

 

[mslhb]

We just ate at the one in the Temple, San Angel Inn last week. I thought the food was great. Wasn't a huge selection on the menu though. I would check menus out for both Mexico choices on the Disney site. I think the atmosphere of San Angel Inn is awesome. Margaritas are good too!

 

[kaybird]

We are big fans of both locations, but probably enjoy the dark San Angel more for both food and atmosphere. Hacienda felt a bit busier and louder, San Angel has the wonderful street market you can browse while waiting.

 

[cthompson476]

San Angel has one of the best dining atmospheres at WDW..i think! But, I have really picky parentals and they did not like the looks of the menu at all. So, looks like we won't be visiting this place our next trip. The last time I went I remember the food being just ok...the margarita however was the best! My parents were used to the "typical" Mexican restaurants, so this wasn't of interest to them. But the atmosphere is what you are really paying for...in my opinion (especially a table by the water).

 

[anelson81993]

My (rather non-adventurous) family has eaten at both (full disclosure: I have not personally eaten at either), and when I asked them which was better, the answer was unanimously San Angel Inn, the inside one. My family thought the food was much better at San Angel Inn than at La Hacienda. My dad and sister are very meat-and-potatoes, and my dad's favorite food is hamburger, and they both loved San Angel Inn. Their one issue with it is that it is an exceptionallly dark restaurant (like reading-the-menu-by-the-light-of-your-cell-phone dark), so if you're someone who absolutely must see your food before eating it, San Angel might not be the best choice for you.