Ever order JUSt appetizers at a sit-down?

[Jennasis]

One of the restaurants Dfi and I must go to is San Angel Inn in Epcot but I noticed they don't participate in the MYW dinign option. No biggie since what I REALLY want is the queso fundido! Can we go at dinner time and just order appetizers (like the queso fundido and the nachos?) Will the servers lok at me like I'm Scrooge Mcduck..penny-pinching?? Is there a minimum $$ necessary when dining?

 

[Princess Mommy]

My DH & I have done that more then once... and pretty much for the queso fundido too!

 

[BriarRosie]

It's not a problem at all! Some people just order dessert.

But if you want to make a meal of appetizers, there's nothing wrong with
that. Last May, I did two appetizers and a dessert at Jiko (AKL).

If I'm not in the mood for an entree, or not hungry enough for it, I think
the appetizers are the way to go.

 

[Jennasis]

PrincessMommy: Great Long Island minds think alike! I'm in NC now but am originally from Islip! My whole fam is still there. The queso fundido is a meal unto itself. I am drooling just thinking about it!

 

[weregoingtodw]

I recently asked about this (somewhere on here!), and was told that while making a PS for an appetizer/dessert meal is often frowned upon, many people will spontaneously walk in just for apps/desserts.

HTH!

 

[areno79]

Dh and I did the same thing at San Angel Inn...and just for the queso fundido! Personally I don't care if it's frowned upon, as long as I'm paying for something, it shouldn't matter! Now if they specifically stated you had to order an entree, then I would abide, but sometimes DH and I don't like the entrees, and just share a bunch of apps

 

[sue1013]

I order just an appetizer a lot even with a PS. Sometimes I'm not hungry enough for an entree. If I see a dessert I want no way will I eat an entree and dessert. We do this at home also. I've never thought it was frowned upon. And if it is none of the waitstaff ever even hinted it was. I've been treated the same if I order appetizer or an entree.

 

[weregoingtodw]

Here's the thread I mentioned - http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=791105. It doesn't seem like something that's necessarily an issue unless they're crowded.

 

[ducklite]

I would not sit at a table at 7:00pm in a full restaurant and order just an appetizer.

I wouldn't think twice about it at 4-5:00pm before dinner rush though.

Anne

 

[Forever42]

Our "ordering appetizers" is usually more than the equivalent of others ordering entrees, as we'll have multiple appetizers and also have alcoholic drinks and dessert. Our bill was much more than if we had just ordered an entree each.

Also, the queso fundido is a pretty poor approximation. It's two tortillas with some cheese in each, not worth the price at all, even at Disney. Maybe if it was $4-5, but not $10.25.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Sometimes I order two appetizers (like crab cakes and a salad) rather than a meal. Usually that is enough.
Last Saturday for dinner we ate at Bongo's. And I ordered two appetizers and still had a small portion to take home.

 

[CBear]

I've been wondering about this too. I have a noon PS at Sci-Fi but really would be happier just having a drink and an appetizer or dessert. Will we be 'frowned upon?

 

[Mad4Dizne]

We have many party members with health issues, they cannot eat a regular "full meal" at one time. [I hope noone ever says anything about it ]. Many, many people need smaller portions due to health issues, so you should be able to order exactly what you want and can have.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Everytime I go to San Angel, I order Queso Fundito for my dinner. No matter what time of day. My husband will get a big meal - steak or something - but I get the QF. My favorite. We usually order dessert and maybe another appetizer, too.

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

Bah, order what you want when you want and don't worry about it. There are no posted minimums and if the waitstaff scoffs they just get less of a tip and can deal with it. Hate to be so blunt (well, not really LOL), but there is no semblance of shame in it. I wouldn't get a PS at the California Grill and order nothing but a diet coke, but just appetizers or just desserts is acceptable anywhere.

Part of the fun of WDW is so many different eateries and they see this all the time - people will actually get apps one place, an entree somewhere else, and dessert in yet another place. In larger cities that's actually close to the norm, and WDW is no exception (it really is a big city if you think about it hehe).

That said, I wouldn't line up 3 PSs in a row, hehe, but in fact I *do* have a PS at Sci-Fi during our next trip that will be dessert only. I will inform the waitress when we are given menus - if she wants a nice tip she or he will smile and say "great!". I know I always tip more in instances like this - up to 25/30% for an app and some drinks.

As always at WDW eateries, there are CMs that get it (that the more magical they make our visit to their restaurant the bigger tip they get) and those that don't (those people who deserve little tip because they roll their eyes at dining plans, or give you a dirty look if you only order an ice cream sundae.) Reward those who do, and leave a minimum for those that don't.

(Hehe, was that soapboxish? Just don't think anyone should feel the need to miss out on some of the stellar WDW dining just because they weren't hungry enough! )

N.E.D., fighting for the right of dessert-only PS's everywhere

 

[cseca]

I'm still unsure about this so called rule. Is this a WDW thing? Or a general rule?
I mean I sometimes go to a restaurant with a reservation and have appetizer and desert only. Nobody says anything wrong with it.

I guess I'm curious if this is a self imposed rule or a real one?

 

[Ms. Belle]

I don't think it is an actual rule. I was at San Angel Inn 4/19 with my son, who is 11. He decides that he wants to go eat lunch there and looks at the menu and says that he doesn't like anything listed and wants a burrito with ground beef, which they don't serve. I ordered the queso fundido and asked about the burrito. The waitress told me no, they wouldn't be able to accommodate him. At that point, I told her again I would just order the queso fundido. She was not happy. Kept walking away from me in the middle of sentences, got a pissy look on her face, etc. About 10 mins later, she returns and tells me that they will serve the burrito. The queso fundido was ok, a big lump of cheese, but I wouldn't go there just for an appetizer and risk that attitude again.

 

[bavaria]

I have had the server on several occaisions steer me towards the dip platter (appetizer, $7) at Spoodles as my main meal, as it's a veggie option. They don't seem to think that it's wrong - they make the suggestion.

In fact, I was there the other night, it was really quiet, and the server thanked me for giving them some business.

I DO make sure that I tip a little more in a situation like that - ie I wouldn't just tip $1-2 but try and leave $5 or so depending on the service.

And if I just have an appetizer only, I may have a dessert, which in some places can make it pretty much total bill the price of an entree.

But I do agree that if it's really crowded, it may not be popular.

 

[CleveRocks]

I'm sorry to be so blunt, but I can't believe this is even a topic for discussion. You walk into a restaurant (with or without a reservation), you are the customer, you decide what you wish to buy, case closed. Frankly, I don't care if the owner/manager frowns upon it or not. If I go into a store that offers free gift wrapping, I don't feel insecure that I made a $20 purchase instead of a $100 purchase, and I certainly don't feel as if I got away with anything. I bought what I wanted. I wasn't "working the system," I was just buying what I wished to buy. Same with food.

Here in Atlantic City we have a lot of gourmet restaurants in casino hotels. When we first moved here and went to one of those we ended up almost full before our entrees came -- tough to pass up incredible appetizers and homemade soups or salad dressings. And heaven forbid we forgo an incredible dessert. So now when we go we often get salads for each of us, two appetizers to share, and then one or two desserts. We're regulars at a few of the fine dining restaurants, and if they are looking down upon us in any way we're not aware of it. The maitres d' and waitstaffs are friendly and familiar with us.

I'm not heartless or mindless, though. If I order "less than usual" I will always be sure to tip my server much more than usual, as I do feel that I may have "cheated" the server out of the opportunity for a larger tip on a larger check.

-- Eric

 

[Lewisc]

Some stores have a dollar minimum for free gift wrapping otherwise no problem. I've seen customers try to get free gift wrapping on items purchased in other stores. I always thought it was understood that free gift wrapping is only for gifts purchased in that store.

If you make a reservation for dinner time in a restaurant they have a right to expect customers are going there to eat dinner. I think most of us agree it would be wrong to just order a cup of coffee and expect bread, water and unlimited coffee refills.

When too many customers "abuse" the system restaurants are forced to impose minimum dollar orders per customer or even require every customer to order an entrée or a price fixed dinner.

I'd hate to be denied a PS or have to wait for a table because the restaurant was filled with guests who just wanted dessert.

It's up to the restaurant to put in rules. I just think too many dessert only reservations will force Disney to put minimums. If you want dessert only just have the courtesy not to show up at prime dinner time.

Many restaurants have no problems with guests ordering appetizers and drinks. I agree your tip to the server should reflect the time you spent at the table and some relationship to what a tip would be if you ordered dinner.

I'm sorry to be so blunt, but I can't believe this is even a topic for discussion. You walk into a restaurant (with or without a reservation), you are the customer, you decide what you wish to buy, case closed. Frankly, I don't care if the owner/manager frowns upon it or not. If I go into a store that offers free gift wrapping, I don't feel insecure that I made a $20 purchase instead of a $100 purchase, and I certainly don't feel as if I got away with anything. I bought what I wanted. I wasn't "working the system," I was just buying what I wished to buy. Same with food.

Here in Atlantic City we have a lot of gourmet restaurants in casino hotels. When we first moved here and went to one of those we ended up almost full before our entrees came -- tough to pass up incredible appetizers and homemade soups or salad dressings. And heaven forbid we forgo an incredible dessert. So now when we go we often get salads for each of us, two appetizers to share, and then one or two desserts. We're regulars at a few of the fine dining restaurants, and if they are looking down upon us in any way we're not aware of it. The maitres d' and waitstaffs are friendly and familiar with us.

I'm not heartless or mindless, though. If I order "less than usual" I will always be sure to tip my server much more than usual, as I do feel that I may have "cheated" the server out of the opportunity for a larger tip on a larger check.

-- Eric