Flame Tree Barbecue or Tusker House?

[afcgirl]

Since we are on the dining plan in March, I thought I would plan my cs meals as well. I am considering Flame Tree Barbecue or Tusker House for lunch on our AK day. Any opinions? We are sort of picky eaters, no strange foods for us.

The Unofficial Guide ranks Flame Tree the best, but I noticed a lot of people eat at Tusker House on here. Also, which environment is better? Is there inside seating at both? Edited to add: I would prefer indoor seating, since I am somewhat bug-phobic, especially when eating (and yes I am planning to see It's Tough to be a Bug for the first time! )

Thanks in advance!

 

[experiment626mom]

We really enjoy Flame Tree.The sandwiches come plain and then you add sauce from the utensil bar.

 

[LiteBrite]

If you asked my hubby, he would say Flame Tree, because he's a big barbecue fan and it's a good barbecue place. If you ask me, I'll say Tusker House because I love their rotisserie chicken and mashed potatoes. Also, the carrot cake at Tusker House is out of this world!

You really can't go wrong either place - just check out the menus and see which one you're in the mood for that day.

Tusker House menu: http://allearsnet.com/menu/menu_tus.htm
Flame Tree menu: http://allearsnet.com/menu/menu_ftb.htm

 

[afcgirl]

Thanks for the input so far. I have to comment on those menus though, there's a surprisingly small selection at both places, no?

 

[TigerCheer2009]

Yeah...small selection but HUGE flavor.

Flame Tree Seating is covered-outdoors. Absolutely beautiful. Go for the sandwiches or the chicken-the ribs my parents got were chewy/overcooked. Fries were delicious, onion rings weren't.

And for ITTBAB-try not to get on the ends of the aisles. It's really not 3d then.

 

[GeorgiaAristocat]

I was going to add that I believe ALL the seating for Flame Tree is outside - covered, but still outside. We had one very bold squirrel - he didn't try to climb on the table or anything, but he wasn't very afraid of our feet or the chairs moving. Depending on the time of year I think you could definitely count on some bugs joining you here.

I don't know what the seating is like at Tusker House. I was hoping to check it out on our next trip!

BTW, the food at Flame Tree was fabulous. Both my husband and I had the ribs - it was a LOT of food since you get a couple of things with it as I recall, beans and slaw maybe? (Then, on the dining plan you also get a desert - we opted for key lime pie which was okay.) Neither of us finished our meals and we could have shared, but I am a really light eater as it turns out. (I always THINK I will eat a lot, but then never do.)

 

[jtdl]

My vote is for Flame Tree, although I have never eaten at Tusker House. The food at Flame Tree was awesome. Even my extremely picky 13-year-old loved it. The seating is all outdoors, like separate dining rooms and the ones further along the trail have a river view.

 

[PrincessAurora]

Flame Tree! The pulled pork sandwich was great and the ribs were as well. I have eaten at Tuskers twice and both times have been underwhelmed. While the portions were large, the veggies and potatoes were so full of salt that it made them unedible. The chicken was a bit dry and... there was more salt.

What is with The Mouse and salt?! I found the same thing at Liberty Tavern. Even made the manager eat my grits to see what I was talking about. I thought he was going to spit them in the nearest plant.

 

[amarberry]

I'll vote for Tusker House, but I'm a vegetarian so that weights into my decision! We ate a Tusker House last fall and it was our favorite CS restaurant at WDW (Columbia Harbour House was a close second). I had the vegetable sandwich and it was GIGANTIC. DH had the roasted chicken and loved it. He thought that the green beans were incredible. We split our desserts (carrot cake and chocolate cake) in half and they were both excellent.

 

[disneylizzy]

Tusker House was one of the best counter service meals we had our last trip. Salmon, rice pilaf and green beans. Yummmmyy! Seating was indoors and very pretty - lots of little nooks and crannies available. As we were finishing up, the acrobats were getting their things ready right outside. We took our drinks, grabbed an outside table and had a front row, comfortable seat in the shade for one of the most amazing performances of tumbling I have ever seen.

That said, Flame Tree is very good, too. I don't think you can go wrong with either one!

 

[STEAMBOAT209]

wife and I enjoy both, and try to manage both during a day at AK. Don't miss out, do both, early lunch at FlameTree, and a later dinner at Tusker House, you'll be glad you did.

 

[PeggyKate]

We have eaten several times at the Flame Tree BBQ and have always had great meals. The sandwiches are the best. I agree with the poster who said that the ribs were not that great.

 

[Kapp]

for us! REALLY good bbq!

 

[virginiamama]

We've been to Tusker House on both previous trips and will plan to go there again. By far our favorite CS meal of the trip. We try to get there for lunch a little bit early. It has a pretty nice seating area for CS. Heavy wood tables and chairs, kind of an "old world" feeling inside, and a little bit dark. This made it pretty relaxing for me. Some of the tables are really long and we ended up sharing a table with a couple of other families. That's always interesting. There are smaller tables as well, but if you are with a larger group and went early to get one of the big tables that would work out nicely. We had the chicken sandwich (split that), and the kids had mac & cheese. The carrot cake and chocolate cake were both really good and I'm not a big cake fan. Maybe we'll try Flame Tree one of these days, but when we're so happy with Tusker House, I figure why fix it if it ain't broke.

 

[Priorityonecb]

I am having a hard time choosing too! Maybe we will eat at Flame Tree...and have the carrot cake from Tusker House before leaving for a snack!

 

[Stacerita]

I vote Flame Tree! We've eaten there twice and enjoyed it both times. I plan to eat there again on our next visit as well.

 

[teacher31]

We love Tusker House sooooo much! When all 3 of my kids request to go there for the Corn Chowder (it's a side along a great sandwich), you know it's good.

Then again, they also beg for Flame Tree...


Either way you can't go wrong. Just get the chowder!!

 

[afcgirl]

Thanks everyone!

It sounds like we can't lose either way, so Tusker House may have the edge for having indoor seating. I keep picturing those little bugs flying around (or, worse, in ) my barbecue sauce at Flame Tree!

Silly, I know. Although now that I think about it, I never notice any bugs in WDW. How do they do that?

 

[Twende]

We ate at Tusker House this trip and was excellent. Huge portions and great food! Everyone is correct in that the desserts are wonderful! Not at all what you would expect from a counter service meal!

We walked by Flame Tree later in the day and the aroma was out of this world so I suspect the food is great there too!

 

[slimplaw]

I finally got to eat at Flame Tree last week and while the pulled pork sandwich was very good and had a lot of meat, the beans were what seemed a paltry serving. It took about 3 dips of a spoon to eat them all. I've eaten at Tusker House before and feel that it is a better value for your money. The sides served with the meals are much larger. We have always been pleased with our meals at Tusker House. Also, Tusker House has indoor and outdoor eating areas.