Food! Terrible Food!

[phyllis1966]

My opinion has always been it depends on people's tastes. If you think Olive Garden is the best place to go for a meal on a Sat night, and absolutely LOVE it, you'll have a different opinion than someone who despises Olive Garden's food... does that make sense? It's levels of cuisine taste and every single person is different. I never, EVER, make a judgement call based solely upon the opinions voiced here, though I do take them into consideration and really appreciate the comments and opinions given. But I experiment and that's part of the fun of Disney dining!

Totally agree with this. We just returned from another wnderful trip to WDW. We tried some new places which we really enjoyed (especially La Hacienda) and enjoyed the food at some old favorites. Some things were great, some were just good - nothing was terrible for us. DH's co-worker went the week before us. When he saw DH after our return, he said, "Don't you think all the food at WDW sucks?!"

Huh??

All of it??

His family felt the only good meal they had was at Tony's at the MK (blech).

As may PP's have stated already, to each his own.

 

[Evi]

I think how you perceive the quality of Disney food is relative to how you eat at home and out normally. I know I've had some really good food at disney, but I've also had some really terribly bad food also. Case in point - le celier its not all that special its an ok steak house its not a fabulous steak house if it were in my town I don't think I'd go to it. Even with free dining its not a big draw for me. Again I live in a major city with awesome steak houses and I don't mind shelling out the money for a good steak. Another one Crystal Palace, everyone is always talking about crystal palace. Maybe I went on a bad day but I thought the food was gross. It was mostly overcooked mushy food. But that was my impression I'm sure no wait I know many people think Crystal Palace is Fab. But then I can say Flying Fish, Sanaa, Jiko and a bunch of other places are really good. So again its up to what you normally eat will dictate how you feel about Disney food.

 

[TinkPearl]

been to Disney many times.......and always love the food. We may be an easy to please family but we've never had awful food. We will probably not go back to Coral Reef but that's mostly because our waiter was a jerk...other than that, not much to complain about! Of course, the fact that I'm on vacation for a week and don't have to cook or clean up a single meal gives me NO reason to complain!

 

[Laketravis]

We're going 11/27-12/4 and I've got the following ADR's:

Diamond Horseshoe (MK) dinner
Hollywood & Vine (DHS) dinner
Crystal Palace (MK) dinner
Ohana (Poly) dinner
Tusker House (AK) lunch
Narcoossee's (GF) dinner
Biergarten (Epcot) dinner
Captain's Grill - breakfast

I've always been more of a Quantity over Quality kind of guy - appreciate finer dining but always guilty about the cost, and with a 5 year old I've come to appreciate places like Golden Corral.

My tastes are not that refined. My wife, on the other hand, is a pretty pickey eater in that she doesn't eat seafood, rarely beef, pretty much only chicken and certain vegetables.

So my "reviews" when we get back will probably be the least interesting and most middle of the road. I actually cancelled two Chef Mickey's ADR's (one for breakfast, one for dinner) because the food was horrible in 1975 and according to recent popular vote hasn't improved much in 35 years.

Ohana has some good web reviews but I'm starting to get concerned about that one.

And I won't expect much more than Golden Corral or Sirlion Stockade quality at Hollywood & Vine, albeit at three times the price.

 

[goofy4prez]

I've always been more of a Quantity over Quality kind of guy - appreciate finer dining but always guilty about the cost, and with a 5 year old I've come to appreciate places like Golden Corral.

Ohana has some good web reviews but I'm starting to get concerned about that one.

I wouldn't worry about Ohana, IMHO, the food is actually pretty good. And especially since you are a guy who prefers quantity over quality, you will feel like you died and went to heaven at Ohana. Coming from one guy to another, what can be better than endless skewers of beef and shrimp.


Also, a big welcome to the DIS.

 

[DEA]

I have had much more good food than bad food at WDW. The steak at Tony's was incredibly tough. I could have asked for a new one, but didn't, which is my fault. I had the pork chop at Brown Derby earlier this year and thought that it tasted like dirt. The second dish I got there, though, was delicious. I may just chalk this up to my taste buds having some sort of mutant characteristic.

The churros at the Mexico CS restaurant, however, are just bad, and that is a universal truth

 

[hsmamato2]

I think the quality is more noticed when paying OOP. like we always have..... if we're paying 150.00 for 4 of us to eat dinner it had better be GOOD>
Otherwise we can find comparable food at most cs locations as we've discovered. Now, trying the DDP for the 1st time we will be eating lots of TS, and likely enjoying it all, I know my ds could never enjoy knowing it's OOP,but if it's prepaid, he'll have blast!

 

[cluvsdisney]

I think the quality is more noticed when paying OOP. like we always have..... if we're paying 150.00 for 4 of us to eat dinner it had better be GOOD>
Otherwise we can find comparable food at most cs locations as we've discovered. Now, trying the DDP for the 1st time we will be eating lots of TS, and likely enjoying it all, I know my ds could never enjoy knowing it's OOP,but if it's prepaid, he'll have blast!

I don't understand this - it's the same food. If you are prepaying it or paying at the table, it's going to taste the same.

 

[marinapj]

You're not alone, here´s another Sci-Fi fan! I really loved the atmosphere and the burger was to die for! Yum!

YAY!!! Someone else who appreciates Sci Fi!!! Yes the onion rings are AMAZING!! The atmosphere is amazing!!!

 

[Ohiodisneyguy]

There have been some posts about unmet expectations or bad service affecting opinions on food. The worst service I've ever had was at Wolfgang Puck's, but the food was actually very good, so that's what I would tell someone about that restaurant. I've only had "bad" food twice at WDW, one was Hollywood and Vine, tried several items on the buffet and it was just bad. The other was a shrimp and pasta dish at Sci-Fi Dine In, couldn't eat it. I would try Sci-Fi again because it is such a cool place, just order something different.

 

[bigal'sdaughter]

Is't it funny though how some of the best memories of restaurants has nothing to do with the actual food. Last trip had a great meal at 9 dragons with DH and DD 2.5 at the time. The food was just ok, but our server was awesome. She paid so much attention to DD. I think also it had to do with the fact that she was on her best behavior that night and we were seated in a section where there were lots of boys elementary school-pre-teen age who were acting crazy - saw a food fight break out and then get shut down - a first anywhere- not just at disney - although now I like to tell the story though.
That being said Chef Mickey's dinner was not the greatest - but it was fun - and we'll be doing it again- a fun way to close out a busy day.
We also didn't really care for Mama Melrose's... we are psyched to try 50's prime time this time!
Can't wait to try Le Cellier - going for DH's birthday - hope it lives up to the hype!

 

[Danibelle]

I've had mostly average to good food at WDW. The only place I don't want to return to is Cosmic Ray's. My chicken sandwich was blah and the bread was mushy. Other than that, I have been mostly satisfied. I even thought CM's was pretty good (but way too expensive). I try to schedule one TS per day and mix those up between the parks and the resorts. I think the variety has suffered since my first visit in 1994. Now I end up scheduling the same places and rarely try any place new. I don't think the park food will ever be as good as an outside restaurant (with a few EPCOT exceptions).

 

[JKG64]

Just got back yesterday. As has been the case in previous trips, most of the restaurants could be described as 'good, not great'. That said, aside from the Commissary on our last trip, we've never had 'terrible' food at Disney.

This trip, we really enjoyed Ohana, Biergarten, and Cape May. Boma was decent, but the buffet line was always too long. We were actually a little disappointed with Le Celier. Our filet's were very good, but everything else was extremely salty. We saw the chef come out to at least 3 different tables to take food back. Also, I'm a Type 1 Diabetic, and it always amuses me when they say they can't substitute a $6 dessert for a $6 side (on the dining plan). Most restaruants are reasonable about this, but Le Celier insisted on bringing me a horrific sugar free dessert. I'd have a hard time justifying going back to Le Celier when it becomes a 'double point' restaurant.

For quick service, we always enjoy Pinnochio Haus. This trip, we tried Columbia Harbour House, which we liked. The best meal all week (including table service) may have actually been Earl of Sandwich in Downtown Disney. Definitely worth the 15 or so minute wait.

Just one man's opinion...

 

[TisBit]

Is there really terrible food at Disney World restaurants? What makes people say the food is "terrible" or "bad". We have been to many restaurants, and I can't say any of the meals were bad... overpriced maybe, but not terrible. Is it the price that gets people upset or is the food really bad. I certainly enjoyed the food at some restaurants more than others, and the quality of food and service definitely varies... but I don't think I could say any place was terrible or bad. Since we do the deluxe dining plan... I don't pay attention to how much each meal costs.

All we ever get is gru...el!
Ev'ry day we say our prayer --
Will they change the bill of fare?
Still we get the same old gru...el!
(from Oliver)

I think you have hit the nail on the head that most of the food at WDW is good or OK, rarely bad (about as much as any restaurant has bad days), but most people seem to relate the cost to food quality (rightly so), but rarely do people take into account that you are at a theme park and they frequently charge outrageous prices.

Honestly, the worst problem I see at WDW dining is the childrens meals, they are just bad. Since WDW began changing kids meals to reflect healthier choices, what it came down to was about 9-10 meals that they use with 3-4 offered at each restaurant. My kids hated the food, it just wasn't good and was usually odd selections (no pepperoni pizza, but they have chicken pizza??). There are some restaurants that are ok, but really any off site restaurant has much better kids meals.

Don't take this as supporting all of WDW dining, but really it is just accepting that it is overpriced and they have cut corners to stay profitable. So have my local restaurants (without lowering prices either)......

 

[ctnurse]

I have to say I havent had a bad meal of course some are better than others. Chef Mickey's not the best but it was ok and we were not there for food. Crystal Palace is much better. The only place I won't go back to is the Electric Umbrella where I has the worst burger but that was before I knew better and about all the great counter services in WS.
Just got back at the about a week ago.
Keep in mind it was an adult only trip but we had GREAT food.
We ate at the sushi bar at the Swan. All I can say is Yum..And the sake was good too.
Next night we did F&W which was so much fun we went from country to country tasting and drinking. I cant wait to do that again.
Sunday night we ate at La Hacienda where the food and rita's were yummy and couldn't beat the view of the fireworks over the lagoon. I asked for a table next to the window and got it.
Then Monday night we ate at Brown Derby which was good too.
Last night we ate Tutto Italia which is expensive but really good and they have my favorite dessert in all of WDW. Not sure of the name but it is the one with the berries,cream and chocolate sauce.
And that being said I am a food snob and LOVE to eat really good food. I would rather have a small portion of great food than tons of choices at a buffet. So I really research menus and reviews before I go so usually I know what to expect.

This August when we went to Ohana's I made sure to tell the server that we want plenty of time between course because the year before they dumped food so fast on the table but in August the server always asked if we were ready for next course.
We didnt use the DP but had TIW card and yes it was expensive but I know that going to WDW.



I have to say the WDW is so much better than the food I had at Six Flags this summer. NOw that was terrible.

Just my 2 cents.