Frontera Cocina

[stickeymouse]

I'm a little surprised that I haven't heard more about this restaurant since it opened in Downtown Disney. Rick Bayless is renowned for his Mexican cuisine, and I thought this restaurant would cause more of a ruckus than it has. I thoroughly enjoyed the original Frontera in Chicago and look forward to trying the new addition to Downtown Disney next month.

Has anybody dined at Frontera yet and care to share his or her experience?

 

[Shellyb84]

Love it! We've eaten there 3 or 4 times and the food has been consistently great. The service can be slow at times though.

 

[FredtheDuck]

I'm a Bayless fan but was a little disappointed by our experience at Frontera in Disney Springs. I love the Frontera salsa that I can get at Whole Foods here, but the salsa options there aren't the same, and they're REALLY expensive for the amount you get. I was underwhelmed enough with the cocktail and beer list (especially for the prices) that I stuck with water. Service was slow. They could have done better in terms of being accommodating to kids, given that they're in a Disney-affiliated location (but my kid was 1.5, so maybe they're better for older kids). My entree was excellent, and I know my husband liked his. We'll go to his places in Chicago next time we're there... but for this location, it was a one and done.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

We enjoy Rick Bayless' food in his restaurant and getting his stuff at the grocery store. We have only eaten at Frontera Cocina once though, we have the opportunity to eat at his restaurants in Chicago so we go to other places in Disney. I am thinking that I would like to eat at the Disney Springs one again next trip. I am surprised it isn't talked about more either, especially since people seem disappointed by the Mexico offerings in Epcot.

 

[rach603]

We're going in November and this restaurant is on my short list to try because I'm a huge fan of Rick Bayless. I'm hoping that it's as good as I'm hoping it to be!

 

[stickeymouse]

I am surprised it isn't talked about more either, especially since people seem disappointed by the Mexico offerings in Epcot.

I think the folks that run the Mexican pavilion restaurants are partners in Frontera, as well. I hope they don't bring it down!

 

[Meriweather]

We really liked the food.
Restaurant was very noisy, but we will go back

 

[tlovesdis]

We ate there on our February trip. Hadn't planned on it, but my niece wanted Mexican and we were walking by so we went in. We LOVED it! The food was fantastic and the service was great! Can't wait to go there again some time!

 

[sleepydog25]

Part of the issue may be sticker shock. Yes, the prices are in line with typical Disney costs; however, they're asking folks to shell out double what you might at a decent Tex-Mex place back home. I realize Bayless has a great reputation and produces superior food; however, when you see $4 for chips and salsa (often free elsewhere), $14-$15 for a margarita, grilled zucchini/mushrooms/potato enchiladas (veggies) for $22, carne asada for $36, and other such prices, it makes one blink despite the quality of the food and presentation. Again, I know Frontera is more top end, but pricing for a commodity--Tex-Mex--that is ubiquitous (granted, likely less quality) in every small town and large city alike seems like a tough image to overcome.

 

[Disnut4925]

It was fantastic, we loved it. Everything was delicious and our service was good. Will definitely go back.

 

[kiford]

I was very keen to eat there but was disappointed. Nothing wrong with the food, it was just a bit more conventional and ordinary than I had expected from a restaurant by Bayless. Nice atmosphere, good service, enjoyed the drinks. It's just that the food was meh. Tasty, but not exceptional and something I could have easily made at home that would be just as good. I expected something less average from Bayless. I might still give it a try next time except that I talked it up a lot to DH and he was totally unimpressed so I'm not sure if he'll agree to go again (of course, he doesn't do the planning or make the arrangements - he just goes where I tell him. So maybe I just mumble a bit when he asks where we're eating).

 

[Melanie B]

We really enjoyed the food. The menu is pretty small but the dishes were executed very well.

 

[Farro]

I was very keen to eat there but was disappointed. Nothing wrong with the food, it was just a bit more conventional and ordinary than I had expected from a restaurant by Bayless. Nice atmosphere, good service, enjoyed the drinks. It's just that the food was meh. Tasty, but not exceptional and something I could have easily made at home that would be just as good. I expected something less average from Bayless. I might still give it a try next time except that I talked it up a lot to DH and he was totally unimpressed so I'm not sure if he'll agree to go again (of course, he doesn't do the planning or make the arrangements - he just goes where I tell him. So maybe I just mumble a bit when he asks where we're eating).

Rick Bayless could not do the menus he does at Frontera Grill or Topolobampo. They would not fly at Disney, the average guest would think it's too exotic (even though if you read the ingredients, nothing exotic about them!). Maybe he could replicate Frontera Grill's menu, but then people would complain about the prices.

 

[sleepydog25]

Rick Bayless could not do the menus he does at Frontera Grill or Topolobampo. They would not fly at Disney, the average guest would think it's too exotic (even though if you read the ingredients, nothing exotic about them!). Maybe he could replicate Frontera Grill's menu, but then people would complain about the prices.

I believe that to be an issue at most of Disney's specialty restaurants (for a lack of a better term), and I agree completely. You need meals that will please a wide variety of people and that will still be profitable for the restaurant. Good point.

 

[auntfrannie]

I assumed I just made a poor choice with my selection. I got the Bayless house specialty chicken (or something like that) which I no longer see on the menu. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't very flavorful. I did like the Coconut Lime Tres Leches cake. I might give it another down the road but there are so many other places at Disney Springs that get consistently good reviews that I would put before another visit to Frontera Cocina.

 

[L_MD]

I'm also a huge Bayless fan and went last November. It was solid, but I probably wouldn't go again. I honestly wanted to get so many things on the menu but I was stuffed from snacking around the Springs all day, so I only have thoughts on two things: the Play With Fire margarita and the carnitas. The margarita wasn't spicy at all and wasn't that great for the price. The carnitas, however, was really delicious. I wish I would have tried a few other things (guacamole, mashed potatoes) but oh well.

 

[jimmytammy]

We went back in May and felt disappointed in the food. Took forever to get seated even with a ressie and the place wasn't very crowded. They seemed very disorganized. Once seated, out waitress was very attentive, but that wasn't enough to merit going back. Food was just so so and we all seemed like we could could get better back home.