Fulton's Crab House

[Boardwalk III]

Hi everyone,

Has anyone been here (at Downtown Disney) over the past year or two? We have a group going down and are trying to decide between that and Bongo's. We have done Bongo's once before, and had mixed reviews (I liked it but some others didn't). Any input on Fulton's would be most appreciated!

Thanks

 

[Fantasia Sam]

I love Fultons - the seafood is great. We recently had a fabulous meal including some great calamari, shrimp in the raw, surf and turf and some great Alaskan King Claws - divine. Service is unbelieably good and to my mind knocks socks of Bongos and they're both not run by Disney so if Fultons can do it then Bongos should learn.

I've been to Bongos 3 times. The first time I loved it, it was a slow night and so servers were attentive. next time we never even met our waiter he was too busy to serve us so he sent his bus-boy food was OK. Last time I went we had a good time but the food comes out soooo quick it makes me wonder what's sitting around under hotplates in the kitchen if you know what I mean.

So I guess I'd pick Fultons over Bongos every time.

 

[catheren]

I would not recommend Fulton's.

It is dirty, poor service, and the quality of the seafood is poor. The seafood is not fresh.

Dirty, there was a cloudy film on windows, windowsills had crumbs, food was not swept up of floor from prior diners.

Poor service, our CM was rude, impatient we our party asked questions on food prep -- and dietary needs. The CM's 'tude changed as he handes the bill. He was all smiles, and stated "it is customary to tip 20% or more when dining at Fulton's". My DH and I couldn't believe it! DH said to him I do you feel you even gave us 5% in service???

Seafood tasted old and there was at times "fishey" orders when CM's brought out meals to diners.

 

[mickeem]

We just returned last week from a wonderful vacation.
We ate at Fulton's and loved it. It was raining outside, so we sat inside, it wasn't overly loud, and no fishy smells that everyone complains about.

We try to make at least one stop here every trip.
We had lobster tail and King Crab Claws (which I highly recommend). Our service was excellent, and the waitress was great, she suggested certain things, and brought our food, and drinks in a timely manner...

I guess its just like any other restaurant, if they are having a bad night, you might not like it.

We have been here numerous times, and have never had a bad dinner.

The place is always packed, so they must be doing something right...

I would recommend that you make PS's if you know the date you want, because they do get full later in the evenings after 6pm, on the weekends....


Have a great time..

 

[Belle5]

Just back last week. Can't say enough good things about Fulton's. The service is very efficient just not real warm and fuzzy like some of the WDW restauarants. My salmon was something from heaven. The milk chocolate creme brulee is now my very favorite dessert. The place was spotless when we were there. I have never in my life tasted fresher seafood. Save some dollars by going for a very late lunch. We showed up at 3:50 pm.

 

[Fantasia Sam]

You also get 10% off food only if you have an AP for lunch or dinner

 

[Mrs. Snowgod]

I think this restaurant operates out of the bermuda Triangle! I've never seen so much condradiction over one place!!!

We are a part of the "never again" group - DH & I ate there in '00 and though our waiter was fine and the drinks and appetizers were good, the seafood was all frozen and of mediocre quality. The prices charged would have been high if the food had been good... for "OK" food, they were outrageous. We liked the atmosphere, but there are too many other great places to eat at WDW!!!

I know this wasn't one of your choices, but if I was to eat with a group of friends at DD, I'd choose HOB. LOVE IT!

 

[Boardwalk III]

What a wide spectrum of responses - guess I'll just flip a coin to make the decision on this one! Thanks to all who responded!

Great idea about early seating to get lunch prices - may try that!

 

[Belle5]

Boardwalk,
I did note that those of us that dined there recently were the most satisfied. We ate there a coupe of years ago and weren't as impressed. Maybe there have been significant changes for the better????

 

[Cmadsen]

I, too, was very surprised to see such wide swings in ratings here! We ate there in March and all six of us loved every bite. the restaurant was immaculate and our server was exceedingly attentive without being intrusive. All of our entrees were very fresh and tasty, from Halibut to lobster to shrimp to salmon. I'm certainly not disputing those who had a negative experience. Having been in the restaurant business, I know a place can have an off night but not usually as bad as these folks ran into. Hope that doesn't become the norm.

 

[Penny2]

I'm on the MUST go to Fultons side. DH and I go every time we go to DW and have never had a bad meal or service.

I'm also a meeting planner and put a group of 25 into a private room there last August with some very picky people who are well travelled and have been to some of the country's finest restaurants...they loved it.

If your party is large enough, you can ask for a private room. The one we had was at the top of the boat, private entrance and bar. I did a prix fixe menu with a few appetizers, salad, three entrees and dessert. I think the price was $85 pp. I was informed of a birthday the morning of the dinner and they were able to pull off a cake. While the gratuity was mandatory due to the size of the party, the service was so good I tipped an extra $200 on the bill.....they were amazing! I bet they'd do a lunch this way as well. If the weather is nice, there is even enough space for tables outside....too cool...it overlooks DTD and PI!

Again, I think just like many places, it depends on your server and your choices. I've been there too many times for it to be just luck to have had such great experiences!

 

[Minniespal]

We have eaten here on a number of occassions. The seafood is incredible. Service has always been excellent and we will certainly be eating there again in October.

 

[chrissyk]

Originally posted by Belle5
Boardwalk,
I did note that those of us that dined there recently were the most satisfied. We ate there a coupe of years ago and weren't as impressed. Maybe there have been significant changes for the better????

Belle5, my DH and I ate at Fultons about a month ago for the 1st time. We weren't impressed. The food was just OK, but our waiter was a real weirdo. First of all, the place was practically empty but our service was still incredibly slow Our waiter spent a LOT of time socializing with a female customer and also with some of the other waiters. Then he REALLY pushed us to order dessert over and over when we said that we didn't want dessert. We'd probably STILL be there waiting if we'd ordered dessert...that's how slow this place was I personally have no desire to go back to Fultons.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Well--
my take on Fulton's after 4 dinners there (two on our own, two others under extreme duress) is : pretty good food, nice looking place, fairly $$$ for what you get, and simply AWFUL service.

I did a post away's back called "Fulton's--what exactly IS bad service" in which I detailed all the woeful experiences we had there, from the podium greeter, thru all the servers, right on down to the busboys. Maybe it's still on the site(?)
To sum it all up, it's a place that actually seems to look "down" on the people eating there and it feels as tho they could honestly care less if you ever came back.
Once they closed the Steermans Quarters and the Fishermans deck, I was looking forward to Fulton's. But now I find myself wishing those 2 places would come back!!