Garden Grille: A new twist on an old question...

[tkmmc]

O.K. so I've read mixed reviews about the Garden Grille at Epcot. Also, it doesn't seem to get the same attention (on the boards) as other restaraunts. So I think this question will help me know whether or not it is REALLY worth our time:

If you liked Garden Grille: Did you like it as in "Wow, it was great and I can't wait to go again!" or as in "Yes, it was good but once was plenty."

Maybe strange but I think this will help me break the tie between Garden Grille & Coral Reef. THANKS!!!

 

[annie1995]

We ate there back in 2005 and really liked it! We skipped it this last September to try other places, but per our childrens request, are going back this September. They loved the food, and the character interaction was pretty good too. The only thing I didn't like was that it is served family style, but children have to eat something entirely different. My DS really wants to eat off our platter this year, but he is still on the childrens plan.

 

[Nienor]

Depends, are you a big fan of the "all you care to eat idea"? My husband loves Garden Grill because he likes to eat and keep eating. I think the food's okay, but not that special.

Your signature says you have kids. My DS (8) loves the restaurant because it rotates over the Land Ride. We always have to eat there for him. Plus if you kids like characters, the interaction is great there because the restaurant is smaller.

 

[kimsuenew]

O.K. so I've read mixed reviews about the Garden Grille at Epcot. Also, it doesn't seem to get the same attention (on the boards) as other restaraunts. So I think this question will help me know whether or not it is REALLY worth our time:

If you liked Garden Grille: Did you like it as in "Wow, it was great and I can't wait to go again!" or as in "Yes, it was good but once was plenty."

Maybe strange but I think this will help me break the tie between Garden Grille & Coral Reef. THANKS!!!

We despised it, the food was horrid and we would never go back... even if it was 100% free!

 

[tkmmc]

Will the 4 of us sit at our own table?

 

[dwherewecome]

I thought the food was okay at the Garden Grille, maybe even pretty good (for Disney World.) But the character interaction was great! Fun, frequent, not rushed.

The Coral Reef was a pretty restaurant and the food was a bit better than the Grille. The giant fish tank had momentary appeal for my 6 year old and my 9 year old was fairly interested in identifying the different types of fish.

Hard to choose between, but if you enjoy character meals, I'd go with the Garden Grille.

Have a great vacation!

 

[Tinkerspell]

We loved GG!! We're definately going back again, and again, and again!

Since you asked in terms of it or Coral Reef, I'll throw in that we did CR and it was ok, but we'd be equally ok with not going back. But our daughter keeps begging to go back there again...and she doesn't even like eating fish. I think it has to do with her Ariel obsession.

GG over CR for us any day.

 

[disneydreamin247]

We REALLY like it there and try to go every trip.

 

[ChelleinNC]

Will the 4 of us sit at our own table?

Yes, you will have your own table. They serve the food family style, that is they bring it out on a platter and you help yourself. If you need more of anything, they'll get you more. For the kids they bring out chicken strips & mac & cheese, the adults get turkey, catfish and flank steak.

We've gone on our last 3 trips (8/06,6/07 & 12/07) It's certainly not "gourmet" but we've had good meals there, everyone has eaten well and I think that's what counts.

 

[drakes]

GG definitely. Our best Character interaction and the most I ate with no pickiness (I am a picky eater)while at the world. I loved the dessert, most of all I loved that Mickey sat at our table with DD and spent time with her ! There was nothing bad about this meal. The salad was made from the veggies in the land -grown there- look for the Mickey shaped cucumber!

 

[jedi jen]

My kids love GG. They both say we have to go. This year will be our third year in a row to do GG.

We have done CR twice. The first time we had a great time. The second time, me and DS(9) did not enjoy the food. DS asked that we not go this time. So, GG yes, and CR no, at least for now.

 

[tkmmc]

THANKS EVERYONE for your responses. Looks like I'll be keeping our ADR for Garden Grille!

 

[Harambe]

One more point would be that GG would probably be more reasonably priced than a meal at Coral Reef (I'm talking amount of food vs. price).

We like this place a lot. Love the rotating scenery (rotates slowly - you don't feel it).

And Farmer Mickey - you can't get any cuter than that!!!!

 

[Wendy*Darling]

We were sort of "eh" about Garden Grill. The character interaction was pretty good but we have had better too. The food was OK. Not great, but not bad. My 7 year old was very excited about the rotating restaurant thing. He was sorely disappointed though. It moved sooooooo....slllllooooowww that we were seated just towards the end of the opening to the front and by the time we were finished eating we still hadn't rotated around to the point of being able to see anything from the land exhibit. We had a nice view of a blank wall though. My family's feeling was that it was OK but there are other choices we like better in Epcot and the kids prefer Chef Mickey's atmosphere. It wasn't bad...it just wasn't great either.

 

[suzimar57]

we went twice - probably won't go again

it was ok, fun - nothing really spectacular, but worth doing

food was good, nice view of ride below from lower tier

 

[JoePa4Ever]

I agree with previous two posters. We went this past year: food was o.k. Wasn't impressed with the rotating restaurant at all. Character interaction was very good. We are not going back this year. However, we really enjoyed Coral Reef & have our ADR for this year's trip.

 

[Stitchfans]

I would pick Garden Grill over Coral Reef. We went to both this past March. IMO the food at Garden Grill was really good and plenty of it. Coral Reef yes it was good but a lot of money for not much of anything. At least at Garden Grill you get some food and then some for your money. Plus of course not to mention the character interaction! That was awesome!!!!

 

[alycia23]

We went March 31 at 4:40 pm. We waited only a few minutes to be seated. The food was okay, but the character interaction was great. We traveled with 9 adults and 5 kids aged 6 and under. The characters came to our table numerous times and played with everyone. Chip was balancing pens and autograph books on his nose. I will definitely come back to this place, not based on the food but the characters.