Going off a point Kevin made a few weeks ago: What restaurants would you not eat at...

[TiggerTrigger]

The reality is, even in the outside world, theme/experience/ambiance factor into most/many of your dining decisions. Sure, there are plenty of cheap hole in the wall places with great food, but how often do you remove those from consideration for say a Saturday night meal just because it's not a nice relaxing environment? And in many cases, you may be sacrificing quality and paying more to do so.

Could Cali Grill survive in Disney without its view...sure. Artist Point's reviews are more mixed, it doesn't have very much 'it' factor in my opinion, and yet it still makes it. In the outside world... it depends. There are plenty of fine(er) dining experiences in the real world that survive or do really well even if their food is hit or miss. Just the fact that it's being billed as finer and has nice decor would put it into consideration for some for a date night. Opening a restaurant is a tough task, and even exceptional places fail (while some mediocre ones thrive), but if it's timed well and well located in a region that can support it, it could work. Add a hook like an amazing view or great location and it'll probably be a cash cow. I remember growing up and hearing people gush to their social groups about Tavern on the Green, just to hear a few hushed side convos about how pretty it was but the food was meh. Even locally, we have a rooftop restaurant that spins...food gets mixed reviews, but prices are high for the novelty...and so many still to try it at least once just for the experience.

 

[disneysteve]

so many still to try it at least once just for the experience

I think this is the key.

Many Disney restaurants are places people go to once for the experience, but will they go back? I said earlier we've been to BOG once. I'm very glad we did it but I would never do it again. We used to have lunch every trip at Crystal Palace because we actually liked the food. We didn't care if it was a character meal or not. But the last time, my wife happened to see the bill and was appalled at how much it was. We haven't been back since. That was probably 10 years ago.

What places at Disney do you keep going back to because you actually like them? And of those, which would you still frequent if they were downtown in your own neighborhood?

 

[samsteele]

What places at Disney do you keep going back to because you actually like them? And of those, which would you still frequent if they were downtown in your own neighborhood?

As you've mentioned before Steve, a number of CS restaurants offer very tasty and outside the box food that I keep going back to in the parks & would go to if they were in my own city. eg Flametree BBQ and Tangierine Cafe. TS restaurants that I keep going back to and would also go to if in my city: Restaurant Marrakesh, Chefs de France, Raglan Road and Sanaa. The Signatures are a whole different ballgame. And I strongly agree with the PPs that many Signatures simply would not survive outside the bubble. Many guests go once for the experience or once to say they have been.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

I think this is the key.

Many Disney restaurants are places people go to once for the experience, but will they go back? I said earlier we've been to BOG once. I'm very glad we did it but I would never do it again. We used to have lunch every trip at Crystal Palace because we actually liked the food. We didn't care if it was a character meal or not. But the last time, my wife happened to see the bill and was appalled at how much it was. We haven't been back since. That was probably 10 years ago.

What places at Disney do you keep going back to because you actually like them? And of those, which would you still frequent if they were downtown in your own neighborhood?

I'm right there with you on BOG. I drove myself insane getting an ADR when it opened and tried it again for lunch when they did FP testing, but in both cases...I wasn't impressed with the food. I've told the kids I'd prefer if we categorize it under "been there, done that," but I won't totally write it off if one of the kids really wants to do it again for the overall experience.

For Crystal Palace, I love their breakfast lasagna. I will pay Disney prices to eat there for it and would still go out of my way to eat it in the outside world if any place local would take the time to make it. Making it is such an involved process that I'd put a $20-30 value on someone making it for me. As for other spots, just off the top of my head, I'd eat at Sanaa, 'Ohana (dinner), Narcoosee's, Yachtsman, Flying Fish, Raglan Road, Brown Derby, and Kona if they were in my area...and that's strictly on food. I wouldn't consider any of the WS in Epcot (and we often avoid them on trips) because I know I have local options with broader, more authentic menus. I know I said I look at Narcoosee's more for view, but my parents really like the food there, so I'd look at that as an option for them coming to visit if it were in my area at home.

 

[EricInPA]

What places at Disney do you keep going back to because you actually like them?

'Ohana, for me, is the only restaurant that really meets all the criteria (would return, at the price, outside of Disney). There isn't really a place around here that serves that kind of food in that style.

Almost everywhere else is too closely tied to its theme/setting, and would likely need to drop their prices (depending on the area). The Steak/Shrimp combo at our local Hibachi is $10 cheaper than Teppan Edo, but honestly our meal at Epcot was better (food and performance).

As a comparable, there are restaurants that have concession stands with limited offerings inside of Heinz Field (NFL football). They charge twice as much for the half the quality at the booths compared to the actual restaurants. You have standard stadium staff trained to crank out hundreds of items that are typically prep'd per person. So, to Pete's point, the quality has to be better without the captive audience.

 

[KingLlama]

Is it weird that when I think of Disney World food, the first things I think of are the snacks, and not any particular restaurants?

 

[samsteele]

I'm right there with you on BOG.

I still try to get in for a lunch ADR at BOG 1x per vacation. I enjoy the lunch food (pulled pork) but the atmosphere not so much. The main dining hall is pretty much a wild, free for all cafeteria. Every once in a while, I manage to find a table close to the snow screen and then turn my back on the craziness. That works. Sometimes I manage to find a table in the West Wing but I try to find a seat near the wall to minimize the camera flash in my face issue. BOG remains a wildly popular restaurant. I get that. And I get that I am dining with masses of people. But it can be an exhausting eating experience because of it. Sometimes it makes upstairs at Columbia Harbour House seem like a little slice of Heaven.

 

[samsteele]

Is it weird that when I think of Disney World food, the first things I think of are the snacks, and not any particular restaurants?

Nope. Many of the snacks are wonderful. Iconic. And a WDW vacation wouldn't be the same without one (or two) Right now, I'm thinking about the ice cream sammy (macaron) at Epcot's L'Artisan des Glaces. Their seasonal macarons are really good. That cronut at the Refreshment Port in Epcot is pretty darn good, too. I've never done the Tonga Toast at the Poly. Is it really that good?

 

[TiggerTrigger]

I still try to get in for a lunch ADR at BOG 1x per vacation. I enjoy the lunch food (pulled pork) but the atmosphere not so much. The main dining hall is pretty much a wild, free for all cafeteria. Every once in a while, I manage to find a table close to the snow screen and then turn my back on the craziness. That works. Sometimes I manage to find a table in the West Wing but I try to find a seat near the wall to minimize the camera flash in my face issue. BOG remains a wildly popular restaurant. I get that. And I get that I am dining with masses of people. But it can be an exhausting eating experience because of it. Sometimes it makes upstairs at Columbia Harbour House seem like a little slice of Heaven.

I didn't mind the ballroom. We had dinner in there and it was fairly peaceful. We had lunch in the West Wing and I was beyond annoyed with the amount of foot traffic. I knew it when we picked it, but I wasn't sure how I'd feel about it. It was just a constant people parade in there trying to see the portrait and the rose. I do like that upstairs area at CHH, but we don't do QS very often, and our last meal there was not good. So, we're giving that a rest.

As for Kona, I really enjoyed the Tonga Toast. You can get it at Captain Cooks for less, but it doesn't come with the strawberry compote...and I feel like the strawberry compote is a necessary component. My husband got the Samoan on our last visit and that was yummy too. Kona is also one of the more reasonably priced TS spots and while it reminds me a bit of the cafes you see in Vegas hotels, it was peaceful and relaxing.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

Is it weird that when I think of Disney World food, the first things I think of are the snacks, and not any particular restaurants?

Nothing weird about it. We all have different food approaches and preferences for our trips. No right or wrong...just what works well for you and that you enjoy.

 

[KingLlama]

Nothing weird about it. We all have different food approaches and preferences for our trips. No right or wrong...just what works well for you and that you enjoy.

Thank you for confirming that I'm right.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

Thank you for confirming that I'm right.

I should have just said you were weird!

 

[KingLlama]

I should have just said you were weird!

That would have been kind of hurtful, frankly.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

That would have been kind of hurtful, frankly.

I'm sorry...no wounded egos allowed on Friday! Seriously though, I get enough criticism over our dining preferences and what's most important or memorable to me with trip food...so, who's to say what is memorable to you is any better or worse?

 

[SorcererHeidi]

Is it weird that when I think of Disney World food, the first things I think of are the snacks, and not any particular restaurants?

You ARE weird, and that's why I love you, and your sense of humor. Weird is good. I do not understand, admire, or get along well with normal.

 

[SorcererHeidi]

That would have been kind of hurtful, frankly.

At work I always say "If I had any feelings, they'd be hurt right about now".

 

[CampbellzSoup]

I honestly don't need to eat at any of them - Be Our Guest was my exception, because I mean, who doesn't want to eat there!?

I would go to Victoria & Alberts if it were in my hometown as that "fancy restaurant" to go for a special occasion. However, I really don't eat in the parks as I've seen nothing of "value" - Snacks, sure, but outside of free dining - no thanks.

 

[reereef]

If it wasn't for the fact my son loves it...I would never eat at Chef Mickey again. It's incredibly expensive when not on the DDP and the food is not good. The left hand side of the restaurant as you walk in is nice, but I hate getting seated over to the right hand side, which seems darker, plainer and the characters seem to spend less time there.
Another place I would never go back to full-stop is Nine Dragons. We had the worst meal ever there.

Really nice places we've eaten at, that we always return to are: 'Ohana, Sanaa, Artist Point and my husband loves Mama Melrose.

 

[jsrj21]

My family and I used to go to 'Ohana on every trip. Two years ago, my wife decided to skip out on our ressie [so my son and I went]. Since then, we haven't gone back. Too many changes to the food. I thought that everything was really good but they keep making changes. I'm glad Boma has remained pretty steady with regard to their food. We've been going there every year since we first went.....

Mama Melrose comes to mind of a place that we steer pretty clear from. Sub-par Italian fare...IMO.

 

[ariane37]

What places at Disney do you keep going back to because you actually like them? And of those, which would you still frequent if they were downtown in your own neighborhood?

This is an interesting thread! We return to Marrakesh and Sanaa because we enjoy them and feel the prices are fine for what we get, and would still go if they were by us. We also love BOG dinner-have been numerous times-and I'm pretty sure we'd go there if the same restaurant with the same food but without the ambiance were around us. Maybe not often if the prices were the same, but occasionally. We're in NY so restaurants aren't cheap, anyway. Not NYC expensive, but definitely not cheap.