Have you tried San Angel Inn?

[Bama_C]

It gets bad reviews because so many do not like nor understand authentic Mexican food. They are used to the tacos, chimichangas and enchiladas found everywhere, even in border states. I am from AZ and travel quite a bit to Mexico. Typical Mexican food in the USA even the good stuff in border states is not very authentic.

At San Angel you won't find much in the way of tacos, burritos etc. except a bit on the lunch menu. What you will find is some excellent authentic (not Tex-Mex!) Mexican food. San Angel is one of our favorites but if you're looking for typical Gringo Americanized Mexican then this is not the place for you.

I couldn't agree with you more! We love the food and in my opinion you must experience the atmosphere at least once. I will say that I prefer the DINNER menu to the LUNCH menu because I love the beef tenderloin and shrimp dish (Combination Cozumel). Where I live, there is a very heavy Mexican population and a Mexican restaurant on every corner. We have our choice of some of the greatest authentic Mexican food (from lots of different parts of Mexico) because these people are recent transplants from Mexico and have not yet learned to cook the Americanized versions of things. The food at San Angel is very similar to some that we are used to here. We love it and are going back for the 7th time in September.

That being said, we have noticed as far as service goes... especially when it comes to drink refills... that we are better off asking for both a drink (Coke or whatever) AND water at the beginning of the meal because you may not get another shot at your server until your entree comes out. It isn't just at San Angel but at many of the restaurants. I think it may be worse during free dining but could be wrong about that. Anyway, having the extra glass of liquid at San Angel really came in handy when my Coke ran out and I had been munching on chips and salsa! I do agree with a PP who complained that the chips and salsa are not authentic. Having had my pick of some great salsa around here, the bottled version just pales in comparison and the chips are definitely not home fried.

I say if you like Mexican of any sort, give it a try. You really can't beat the atmosphere and it's just one meal.

BOATS: The boat ride mentioned earlier is the attraction at the Mexican pavilion. There is a little "river" that flows down beside the restaurant... and people come meandering by in boats down below as you are dining... all this under a twinkling night sky with a volcano rumbling in the distance. It is a fabulous atmosphere... one that we go back for over and over.

 

[dunbarfamily]

We've been there once. Too bad food and service didn't match the great atmosphere. Take my opinion for what its worth though, for every negative opinion you'll find a postivie one.

 

[PEANUT1]

I like it. My family will be dining there in a few weeks. I must admit though, that I am not picky and tend to be a pretty easily pleased.This place has been around a long time and there are plenty of people who like it. Difference of opinion is what makes the world go round.

 

[dunbarfamily]

Ha! I was just reading though the last two pages of the opinions after I had posted mine! Anyone care to join me for some ?

Have a magical, light-hearted day! Don't sweat the small stuff!

 

[L8blumr2]

I just have to share because I don't think I saw my particular issue posted. Forgive me if it was, but my problem was not the food...I thought it was delicious...I just couldn't see it!! We were seated right next to the kitchen and maybe it was the bright light behind me combined with the darkness in front of me, but I literally couldn't see my food. That was a little disturbing.

 

[musical2]

I always have to go to the San Angels Inn to have lunch or dinner each time we go to WDW. I have always enjoyed eating there. The service may not be great, but it is OK. However, just about my favorite thing to eat in EPCOT is the Pollo a las Rajas - Grilled chicken breast served over red peppers, onions, chile poblano, chorizo and melted cheese. I just love that stuff. Just my opinion of course.

 

[jessily]

I had lunch there last December and we really enjoyed it. The service wasn't great, but the atmosphere can't be beat. The food was great and it was really nice to get out of the sun for awhile. The margaritas didn't hurt either...

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

We've been to Mexico many times. What MOST people think is Mexican food is bland Tex-Mex. So please remember that when you read all the bad reviews. I thought our meal tasted more authentic than most "Mexican restaurants" which sell everything with beans, lettuce, and sour cream.

We absolutely LOVED it!!! We also enjoyed speaking Spanish with our server. She was SOOO nice!!! We don't speak perfect Spanish anymore, and we enjoy practicing. it was some of the best Mexican food I've had yet... even better than some we got in Mexico.

The ambiance is great. The drunks can ruin it though, when they float by in boatfuls with loud disrespectful chants and noise.

 

[Huff]

Where in Mexico do you get served Tostitos brand corn chips and bottled Pace salsa??? I

I have never been served any Tostitos or Pace salsa at San Angel. I have seen some USA made salsas (not Pace) sold in the gift shop which is NOT San Angel nor owned by them. I do agree the gift shop is a bit of a joke and mostly resembles those found at the border tourist towns. Again, we're talking about San Angel restaurant and not the gift shop.

 

[Huff]

Well put..when Mexican food is done right it's unbelieveable food..I could never in my life imagne serving bagged corn chips..my kids did not even know you could by corn chips from a bag until they were in jr high we always fry them..I am so glad I got rid of ADR at San Angles

Done right to most here seems to be GringoMex Americanized Mexican food. While some of it is quite good it is NOT Mexican. I really hope that San Angel does not just become another Americanized Mexican style restaurant with a menu full of tacos, burritos and chimichangas. It's excellent the way it is.

 

[grinningghost]

I love San Angel! It's absolutely beautiful inside, the food is outstanding and I've found the service to be friendly and efficient. Ask for a table near the water!

 

[rsimon]

I have never been served any Tostitos or Pace salsa at San Angel. I have seen some USA made salsas (not Pace) sold in the gift shop which is NOT San Angel nor owned by them. I do agree the gift shop is a bit of a joke and mostly resembles those found at the border tourist towns. Again, we're talking about San Angel restaurant and not the gift shop.

Well.. We have eaten there over the years more than once and the chips have always been tostitos (little round corn chips). I know what they are and how they taste and they even sell them in the shops right outside the dining area.. As far as the salsa.. again.. it is bottled.. Pace or whatever other brand, who cares, it is bottled.. I know what fresh salsa tastes like, and what they serve isn't fresh..

So, if you were served little round corn chips.. guess what.. you were served Tostitos..

 

[rsimon]

Done right to most here seems to be GringoMex Americanized Mexican food. While some of it is quite good it is NOT Mexican. I really hope that San Angel does not just become another Americanized Mexican style restaurant with a menu full of tacos, burritos and chimichangas. It's excellent the way it is.

Trust me.. I don't eat "GringoMex".. but as I said earlier in a post.. San Angel Inn "Attemps" to be authentic.. the only thing that isn't even attempting is their service of tostitos and bottled salsa.. If they really wanted to be more authentic, you would be served bolios or corn chips that are freshley made (typically thicker and heavier than bagged chips) and fresh salsa.

The real issue with San Angel Inn is they need a better chef that knows how to prepare the recipe and has some pride in what they serve to customers.. Its not the menu that is the problem..

As long as it is busy though and they bring in customers.. nothing will change.. it will continue to be less than it can be which is just embarrasing.. If I ran my restaurant that way.. I would be ashamed..

 

[Alison_in_Wonderland]

The fact that they served plain ole' Tostedos (that they also sell in the gift shop and jarred salsa my first clue to this baaaaad meal. YUCK.

 

[jazzmine]

We ate there 5 years ago (honeymoon). Both loved the atmosphere but I wasn't thrilled with my dish. I'll fully admit that I like more of a Tex-Mex style though so that's probably why. I would try it again though!

 

[JSTX]

The silly thing is that it wouldn't take much to make it the restaurant that I think Disney intended it to be.

The menu is great, and the items listed on the menu fairly authentic. The issues are with how the food is prepared, which I think is what most have been trying to point out. For example, I ordered a slow roasted pork dish that last time I was there. The meat was cold, not even slightly warm. When I was able to get the waiter back to the table to tell him about it, he took it back to the kitchen and brought it back out with more warm sauce on top - but the meat was still cold. That same visit, my DH and DD both had beef dishes that were charred and nasty tasting (bitter tasting). So the issues were not with what was on the menu, but very poor food preparation.

Surely they could serve a salsa that was not pre-bottled. Salsas are not difficult to make. Replace the Tostitos with chips that are more authentic. Bolillos would be a great touch to add, but if they don't want to do that, just frying their own chips would be a HUGE step up.

Finally, they do need to work on the service, as several have mentioned.

If they correct the food quality and service issues, it would be a fantastic place to eat.

 

[skater]

Trust me.. I don't eat "GringoMex".. but as I said earlier in a post.. San Angel Inn "Attemps" to be authentic.. the only thing that isn't even attempting is their service of tostitos and bottled salsa.. If they really wanted to be more authentic, you would be served bolios or corn chips that are freshley made (typically thicker and heavier than bagged chips) and fresh salsa.

The real issue with San Angel Inn is they need a better chef that knows how to prepare the recipe and has some pride in what they serve to customers.. Its not the menu that is the problem..

As long as it is busy though and they bring in customers.. nothing will change.. it will continue to be less than it can be which is just embarrasing.. If I ran my restaurant that way.. I would be ashamed..

This is one of the few posts about San Angel that I agree with. I like real Mexican food, but the food here is just not good quality. The problem for me is not what's on the menu - badly prepared food is bad no matter what your likes and dislikes. I will not eat here again until I start hearing about positive changes.

 

[KimR]

We eat at San Angel Inn every year primarily for the atmosphere because it has gone downhill in the past few years. We used to enjoy the food here, but they took the single best item of the menu - queso fundido appetizer. Does anyone remember this? It was so good - the waiter prepared it right at your table. We really miss it, but the nachos are a good alternative.

As for entrees, I usually get one of the 2 fish dishes and it's ok - I've had better but considering the modest price, it's about what I'd expect. (I do not recommend the shrimp and pasta dish, though - it's awful). The service has always been ok - not outstanding but no complaints although now I'm starting to think we've just been very lucky in that regard.

All in all, we go there for the experience and the atmosphere, not the food.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

We have eaten there twice and that is twice too many times.

 

[D&DDisney]

Ate there for lunch.

Atmosphere = GREAT!

Food and Service = BAD!