How bad is San Angel Inn?

[nyislandersprincess]

Thanks for all the responses! I'm glad to see some love for this place! Like I said, we used to eat here all the time when I was younger, but it's been years since then. This was the one restaurant my friend requested, so I certainly wasn't about to say no, especially when they let me take the lead for the other reservations.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

Love this place.

 

[StuckinPA]

You've received a lot of comments, but I wanted to weigh in and say San Angel is a must do for me every trip. Love the food, and really love the atmosphere and margaritas. My son - who is 11 now - also counts it as a must do and loves the rice and chips and salsa that come with the meals.

 

[hooch11bear]

We love SAI!! Our first day is always spent at Epcot and it is always our first meal!! A few years ago we even added another reservation for later in the trip. My DD and I also get the pollo a las rajas. She was just talking about it the other day. Can't wait to go back!!

 

[JuniorSkipper]

I enjoyed my food at San Angel a lot, however we only ordered appetizer type food because of all the negatives that the entries had gotten, but I think if I end up going back we will have to try an entire. The appetizers were very very good I loved them so much I couldn't get enough! They had the best guac I think I have ever had if you want some pictures of the appetizers then just let me know

 

[ddog171]

I think the atmosphere in this place is great. After riding the three caballeros we ate lunch here and my DD3 loved watching the other boats float by. Food was good also.

 

[Sweettears]

That and the Dis Board podcast guys really trashed it too. That didn't help any.
Though I'll tell you a secret, I hope it stays unpopular to the point that they keep it like it is but it stays easy to get in. Don't want the "masses" figuring out how good it really is. May be hard to get in.

As for Coral Reef, I finally broke down and tried it. On my birthday nonetheless. It deserved every bad review I've read on it. Blech.

I agree. Mums the word. I haven't been to CF for a few trips now. I do believe that there is over reliance on the tank as an attraction.

 

[Spencer Wright]

The podcast team did a review of San Angel Inn last year, if you're interested in what they have to say. I'm afraid to say that @WebmasterJohn, @DisneyKevin, and @Teleclashter were not very impressed. It's only one experience at one point in time, but I always like their reviews.

This isn't the greatest restaurant in Epcot, however I generally recommended it and enjoyed it! Its a wonderful atmosphere on a hot day!

That is until I saw the above review and saw what the food actually looks like. I will not be going back after that. My family does not like it anyway.

 

[Huff]

Reviews in my opinion are worth very little. Different people have different expectations, likes and dislikes. So many Disney restaurants get very high reviews that I would put at the bottom of the list. Teppan Edo scores HUGE but for us I'd rank it a 3-4. Food, atmosphere and show is rather poor in comparison to other Teppanyaki restaurants (Kobe's near Disney Springs). So many complain because their expectations seemed to be based on typical Mexican restaurants around the country that are northern MX Sonoran style or Tex-Mex which San Angel isn't. I find San Angel quite enjoyable every trip and a must do.

My only complaint is the closeness of tables to each other but then, thats common at most Disney restaurants.

 

[mombrontrent]

This thread convinced me to give it a try, I booked dinner for our Fall trip. I thought it might be hard to get since I picked Saturday November 3rd, right in the middle of Food and Wine and the Wine and Dine half marathon but there were several times available. We always thought the atmosphere looked cool but were scared off by bad reviews, but I’m willing to try it out.

 

[tinkerhon]

We never miss it ! The kids insist every trip and we love it

 

[GoofyFreak66]

All the times we've gone to WDW, I've never heard of this place - I have it on the list now. Thanks!!

 

[OneinThree]

Reviews in my opinion are worth very little. Different people have different expectations, likes and dislikes. So many Disney restaurants get very high reviews that I would put at the bottom of the list. Teppan Edo scores HUGE but for us I'd rank it a 3-4. Food, atmosphere and show is rather poor in comparison to other Teppanyaki restaurants (Kobe's near Disney Springs). So many complain because their expectations seemed to be based on typical Mexican restaurants around the country that are northern MX Sonoran style or Tex-Mex which San Angel isn't. I find San Angel quite enjoyable every trip and a must do.

My only complaint is the closeness of tables to each other but then, thats common at most Disney restaurants.

For the most part, I agree that not every menu or location is going to appeal to everyone. That said, some people actually make a living by reviewing dining establishments, and are well aware of their biases. Many of these agree that regardless of how much you like or don't like Mexican food, San Angel just doesn't execute well -at all. IMO, the quality of the food served there suffers consistently for the same reason it does at Coral Reef, which is that the necessary changes are avoided by the reliance on the whole the fish tank/pyramid thing.

 

[Huff]

For the most part, I agree that not every menu or location is going to appeal to everyone. That said, some people actually make a living by reviewing dining establishments, and are well aware of their biases. Many of these agree that regardless of how much you like or don't like Mexican food, San Angel just doesn't execute well -at all.

Those making a living on reviewing are every bit as biased as anyone else. It's like professional movie reviewers. Why can a movie score a 90-100% rating by viewers yet score 30% by the critics? Personally I do not feel any Disney restaurant is exceptional. It's Disney. All Disney restaurants cater to a mass crowd 365 days a year with people from all over the world. For us, San Angel offers very good food with a very unique Disney style theme I cannot get most anywhere else. Coral Reef has always had decent food for us as well. It's not 5* but then I do not expect anywhere near such at Disney. Odds are the Disney restaurants you and many others find excellent I may find bottom of my list. LTT, WCC, Trails End etc. all rank high for many. I rank them blah, boring foods. Professional critics rave about them. San Angel is one of our favorites at WDW but like EVERY restaurant, it doesn't appeal to all.

 

[OneinThree]

Those making a living on reviewing are every bit as biased as anyone else.

I think that's exactly what I said.

The difference is, the people who do it for a living recognize good execution across a variety of different styles of cuisine. But even so, sometimes you don't have to be an expert. I can't stand country music -I mean, I really don't like it, at all. Still, put some Randy Travis on and I immediately recognize the brilliant voice. Same thing with garbage (IMO) sung by Adele (who is amazing). It really is OK is you enjoy San Angel. But just because you and some others may enjoy going, doesn't mean it isn't bad food, bordering on downright nasty.

 

[Anal Annie]

This thread convinced me to give it a try, I booked dinner for our Fall trip. I thought it might be hard to get since I picked Saturday November 3rd, right in the middle of Food and Wine and the Wine and Dine half marathon but there were several times available. We always thought the atmosphere looked cool but were scared off by bad reviews, but I’m willing to try it out.

Most people who go to F&W are eating at the kiosks and are not making TS dining ADRs (at least not at Epcot). That's probably one reason why there was a lot of availability.

On top of the tables being all of 18" apart we find the place WAAAAY too dark (had to use the flashlights on our phones to read the menu) and our DS's steak needed a hacksaw to cut thru which is sad for a $30+ piece of meat. The only thing going for it IMO is that it's a cool atmosphere inside the temple. And it's got good A/C when it's 95 degrees out. LaHacienda across the walk-way is a lot better food-wise and gets our vote for MX @ EP. The last time we ate at San Angel was simply bcuz it was a January trip and it was FREEZING outside and we were able to get a last min. reservation as we were walking around the WS. We just really wanted to get warm for awhile before Illuminations.

 

[Accidental Magpie]

Don't plan on a quick turnaround. Go to relax with a beverage while you wait for your food to arrive. Food is decent, atmosphere is relaxing, just don't be in a rush.

 

[Huff]

But just because you and some others may enjoy going, doesn't mean it isn't bad food, bordering on downright nasty.

Thats where we disagree. Everyones idea of bad, nasty etc. is just ones opinion. A critic is no different. Whats excellent to them is disgusting poor execution to others and vis-versa. I find San Angels food much closer to what I find in central and southern MX. For some that style may very well be disgusting or nasty. That just means thats not their style. Perhaps I haven't ordered the same items as you but I have never had anything at San Angel that was downright nasty.

 

[Huff]

DS's steak needed a hacksaw to cut thru which is sad for a $30+ piece of meat.

I find quality of food at EVERY Disney restaurant varies widely from one visit to the next. I've had excellent steaks at Le Cellier or Yachtsman and I've had tough and chewey steaks at those as well. One of the best steaks I've ever had was several years ago at Coral Reef which isn't known for such.

 

[SweetSerenity]

We have eaten at San Angel Inn several times because I always wanted it to be better than it was to us. Honestly, we've never had a good experience there. The restaurant is beautiful! I love the outdoor marketplace theme, but the tables are really crowded and the service has always been slow. We have tried all different entrees hoping to find that "one" that we really liked, but we have never liked any of our meals. Opinions do always vary, though. Clearly, there are plenty of people who love it just like there's a love/hate relationship for 'Ohana out there. If you want to try it again, go for it! You could have a really great experience there!