Is Boma ok for plain (non adventerous) eaters?

[oceanmarina]

Hi all. I was thinking of trying Boma since we are staying at AKL. I'm just hesitent beacuse my DH is not an adventerous eater, he likes steak, potatoes, nothing with curries or anything too exotic. (He would be happy if there was a prime rib carving board, some BBQ chicken & mashed potatoes basically). I don't want to make a ressis there if there would be nothing for him to eat.
Wer also have the kids with us (4 & 6) who are also fussy eaters (yes, they get it from him). Do they have chicken nuggets & the usual kids fare?
Thanks for any advice,
Marina

 

[stellablue]

I think he will find stuff to eat. They do usually have a carving board meat like prime rib, they also have pasta and meatballs, mac and cheese, roasted chicken, etc...

 

[LeahA]

The dinner menu changes daily. This listing gives you an idea of the types of foods that may be offered, over 60 items on the buffet.

African Breads

Mixed Field Greens:
Mango Vinaigrette, Paw Paw Vinaigrette,
Chili Cilantro Vinaigrette, Balsamic Vinaigrette

Potato Salad
Fresh Fruit
Avocado, Grapefruit and Papaya Salad

Pasta Salad
Watermelon Rind Salad
Kool Slaai
Chicken Salad with Chili Cilantro
Moroccan Seafood Salad - Couscous, mussels, scallops and shrimp

Avocado, Grapefruit, Papaya, Curry Cucumber Salad, Spinach and Beet Salad

Macaroni and Cheese
Saffron Rice

African Soups and Stews May Include 1 or 2 of these:
Chicken Corn Porridge
Smoked Tomato Soup
Creamy Carrot and Ginger Soup
Coconut Currey Seafood Soup
Cote D'Ivoire Seafood Gumbo
Butternut Squash Soup

Sweet Potato Pancakes
Vegetable Lentil Kofta
Pap
Braised Greens

FuFu - sweet and white potatoes mashed with coriander and cinnamon

Potatoes with Afritude

Durban Spiced Roasted Chicken
Malabu Pepper Steak

Grilled Seafood

Wood Roasted Meats

Bobotie - lamb and beef quiche with onions, raisins and bread.

Vegetable Skewers
Chicken Pepper Pot
Coconut Curried Chicken Soup
Curried Coconut Seafood Stew
Couscous Marrakesh

Chicken Tenders
Spaghetti and Meatballs

Wonderful Dessert Buffet including:
Zebra Domes
Simba Paw Prints


There is some normal stuff, especially for kids, but it's like a 70%/30% mix. The carving station always has something good. There is always a chicken, my kids always find something to eat!

 

[Pakey]

We took our best friends, who are plain diners. They did not like anything except food from the kids section and that's a lot to pay for kids foods.

We are adventurous but they said even the meats had spices they didn't like.

 

[Luna_Lovegood]

We went there the last time we took advantage of Free Dining, and my husband is a very picky eater. He said he found plenty to fill himself (they did have prime rib on the carving board when we went), but it was not one that he would have picked or paid for. So, bottom line, he didn't go hungry but he wouldn't go back unless we did it "free" again.

 

[dakcp2001]

We took our best friends, who are plain diners. They did not like anything except food from the kids section and that's a lot to pay for kids foods.
We are adventurous but they said even the meats had spices they didn't like.

This was our experience as well. I am pretty adventerous and tried a lot of things, did not care for much. The prime rib was good, but had some spices.There was some good rice, too. My husbvand hates everything and ate from the kids selections. We will not be going there again. We did enjoy the zebra domes. lol.

 

[mountdew1]

They definitely have one pod of kid friendly type food, spaghetti, chicken nuggets, etc. But even the other food, alot of it isn't heavily spiced, it's just different. Some of it certainly is a bit on the spicy side, but nothing like Indian. Most of the soups and salads just use different ingredients than western diets in a different manner. I strongly suggest just trying stuff to see if you like it as you may be pleasantly surprised.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Our Ratings of Boma - Dinner: (9/14/2011)
. . . food price value: D
. . . food quality: C
. . . food quantity per serving: A
. . . food prep speed: A
. . . food selection: B
. . . seating quantity: B
. . . seating comfort: C
. . . eatery atmosphere: D
. . . eatery convenience: C
. . . staff friendliness: C
. . . staff attentiveness: B
. . . character interaction: n/a

NOTE: Boma is an outstanding buffet for breakfast.
For dinner it's below average and worth passing by.
African and Middle Eastern foods are typically spiced
with cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, cardamom, etc, which
can make food appear sweet to the taste buds.If doing
dinner, go for the soups, and leave the meats,
salads, the desserts for someone else. (There now
are fifteen different soups at five per night.) Bring out
the ear plugs, as it does get noisy.

 

[kelleigh1]

My husband was a little nervous about Boma at first, but he was willing to try it. He will usually try different things, but he likes to know that there are some of the basics available too, just in case. Boma ended up being one of his faves from our last trip. He was so glad we went and there were so many different options. I don't think your son will have any trouble finding things he likes.

 

[Riverhill]

My 72 years old father is a meat and potatoes type of fellow. Same with my DH. Both loved BOMA

 

[teach22180]

I found that my attitude really affected how much I enjoyed Boma. I'm a very un-adventurous eater, but I wanted to try something new and was excited about it. I went in with the attitude that I could just try something and didn't have to finish it. There was one dish I really didn't like, but I found so much else to enjoy! I especially loved the soups and the hummus-type dips with breads. So, see if your DH is looking for an adventure, as I think his attitude will have a lot to do with what he enjoys.

 

[B-Ride]

While I think picky eaters can find something they like, I don't think it makes much sense. The strength of Boma is it's different flavours. It is my family's favourite buffet at WDW (or anywhere for that matter) but it is not for the meat and potatoes crowd or for people who don't like food that is spiced differently.

 

[FairestOfThemAll]

IMHO, absolutely yes, it's okay for non-adventurous eaters. I'm from the midwest (we're not known for spicy food) and Boma is my absolute favorite restaurant *anywhere*. The other five people (also native midwesterners) that I've dined there with also very much enjoy it and look forward to going back. They do use seasonings at Boma, but nothing was what I would consider to have been too much. (I had some pasta dish at Olivia's and lost feeling in my lips, because it was so spicy-hot... Boma has never done that to me.)

What I consider the only drawback is that it's at AKL, which is a bit out of the way if you're not staying there.

I have to agree with PP, the breakfast is outstanding.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

DH and DD5 really couldn't find anything at Boma that they liked. I think they each had to get some CS snacks later on that night to keep them until morning. DD3 on the other hand found some meatballs that she loved and she's normally pretty picky. DH is not ultra picky and DD5 will usually try things once, so I was kind of surprised that they rejected all of the options. In light of that...I think it's a pretty hit or miss experience when it comes to people who may be less adventurous...and like others have noted- it really depends on the menu for the evening.

 

[anjalee6]

We love Boma. I am not adventurous when it comes to eating new things and my kids are the same way, but we found plenty to eat. My kids loved the grilled salmon from the carving station and they had grilled chicken. The steak was fine for them.

We have been there many times and never had bad service and we don't find it loud, but everyone has their own opinions.


If your husband doesn't eat anything with spices, even salts and peppers I would say pick somewhere else that you know everyone will enjoy.

 

[dzneelvr]

AbsolutelyOne of the great things about WDW dining buffets is there truly is something for everyone. BOMA has the total American fare area with chicken, mac & cheese, normal iceberg lettuce salads, etc. and then the carving station as was mentioned plus wonderful desserts. I had to chuckle as I read your thread because my 3 started out being very non-adventurous at WDW and because they could take just a bite of things to try, now they're very willing to order something new to eat.

 

[OKW Lover]

I'm typically a non-adventurous eater myself. I will say that I dislike many of the items available at Boma, even though I try to expand my eating horizons while on vacation. The various African spices just taste odd to me. However, there are certainly enough choices that I don't go away hungry. You may want to read the dining reviews here when trying to decide.

 

[Mickeylivesinseattle]

I have a really hard time understanding people that are afraid of flavor and "spices" as some people call it. Boma is not extreme with spices. Yes there are interesting flavors with some of the dishes. It is called trying something different.
If all you want is plain 'ole meat and tasteless side dishes then Boma is not your place.

 

[ppony]

We took our best friends, who are plain diners. They did not like anything except food from the kids section and that's a lot to pay for kids foods.

We are adventurous but they said even the meats had spices they didn't like.

That's actually pretty much me in a nutshell there too. thoug the butternut squash soup is enough to keep me happy and I normally hate soup. It's more like dessert. My DH liked it well enough and he IS very adventurous. He didn't love it, but he liked it. Despite the fact that I don't really like much there, it didn't stop us from buying DVC there. I'm just not a fan of the food. Weird, I know.

To respond to the poster above me, just because I don't care for flavors at Boma does NOT mean I like boring and tasteless dishes. I don't like most places on property because that's exactly what I find most of them.