Is Garden Grill really that bad?

[ScrapperBelle]

We went last May and enjoyed it. I can't say I remember a whole lot about the food, we were so tired when we went that all I needed was a cool drink and a place to sit still for a few minutes. The characters were great, though. It was our granddaughter's first exposure to the fully costumed characters and she was apprehensive, so they took a great deal of time with everyone else at the table to set her more at ease and I loved the fact that while we were on the upper tier of tables, she could see the characters down below and watch them without actually having them "in her face".

My son and DH absolutely LOVED something they had to eat because I can remember the waiter kept bringing more of it....but I can't remember what it was and they're both at work & school right now. The food had to be ok because if it had been downright terrible, I would definitely remember that.

 

[Dolce27]

I had it for my first time in December and hated it. In fact, every single time that I walked by the restaurant after that meal, to go to Soarin', I felt nauseous from the smell of the restaurant. However; I’m a firm believer that everyone should try something for themselves and then decided. All of this is just based upon opinion. It is my opinion that the food there is horrid. Other’s had the opinion that the food is good and enjoyed it. You will have to eat it and decide for yourself what your opinion is. Your tastes may be different than mine and what I disliked you may like.

 

[lz1982]

The food was OK; I felt it was overpriced, but it's all you can eat, so if you're a big eater, it's a good deal. Flank steak was decent; my friend liked the turkey but I found it too dry. Catfish was OK. I liked the potatoes, veggies and bread pudding.

We did have fun with the characters, especially when Pluto tried to eat our dessert. But I don't really feel a need to eat there again and it was probably the weakest TS meal of the trip.

 

[carmiedog]

We have just come back and we found the food nice the characters good, BUT we felt very rushed. in and out within the hour. has anyone else felt rushed through the meal by the server. did not really reliase that we had been quick until after and you look at the clock

We had a 12:30 lunch, got in right away, and it was a very slow and relaxing meal - no rush at all! And the fact that we couldn't see anyone else from our booth made it even more relaxing.

It could have just been your experience with your particular server, or it could be that they now hurry you up now to accommodate more people in a shorter period of time since they no longer server lunch.

 

[java]

I wish they still did the ice cream social- it was fine as far as ice cream goes- you got to sit- and see characters it was reasonably priced and made a nice mid day break. *it was never crowded though as I don't think they advertised it well.

The food I remember from last year as just blah.

 

[Ariel Wanna-be]

I wish they still did the ice cream social- it was fine as far as ice cream goes- you got to sit- and see characters it was reasonably priced and made a nice mid day break. *it was never crowded though as I don't think they advertised it well.

LOL, I was just coming to post this! This was one of the best values in Disney. I think it was something like 6.99 per person, the ice cream was great, the character interaction was wonderful, and it was such a nice little break on a hot afternoon. *Sigh.* I miss the Ice Cream Social!!!!

 

[jamstew]

It's like School Cafeteria food--we were so disappointed.
But some people like Cafeteria Food but we don't.

I think that's a really good analogy. I found it barely edible, and I'm not a picky eater.

 

[MickeyEars]

My family and I love it!! It is one that we do every trip. I'll be making all our ADR's March 5th.

Carla

 

[hotdogmj71]

The only place at WDW that we'll never go to again. YUK!

 

[KorieDWnut]

we must be easy to please or have less refined palates..I don't know, but Garden Grill was our favorite TS place out of the 4 we went to this past August.

I thought the food was great, all of it. The Character interaction was the best we have seen. They all made 2 rotations to our table.

Don't know what else to say, we loved it.

 

[taswira]

I am a local/passholder and I frequent Garden Grill for the CHARACTERS and the catfish, in that order. I used to dine there twice a month or more until they went to the more expensive "dinner only." I always request a booth (so my character friends can sit with me awhile - LOL) and I even have favorite servers I sometimes request. As with most restaurants, there are good and bad days/food. Please don't condemn the place without trying it personally. Some like/love it, others hate it. Many at least think it is the BEST character experience at WDW.

It is true that the food is not as good as it used to be, but most days I would call it "good" (not bad and not great). If you like things a certain way - ie. steak rare, fish crispy, etc. - let the server know while he is taking your beverage order. They WILL try to please you. It pays not to suffer through a bad, high-priced meal and complain later!

Unfortunately, even if you love Garden Grill food on one visit, you may not on the next. Their menu changes seasonally except for the basic meats/fish. During the winter those yummy cheddar potatoes are absent and they serve a different bread and dessert. Below is the menu as of last month. I'm hoping spring and summer will bring back the cheddar potatoes and better bread.

Oatmeal Cluster Rolls
Green House Salad with Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
Grilled Flank Steak with Mushroom Cabernet sauce
Rotisserie Turkey Bresat with Cranberry Relish
Southern Fried Catfish
Cornbread Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Baby Carrots & Broccolini
Warm Apple Bread Pudding with Caramel & Whipped Cream

 

[ROEDISNEY]

I haven't been here in years but when we went it was really good.

 

[jakeybake]

The food is just AWFUL!! I had a seating there for the Candlelight Processional the week of December 14th. I was seated and when I saw the food that they brought out to the table next to me I immediately told my server that I would like to cancel my priority seating. She asked why and I didn't want to be insulting so I said I wasn't feeling well. She did cancel it and the charge for the CP. I was kind of bummed because I wanted to attend CP but it all worked out because I just stood at the back of the theater up against a trash can and could see and hear it as clear as day.

First time I have ever done anything even close to that so take that for what it's worth!

Jay

 

[taswira]

The food is just AWFUL!! I had a seating there for the Candlelight Processional the week of December 14th. I was seated and when I saw the food that they brought out to the table next to me I immediately told my server that I would like to cancel my priority seating. She asked why and I didn't want to be insulting so I said I wasn't feeling well. She did cancel it and the charge for the CP.

That's too bad. Sounds like you never tasted the food though, right? As for how it looked, were you aware of what would be served (it's on the menu at the entrance as well as online) and how (family style)? Some people are disappointed or get upset when they didn't realize what to expect at Garden Grill.

I'm glad you did get to enjoy the CP though. Even with the CP dining packages you still need to stand in line to get in, so I always just stand in the regular line and do my dining separately to save that extra charge. But true - You can be anywhere in the area and still see and hear it.

 

[ofhs93]

Wow...I can't believe how negative some of these reviews are. I guess I was there on a "good" night? Maybe having an earlier ADR helps with the quality as well. As the place gets more crowded and they are trying to turn the tables over faster, I imagine things get a little more sloppy in the back when it comes to the level of cooking quality.

 

[taswira]

Yes - Weekends, peak dining hours, holidays . . . It all affects the quality of food and service occasionally.

Garden Grill is still my favorite character dining experience. I'm only hoping they bring back lunch so I can afford to dine there more often again!

 

[pilesoflaundry]

I'm trying to figure this out, I know they cancelled lunch. But are chip and dale still there for dinner? Thank you!

 

[zetalove08]

I haven't eaten there since they changed to dinner only but I went MANY times for lunch when they offerred it (and I think the menu is still the same?) and it was one of my favorites!!! I loved it! I really liked the seating and atmosphere of the restaurant because if you're on the bottom you feel like you're the only one there, you don't really see other people around you. I loved the steak and the potato casserole type thing... really I liked it all! lol

I really wish they would bring back lunch so I could afford to go, it was easily my favorite place for lunch!!!

 

[Disney_Dreams]

I ate there back in Aug 2007. The food was good not great. The characters were the best part. I left to use the ladies room and when I returned Mickey Mouse was babysitting my kids. There teenagers but they loved it and still talk bout it. My favorite character experience is O hanas but then again I do have a huge crush on Stitch!

 

[Tiger926]

Unfortunately, yes! We've eaten here at least 5 times, and have eaten everywhere, many, many times, so we have lots to compare to. It used to be one of our favs, before the changes a few years back. Awesome flank steak, grilled fish, fresh baked bread, crispy veggies, etc. Those were the days...

Now it's horrible, and I mean horrible food (the presentation of the food on the plate in May was disgusting, as was the food), restaurant rotation is frequently broken, bad service (they've also messed up 2 birthdays) and confused character interaction.

It has seriously gone downhill, so much so, that we won't be back.

Tiger