Is Tony's Town Square really that bad?

[BTown]

I dont think I've seen anyone on this board speak kindly about this resturant, and I'm wondering if it's really as bad as it seems? I looked at the menu on allearsnet.com and it actually looked pretty good. For those of you who have been there, I do have a few questions:

- The menu offerings look wonderful, but are they really as good as they appear?
- How is the atmosphere, any pictures by chance?
- And are there characters?

We'll be a group of four, between 21-24 years old, and one of us has never been to WDW before. Want to have a good dining experience the first night at MK. I've been leaning toward Crystal Palace, but the only thing I am worried about is that since it is character dining, there will be tons of kids, and may be kind of hectic. Of course, I understand the most reasonable option would be to leave and eat at one of the resorts, but since it is the first night there with a new person, and we will be arriving late as it is, we wanted to all spend the whole time in the park. So, what do you guys think? TTS a bad idea?

 

[Bob P]

Hi,

If you like the menu, give it a try...never mind what anyone else says!

All restaurants have good and bad reviews on this board, but everyone's taste is different. Go and enjoy!

No, there are no characters at Tony's at regular meals...only at the Magical Gatherings special breakfast.

 

[bicker]

Tony's is pretty decent, actually. I think the problem is that, for many people, it is one of the only non-character, non-buffet meals they do, and so they have a hard time reconciling what they got with how much they paid -- buyers' remorse. I wouldn't go in expecting anything better than Olive Garden (which is actually pretty good, 'round here), and recognize that about 30% of the price is for the convenient location.

 

[Showe]

we have eaten at Tony's on two occasions. Both times were great. Have heard the same about Tony's not being so good but we all enjoyed our meals. I would say the food is not spectacular....but it was finge for us. DH and a I always get the spag/meatballs.... kids had - pizza I believe....except for DD who loves spaghetti. No complaints.

atmosphere is very nice. Pix of Lady and the Tramp on the walls....no characters. I rather enjoyed both of our experiences...quiet, laid back no characters to "interrupt" our meal....we ate their last with my parents on Valentines Day. Had a great meal and great time...we had awesome service both nights.

 

[Mme. Leota]

The food isn't bad. . . we were on the dining plan so we were ok, but I wouldn't pay the prices for what we had. I didn't think it was worth the $$. Our service wasn't great, either, so that clouds my opinion a little. Be advised that when dining in a theme park, there are always a lot of kids, not just at character dining. Some of the higher end resort restaurants have fewer kids, but, overall, do expect some level of craziness most everywhere! Also, since you have never been there, remember that there is no alcohol at all in MK, so if you like a little vino with your pasta, save your Italian craving for another day.

 

[beattyfamily]

We ate there for the first time last Oct and my girls loved it and so did I. We loved the atmosphere, the waiters and waitresses and the food.

My girls loved their pizza and the spag & meatball. I LOVED my steak.

My best advice is to try it for yourself. Everyone is different. Also, don't get the spaghetti & meatballs because they are expensive! That is what most people have an issue with. The fact that the spaghetti is so expensive and just so so.

We loved it and will eat there again this year.

 

[molly213]

YES! It is really that bad. We had bad service, bad food and tiny portions for the kids meals. This and Terrace Noodle place in MK are the only places we will never return to.

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Dear BTown,

If you look down a little ways-you'll see I asked a varation on this same question earlier today.

I'm going to go for it.

My son love L&T (as do I for that matter.)

The setting seems like it is charming (the statue, the paw prints, the photos), the CM will take your autograph book back for L & T to sign-I don't think the food will be California Grill but if you give it some thought and order carefully-it'll be fine

I think its worth a shot as long as you're planning to try some other types of Disney dining as well.

Best wishes, happy planning,

Patricia

 

[Daisie]

I think most people speak badly about Tony's in regards to the price of Spaghetti and Meatballs for $18.00!! We have eaten there several times and enjoyed it each time!! The way I see it, I'm on vacation and I am prepared to pay a bit more at meal time.

 

[MissMichelle]

I have also heard mainly bad reviews...BUT I am not listening It will be my birthday dinner in Sept. I am pretty happy with my choice...I have nowhere else in the MK to compare it to (except LTT which I didn't like).
Take the reviews with a grain of salt and try it You'll NEVER know until you do.

 

[estnh]

I think the biggest problem with Tonys is the expectations that people have before dining there. First of all, it is arguably the best themed restaurant in WDW. Who wouldn't want to eat at Tonys!!? Secondly, the restaurant is absolutely beautiful--it looks JUST LIKE TONYS SHOULD LOOK.

So there you are, seated at one of the most famous Italian restaurants in the world living in the middle of a fairy tale. What restaurant could POSSIBLY live up to your expectations at that point. Even fairly good food would disappoint with that kind of build up.

Sadly, I think Tonys food is only mediocre at best. But if you go with the idea that you are going to love eating at Tonys, despite the fact the food may not be the best in the world, you probably will. I have been to Tonys three times over the past few years, and probably won't return for a while, but I'm glad I went at least once.

For a group of young adults, I wouldn't go to Crystal Palace. This is a Pooh themed buffet, and there are obviously lots of younger kids. (If you are not sure about Tonys, you can catch the resort monorail at MK and in a matter of ten minutes be at Concourse Steakhouse at the Contemporary; Kona Cafe or Ohana at the Poly; or any of the restaurants at the Grand Floridian.)

 

[jimenyfan]

No matter what restaurant you post about, someone will have had a bad experienced. We didnt enjoy Tony's but I really think it is because we went there for dinner for Thanksgiving and the selection was mediocore at best. I think I might enjoy it if their everyday menu was offered.

 

[Corinne]

We have dined at Tony's many times. I have to say, the last few times have been just "OK". If the menu appeals to you, I would definately give it a try.

Corinne

 

[cocodog]

We liked it-- it was good, as far as theme park food goes. I think the Olive Garden is a good comparison. And as far as the price-- you are a captive audience, and should expect to get robbed at the restaurants

 

[wasabi girl]

I went in Dec before MVMCP, was on the Premium Package, so I didn't pay for anything out of pocket. I didn't expect great food (I ordered the eggplant)...I did expect decent & courteous service. We had absolutley the rudest waiter I've ever experienced either in or out of WDW. He was condescending, unpleasant, gave extremely poor service, not just slow...actually bad...the food we could have lived with, but the attitude from the waiter was killer...we all did not order desert (though of course being on the premium plan we'd already paid for it) because we didn't want to stay there another minute. It is also the only restaurant from our entire 9 day trip on the premium plan for which I did not leave an additional tip over the included gratuity. The service elsewhere in WDW seemed to be slow (too many tables maybe) but this was the only restaurant of our entire trip where we were treated like we were lowlife pond scum ...I've really not heard of anyone else having quite the time with service that we had so perhaps it isn't that common. But our experience is now the benchmark for bad...

 

[jmurphy625]

This is my brothers favorite restaurant in Disney (he's 24)...and he makes sure to go every time he can (funny thing he loves Olive Garden too). I've never been myself (we have 3 kids so it's probably too pricey). He and my Mom eat out every meal, they always try new places- but he loves Italian food and Tonys.

If you like Italian...the restaurant in Epcot/Italy is excellent.

 

[LWcalif]

We were there for the first time last September. On the free dining plan, so my expectations might not have been as high as others. Group of 5 adults, 3 in their 20's. Our waiter was slow, but the food was good. We weren't in a hurry so the slow service didn't bother us, as this can happen at any restaurant. We're returning again in August (again on the free dining plan). We are trying a few "new" places and had to pick which ones we would not be dining at. Tony's was one that our family would not let me eliminate. We think it is one of the better places to dine if you are at MK. You should try it.

 

[Paul in CT]

My DW and I have dined at Tony's for lunch. As most have said, the food is good, not great, and our service was a bit slow, but the atmosphere is very nice.

I do like a little wine with my pasta so that does take away a bit from the meal for me. I suggest that you try it for lunch the first time when the prices are lower.

 

[MinnieNurse]

We had lunch there last year. We really enjoyed it. The food was good and we had good service. My son loved the singers out in the waiting room he was 5 at the time. However, DH, DS, and I did not find much at Disney that we didnt like.

 

[remmy_7]

To Original Poster, I personally love Tony's and it's one of my favorites at MK. There are bound to be bad reviews with EVERY restaurant. So, just judge for yourself. I mean, at least try it once to see if it's a restaurant you'd ever want to return to again.