Mexican at Epcot?

[mousireid]

So we've been steadily eating our way around the world at Epcot and now DH insists on trying the Mexican pavillion. I am a bit confused with updates and reviews, so thought I would ask here. WHERE should we eat? We do love authentic Mexican (so many mom and pop places in CA and just over the border) and even the US Mexican version runs by us ok.
We rarely go alone, but ince in a blue moon he gets a long weekend when eth kids are still at school, so we are heading off and love to have our date day at Epcot! No worries about pickiness and its all about the two of us - not needing anything romantic (after all we are lovey dovey wherever we go!) and the MOST important part is our time together and the FOOD!
Any tips?

 

[starrysky]

San Angel Inn gets mixed reviews but we love it, the food and the atmosphere are great.

We have been several times and have always had good food and service.

Others would say the exact opposite so I think it falls to your choice when looking at the menus.

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

we LOVE san angel inn!! the atmosphere, staff and food are great there! we were nervouse because of reviews, but still wanted to eat there... and i'm sooooooo glad we did. it's a must do now!!

 

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

We also enjoyed eating at San Angel Inn, but I warn you that the food is hot and spicy. We aren't light weights, but it was a little much for us.

 

[Ramsfan28]

San Angel Inn is a lot like a chain Mexican restaraunt. The food is very average and I believe the salsa comes from a jar.

If you want authentic, I would go elsewhere.

 

[cigar95]

Both places are good, run by the same people - Hacienda has the lagoon view, Inn has the water/volcano view, and dark setting.

I know I say this on every thread it seems, but the Inn has much improved since the opening of La Hacienda.

If you don't mind tables close together, the Inn is a good choice. Some folks really don't care for how tight things are there.

 

[Tess]

We have dined at San Angel Inn many, many times and La Hacienda last fall just after opening. We have had disappointments at San Angel over the years, but have found the food there to be quite good over the past couple of years. My husband and I really enjoyed our La Hacienda dinner last fall and looking forward to it again in October.

I know both get mixed reviews, but that happens with every restaurant. As to the food being hot and spicy--I have never found it so and we LOVE hot and spicy. In fact, at San Angel we always request a salsa with more heat and the staff has always brought us a hotter, spicier salsa than the ordinary one served with the chips.

Hope you enjoy whichever you choose.

 

[W.E.D.]

Two thumbs up from me and DW. We dined at San Angel for our Honeymoon in 2001, and have every trip since. The atmosphere is spectacular as well.

 

[goldenears]

We ate at the QS Mexican twice on our last trip. It was REALLY good and the portions are excellent. I have never eaten at San Angel, but my SIL and her BF ate there on our last trip and they said it was excellent.
We are big fans of authentic Mexican food too and I def. don't think you would be disappointed with the QS spot that overlooks the lagoon.

 

[RocketEAR99]

I've never eaten at San Angel Inn, but really want to. I have eaten at the Cantina de San Angel twice though. First time was before their recent refurbishment and addition of Hacienda. That was only little better than Taco Bell. The second time was AFTER the refurbishment (this past January actually) and the Cantina food was EXCELLENT and seemingly authentic. They made a vast improvement there. Perhaps they improved upon San Angel Inn as well, but I can't say for sure.

 

[BLTLDZ]

San Angel Inn gets mixed reviews but we love it, the food and the atmosphere are great.

We have been several times and have always had good food and service.

Others would say the exact opposite so I think it falls to your choice when looking at the menus.

This. For us, it is a must do each trip.

 

[hammie59]

I just read about La Cava, which is new I think, and in the Mexican pavilion. I heard it's small and mostly a tequila bar, but serves appetizer type food. I want to try their crab nachos and cucumber margarita.

 

[pixiedaisy]

We love the atmosphere at San Angel!

 

[brerrabbit]

Truly depends on what you consider Mexican food to be. Being from Texas we have what some say is the best in the country and I agree as we eat it on average twice a week. But I realize that what we eat is Tex-Mex which is not authentic Mexican food. As with any country especially one the size of Mexico there are a lot of varieties and styles of cooking. We have done San Angels several times but not in the past several years as the food strayed far from Tex-Mex and even farther from other Mexican cooking styles. From reading the Hacienda's menu it looks as they are shooting for a more traditional Mexican offering. There is chorizo, mole sauces, napolita (cactus) and pork. All of these are more traditional but not really Tex-Mex. They also don't do blue corn enchalads and things that are more Southwest/ New Mexico based items. I am not sure what Southern California Mexican food is like but you should probably look at the menu and compare it to what you are used to eating. We are doing the Hacienda in June and realize it will be different from what we are used to but are really looking forward to it.

As far as to hot or to spicy, I have never eaten anything at San Angel that we considered to hot, but then again Tex Mex can get a little hot.