need help - which would you choose?

[tinkfan05]

I need help deciding on which place to eat for dinner. My choices are Boma, Jiko and Ohana's. The party would consist of me, my dh, and my ds's ages 14 and 9. We usually stick with normal meat & potato type dinners, but may like to try something new. Looks like there's something on all of the menus for my picky 9 year old too. As long as there's mac and cheese and chicken strips, he's fine. Any suggestions on which of these 3 we should try?

 

[dcherry]

Can't help with Jiko's or Ohana but we ate at Boma's on 7-11 and I was disappointed after all the rave reviews I read beforehand. I found a few things to eat but most of the african type dishes were waaay too sweet for me or too much curry.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

Me to never been to Jiko's heard all good. Never been to Ohana heard good. Went to Boma's didn't like it at all.

 

[MickeyNicki]

Ohana is amazing! We are going to try Boma and Jiko in Oct....there are a ton of great reviews on these 2 places.

 

[Married_Him_@_Disney]

Ohana's has a really great atmosphere!

 

[flipflop]

Jiko is our current favorite on property. It has a lovely atmosphere and the food is awesome. You can time your dinner so the kids can check out the animals with the night vision goggles.

 

[Anc96]

We are HUGE Boma fans. We go 2-3 times every trip. And, the mac and cheese there is great my dd says..lol

Jiko's is also very good.. but very different. I don't know if you are on the dining plan but if you are, remember Jiko's is 2 ts credits. It's worth it I think as me and dd loved the food.. though the service was seriously lacking! The adults menu didn't appeal much to dd so she ordered grill chicken off the child's menu and half an order of mac and cheese, and I paid out of pocket for her. She's 11 and I didn't want to use 2 ts credits for something off the child's menu.

Ohana's has very good food too.. though from the reviews here, it might be hit or miss. Every time we've gone (we go about once per visit) the meats have been tender and juicy, this year was no different. I've heard complaints about them being dry though.
Ohana's is also an interactive meal..lol. It's a bit noisy, and it's fun. Very different from both Jiko's quiet elegance, and Boma's family friendly, but no entertainment, buffet.

If I had to choose one, I'd choose Boma. We love it there. And, if you're not staying at AKL, you get to go to Arusha Rock to view the animals too!

 

[ArabianNights]

Boma is fantastic. Haven't been to Jiko but heard it's even better (just more expensive).

'Ohana is another personal favourite. The desert (banana bread pudding) is divine. Lots of meat. Scalloped potatoes (not sure if they'll be there) are very good.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Boma is one of my personal favorites, but it may not be for everyone. Here on the DIS, things go through cycles. About 18mos. ago, there was much hype for Boma, and then about two months later, there was much Boma-bashing. Take your pick.

The staff is really nice if you have any food restrictions, don't be afraid to tell them. Boma's menu alternates every other night, too. My favorite is the night they serve the butternut squash soup! Another nice thing about Boma is that you can try as little or as much of the exotic items as you like - you don't have to commit to an entire meal of something exotic. If you don't like it, go back and get more french fries and meatballs! (exotic itesm include things like hummus, butternut squash soup, and fufu, which is just mashed white and sweet potato mixed together. they also have some slightly unique sauces for the sliced prime rib, but you can also eat your meat plain.

I've never dined at Jiko, but I've looked at the menu many times and thought about how much the menu at Boma appeals to me more, with a lower price point.

I've also never tried 'Ohana myself. Usually I go to WDW with my vegetarian sister. Last fall she took a trip to WDW without me. Imagine my surprise when she said she was going to eat at 'Ohana (To be fair she kind of got in on free dining promo at the last minute, when dining choices were somewhat limited.)
Anyhow, her thought was that it was a LOT of meat. As it's served family style and she was in a party of two - I think they got plenty of meat! Her boyfriend thought it was good though. he wasn't too intothe sausage, but everythign else he thought was good.

I'm finally trying it myself in September!

 

[DisneyWalle]

We have eaten at both Jikos and Boma - loved them both!

As long as you go understanding that the food is different and your family is willing to try different food -then you will be fine. My son was 5 when we ate at Bomas and 6 when we ate at Jikos. (He's is a great child - very easy going) We told him that it was called adventurous eating. He tried anything that I put in front of him - in fact, he never touched the macaroni or chicken fingers and fries. To this day, he still says Bomas is his favorite because of all the different selections.

This year we are going to AK and trying the Tusker House Dinner - hope the food is similiar.

 

[PolyPower]

Never been to Jiko, so can't help you there.

Boma is amazing, but picky eaters might not like it.

'Ohana is great for the young ones, and the only thing you have to order is your drinks. They just bring everything to you without you needing to go around or order.

If you can, go to both. If not, then follow this little guide: Picky eaters='Ohana. Not=Boma. Just feel like ordering=Jiko. Still, can't help you with Jiko.

 

[FormrCastMbr]

I have not been to Boma or Jiko but have heard great things about them. We really did not care for Ohana...the meats were very dry. May have been an off night.