Need recommendations for picky eater

[TwoOldPoohs]

I am planning to meet some friends in WDW in December. It will be their first trip to WDW. Joining us will be their daughter and son-in-law, and their almost one-year-old granddaughter. They have left it up to me to choose the restaurant for dinner. My friends' daughter, however, is a picky eater and likes "All American" restaurants such as TGI Friday's and Bennigans.

I will be meeting my friends the night they arrive in WDW, so I'd like their first Disney dinner to be enjoyable and an indication of what they can look forward to for the remainder of their visit. I looked through all the menus on Deb's site, and saw that ESPN and Big River Grille both serve the type of food my friends' daughter will eat. I've never tried either of these restaurants. Would you recommend them? Do you have any other suggestions?

Thanks for your help!

 

[dischick4778]

I have eaten at ESPN and it is your typical "American" food so this would be fine. I might also recommend Rainforest Cafe or Planet Hollywood in Downtown Disney. For the most part they are similar to ESPN especially as far as kids menus are concerned.

Hope this helps. Have a great trip!

 

[DoomBuggyBabe]

Well, ESPN's food is all right, but the restaurant itself is quite bustling and fairly noisy. I remember having to speak loudly all three times I've been there.
I've never been to the Grille, and I'd actually like to go to try the beer. However, the reports I've seen/heard about the food (and cleanliness) are less than encouraging.
Deb's site also boasts reader and staff reviews, perhaps they'd be helpful to you as well.
In my own opinion, DH-to-be and I are very fond of Cape May Cafe. They do the buffet thing quite well, usually having a carving station with prime rib, steamers and fresh fish, and pasta and baked chicken selections. (If you go, be sure to try the Oreo bonbons for dessert -- yum.)
In the parks, I don't think you can go wrong with the 50's Prime Time Cafe. Their menu is as All-American as they come, with fried chicken, pot roast and meatloaf that's been good every time we've eaten there. Great sundaes and smores for dessert.
Hope you can find something to suit your picky eater's fancy!
Cheers,
Q

 

[Tinkerbell04]

Both of those places would be good choices, especially if you can sit outside at Big River. We travelled with a picky eater in June and I was feeling the same way. However, she was able to order anything off of the kids menu as an adult meal. This was fine with her becasue she is a chicken finger/burger kinda girl. She did this at Kona Cafe and it worked out great.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Outside at Big River Grille should be ok--and as doombuggybabe says, the beers are pretty good. I've had their meatloaf and the burgers and both are quite good.

 

[TwoOldPoohs]

Uncleromulus and Tinkerbell04 - you both mention sitting outside at Big River Grille. Would you not recommend this place if you have to sit inside (if it's raining, for example)? Kona Cafe is one of my favorites - it's good to know an adult can order from the kids' menu. I'll add that one to the list as well.

DoomBuggyBabe - thanks for the heads up on the noise level inside ESPN. I think I'll cross that one off the list, since I'd like to be able to talk with my friends without shouting, and it might be too noisy for the baby.

dischick4778 - thanks for your suggestion of Planet Hollywood. That's another place I haven't tried yet, so I'll add it to the list.

Thanks again!

 

[Tinkerbell04]

We have eaten inside and outside and we did not have any problems with food, service or cleanliness. It was good, but all we had was burgers.

 

[CamColt]

She sounds like me. I like the plain, simple, nothing funky, type of food. Some places I really enjoy are Kona Cafe, Ohana, Mama Melrose, Yachtsman Steakhouse, Planet Hollywood, and yes, ESPN is one of my favorites(great nachos!).
If you are looking for a dinner show, we have found the food at the Hoop De Doo Revue to be wonderful.