No More Complimentary Bread?

[MiketheGrate]

I *might* have visited Red Lobster last week just to get a fix of cheddar bay biscuits.

Is there any other real reason to go to Red Lobster? I like their food fine, I suppose, but I *LOVE* those biscuits.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

Sounds profit driven if it's true. You're probably more likely to order an appetizer if there's no bread and I'm sure there's money to be made if they charge for said bread vs. just giving it. Since not every US restaurant offers complimentary bread and not every WDW restaurant does either, it probably is only going to stick out to regulars of places that are no longer offering it. Still, sounds like a cheapskate kind of move.

 

[sunsetbeachgal]

Such a highly visible cost cutting measure, combined with the high prices at the TS restaurants, sends a message that isn’t very magical.

We’ve gotten to the point where we only eat QS meals, and even then We sometimes order kids meals when it is just a smaller portion of adult entrees. And my husband can’t get enough of the chocolate milk!

 

[scard192]

I *might* have visited Red Lobster last week just to get a fix of cheddar bay biscuits.

BJ's carries a mix that is pretty good. we don't have a Red Lobster anywhere close.

 

[sponica]

I honestly never noticed complimentary bread, aside from the bread basket at Le Cellier and the bread service at Tiffins.

 

[SleepyHippoXL]

While I'm sure it's profit driven (and maybe a pain to clean up the crumbs) there will be a lot more fidgety, hungry kids waiting around for their food without any rolls to hold them over. The overall experience will be made more stressful, but it's good to be forewarned if that's going to be an issue when bringing in hungry kids to the restaurants.

 

[Herding_Cats]

I *might* have visited Red Lobster last week just to get a fix of cheddar bay biscuits.

As someone who worked at a red lobster for 5 years, I can tell you that you can order just the biscuits by the half-dozen as a “to go” if you wanted to take some home to eat with your dinner.

 

[starousse]

Sounds profit driven if it's true. You're probably more likely to order an appetizer if there's no bread and I'm sure there's money to be made if they charge for said bread vs. just giving it. Since not every US restaurant offers complimentary bread and not every WDW restaurant does either, it probably is only going to stick out to regulars of places that are no longer offering it. Still, sounds like a cheapskate kind of move.

Yup, exactly. Also, there are people who make full meals out of eating baskets of bread at signature places and order a bowl of soup, rather than spending the $60 on a filet. They want to put an end to that as well probably.

 

[focusondisney]

Ever since I read about the popular paid bread service at Sanaa, I was afraid this would happen. Ale & Compass restaurant at Yacht Club has had paid parker House rolls & jams since they opened about 2 years ago. I read that Tony’s now has paid garlic knots instead of the free bread service. So I definitely think it is a money grab pure & simple.

 

[rwdavis2]

So, if true, do you think it is health/obesity related or profit/cost related?

You must be kidding. It's $$$$ the whole way. If Disney cared about anyone's health they would not sell a whole bunch of things.

 

[Coffee66]

Ever since I read about the popular paid bread service at Sanaa, I was afraid this would happen. Ale & Compass restaurant at Yacht Club has had paid parker House rolls & jams since they opened about 2 years ago. I read that Tony’s now has paid garlic knots instead of the free bread service. So I definitely think it is a money grab pure & simple.

Everything about Disney is about money. Next toilet paper will be A upcharge.

 

[tinkerbella16]

Someone also mentioned that Via Napoli recently offered them an upgraded bread service.

We had dinner at Via Napoli in November 2018 and they didn't have the complimentary bread like we've gotten there before. We paid extra for some pieces of focaccia bread to have at the table. This was in 2018.

 

[Coffee66]

I honestly never noticed complimentary bread, aside from the bread basket at Le Cellier and the bread service at Tiffins.

When le cellier does away with bread, Disney then hits bottom

 

[focusondisney]

Everything about Disney is about money. Next toilet paper will be A upcharge.

Well then they better upgrade the quality of the TP. No way is anyone paying extra for the cheap, skinny stuff they have now.

 

[MomOTwins]

I expect the signatures will still have it. Honestly, non-Disney restaurants are all over the map on this, so it doesn't surprise me that Disney would be too. Also, remember, Via Napoli is not a Disney-owned restaurant

 

[Miffy]

I love those rolls at Mama Melrose's! Looking forward to a PP report back on this.

Health? Don't make me laugh. WDW could save about $2 million a year if they didn't buy all the salt they put in basically every single thing they serve.

 

[frannn]

In NY, I find most Italian restaurants give free bread, as well as at Diners (to go with the soup ). So, I would miss it most at these types of places at WDW, plus places that want to project an upscale image, like the signatures (I'm looking at you Le Cellier )and CR.

 

[PollyannaMom]

So, if true, do you think it is health/obesity related or profit/cost related?

I did think when I read it that it's probably better for my waistline, but I definitely think it's about money on their part!

I wonder, though, whether they've been noticing people not eating the bread (for their own health) and are trying to stop wasting money because they have to throw it out,* or whether it's just a ploy to get people to spend more on apps?

* Really, though, how much is bread? - I always thought "free" bread was a way for restaurants to save money in the first place. - If people fill up on bread, the portions can be smaller.

 

[starousse]

We had dinner at Via Napoli in November 2018 and they didn't have the complimentary bread like we've gotten there before. We paid extra for some pieces of focaccia bread to have at the table. This was in 2018.

We were at Via Napoli a couple weeks ago for lunch. They asked if we had wanted the focaccia basket for $6, however they still brought complimentary bread with oil.

 

[BeachPrincess]

Everything about Disney is about money. Next toilet paper will be A upcharge.

Well their toilet paper already sucks so no way I'm paying for that!