Opinions of Bongo's Cuban Cafe?

[Linus Van Pelt]

I was interested in possibly giving this restaurant a try, but can find very little mention of it round these parts. I would love to hear about any and all experiences with this place, good or bad, as we are very interested in trying some Cuban food while we're down at WDW next year. And if this place doesn't pass muster, could you please point us in the direction of some authentic Cuban restaurants in the Orlando area that do? Thanks!

 

[MAKmom]

I went 2 years ago & it was the worst meal I ever had in Disney. I was really looking forward to it. It turns into a nightclub at night & I got the feeling they do not care about the food or service.

We went to the Cuban restaurant at Universal & it was fabulous.

 

[Linus Van Pelt]

We went to the Cuban restaurant at Universal & it was fabulous.

Which one is that?

And, to be honest, we attempted to eat an early lunch at Bongo's when we we at WDW in 2005, but the hostess who seated us seemed almost surly, so we discreetly got up and left before the server ever came to take our drink order. But we thought that might just be a fluke and were thinking of giving it another chance.

 

[ziggylu]

My husband and I love Cuban food but don't have any good options for it here in Phoenix...so when we happened on to Bongo's when we were wandering around DTD we thought we'd give it a try.

We were really disappointed. We felt the food had been "dumbed down"...very bland and boring. Not offensive but not what good cuban food should be(where was the garlic?!)

There have to be better options for Cuban food in the Orlando area(and I know we read about one afterwards in the magazine in our room...can't remember what it's called...somewhere out on I-Drive I think). If you want to try Cuban I'd definitely try and find another option.

On a positive note, the mojito wasn't bad and the band was good!

 

[Uncleromulus]

While the food was pretty good, the service was "hip nonchalant" and the place was loud.

 

[Dana49]

We had one of our worst meals ever at WDW at Bongo's. The food and service were mediocre, and the restaurant was extremely loud. We've never even considered giving it another chance.

 

[Robert P]

We had one of our worst meals ever at WDW at Bongo's. The food and service were mediocre, and the restaurant was extremely loud. We've never even considered giving it another chance.

Well said.
Our last, and only, visit there was several years ago. Food was bland and barely warm, the overall noise level deafening (at mid-afternoon too), and the hip-looking servers couldn't be bothered to wait on the tables, they were too busy chatting amongst themselves and trying to look stylish.

One bad visit, it was one of the worst meals ever, and we haven't been back since.

 

[Merriwind]

Just ate their Friday night and it was not good. The black bean soup was good--and the sole high point of the night. The meat all seemed cheap, tough, fatty, not well-seasoned. Food was plopped on the table less than 5 minutes after ordering, so it was obviously all sitting around pre-made. Even the bread was either stale or over-crusted. The service was awful--bringing take-out boxes while people were still eating then taking almost 30 minutes to get the check. Never getting drink refills. Loud. Just awful. I'm so sorry we didn't go next door to Wolfgang Puck's! NEVER again.

 

[Linus Van Pelt]

Well, it's officially off our list! One thing I will not tolerate is servers who act put upon because they have to actually do their job and serve us. And it constantly amazes me when I see whole establishments that seem to take this attitude. I mean, are there actually people out there who enjoy being scowled at? There must be, if places like this can stay in business.

 

[maraki527]

We have eaten here numerous of times and enjoyed it everytime. The only time I was disappointed was two yrs ago we did feel rushed and the waitress was a little slow with the refills but after we complained we found out she was new and we got our appetizers free.