Opinions of San Angel Inn

[mking624]

Actually, I am Mexican and I have eaten at Mexican restaurants in Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, various regions of Mexico, and even Florida. I've also eaten in plenty of Mexican kitchens in Southern California and Mexico. My experience is not just limited to restaurants in Southern California. I've never been to Kentucky, so I can't comment on the Mexican food served there. I never said black beans weren't used in Mexican food. They just aren't as common. You are correct regarding tacos and flour tortillas and that proves my point that many dishes found in typical Mexican restaurants are just as authentic as what we may find at SAI. I have yet to eat mashed potatoes in a Mexican dish, but have certainly had potatoes cooked in a variety of other Mexican dishes.

I'm not actually from Kentucky, we only live here because my husband is currently in school (and honestly, there isn't a good Mexican place here). I am from Chicago, however my family is Hispanic (Bolivian and Puerto Rican). I know it's not the same as Mexican, but many dishes are very similar and I commonly cook from a few cookbooks that I've gotten while down in Mexico (my grandfather's brother lived there so we traveled there often). Even with being from Chicago where the ethnicity is extremely diverse, I am more cautious when depending on a restaurant from the U.S. as my grounds for determining what is authentic or not....so forgive me if I put more weight in you eating in regions actually IN Mexico as opposed to eating at restaurants in Texas (known for the ever popular Tex-Mex or "southwest style"), Arizona, etc.

You are absolutely correct in that Mexican food can range in a variety of flavors. However, if I order something from the menu with ranchero sauce on it, I expect it to be spicy. If I order something with salsa, I expect it to have some spiciness and flavor in it. Because SAI is located in a theme park, the spiciness and flavor is often lacking. I think the food is poorly prepared, and that has nothing to do with it's authenticity.

Clearly you and I had very different experiences...and from what other people have posted, it seems like EVERYONE has had a different experience. But on the salsa thing...I agree with flavor, but spiciness? That would all depend on exactly what is being used in the salsa itself.

I personally enjoy Nachos. However, my point is that calling SAI more authentic than most other Mexican restaurants is incorrect since even SAI serves nachos.

This goes back to what I said earlier...that just about every single restaurant in Disney World will offer some sort of menu item that caters to people who have certain expectations of a particular cuisine...or are picky eaters. That's the nature of a place that serves people from around the world.

I'm not sure what a Tex-Mex place is, and that's probably part of my problem. If you are referring to restaurants such as El Torito, Chevy's, or On the Border, I disagree. Most of the dishes served there are just as authentic as the items served at SAI. SAI does serve some dishes not typically found in chain Mexican restaurants, but even those are not very well prepared, IMO. Having a menu that's different than what is more commonly found in Mexican restaurants does not make it more "authentic", it just makes it "different".

A lot of what they serve is common in different regions of Mexico...many of the ingredients used as every day food staples in various regions. So yes, compared to chain restaurants, it is more authentic...since chain restaurants typically serve what Americans think is Mexican food...not what is actually served there (the same goes for a Chinese restaurant...walking into one and eating ricec and an egg roll doesn't mean you've had authentic Chinese, they simply serve what Americans expect them to serve). And yes, I am referring to places like Chevy's On the Border, etc...those are very good examples of Tex-Mex places. I'm not saying San Angel is the best Mexican around...hardly. I've had a lot better. But the food is very different frrom those Tex-Mex places, IMO. It's definitely more "true" to authentic Mexican than those other places are.

What do you consider Tex-Mex?

Any Americanized version of Mexican food. The examples your provided were excellent...Chevy's, On the Border, El Torito, etc. Chain restaurants in particular tend to go this route.

Anyway, we could debate about this for eternity...you're not likely to change my mind just as I'm not likely to change yours.

 

[TigerKat]

Hi CMM (OP) You've obviously gotten alot of feedback on San Angel - go for it! It's not great, it's not terrible, - ITS YOUR VACATION - ENJOY YOURSELF!! The atmosphere alone will be worth it!!

 

[MrToad]

Authenticity aside...if it is HOT, spicy, and has a lot of green chile it is mexican and I LOVE mexican food.

SAI is a great place to eat. Good grief I think we make to much out of things here on the DIS. If you like mexican try it...chances are at least 50/50 you will like it. If not, oh well...

 

[Spicey477]

San Angel Inn has a great atmosphere, but besides that, not much else. If all it is is glorified (and prices jacked up) Tex-Mex, Baja Mex, or just plain Mex, then go to Chevy's down the street where you will get great service for half the price! San Angel and the Mexican restaurants at Coronado Springs are catered by another company, not Disney, I can't remember the name.
I always think, at Epcot, why not try something different, Mexican, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, you can get anywhere, and none of it at Disney is "authentic"! Try the Biergarten, Chefs du France, the Moroccan restaurant, or if you are into seafood, Restaurant Akershus.