Overrated TS Restaurants?

[YesMickey]

Let's be real guys. They are all overrated. It's Disney World. If these restaurants were not in Disney they would all close in 6 months. I for one live in a place where I can eat 3 or 4 types of crab legs at a buffet and pay from $11-$25 dollars, and am about a hour and 15 minute drive from New Orleans, LA in which I can dine at 3 world famous restaurants in a day for each meal. I don't go to WDW for the food, but I can say that Coral Reef would close at Disney if it were not for the fish tank, and 50s drive in is at Best Cracker Barrel food, and I have had better bbq ribs at Gas Stations at home than at the Sci Fi theatre. Ya' ll like how I snuck my entries for this thread in there at the end.

 

[Quiksilvr]

Let's be real guys. They are all overrated. It's Disney World. If these restaurants were not in Disney they would all close in 6 months. I for one live in a place where I can eat 3 or 4 types of crab legs at a buffet and pay from $11-$25 dollars, and am about a hour and 15 minute drive from New Orleans, LA in which I can dine at 3 world famous restaurants in a day for each meal. I don't go to WDW for the food, but I can say that Coral Reef would close at Disney if it were not for the fish tank, and 50s drive in is at Best Cracker Barrel food, and I have had better bbq ribs at Gas Stations at home than at the Sci Fi theatre. Ya' ll like how I snuck my entries for this thread in there at the end.

I agree with this statement generally.

The only restaurants at Disney that I think could stand up to some of my local upper-crust DC restaurants... would probably be Victoria & Alberts, Shula's, California Grill, Flying Fish, and Jiko. Most of the rest are glorified Ruby Tuesday's (or the ethnic or seafood version thereof). There are other restaurants on-property that I enjoy (Brown Derby, Liberty Tree, Teppan Edo come to mind), but I know going in that I'm going to pay way too much for what I'm actually getting out of it.

 

[Pakey]

I agree that most of Disney's restaurants are not "all that" (I will also exclude V&A, Bistro, bluezoo, Flying Fish, Citricos and Jiko), I still think that even taking into consideration that it's Disney, some places are way overhyped.

My list would include Le Cellier, Narcoosees, Coral Reef.

 

[ead79]

For me it's 'Ohana and Yakitori House. I used to love 'Ohana, but I feel the quality has slipped a lot in recent years. As far as counter service restaurants go, I know Yakitori House is popular, but I've had 2 not good meals here. The last time DH and I threw out our food--the chicken pieces were gross and fatty/bony.

 

[M5ward]

Overrated? LeCellier - we had a wonderful lunch and a so-so dinner...wouldn't be the least upset if I couldn't get an ADR
Coral Reef - loved the aquarium atmosphere...not the food
We really like Brown Derby, but we have had a couple of not so memorable meals there.
Biergarten - yuk
Shula's was good, but I thought Yachtsman was better.
Had great meals at California Grill and Bistro de Paris...favorite restaurant for me is Chefs de France; don't ask why because I can't tell you...just really like it.

 

[jenjersnap]

Let's be real guys. They are all overrated.

Yes, I take that statement for granted. It's a theme park. Still, on these boards in particular, there are some over-hyped places.

My list includes Le Cellier, Chef Mickey's, California Grill and Whispering Canyon (where I have never expected good food but the fun theming has also been diminished).

 

[Stitch2244314]

For me, the most overrated restaurant in WDW in California Grill-- I cannot understand the fascination with this place. We ate there, and while we had a fantastic view of the MK, we just didn't care for the place that much.

I'd also have to agree that Boma is a little overrated.

As far as Le Cellier goes, I've never eaten there so I can't comment.

 

[Golf4food]

Chefs de France - not at all what people build it up to be, for setting or food.

Hollywood & Vine (only because even considering it to be bad is overrating - our last meal there was worse than some slop I had in school cafeterias growing up!)

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

The only one I find overrated is Le Cellier.

As for food though, I find Dole Whips and Zebra Domes VERY overrated... Dole Whips... pineapple ice cream with pineapple juice, sweet and sticky overload is all I took from that experience. And for the ZDs, they're kind of icky... cold little spongy cake things that had no flavor imo.

I just don't get the massive appeal of either one.

Now, I do love my ice cream novelties... so I love me a Mickey ice cream bar

 

[KatMark]

Hollywood & Vine (only because even considering it to be bad is overrating - our last meal there was worse than some slop I had in school cafeterias growing up!)

I couldn't agree more.

My choices would be:

Whispering Canyon Cafe
Brown Derby
Chef Mickey's (dinner)

 

[minnie_michelle]

I agree with this statement generally.

The only restaurants at Disney that I think could stand up to some of my local upper-crust DC restaurants... would probably be Victoria & Alberts, Shula's, California Grill, Flying Fish, and Jiko. Most of the rest are glorified Ruby Tuesday's (or the ethnic or seafood version thereof). There are other restaurants on-property that I enjoy (Brown Derby, Liberty Tree, Teppan Edo come to mind), but I know going in that I'm going to pay way too much for what I'm actually getting out of it.

I completely agree. We are not on the dining plan, but willing to pay the inflated prices for the atmosphere and magic that is Disney. The average entrees served (basic chicken, pasta, and steak) shouldn't cost anywhere near what they charge ($25-40) for the quality that you get.

 

[catne]

Cali Grille...enjoyed our food there, but no way was the food worth the prices there. The place was way too loud & crowded. Understand we paid for the view...unfortunately there was no view (blinds were down, totally negating the "window seat" advantage.)

On the other hand, we've had great meals, great service & good time at many of the places others have posted about...this kind of question is soooo subjective.

 

[FunkyDuck]

Coral Reef. The food was disgusting and the service was SLOOOW. 10 days and that was the one regret. Agree with pp...the aquarium was nice...but that was all it had going for it. IMO

 

[Planogirl]

Let's be real guys. They are all overrated. It's Disney World. If these restaurants were not in Disney they would all close in 6 months. I for one live in a place where I can eat 3 or 4 types of crab legs at a buffet and pay from $11-$25 dollars, and am about a hour and 15 minute drive from New Orleans, LA in which I can dine at 3 world famous restaurants in a day for each meal. I don't go to WDW for the food, but I can say that Coral Reef would close at Disney if it were not for the fish tank, and 50s drive in is at Best Cracker Barrel food, and I have had better bbq ribs at Gas Stations at home than at the Sci Fi theatre. Ya' ll like how I snuck my entries for this thread in there at the end.

New Orleans has the best food anywhere IMO. I would never compare WDW's food because it just wouldn't be fair.

As for overrated WDW restaurants, I go more for dishes than locations. I like certain things at certain places so I key on those.

I have to admit that the popularity of Le Cellier puzzles me though...

 

[Micca]

I don't think any of the WDW restaurants measure up to the top quality equivalents in the real world. However, there is much to be said for the ambience and atmosphere of many of the WDW eateries and the magic of dining in those venues with the Disney magic only footsteps away. Those elements may more than make up for any culinary deficiencies. I also think there is an allure of food associated with memories and emotions that far outweigh the actual dish(Dole Whips?). You are eating at a theme park when you're on property and what you'll experience there will probably far surpass your expectations when you consider the source.

 

[3PRINCESSMOM]

Chef Mickey's is the WORST!

We have tried it 3 times and I will say one positive thing...they were consistent. They served sub-par food even for WDW, the restaurant each time appeared dirty and our service was horrible.

Even the princesses say DON"T GO BACK.

 

[IggyLans]

For us it's Boma and LeCellier.

 

[MarkinNM]

I completely agree. We are not on the dining plan, but willing to pay the inflated prices for the atmosphere and magic that is Disney. The average entrees served (basic chicken, pasta, and steak) shouldn't cost anywhere near what they charge ($25-40) for the quality that you get.

I agree in the prices seem to me expensive but hey where can one go, including New Orleans, on vacation and not overpay?? But hey funny as we pay 10-15 for a burger and don’t complain, guess it is how and what we look at as far a quality.

 

[Melmac]

Does anyone think that thier opinion of a TS being overated has to do with where they live? Do those who live in Canada find Le Cellier overated because they have better Canadian steak houses locally?

I know they don't have a Cheese Steak place in WDW but if they did I would probably find it over-rated as I live in the Philly burbs and we can get a great cheese steak with a little drive.

I am Canadian and I do find Le Cellier overrated. Granted, I don't eat beef but my DH said that his steak at Rose and Crown was way better. The couple of times I ate at Le Cellier, the food was okay but it was stressful to get reservations and if I wasn't on the dining plan, I would have been happy with the price (I think the steaks are in line price-wise as to some local steakhouses, but the steaks here are much better, according to DH). Funny thing is, the cheese soup is so popular - in all of the restaurants I have eaten at in Canada (from Vancouver, Calgary, Ottawa, Montreal, etc.) I have never seen cheese soup as a menu item. Now, poutine, that's what they should add

So my number one choice is Le Cellier and I think Coral Reef is another. Again, food is okay but akin to Red Lobster without the Cheddar Bay biscuits. The aquarium view is the attraction.

 

[crisi]

Le Cellier is overhyped.

Boma used to be - it seems like the quality and quantity of reviews has simmered down to "reasonable."

Beaches and Cream - I really cannot believe the love people have for frozen burger patties and grocery store ice cream. (The onion rings are good).

The signature places - I had a great meal at California Grill. I've had two really good meals at Artists Point - one of them bordered on great. I had one great meal at Flying Fish - and three good, decent, didn't wow me meals. Shula's really wasn't all that - it was good, it really wasn't exceptional. Jiko I didn't like - we had a rude waiter and my meal was terribly disappointing - but I may have just ordered wrong - my husband's meal was much better than mine. Narcoosees was a nearly complete bust when we went, with a tough overcooked steak, but that was five years ago now.