Pepper Market CS?

[tortoni]

I looked at the Pepper Market menu and some of the items are quite pricey. Is it a CS under DDP? If yes, are there restrictions? What about the gratuity?

 

[mbanks21]

Yes its a CS and no you dont need to tip

 

[Minniekins]

Yes, it's a CS and there are some great values there! They offer a delicious ribeye steak sandwich with potatoes and veggie for 21.95, and grilled tuna with rice / veggies for 16.95. And no gratuity here. A cost like that is usually a TS at most other places. So, Pepper market is a great choice for CS on the DDP, with many food options for a family to choose from!

 

[ForeverDance]

Yes it's a CS and the gratuity is included.

Just a warning. When we were there DH and I were told by the server that we needed to leave a tip on the table because with DDP they didn't get a tip. I thought perhaps we had been misinformed on DIS so I simply left a 10% tip on the table. When we got to the register they added the tip. I would have complained but it wasn't until I walked away from the register that I added up the totals in my head and realized what had happened. I was furious but didn't figure the couple of bucks I left was worth the headache of fighting with someone over it.

 

[Condorman]

Yes it's a CS and the gratuity is included.

Just a warning. When we were there DH and I were told by the server that we needed to leave a tip on the table because with DDP they didn't get a tip. I thought perhaps we had been misinformed on DIS so I simply left a 10% tip on the table. When we got to the register they added the tip. I would have complained but it wasn't until I walked away from the register that I added up the totals in my head and realized what had happened. I was furious but didn't figure the couple of bucks I left was worth the headache of fighting with someone over it.

I've heard this scenario before. I've never been to PM, so what exactly does a server do there? Don't you place you order at one of the various counters, wait for your meal and take it to your table? Does the server take your drink order? If so, do they do anything else? Are they like a server at a buffet?

 

[ExtinctDino]

I've heard this scenario before. I've never been to PM, so what exactly does a server do there? Don't you place you order at one of the various counters, wait for your meal and take it to your table? Does the server take your drink order? If so, do they do anything else? Are they like a server at a buffet?

Don't you place you order at one of the various counters, wait for your meal and take it to your table?

YES

Does the server take your drink order?

YES

If so, do they do anything else?

NOT USUALLY

Are they like a server at a buffet?

PRETTY MUCH

 

[DISNEYNY]

I'm thinking of staying at CSR next August and all this confuses me too. We usually have refillable mugs and would have no need for anyone to bring us a drink. We usually get bottles of powerade or juice as our drinks with the cs meal and save them for the next day at the parks. I won't have to tip since I am on the DDP, so these servers really won't be doing much for me. From other posts I have read I have learned that they clear away the dishes too. I guess that is what the tip is for.

 

[ExtinctDino]

They'll fill your mugs for you if you want. They'll also bring you your other drinks - bottles of water or whatever. You can't get those yourself at PM.

 

[DISNEYNY]

They'll fill your mugs for you if you want. They'll also bring you your other drinks - bottles of water or whatever. You can't get those yourself at PM.

Ok...I'm learning...keep the info coming. So they have no cold beverage section where you can just walk up and grab a bottle of something to drink? You have get a card for everything you purchase...is that correct?

 

[ExtinctDino]

Yes, at PM they want to stamp your card every time you get something.

You can grab drinks & to-go sandwiches from the coolers at Cafe Rix next door as CS or snacks on the DDP. You can also refill your mugs there. That's much faster than going to PM, but obviously you don't have the same hot meal choices at Cafe Rix as at PM.

 

[DISNEYNY]

Yes, at PM they want to stamp your card every time you get something.

You can grab drinks & to-go sandwiches from the coolers at Cafe Rix next door as CS or snacks on the DDP. You can also refill your mugs there. That's much faster than going to PM, but obviously you don't have the same hot meal choices at Cafe Rix as at PM.

I had read something about Cafe Rix, but wasn't sure what it was all about. Thanks again for the info!!!

 

[tortoni]

So it sounds like a good value on DDP--but how is the food?

 

[KatMark]

There are certain desserts that are not included. Now, I can't tell you which ones because I don't eat desserts at counter service meals. There are two different tiers of desserts, and only one is allowed on the DDP plan.

We have stayed at the CSR seven times (number eight already booked for next September). We have eaten breakfast, lunch and dinner at the Pepper Market and have never had a bad meal. Some may not be as good as other places, but the food has never been bad (I love their fettucine and ceasar salad, and their waffles and omelets are very good too). My DH loves the rib eye steak.

 

[Minniekins]

Yes it's a CS and the gratuity is included.

Just a warning. When we were there DH and I were told by the server that we needed to leave a tip on the table because with DDP they didn't get a tip. I thought perhaps we had been misinformed on DIS so I simply left a 10% tip on the table. When we got to the register they added the tip. I would have complained but it wasn't until I walked away from the register that I added up the totals in my head and realized what had happened. I was furious but didn't figure the couple of bucks I left was worth the headache of fighting with someone over it.

Okay, so I'm confused here. And, please I'm not trying to start anything, just referring to the gratuity question here at the PM. This is a counter service, right? I thought counter service didn't require a tip at all. So, am I supposed to leave a tip at PM, or I'm not? I'm confused about the experience this poster had regarding the tip. Why would they add tip at the checkout? Did they charge you 18% at the counter? I just want to do the right thing but I'm confused because I thought CS didn't require tipping, haven't really tipped at a CS. Am I supposed to do this at all CS or just at PM? Thanks!

 

[iheartdisney]

The pepper market was our biggest disappointment on the DDP this past trip. We were staying at ASmovies, and made a special trip over to CSR for dinner one night because we loved the pepper market on a previous trip. I was very disappointed, and will definately not stay at csr if we are on the DDP for the folllowing resons (in order of upset-nees)

1. the kids meals are only at one station, and the choices are very limited. (hot dog, chicken nuggets or uncrustable) The only side item they have is a bag of lays plain potato chips. (you know, the yellow ones that are always left in the variety pack bacause no one ever eats them)

2. The desserts- looking at you from the bakery window are all manner of delicious cakes and pies and tarts...and all that is covered on DDP are the dry cookies and pastries that looked (and tasted) like they had been there a few days. I ended up paying OOP for a tart because it looked very tasty. It was the same price as the ice cream sundae at the All star food court, which was covered by DDP.

3. The need to tip. We were also told at the register that we needed to tip 10 % for our "service" I use the " " becasue all he did was bring the drink- refills were on is, and the plates stayed there until we were done

4. Service as a whole has gone down since our visit 2 years ago. We were 4 + a highchair, and they seated us at a 4 person table, a bit crowded, especially considering that just about EVERY 6 person table was empty. The food quality was lacking as well.

 

[KatMark]

Okay, so I'm confused here. And, please I'm not trying to start anything, just referring to the gratuity question here at the PM. This is a counter service, right? I thought counter service didn't require a tip at all. So, am I supposed to leave a tip at PM, or I'm not? I'm confused about the experience this poster had regarding the tip. Why would they add tip at the checkout? Did they charge you 18% at the counter? I just want to do the right thing but I'm confused because I thought CS didn't require tipping, haven't really tipped at a CS. Am I supposed to do this at all CS or just at PM? Thanks!

We were there last month as we do every year as we stay at the CSR on every visit. That being said, the service tends to be a little "iffy" at the Pepper Market. It is owned by an outside vendor (which is in no way an excuse for the sometimes unfriendly service encountered at the PM). Because it is an outside service and you actually have people who seat you, take your drink order, clean your table, etc., there is an automatic 10% gratuity included in your bill. It will be added on when you leave. If you are on the dining plan, it is covered. Now, some people said it was NOT covered when they were there for the dining plan and others have said it was. I checked every receipt the last two years and it was covered on the dining plan. I don't know if there are certain check-out people who mess it up or what. If you are not on the dining plan, you can avoid the 10% by asking for a to go ticket and taking your food outside (we often do this just for the great view while we are eating). I can't tell you what the children's food section looks like because our kids are grown and they were old enough to eat off the adult menu every time we went (both my boys love to eat). Is it the best food? I guess it depends on your point of view. We have eaten at many counter services at other resorts. We like Pepper Market for the vareity and we've never had a really bad meal. We've also enjoyed eating at other counter services--the original one at the Contemporary, Roaring Forks, Port Orleans Riverside. We've also disliked several--Polynesian and the Caribbean. It is all a matter of personal opinion and taste. If you have any more questions about the Pepper Market, feel free to send me a private message if you like. We've stayed there seven times and have eaten there at least twice every visit.

 

[ExtinctDino]

We've eaten many times at PM, always on the DDP, and the tip was always included. I think the quality of the food is somewhat higher than the food courts at other resorts, but if you're paying OOP you'll notice the prices at PM are higher than at food courts. There are also somewhat fewer choices than at the larger food courts. For us, PM is great since we're on the DDP, but I wouldn't do it OOP.

The ribeye and some of the other choices are a great deal on the DDP. If you're going to compare it to a steak at Le Cellier, you may be disappointed. But the real comparison should be with other CS food, not with TS.

I agree the service isn't always great at PM, and the servers don't smile much. But they're not unfriendly either. Just don't expect too much and you won't be disappointed.

 

[Momto3Girls&Max]

We ate there in August and were told that the tip was NOT included with DDP so we left about $7 only to find out that it is supposed to be included.

The quality of the food has gone down some but it's still an excellent CS option. DH and I both had the ribeye steak. His steak was over 1/2 fat. It bothered him so much that he called our server over who called the chef over. He said all steaks are handpicked, but even he agreed that there was an excessive amount of fat. He took DH's meal off of the bill and offered him another, but DH had already filled up on my leftovers and our DDs' leftovers. He told DH to come back later in the week for a steak on him but we ran out of time. Even with all that said, we'll definitely go back there again. I'll just have DH take his steak back and ask for another if it's as bad as the last one rather than "suffering" through eating it.

 

[fall08CP]

We also were told the tip wasn't included. We ate all 4 CS meals there and tipped for the first and got the rest to-go. I don't mind a 10% tip for the servers because they do clean up after us and get the drinks.. it's not like we're required to leave 18%, and I'm sure every little bit helps them I agree that the service is sub-par, but I really enjoy the food- that's why we take advantage of the to-go option.

 

[jinkies04]

I was considering the PM for an evening CS meal but am still undecided. Sounds great to get a ribeye for the "price" of a CS. We would be coming from the AK and then have to get back to the POP. Not sure if it will be worth. I think we will decided at the end of our AK day and keep this as a potential option.

Thanks for all the great information on this CS!