Question about TS restaurant food quality

[Masonmj84]

I have a trip next year on the DxDP where we will be eating at mostly signature restaurants for dinner, with either a character buffet for breakfast or a 1 TS non-buffet lunch.

I've never eaten at a Disney restaurant in over 20 years so I'm trying to get my expectations in line. While we are not foodies by any means, we tend to stay away from the low end chain restaurants such as Denny's, Friendly's, and even Applebee's, TGI Friday's, or Cracker Barrel. Instead, we typically frequent the mid-range chains such as Macaroni Grill, P.F. Chang's, or Texas Roadhouse. Occasionally, we'll go to someplace like Bonefish Grill or Houston's, but that's about as upscale as we ever get. For example, we almost never go to a Morton's or a Ruth's Chris (unless someone else is paying for it). We also rarely eat at buffets anymore, but don't mind some place like a Sizzler or Golden Corral if we're hungry enough.

When on vacation, we usually stay in motels that have a free continental breakfast (like a Holiday Inn Express).

How will we find the food quality at the Disney restaurants in comparison to the places we frequent? How does an average Disney signature compare? How does a typical non-signature compare? How do the character breakfasts compare to a hotel continental breakfast?

Just trying to get a frame of reference here as the reviews on the Disney restaurants are all over the map.

 

[figment_jii]

Just trying to get a frame of reference here as the reviews on the Disney restaurants are all over the map.

You've pretty much summed up the responses you're going to get. The reviews are all over the map; what one person loves, someone else will think was awful.

For example, my impression of Sizzlers is pretty low (not somewhere I would go given a choice), so I would say any of the buffets in WDW are better. The one Signature I've been to (Narcoossee's) was amazing - so I would say that is better than the mid-ranges you've listed (I've not been to Morton's or Chris Ruth's, so I can't compare). However, others have said that they disliked it.

Overall, I would go to WDW with an open mind and not try to equate the various restaurants to ones you're used to or if you really want to do that, go with low expectations, so that you'll be pleasantly surprised more often than not.

 

[TDC Nala]

You should not have a problem finding food anywhere that is comparable in quality to a mid-range chain restaurant (with much higher prices though). Some may be better. Many of the buffets are typical hotel buffet fare except the "specialty" ones (Boma, Biergarten for example). I think some guests expect more than that from the buffets because of the pricing and possibly because of past offerings.

 

[Pugmalion1]

Let me at least put it this way: The signature restaurants (and a couple of the casual restaurants) have menus that get a lot of attention from the chefs de cuisine in charge of their respective establishments. This means that the menus change seasonally (sometimes more frequently, even) with the availability of the best ingredients, and that there are daily specials that also take advantage of what's fresh and what's good. In this way, any of these establishments will have a leg up on a chain like P.F. Changs, which requires a corporate decision to make menu changes, and any daily specials are usually dictated by bulk deals on ingredients that can be shipped to multiple locations. Is the quality of food better? I would say yes, but I couldn't tell you if that increase in quality is worth the increased price. That's a verdict you will have to form for yourself.

Most of the casual table service restaurants stick with a fairly static menu that changes rarely, let alone seasonally, and this works for most of them. I would equate the quality of the food you get from a good portion of these types of restaurants with those mid-ranged chain restaurants you mentioned. You will pay a premium for the Disney privilege and ambiance, though.

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

You are going to get answers all over the map here, everyone has their own opinion. One thing that you will find at most TS restaurants, especially signature dining is that chefs will be very accommodating about variations on the menus. For example I have a appetizer I love at the California Grill and they are happy to make a dinner size portion. Or if you don't care for the sides of an entree they will be happy to switch them out.

Good luck and enjoy!