Quick Stop in at Frontera Cocina

[DrivenByDisney]

My wife and I headed over to Disney Springs last evening to check out the new Frontera Cocina restaurant.

The restaurant itself was not very busy though Disney Springs was packed for a Sunday evening.

We had no intentions of eating an entire meal here this evening. We set up at the bar and had a few "beverages" and a starter off the menu.

First off, the prices here (even for Disney) seemed a bit steep to me. A local beer (Cigar City Amber Ale) was $11.00 and it was not even a full pint or a restaurant style "pint". It came in the same glass as our waters did. Will not be drinking here again.

The menu has a good selection and prices are to be expected on Disney property for food. Entrees range from $15.00 to $34.00. We had the chips & salsa ($4.00) and ordered the Coctel Rojo ($14.00) to share. Overall the food was good but nothing to write home about to be honest. Rocco's Tacos in Dr. Phillips is a better restaurant (to me) than Frontera Cocnia.

Here's a few shots of out visit ...

 

[chloelovesdisney]

Mmm, looks like we will skip this place, thanks for the report.

 

[Three cats]

Eh, I was thinking maybe going for lunch but maybe we'll skip it. Thanks for the info, been waiting to hear from someone who's tried it!

 

[Mom2darlingboys]

Wow, I'm sad. Was really looking forward to it. Maybe we just pick up some chips and guacamole at the window, instead.

 

[rwdavis2]

Wow, the OP has chips and one actual dish and people want to skip it?

 

[Nancyg56]

Wow, the OP has chips and one actual dish and people want to skip it?

I would skip it based on his review. There are a lot of restaurants in DS and even though I am vacationing, I do look at cost and value when determining where I want to dine. In my opinion, the costs the OP shared were higher than I want to spend. Maybe I would change my mind after this restaurant settles in, but for now, I would think the OP and choose someplace else.

 

[Farro]

Wow, I'm sad. Was really looking forward to it. Maybe we just pick up some chips and guacamole at the window, instead.

Don't skip it, try it for yourself. If this helps, we have been to all of Rick Bayless's restaurants in Chicago and the food is wonderful - one of his places is consistently ranked one of the best fine dining restaurants in Chicago, the other more casual eatery is just as good. He is well known to be one of the best chefs around for Mexican cuisine. He did this menu, yes it's a little more "ordinary" (in comparison) for the vacation crowd, but I can't wait to try it when we get there.

Yes it costs more, but good food often does!

 

[Meriweather]

We plan on trying it.
Love Rick Bayless and we always like to try new places.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I would skip it based on his review. There are a lot of restaurants in DS and even though I am vacationing, I do look at cost and value when determining where I want to dine. In my opinion, the costs the OP shared were higher than I want to spend. Maybe I would change my mind after this restaurant settles in, but for now, I would think the OP and choose someplace else.

Ok...don't blame me...you Tee'd yourself up on this one...

If you are debating the cost/value at this new spot...then what is "worth" it at WDW in your opinion?

I'm thinking about this for next week...or Homecoming (more interesting)...
What I like from the menu is that there is a RANGE...you can eat for $25 or eat for $75 a person...that is what the Disney run places have destroyed that I miss...

I don't want to be locked into a set price. Sometimes I'm not hungry...and sometimes it's too hot to stuff...and sometimes i don't want $39 chicken that's tgi Fridays grade...

Ya know?

 

[DrivenByDisney]

Yes. Please try it for yourselves. I was not posting this as a "review" ... More of an observation on our experience of just stopping in for a few drinks and starters. My opinions were/are just that. Mine.

The only issue I had with the pricing was the $11.00 for a smaller than normal beer I can get at other Disney restaurants for less money in a bigger glass.

We will be returning soon to have an actual sit down meal and then I will post a full review of our experience of this restaurant. Looking forward to returning as the staff was great and we had a good time sitting up at the bar with Jose from Columbia.

 

[Nancyg56]

Ok...don't blame me...you Tee'd yourself up on this one...

If you are debating the cost/value at this new spot...then what is "worth" it at WDW in your opinion?

I'm thinking about this for next week...or Homecoming (more interesting)...
What I like from the menu is that there is a RANGE...you can eat for $25 or eat for $75 a person...that is what the Disney run places have destroyed that I miss...

I don't want to be locked into a set price. Sometimes I'm not hungry...and sometimes it's too hot to stuff...and sometimes i don't want $39 chicken that's tgi Fridays grade...

Ya know?

Oh I am not blaming you, LOL! I am not locked in on a price. I just returned from NYC, so I understand cost/value can fluctuate based on your location. I was not happy with the cost of beer, and saw some of the appetizers pictured. I think this place, for me, needs some time to settle in. I tend to do this with a lot of places that open. Give them time to work kinds out, find their place and then I go.

 

[Mom2darlingboys]

So many new options at Disney Springs, I'm not sure we want to waste an ADR! But we really love Mexican, and don't have a lot of GREAT options up in Canada. We'll likely do it anyway... Not sure we can hold off!