Restaurants in Mexico — Which is the good one?

[have2getaway]

I have heard references of two restaurants in Mexico, but the names of both sound so similar. Anyway, just curious what the difference between the two is and if one is more recommended than the other?

 

[Princess KP]

I liked La Hacienda better mainly because of the nachos, salsa and guacamole.

 

[Huff]

One is not better than the other. Just very different menu's. Depends on what you like. If you are looking for typical MX food such as taco's, burritos, enchiladas with red salsa etc then neither will be what you're looking for. Most MX restaurants in the USA are northern MX, Sonoran style.

The two are San Angel Inn and La Hacienda de San Angel.
I find San Angel Inn to be similar to central and western MX styles while La Hacienda is closer to Yucatan, Gulf region styles.
Look at the menu's on Disneyworld's website and see which appeals to you the most.

We enjoy San Angel Inn due to the unique atmosphere and a fun ride to enjoy before or after dinner. Both restaurants have excellent food in my opinion but their style isn't for everyone hence the mixed reviews.

 

[OneinThree]

There is no comparison in terms of food quality.

La Hacienda is typically very good, and San Angel is reliably not.

 

[MikeOhio]

There is no comparison in terms of food quality.

La Hacienda is typically very good, and San Angel is reliably not.

This hasn’t been true for years.

These days both are solid restaurants. Just very different.

 

[coast2coastmickey]

There is no comparison in terms of food quality.

La Hacienda is typically very good, and San Angel is reliably not.

Not true. The style of food at San Angel Inn is just completely different from the tex-mex or basic burrito/taco/nacho that Americans are used to.

Not saying everyone will like it, but as someone with family in central Mexico, the food at San Angel Inn is very, very good.

 

[soccermom54]

For us personally, we like the food better at La Hacienda but the atmosphere at San Angel is wonderful. Take a look at the menus and choose what is best for your family.

 

[OneinThree]

Not true. The style of food at San Angel Inn is just completely different from the tex-mex or basic burrito/taco/nacho that Americans are used to.

Nothing to do with style. Find me a positive review from someone who reviews food for a living.

 

[coast2coastmickey]

Nothing to do with style. Find me a positive review from someone who reviews food for a living.

Nah, I've seen the negative reviews (only after multiple times of excellent service and food) from multiple sources. The Dis video review of it recently made me laugh. They were complaining about the "inedible" queso, for example, but I was laughing because we had the same dish on our most recent visit, and it looked exactly the same as theirs in the video, yet they wouldn't even touch it because of how it "looks." What they failed to realize was that it was a) delicious and b) quite authentic to the queso fundido you can get at any restaurant IN CENTRAL MEXICO.

So, forgive me if I don't place that much credence in what most food bloggers have to say. It's good for initial research but ultimately the flavors aren't going to mesh well with many people's palates (but they'll mesh extremely well with others!).

 

[OneinThree]

Nah, I've seen the negative reviews (only after multiple times of excellent service and food) from multiple sources. The Dis video review of it recently made me laugh. They were complaining about the "inedible" queso, for example, but I was laughing because we had the same dish on our most recent visit, and it looked exactly the same as theirs in the video, yet they wouldn't even touch it because of how it "looks." What they failed to realize was that it was a) delicious and b) quite authentic to the queso fundido you can get at any restaurant IN CENTRAL MEXICO.

So, forgive me if I don't place that much credence in what most food bloggers have to say. It's good for initial research but ultimately the flavors aren't going to mesh well with many people's palates (but they'll mesh extremely well with others!).

So you're basically suggesting that because there are inevitably some who will find it pleasing, it makes sense to establish that as the reference as opposed to the opinions of the experienced critics. Not so much. The problems with SA are more about execution than concept. The place was actually good at one time -back in 1985.

 

[buzznina]

DW and I like both, while our DDs like La Hacienda better. La Hacienda is more like your typical mexican chain restuarant, while San Angel, has more unique dishes and flavors and uses more spices. For me, food "opinions" are just that, and that includes food critics.

 

[coast2coastmickey]

So you're basically suggesting that because there are inevitably some who will find it pleasing, it makes sense to establish that as the reference as opposed to the opinions of the experienced critics. Not so much. The problems with SA are more about execution than concept. The place was actually good at one time -back in 1985.

Not at all what I'm saying. OP asked for the differences between the two and your response was that there was "no comparison" with food quality, and I countered that it's not the food quality, it's the style that sets many people off. Maybe OP is familiar with the flavors and spices of central Mexico and would prefer that over the "normal" Americanized Mexican food that most are used to.

I will admit that Hacienda gets better reviews and is more recommended, but to me it's too similar to what I can get almost anywhere in the US, so I prefer the tastes and styles of San Angel Inn, especially while on vacation.

 

[armerida]

The meat platter for 2 at La Hacienda (Called the Hacienda platter, I believe) is wonderful! As are the margaritas and the view over the lake.

 

[2manypets]

We loved San Angel, both for the food and the atmosphere. Maybe because I'm not a fan of Americanized Mexican dishes, I was delighted to see the authentic food items on the menu.

 

[cdtommie]

The difference for us is San Angel takes Tables in Wonderland and Hacienda does not, makes our choice easy.

 

[nkereina]

La Hacienda is brighter while San Angel Inn is very dark, so we prefer the atmosphere of La Hacienda better.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

We LOVE the atmosphere at San Angel Inn and have for years. We feel transported somewhere else. We have had meals that were ok to good. Never bad. We have always had better experiences there than at Hacienda.

If I had to choose one I would pick San Angel for the immersive atmosphere.

 

[have2getaway]

We LOVE the atmosphere at San Angel Inn and have for years. We feel transported somewhere else. We have had meals that were ok to good. Never bad. We have always had better experiences there than at Hacienda.

If I had to choose one I would pick San Angel for the immersive atmosphere.

Wow! I’m so torn. Immersive atmosphere is very important to me. I have traveled to Mexico before, but I wouldn’t exactly say I’m overly familiar with authentic Mexican food. I would say, though, that while both my husband and I might enjoy the food at San Angel, I’m not so sure our boys will. They can’t do overly spicy and like just plain tacos and quesadillas.

 

[buzznina]

Wow! I’m so torn. Immersive atmosphere is very important to me. I have traveled to Mexico before, but I wouldn’t exactly say I’m overly familiar with authentic Mexican food. I would say, though, that while both my husband and I might enjoy the food at San Angel, I’m not so sure our boys will. They can’t do overly spicy and like just plain tacos and quesadillas.

I can tell you that both DDs ordered from the kids menu and our youngest had the grilled chicken with rice and for the older one we ordered the cheese quesadilla and had them add grilled chicked to it, they both really enjoyed their meals and they loved the atmosphere.

 

[Huff]

Nothing to do with style. Find me a positive review from someone who reviews food for a living.

Pro reviewers are about the worst way to judge whether the food is good or not. Similar to movie critics who rate movies for a living. More often than not the critics rating is far different than actual people viewing them. I'd rather go off of reviews from actual people from central MX or Yucatan that know what that style of food should be like. They give honest reviews that they are NOT paid to give.

Do you ever like something a pro critic dislikes or dislike something a critic raves about or do you follow along with whatever the pro says?