s Rain Forest Cafe too expensive?

[ShellyL]

We were thinking of going to the one in Towson next week after visiting DC for the day. Can someone give some info on the place. Their website doesn't really tell you much.
Thanks
Michele

 

[ceecee]

I don't think it's any more expensive than another restaurant in that range. I think we usually spend $50-60.00 for the 3 of us, no drinks just sodas.

 

[kwhite1022]

I think it is a little pricey, but your also paying for the atmosphere, which is amazing. We went when we were at Disney and at that time for a family of 4, we spent around $80, but that was with appetizer and fun drinks for the kids. We had the dining plan, so this was the only meal we had to "pay" for, and went in knowing it would be expensive, but a fun last nite deal for the kids. We had used up all our plan on character dinners and what not.

 

[ShellyL]

I guess i am wondering because we have 5 children ranging from 6-15
Michele

 

[Todd&Copper]

Well, it costs more than a Ruby Tuesdays or Fridays, but it is a really neat place to eat with kids. I'd probably plan on $15-20 for adults and around $10 fo kids, not counting dessert.
Are you planning lunch or dinner there? If lunch, you might get away with it being a bit less.
There is also a gift shop, so be forewarned if your kids are souvie-hunter!

 

[Parkhopper]

I cannot comment about the pricing, but I wanted to make sure that you realize that Towson, Maryland is quite a distance from Washington, DC.

Suzi

 

[kfeuer]

I think it's way over-priced. What killed me is that they charge outrageous amounts for the kid's meals, but it doesn't include their drink. The food is very average.

With that said, the atmosphere is neat and it's worth experiencing once, just know it's expensive going in.

 

[MoniqueU]

It's a nice place but I agree the food is average. We always get adult drinks so our bill is higher then those listed here. Family of 5 and well over 100 with tips.

 

[proteus]

I went to the one in Northern Virginia (much closer than Towson) at Tysons Corner. Don't know if they are still open but I found the food to be barely above fast food level, the atmosphere is not worth the price.

 

[sz9144]

I second the opinion that it is over rated- we went to the one in gurnee mills, it was cramped, dark, loud, slow service, mediocre food, for big bucks. total commercialism!

 

[worm761]

We love the Rainforest Cafe! We went to the one outside of Animal Kingdom and Boyfriend liked it so much he requested we go back on our last day! The chimi cha-cha appetizer is sooo yummy. WE actually got the awesome appetizer adventure and split it among all four of us. We do not eat seafood so we replaced some of the stuff. Boyfriend ordered the Bamba's Barbecue Wrap. This wrap was sooo good, I ordered it the second time we went. Then we went to the gift shop and bought some of the BBQ. We are planning to go back in a couple months and the first thing he said was he wanted to go to Rainforest Cafe. Now with all that said...I think our bill the first time was just over $100 for the four of us. 2 adults 2 children. We ordered appetizers, main course, the volcano to split and everyone had some sort of specialty drink in souvenier cups. Boyfriend and I both had alcohol. Go have fun! We love it!

to see what prices kind of look like allearsnet.com has the menu from disney. Don't know if the pricing is the same everywhere though. http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/menu_rfcak.htm

 

[zachsmomie]

I agree with the other poster that Towson is quite a ways from D.C. In my opinion, it would not be worth the hours in the car just to go to that restaurant. Also, just know that TowsonTowne Center (where Rainforest Cafe is) is undergoing some major renovations to parking and such so there is quite a bit of construction.

Sandy

 

[LadyyRedd]

I cannot comment about the pricing, but I wanted to make sure that you realize that Towson, Maryland is quite a distance from Washington, DC.

Suzi

I was going to say the same thing Suzi said!

I went to the one in Northern Virginia (much closer than Towson) at Tysons Corner. Don't know if they are still open but I found the food to be barely above fast food level, the atmosphere is not worth the price.

No, I'm 99% sure that Tysons location is closed.

I think it's a bit overpriced for the quality, but it's not bad food. You pay more for the experience/atmosphere than the quality of the food.

Kimya

 

[maymom96]

A week ago in Chicago, we went to Rain Forest. I spent $15 before we even sat down joining the membership because the perks sounded great. I was told that I would get $10 back, a free appetizer and 10% off any merchandise we buy. It sold me.
When we ordered, we found out what the real deal was. You get the $10 in a gift certificate that is mailed to you. We either could get the free appetizer or 10% off our meal. I was ticked at being lied to and didn't bother looking at the merchandise. We ended up getting 3 hamburgers (only two with fries because it was an additional $2 per fry order), one children's meal and 4 drinks plus the free appetizer. It was over $50.
My daughter was scared during the whole meal because we were sat next to a cheetah. She swore it was real and wouldn't take her eyes off it.

 

[ShellyL]

Does anyone have any suggestions on where we could eat that would be kid friendly, nice and close to dc with maybe a little atmosphere. What I would love would be able to eat outside with water but I know that is asking alot since there really isn't "water" in DC. We will be walking around all day and just weren't sure where to go for dinner or lunch then.
Michele

 

[ntink]

Last month we had a good and reasonably priced meal at Capitol City Brewing Co. http://www.capcitybrew.com/. The website lists the menu and locations. We ate at the one near Union Station which has outdoor seating.

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

We have their Safari Club card, so when we go DH gets an entree and I get the free "appetizer of the day" with the Safari Club card. I think that DD2.5 shared DH's entree. Even with the free appetizer (that it ate as my meal) and DD not getting a kid's meal, it was still like $30 to eat there. We went to the one at the Animal Kingdom most recently. You really pay for the atmosphere, because the food is lousy IMHO. DD loved the animals and the thunderstorms, so I guess it's worth it if your kids are into that. I don't look forward to going there because the service is always slow and the food is mediocre at best, though.

 

[Sammybeau's Mom]

My friend ate a Rainforest Cafe in the Dallas area a week ago and on Wednesdays there, the kid meals are $1.99 (something like that). That sounds like a good deal for those with kids!

 

[simonkodousek]

My whole family agrees that the Rainforest Cafe chain is severely overrated and you are paying for the atmosphere... in my opinion, the food is only slightly better than fast food but with a huge premium.

 

[ShellyL]

Thanks everyone. This has helped me decide that we should look somewhere else.
Michele