San Angel in Mexico -- Do you recommend it?

[laurajetter]

My husband and I are interested in possibly having lunch at the San Angel restaurant in Mexico at Epcot. We like to have mexican food on occasion, but the main reason we'd like to try it is the atmosphere. I read recently that it has a charming atmosphere, but I was wondering if someone could elaborate on that and describe what it's like.

Also, what's your opinion about the food quality?

Thanks for your input!

-Laura

 

[Jestocost]

Tha ambiance is pretty nice, you sit in the center of the Aztec pyramid overlooking a simulated river, which also is a ride so guests are constantly going by on boats. You have the feeling of sitting under the night sky. There's an "open air" market area next to the dining area too.

The food is OK, on par with what you'd get at a typical Mexican casual dining chain in terms of quality and selection.

Our service was indifferent, but reasonably efficient. The odd thing was that we couldn't get any ice in our water. Part of that was due to the fact that we came the day after a power outage had Epcot closed for a day and I'm sure they were low on ice as a result. However, other tables had at least a bit of ice and we couldn't get our waiter to acknowledge our request for ice much less bring any for us. Weird.

 

[MikeWazowski]

I really enjoyed this place on my past February trip. From the atmosphere to the food. We had a lunch there with no PS in Feb. We also got 10% off the entire meal for showing our AP.

Check Out My Review

 

[dzneelvr]

We give the atmosphere a 7 and the food a 3. I'd suggest having a drink and sharing appetizers, then heading on to another country for entrees. The food just didn't taste any better than a local Illinois "authentic" mexican eatery....nothing special.
We were quite disappointed, actually.

 

[jkovick]

Atmosphere is nice. The food was poor but the service was even worse! We waited 15 minutes before we saw our waiter. He took our orders, someone else brought our food, we were never check up on, our glasses were left empty and we had to ask the host to get our bill. It was one of the worst WDW dining experience we have ever had.

 

[slp87]

We have not eaten there in many years because the food is not to our liking. I think it's so much different from the Tex-Mex we eat here. I did have some friends go last month and they didn't care for it either, but I think it was the same reason, just not the type of Mexican food we're used to. You might look at the menu and see if the selections are what you expect.

San Angel Lunch Menu
San Angel Dinner Menu

 

[grumpyandbashful]

We just dined there about a two weeks ago. Had not been for several years (not too impressed the first visit), but decided to give it a shot. We had a 7:10 PS, and were seated within 5 minutes (I requested a table by the water, but that would have taken another 30 minutes, and we were hungry).

Good things:
- Other than my Chicken Mole (kind of heavy - pretty much all meat and sauce), the food was very good. DD15 and DS 17 both got the Tilapia and loved it. DH and DS 13 got the two different combination platters and raved about them.
- Atmosphere is very pretty

Not-so-Good Things:
- Waiter was iffy. Took quite awhile to get our bill. Also, DS ordered an appetizer which was never delivered, but still on the bill. No biggie, really, since we had too much food anyway. Waiter took it off the bill.
- Seating was cramped. We were smashed in a "table for 5", and there was barely enough room to get out between tables.

Overall, we would go again since other than my entree, food was very good. Would wait for a table by the water.

 

[crisi]

I think you've gotten a really good balanced review here - this is a restaurant people here tend to love or hate.

We like the food (dinner menu, I believe the lunch menu is substantially different), but not everyone does. This is one you'll need to decide for yourself - either off the menu or by trying it.

The atmosphere is charming - perhaps a little hokey - but charmingly so. It is however a little dark - even in the middle of the day (which can be kind of nice after the strong Florida sun), and they do have about three more tables in there than they should. It is a little cramped.

Service has been problematic for us, but never bad. Just slow. Since this is a common complaint (along with outright bad service), I wouldn't go for a "quick" meal.

 

[pandamom]

We absolutely love the atmosphere here. It was our favorite disney restaurant prior to having kids but now we will probably wait until they are in their teens before going back again. We always had good service but we haven't been there in years so that may have changed. The tables are very close together and it can seem crowded but that never really bothered us.

 

[BadgerBruce]

We love the atmosphere & have always had good service here. We kind of gave up on the entrees a couple years ago, but really like the Queso Fundido appetizer & strawberry margaritas. This & the chips makes a meal for the two of us. I also have had some cinnamon-flavored coffee that was very good.

 

[Gorechick]

It sounds like it may be better for lunch than for dinner. I haven't been there in 8 years and I made a PS there for dinner this trip. More info appreciated.

 

[katypop]

san angel was the 1st wdw restaurant we had ever eaten in, and we still remember how the atmosphere just blew us away it is a family tradition now, a trip wouldn't be complete without a meal here. we have only been at lunch though. we have always had good service. the food has ranged from okay to excellent. the seating does feel crowded unless you are lucky enough to get a table by the water. i am planning on trying it next trip for dinner.
katypop

 

[scrump]

I agree about the atmosphere, it is pretty unique and uniquely "Disney"...however the food itself...
it is Mexican, so I always feel that you can get it pretty much anywhere. Maybe go for lunch, or just a dessert? We like it, but there are other restaurants that we enjoy both for the food and the ambience.