San Angel Inn...Opinions Please

[lovinwdw]

we have always wanted to try this place, especially since the ambiance looks so great! any opinions on the food?

 

[sleepydog25]

As with most restaurants, you'll find divergent opinions about SAI. Most will agree that the ambience is good, if a bit crowded since the tables are so close together. However, food views vary widely. For my family personally, SAI was mediocre. Granted, we've only eaten there once which is hardly fair I will admit up front. Still, though the service was decent, the food was quite bland. It wasn't terrible but don't go expecting a great culinary experience. My wife had the tacos el carbon and I had some chicken dish and neither had much zest to them. . .and I'm not talking hot, either. The sauces and sides simply smacked of cafeteria-style spices: salt and pepper and little else. I also ordered a margarita, and it was one of the worst I've ever had: very sugary, tasted mostly like a mix, and I wound up not finishing it even though it was a hot day outside.

Now, I hate to discourage folks from trying a place since everyone has different expectations and taste buds. I'm certain there will be those who respond that SAI is one of their favorite places to eat. I certainly can't say their opinion is any less valid than mine. So, I guess my best advice would be if you really want to experience the ambience and give SAI a try, then do so. Just don't go in expecting to be "wowed" by the food. Then, come back and tell us what you thought about it!

 

[matysgrandma]

I agree with you, sleepydog. The ambiance is nice, though very crowded. The food was less than okay. I hadn't been there in about 4 years and when we were at WDW in Oct., my cousin begged to go (she hadn't been there in about 18 years). We both agreed we probably wouldn't go back. Nov LeCelllier is a totally different thing.........

 

[stacy6552]

It all depends on what you mean by ambience. If you mean asthetics, the place is georgus. If you mean overall experience, its hard to enjoy yourself when the service is slow, rude and obnoxious. For us it was like stepping into Bizzaro-Disney.

 

[mickeymousemom]

We ate here for the first time last October. I have always seen and heard mixed reviews on it, but it's what my DD chose for her birthday meal. I think the ambience is ok...I just don't really like eating in the dark, but we were lucky enough to get a table right by the railing/water, so it was nice. We all ordered something different, and while no one hated their meal, it wasn't the best either. We actually liked the Cantina across the road for a quick mexican snack much better. I didn't think the service was all that great, and the food wasn't near as good as the authentic Mexican quisine we get at home(we have at least three authentic restaurants here). I can't see where anyone would just hate it, but we have basically forgotten about it, and it would be on the bottom of our list for a TS meal.

 

[Gabrielle0625]

Hey there:
My new Disney Hubby and I love San Angel Inn. I have noticed that a lot of people who don't like authentic mexican don't like it. We love it! The food and decor is wonderful. They have live singers a lot of the time too. Definitely do a PEACH MARGARITA!
We love this place and we eat there twice a month.
However, we love authentic mexican food.
If you are looking for anything like TEX-MEX, then stay away.
I think most people don't know what to order because they don't normally eat the stuff.
Hope that helps.
Remember you can see a full menu at www.allearnet.com
Gabrielle

 

[WAHMto5]

I just asked about this a couple of weeks ago and I also received a bunch of mixed reviews. I think it is for sure worth a try!!

 

[lkgraham27]

I, too, am a fan of San Angel. However, it is also pretty expensive as far as Mexican food goes. We like to eat there on the Dining Plan. I enjoy the frozen margaritas and the shrimp and pasta in a spicy sauce is very good. It is quite pretty inside the Mexico pavilion, but it can be very hard to hear. If you haven't tried it, I would say go for it, but maybe also try some different new places as well.

 

[lovmy2girls]

This is one of those places you have to try for yourself and see. We really like it. We have eaten there twice, and have to stop ourselves not to go back and try some other places we haven't tried before. We also sat by the rail and my girls thought that was great watching the boats go by, and it kept them busy . The tables are close together.

 

[bigbabyblues]

We really liked it. DH and I split the combo platter, I know it had a steak, mashed potatoes and a few other things, don't remember what. The kids liked their quesedillas too.

 

[scrump]

We've always had a good time here. The food is ok, but ambience is great. I don't notice the crowding as much, and other people usually comment about the darkness, which I don't notice either. It's a lot of fun, I think it's worth one try!

 

[bicker]

Very dark. Extremely dark. Dark, dark, dark. Bring a flashlight.

 

[fivefordisney]

We like to sit by the railing and watch the people on the boats go by...but, the food (Mexican NOT Tex Mex) is really rather dull IMHO. The margaritas are absolutley fabulous. We have ended up eating there to beat the heat in August without ADRs...the place has not been to busy the times we popped in. The air conditioning was frigid--the margaritas divine...perfect when you have been in the sweltering August heat!

 

[cocodog]

This is out favorite Epcot restaurant (OK, really just my dh's fave), but we enjoy the food and the atmosphere is great! The tables are pretty crowded, though. We like to reuqest, and wait for, a waterside table-- makes all the difference!

 

[deltachi8]

My favorite place to eat at WDW. I think the food is great and the servers helpful.

 

[sleepydog25]

Once again, while not invalidating anyone's own particular view of SAI, I doth protest that SAI has neither authentic Tex-Mex nor Mexican cuisine. In most cases, the dishes haven't enough spices and Tex-ified changes to make them seem familiar to devotees of Tex-Mex food. On the other hand, you will not find tripe, tongue, true mole', or crema (not sour cream) which are but a few hallmarks of some genuine Mexican cuisine, depending on one's province, of course. Thus, like most World Showcase restaurants, "authentic" is a word whose meaning is bent more than just a little. Visit SAI and you may enjoy it as many do, but do so within the framework that the food may or may not be what you're expecting. Check out the menu online as another suggested then go from there. Good eats!

 

[lovinwdw]

I want to thank everyone for their input. I think we will be trying it. DH absolutely loves mexican food...

 

[buzzmom3]

We tried it for the first time in September and will be going back in October. Our food was good but our service could have been better. I wouldn't go unless we were on the Dining plan since it is a little pricey.

 

[bishop1989]

San Angel is our favorite dinner stop in EPCOT.
I love the mole sauce and I like the night time atmosphere.
It is also pleasnat when you have a good server from the Mexico to ask questions with. We have ended up with some great travel advice for Mexico that came in handy.
Try the restaurant you will most likely really enjoy it!!
As far as opinions varying, of course. We enjoy the Italian restaurant as well, but do not eat there often since we have great Italian restaurants at home. Le cellier I thought was way overhyped average food at a above average prices.

 

[sportears]

The atmosphere is the best in all of WDW, which one of the only reasons we eat here every time we visit. As I know you have read, the food is very average at best. The service is just average on a good day. There are just a few reasons we eat at San Angels. One, San Angels is a tradition for us. Two, we are Mexican food lovers, and we have to have our weekly Mexican fix, and three, the relaxing, wonderful atmosphere.