San Angel - Should We Return?

[pixarmom]

I've been to San Angel many, many times since the early 80s. About seven years ago, it fell off our dining rotation. The food wasn't great and there were so many other Epcot restaurants that we preferred. Then La Hacienda opened and we LOVED it. (We have three boys - ages 4, 11 and 12 with very different tastes and everyone enjoyed it.) I've posted on many threads about how wonderful La Hacienda is and how we'd choose it over San Angel any day.

So here's the question: I'll be in Epcot for one day with our 4-year-old. We already have a lunch ADR at Le Cellier, so the sunshine and the views at La Hacienda are sounding pretty good for dinner. On the other hand, he loves the Three Caballeros ride. If it's just the two of us, maybe we have a chance at a table by the river. And maybe the food at San Angel has either improved or is better than I remember.

Thoughts? Any recent positive experiences at San Angel?

 

[Sweet Melissa]

All I can say is that we love the San Angel Inn. We've dined at both the San Angel Inn and La Hacienda within the last year, and we prefer the San Angel Inn. The service is similar at both restaurants, but the menu at the San Angel Inn is a bit more adventurous and the atmosphere is a little bit cooler.

 

[BLTLDZ]

:We LOVE San aNgel. We try to do lunch there every trip....This time, we are trying La Hacienda. I say go for it

 

[Sappermont]

I really enjoy San Angel Inn. I do prefer the old table set up and the only thing that worried me about our time at SAI was that they have now placed 3 or 4 tables in what used to be the waiting area (over by the bathrooms). If I were to sit at one of those tables I wouldn't even feel like I was in the restaurant. Other than that I loved it. The caramel ice cream I had was the best dessert of the trip. Have fun.

 

[cigar95]

When La Hacienda opened, the food across the way at the Inn got a lot better. Could be that they didn't want to be upstaged by their colleagues. (Both run by the same company, and don't forget that both are "San Angel", as is La Cantina.) My meal there in September of '10 was the best one I've ever had there.

I'm also a fan of La Hacienda. Did you know that the two are supposed to represent food from different ares of Mexico? If I remember, one is north, the other south, but I have no idea which is which.

 

[pixarmom]

Thanks so much for all the responses! I made an ADR for dinner at SAI. We'll be back soon enough and La Hacienda will certainly be on the list, so this will be a good time to give SAI another try.

Good point about the changes there after La Hacienda opened and we'll ask to avoid the waiting room tables - I know the area and how funny to have tables there! I'll also be sure to ask about northern and southern Mexico!

Thanks again!

 

[Daisy-J&D]

I thought the food was OK at SAI but the service when we went in September was SO slow that we'd never go back. In fact, out waitress didn't even get a tip because after we waited FOREVER for everything she brough our DDP receipt without a pen. There was no chance of us waiting for her to come back and then wait again for the pen. Sorry, no tip.

 

[Simba22]

We LOVE San Angel Inn! We've always had great food and great service!

 

[OKW Lover]

Just loving the 3 cabalaros isn't a reason to eat at SAI for two reasons:

1. You can't see them from the restaurant
2. The food at SAI hasn't improved

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Even though you can't see the characters, thre's something very unique about being right next to the ride. I personally have always enjoyed my food, but others in my family have given the food slightly mixed reviews.

Last year we did really love the food at eh new place. The only problem was the service - including waiting well past our ADR - was quite slow. The only plus was that we ended up seeing the fireworks from our table.

As pretty as it was....I still prefer the unique environment at San Angel.

 

[pixarmom]

Even though you can't see the characters, thre's something very unique about being right next to the ride.

That's more the idea - it's the general atmosphere as opposed to the actual characters or the ride. He's four years old, so at this point, he thinks the entire building is the Three Caballeros ride! Reminds me of Blue Bayou in DL - can't really see the pirates, but everyone thinks it's fun to be sort of "in" the ride during dinner!