Should I cancel San Angel Inn??

[luxfirsttrip]

I have read SO many bad reviews about San Angel Inn that I am ready to cancel my Sept ARDs. Is there anyone out there who liked their experience there? It will be me , DH and DD (8). We love Tex-Mex with some spice. The menu looks a little different, but we thought we would give it a try, now I'm not so sure.

We were thinking of replacing it with clam bake at Beach Club. We all love seafood, but haven't heard anything about the Clam Bake. Help - honest opinions please.

 

[Mom2micayla]

If you're going for Tex Mex, I'd cancel it. SAI is NOT Tex Mex. It's more traditional Mexican fare. They did just revamp the menu and changed the seating. Have you seen the newest menu? You may like something on there better than if you're looking at one of the older menus. That said, SAI is always seems to be one of those love it or hate it type of places.

Cape May generally gets very good reviews on the boards. I've never eaten there, but decided to do what you mentioned and canceled my SAI ADR and changed to Cape May. I did it for different reasons (DD9 is a big eater/adventurous eater and buffets work better for her, and DS6 won't like SAI and they have the traditional "kid" stuff on Cape May's buffet) but feel pretty content with my decision.

 

[Sappermont]

I've eaten there years ago and really enjoy the atmosphere. We are eating there again at the end of August. You'll find both positive and negative reviews for all the restaurants. I'd stick with it and decide for yourselves. If you cancel/make reservations based on the reviews - you'll be making changes all day long! Enjoy!

 

[TDC Nala]

I like San Angel. But it is not Tex-Mex. If that's your preference you will not find it there.

 

[Cafeen]

For a few years, reviews of SAI were pitiful. Tostios chips, poor service, poor quality food, etc (note: I was not around during this time, so this is 2nd hand info). Then, I think it was early 2009 or so, they actually got told by Disney to pick it up or pack it up (paraphrasing). Since then the menu has changed, they have real chips, and service and food quality seems to have improved greatly.

So, while yes, there are lots of bad reviews out there, since they cleaned up their act it's much more balanced.

Personally, I really enjoyed it there last year. Ribeye Tacos, Sopa Azteca, and the white chololate mousse with berries were all delicious. However, it's certainly not Tex-Mex so careful perusal of the menu is highly suggested.

Funny story, as a kid I loved tacos and Mexican "stuff" (it was my favorite pavilion, and this was before I discovered the Aztec, Maya, and other pre-Colombian stuff). So, of course, I begged my parents to eat at Mexico. We eventually made the reservations at the little touch screen kiosks in WS and ate there (this was pre-1992, I think it was the trip before that or maybe 2 before it, so somewhere between 88 and 91). I can only remember there not really being anything I liked on the menu ><. (Funny thing is, we did the same for Italy (this was the 1992 trip), and I ended up with Spaghetti and Meatballs. At least, on that same trip, when we did Norway it wasn't my idea. My parents paid for the buffet (it was a buffet at the time) for me to eat my fill of red potatoes. It's all I ate ><)

 

[SouthJersey]

My girlfriend and I, along with two others, had eaten there last December and the food was awesome. It's not tex-mex, but like someone mentioned above, it's more traditional Mexican fare. My girlfriend liked it so much she said we HAD to go there again this October when we come back to Disney, and I agreed. She doesn't even like Mexican usually! The margarita's were awesome, the food was all fresh, won't find anything there that tastes or looks like it was pre-made or packaged then 'cooked'. If you like Mexican food, I would definitely KEEP your SAI reservation.

 

[nytimez]

I love this restaurant, the mole poblano is one of my favorite dishes on site and has been for many years.

That said, as others have pointed out, this is not the place for you if you're looking for Tex-Mex. It is a more traditional Mexican-inspired menu.

 

[Nadjalu]

We love SAI, but it is NOT TEX MEX. Please hear that.

So many people assume that because they love mexican food here in the states that SAI is for them.

You have to like more traditional mexican food to love SAI. So look over the menu and ask questions if you don't understand it. If it looks good, go for it, if the menu doesn't sit right with you....you WILL be disappointed. As so many are.

Good luck!!

 

[kidd_freeper]

I'll make it easier for you...

I don't think you'll need ADRs for SAI.
We showed up without an ADR last Friday (July 15) at 6pm and only had to wait 10 minutes to be seated.

I recommend making an ADR for another Epcot restaurant, as a backup (in case I'm wrong). Then take a tour through Mexico and see if the atmosphere would make it worth it.

Like others have said...it is NOT Texmex.
While I believe the atmosphere and policies have changed for the negative, it is still one of my favorite (but no longer THE favorite) places to eat.

 

[luvdumbo]

The ambiance at San Angel Inn is amazing! The food is average in my opinion.

The clambake at the Beach Club the food is great, but there is nothing special about the environment! They also have the infamous Oreo bon-bons for dessert.

 

[SouthJersey]

I'll make it easier for you...

I don't think you'll need ADRs for SAI.
We showed up without an ADR last Friday (July 15) at 6pm and only had to wait 10 minutes to be seated.

I recommend making an ADR for another Epcot restaurant, as a backup (in case I'm wrong). Then take a tour through Mexico and see if the atmosphere would make it worth it.

Like others have said...it is NOT Texmex.
While I believe the atmosphere and policies have changed for the negative, it is still one of my favorite (but no longer THE favorite) places to eat.

It varies. I went last December and we had an ADR and still had to wait 35 minutes =(

 

[TDC Nala]

I went in March, on a Sunday at lunch, and they were not letting anyone in without a reservation.

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

we like sai

we like cape may cafe too

definately 2 different worlds, but the buffet would definately have something for everyone. sai does have a great atmosphere and is more unique as well.

whatever you choose... you'll enjoy it!

 

[iloveeeyore]

We loved it last summer, and it was one of my personal favorite meals. The sirloin rellenos and the pollo a las rajas were two of the best things I've ever tasted!

And the avocado margarita...mmmmm...

 

[nytimez]

For a few years, reviews of SAI were pitiful. Tostios chips, poor service, poor quality food, etc (note: I was not around during this time, so this is 2nd hand info). Then, I think it was early 2009 or so, they actually got told by Disney to pick it up or pack it up (paraphrasing). Since then the menu has changed, they have real chips, and service and food quality seems to have improved greatly.

By the way, I don't think any of this is true.

I've always enjoyed my meals at San Angel Inn and by 2009 Disney and the operators were already discussing the company's next contract at Epcot, the restaurant that would become La Hacienda.

"Your food stinks -- change it or you're outta here. By the way, would you like to run another Mexican restaurant about 10 feet away?"

San Angel Inn has always gotten love-it-or-hate-it reviews here on the Dis. I'm firmly in the "love it" camp.

Also, for the record, Disney doesn't care one whit about the quality of the food -- just the revenue it generates. If they wanted to start to replace food joints because of low quality, there are plenty of places they could start...

 

[Cafeen]

By the way, I don't think any of this is true.

I've always enjoyed my meals at San Angel Inn and by 2009 Disney and the operators were already discussing the company's next contract at Epcot, the restaurant that would become La Hacienda.

"Your food stinks -- change it or you're outta here. By the way, would you like to run another Mexican restaurant about 10 feet away?"

San Angel Inn has always gotten love-it-or-hate-it reviews here on the Dis. I'm firmly in the "love it" camp.

Also, for the record, Disney doesn't care one whit about the quality of the food -- just the revenue it generates. If they wanted to start to replace food joints because of low quality, there are plenty of places they could start...

Well, I was going by what I was told and noticed reviews were consistently bad around a certain time, and then got considerably better. My brain filled in the blanks. (And rumors of the above... I guess I should have phrased differently and basically as a possible theory rather than near fact as I wrote it, my bad).

For those who were a bit more in the know, I would defer my theory in favor of their actual knowledge readily .

 

[TobiasFunke]

i love traditional mexican fare, and have never enjoyed this place. i'd do the clam bake

 

[Minnesota!]

We love this place! The Sopa Azteca is what brings us back. I ADORE the Mahi Mahi....and DH will eat anything on the menu!

The only dish I did not like was the chicken mole. Blah.

 

[alala]

We had a great lunch at SAI last spring. My kids (DD5 and DS7) loved it because there were things other than the usual "kids menu" type choices. We were seated right away, had a fabulous server, loved the atmosphere, and enjoyed our meals. It was also a nice break from the spring break crowds in the park. I was also worried about it based on the reviews I had read, but it worked out great for us.

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

I know I'm in the minority...but I have always loved in there!