So, just how bad is Tony's Town Square?

[Keyser]

Now that they Disney has come up with another income stream (the MSEP package at Tony's Town Square), we're actually considering forking over even more money. But, I read such bad reviews of Tony's that I have trouble figuring this out. I find it hard to believe any Italian is as bad as people make it out to be (really, how bad could it be?).

I grew up in New York with really good Italian food around and have been to Italy a couple of times, so I know what really good Italian food can be (my wife calls me a pizza snob sometimes..). But, even "bad" Italian food is still pretty good to me. I'm quite happy with chain restaurants/Fazoli's now - really can't remember the last "bad" Italian food I've had. I can't figure out whether the bad reviews are more of the pickier "I know good Italian and this isn't it" type, or if they are "this really is truly poor food and you should stay away" type. I don't think I'd ever choose to eat there for the regular price - it's really just the MSEP package that is appealing.

We will be going to an early dinner at 'Ohana, followed by (assuming weather holds) MSEP and Wishes at night. The idea of reserved MSEP space is very appealing, even if the restaurant itself is not. But, we have to eat lunch somewhere, and if the food is OK, maybe it is worth it so that we don't have to spend an hour staking out a good spot on our last night?

We basically have 3 options:
A) Lunch at Be Our Guest (we are already going another day), then at night find a spot for MSEP and then for Wishes.
B) Lunch at Be Our Guest (again), then Wishes dessert party (too much even a couple hours after 'Ohana?), then the late MSEP (not excited about being there too late)
C) Lunch at Tony's with the package, then MSEP in reserved area, and stay for Wishes. (Two table service meals is also more food than we'd usually have in a day.)

C seems like it might be the easiest option, but the quality of Tony's would be a big factor...

 

[CynBeth]

We have always enjoyed Tony's. We have dinner there every trip.

 

[OKW Lover]

"Quality" and Tony's don't seem to go together at all. Perhaps the best comparison I've read is with Chef Boyardee.

 

[Mr & Mrs DD]

We avoided Tony's because of all the bad reviews. We finally decided to try it for ourselves. We were expecting an awful meal, but it turns out we had a pretty good dinner. I had the Chicken Parm dinner. I would eat there again.
Now it's not to be compared to the finer Italian places but it was better than Fazoli's in my opinion. We enjoyed it.

 

[Tonberry]

We've been to Tony's 3 trips ago and the food was decent. I guess the reason we've never been back is because there are so many better places out there.
Everybody's taste is different, so I would suggest you give it a try. There's no real way of knowing until you actually experience it for yourself.

 

[Lucky Rabbit]

For people who hate Tony's: Worth eating on the patio if you want a spot for the parade?

 

[OKW Lover]

For people who hate Tony's: Worth eating on the patio if you want a spot for the parade?

No

 

[Nohal]

Tonys is fine we usually get the chix parm. I've had worse meals at Disney.

 

[serenitynow]

Bad. Bad. Bad.

 

[MichelleWDWfan]

I've eaten at Tony's. I didn't think it was bad. Last time I had Tomato/mozzarella salad & cannelloni. Thought it was good.
In the past I have also had the zucchini fries & shrimp scampi. Can't say I have had a bad meal at Tony's.
i've had some really great servers there too. I've eaten there 4 times in the past 3-4 yrs.

 

[Walker24]

Here is a podcast DIS review of Tony's. It starts around the 48.38 mark. Very interesting

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Our Ratings of Tony's Town Square: (*rev 05/14/2016*)
. . . food price value: C
. . . food quality: D
. . . food quantity per serving: C
. . . food prep speed: B
. . . food selection: C
. . . seating quantity: C
. . . seating comfort: C
. . . eatery atmosphere: B
. . . eatery convenience: A
. . . staff friendliness: B
. . . staff attentiveness: D
. . . character interaction: n/a
.
Our Recommendations:
. . . appys:... Zucchini Fries
. . . entree:.. no recommendation
. . . dessert:. Pistachio Crème Brûlée
.
NOTE1: The staff friendliness and the eatery atmosphere are good, but misleading, as the
food is not something to write home about. Meats are average for the Italian entrées, but
akin to CHEF-BOY-AR-DEE - using CHEF-BOY-AR-DEE could be considered an insult to the
famous chef from Cleveland, Ohio. The sauce may be tomato, but it is definitely not a true
marinara. The appetizers are average. In a pinch, Tony's might do, but there are far better
choices. On the plus side, the desserts are simple, but pretty darn good. Hard to
justify going the first time, let alone going back.
.
NOTE2: If available, one can ask for a outdoor patio table. However, it is not a good place
to view parades, even though one might think so.

 

[MHDTS]

Service isn't too good there, either -- at least from our experience.

 

[AFwifelife]

I don't think it's terrible. Not authentic Italian food you would find in Italy but it's not the worst. I've had worse meals at Fazoli. We've eaten there plenty of times. We've had good service too. I don't really like any of the TS at MK (haven't tried Skipper Canteen yet) so we don't go back to it every time but if I had to choose a TS, Tony's would be near the top of the list.

 

[jhaig]

Your colon deserves better. Go with Be Our Guest.

 

[addiln]

We ate there 2 trips ago and it was the worse meal we had there. I would not say it was awful but it is nothing I would go rush back for. The service was ok but nothing great. I thought the chicken parm was a rubbery and the sauce was out of a big can with no real taste to it. It does always seem busy but I would guess that is because of the location and the limited number of TS meals in MK.

 

[tyandskyesmom]

1. 
   
   Tony's Town Square
   
   We checked in for our 11:20am lunch at Tony's Town Square at 11:08am.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   We were called to be seated shortly after.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Our table was in the main dining room along the far wall. We were about two tables away from the glass walled room (where we've always sat before).
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Our waitress was Kelly and she was from the Midwest like us. Said she came down for a little while and stayed! I am hoping to be able to say that some day! Kelly took our drink orders (Sprite for Cary, Apple Juice for Skyler, Root beer for me, and coke for Tyler). And brought bread and dipping oil. The kids don't like the dipping oil and prefer butter but the bread itself they enjoyed.
   
   
   
   
   
   The place was slowly filling up but was still on the quiet side. I know Tony's gets a bad rap around here, but we have always loved it and have never had a bad meal.
   
   For appetizers I had Zucchini Fries ... breaded seasoned zucchini with creamy sun-dried tomato dressing for dipping.
   
   
   
   
   
   These are really good. Crispy on the outside, hot and moist on the inside. The dipping sauce is really good and compliments the zucchini.
   
   Skyler had the Caesar Salad - Romaine lettuce tossed in Caesar Dressing topped with Romano and Crostini.
   
   
   
   
   
   She loved this salad and ate the whole thing.
   
   Tyler ordered the Calamari ... served with Olive Relish and a side of Marinara sauce.
   
   
   
   
   
   We have always loved the calamari here. Yes, even my picky kids eat calamari! We do only like the rings though none of the suction cups (as the kids call them).
   
   And Cary had the Pasta Fagaoli ... traditional meatless Italian soup with pasta and beans.
   
   
   
   
   He really enjoyed his soup. I tried it too and it was really good.
   
   as my entrée I ordered Cannelloni - filled with a mixture of ground beef and sausage, mozzarella, and ricotta served with marinara and creme sauce.
   
   
   
   
   
   Which surprised me because I ALWAYS get the Shrimp Scampi. I must have really been in a "try new things" kind of a mood. The Cannelloni was really good and I was glad I got it. If there was one thing I would change though it would be less meat inside and a bit more cheese instead. But like I said, it was really good. I ate most of it but I did end up leaving some...it was huge!
   
   Tyler got his usual...
   
   
   
   
   
   Chicken Parmigiana ... Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast with Marinara sauce topped with Melted Mozzarella over Spaghetti. He loves this here and practically licks the plate clean!
   
   Cary ordered the Spaghetti - with Meatballs and Marinara sauce .
   
   
   
   
   
   He really enjoyed it. He finished most of it.
   
   Skyler ordered the Margherita Pizza - with pizza sauce and fresh mozzarella garnished with fresh basil; add pepperoni or sausage with pepperoni. It was perfect. She allowed Cary and Tyler to each have a piece and they agreed!
   
   
   
   
   
   As our desserts we got a couple of things which we actually ate there!
   
   Skyler got the Tony's Cheesecake. I believe it was pumpkin spice flavored.
   
   
   
   
   
   It was ok. I think it was more the flavor we just didn't prefer but we did like it and it got eaten!
   
   Tyler and I got gelato ... Italian style ice cream chocolate or vanilla (Tyler Vanilla and me chocolate).
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   What could go wrong with gelato?!?!?!
   
   And Cary got the Pistachio Crème Brulee.
   
   
   
   
   
   It was hit first time eating crème brule, I had explained what it was but until it arrived, he didn't get it. But now he does and he loved it. The chocolate biscoti was great too!
   
   Kelly kept our drinks full and was very nice, talking to us about her family and such, without being annoying. It does get a bit loud in there when it's busy but we are ok with that for this venue.
   
   By the time we were finishing up, the place was packed. We had another successful meal at a place most people around here would tell you is worse that a frozen dinner. We love Tony's and I expect we will be back! By 12:04pm we were paying our check.
   
   
   
   
   
   TOTAL = $157.77 ... TOTAL FOOD = $2522.59
   USED 4CREDITS ... USED 59 MEAL CREDITS

 

[katt789]

I would say that the dessert party would be WAY too much after Ohana, even if it was a few hours after, Ohana REALLY fills you up, and I'd feel like I wasn't getting my money's worth from the party if I did that.

Staying for the late DEP is honestly ALWAYS my choice, we usually watch from Frontierland, pick up some popcorn/hot chocolate depending on the temperature, and IT IS COMPLETELY DEAD over there, there's room to dance around, and you get lots of attention.

BUT, if you don't want to stay that late, I'd say do snacks for breakfast, and the earliest lunch resso you can get for Tony's! The price for the DEP package seems AWESOME compared to all the food you get included. And I've always loved Tony's! We've ended up going quite a few times just because we wanted something different than QS for our lunch, and we've always enjoyed it! Service is good, food is delicious, desserts were great, we've never had a problem with it and we've tried a variety of different things on the menu!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Town Square

1) The pictures are nice . . . thank you.
2) BUT, pictures do not signify taste.
3) It could be pretty, and taste bad.
4) Which, is typical for Tony's.

 

[EGW113]

We ate there last week and it wasn't bad at all. I was nervous after the reviews but we had Zucchini Fries, Calimari, Joe's Pizza, Shrimp Scampi, Gelato, and Cannoli and were pleased with all of it. Not the best food I've ever had but enjoyable. I actually liked it better than my meal at Kona and the MSEP viewing area was perfect for us!