Steak: undecided as to where

[L_MD]

Hi all, I know there's a thousand "best steak" threads but I'm in a Disney-dining conundrum. And I'm wordy...sorry!

In April 2018 I ate at Yachtsman, had a really good filet, and overall enjoyed my experience there. It wasn't my favorite dining experience, but it wasn't bad at all. I'm headed back to WDW in April 2019 and I told myself that I'd book Shula's...I love trying new places and I've heard great things about it.

Now in finalizing my plans and making sure my ADR's are OK, I'm being wishy-washy again. Can anyone just help me make up my freaking mind?

Shula's thoughts:

• PRO: I've heard it's the best steak on property
• PRO: New experience
• CON: football theme
• CON: I'm a solo diner and so, due to their huge portions, I think I'd be getting an app and a steak with absolutely no side
• CON: let's be honest, I could probably go downtown at home and get a similar steak

And Yachtsman thoughts:

• PRO: I've eaten there before, and it was tasty
• PRO: they actually give you some potatoes with their steak
• PRO: they have charcuterie for an app, and I am all about that
• PRO: I was going to make a trip to Crew's Cup ANYWAY just to get the Yachtsman bread/garlic
• CON: not a new experience, but I would get a different cut of meat
• CON: I've read tons about super slow service lately

So, any help or SUPER recent experiences at Yachtsman or Shula's? I've read all the old threads. Looking at this list it's pretty obvious that Yachtsman has more pros, but I don't want to miss out on Shula's if it's really completely amazing. Thanks all!

 

[Will Miller]

Just to throw another wrench in there, my wife and I had Yachtsman and Jiko back in August. Wife had the filet at both and Jiko>Yachtsman for the filet. We both agreed. It was amazing. One of the best steaks I’ve ever had.

Haven’t done Shula’s yet, but will in March.

 

[EdnaMarieMode]

We ate at Shula's in September. We are still talking about it.
- It is quite possibly the best steak we've had on property. Definitely in the top 3 (with California Grill/ Le Cellier/ Yachtsman jockeying for the other 2 positions).
-It is not overly themed. Yes, there are Dolphins photos on the walls and some other memorabilia but they're not all over the place and I didn't find it distracting at all. They do present a football with some of the menu on it as a nod to the original menu but that's about it.
- An app and a steak would be plenty, you would not miss the side. Alternately, skip the app and get the side.
- We have had A LOT of steak, and live in close proximity to many major cities with great steak houses. This was FAR better than any we've found (and I was prepared to be completely underwhelmed).

Service was the best I've had at Disney ever. Our servers (we had two doting on us) never left us without a refill, were very knowledgeable about everything they serve, were never pushy (no "today's specials!!" pitch/ atmosphere), and I've never had a server discuss beer with DH in such detail or with such a wide range of knowledge. Service was quicker than Yachtsman but never rushed.

Yachtsman- you've about summed it up. We have eaten there, no complaints, and I would gladly eat there again. I can't comment on the slow service. I have always found our service there to be a little slow (but I enjoy it because it forces us to not rush and actually enjoy the experience).

 

[The Pho]

If you want steak, Shulas is by far the best option. Their steaks blow away all other steaks on or off property. I eat a lot of steak, Shulas is simply the best I’ve had anywhere. It’s worth the price.
The football theme isn’t that heavy, it’s themed more for a masculine smoking room style with Dolphins pictures spread around. It’s easy to overlook the football part.
Personally I’d recommend ordering what interests you first over what you’ll eat all of. Salads have half portions, and the deserts are stellar (apple crisp all the way). And that sourdough bread is great. Everything is great and you don’t want to miss out if it’s your only trip there.

 

[NYCgrrl]

I would eat at Shula's simply because it has your curiosity piqued and you've already eaten at Yachtsman.
Distance-wise the Swandolphin isn't that far from the Boardwalk so you can always return to the area and eat at Crew's Cup with a clear conscience.

 

[L_MD]

Just to throw another wrench in there, my wife and I had Yachtsman and Jiko back in August. Wife had the filet at both and Jiko>Yachtsman for the filet. We both agreed. It was amazing. One of the best steaks I’ve ever had.

Haven’t done Shula’s yet, but will in March.

Thanks- I went to Jiko in April and loved my app but thought the steak was only OK. Oh well!

 

[L_MD]

We ate at Shula's in September. We are still talking about it.
- It is quite possibly the best steak we've had on property. Definitely in the top 3 (with California Grill/ Le Cellier/ Yachtsman jockeying for the other 2 positions).
-It is not overly themed. Yes, there are Dolphins photos on the walls and some other memorabilia but they're not all over the place and I didn't find it distracting at all. They do present a football with some of the menu on it as a nod to the original menu but that's about it.
- An app and a steak would be plenty, you would not miss the side. Alternately, skip the app and get the side.
- We have had A LOT of steak, and live in close proximity to many major cities with great steak houses. This was FAR better than any we've found (and I was prepared to be completely underwhelmed).

Service was the best I've had at Disney ever. Our servers (we had two doting on us) never left us without a refill, were very knowledgeable about everything they serve, were never pushy (no "today's specials!!" pitch/ atmosphere), and I've never had a server discuss beer with DH in such detail or with such a wide range of knowledge. Service was quicker than Yachtsman but never rushed.

Yachtsman- you've about summed it up. We have eaten there, no complaints, and I would gladly eat there again. I can't comment on the slow service. I have always found our service there to be a little slow (but I enjoy it because it forces us to not rush and actually enjoy the experience).

This is super helpful. Thank you!

 

[L_MD]

If you want steak, Shulas is by far the best option. Their steaks blow away all other steaks on or off property. I eat a lot of steak, Shulas is simply the best I’ve had anywhere. It’s worth the price.
The football theme isn’t that heavy, it’s themed more for a masculine smoking room style with Dolphins pictures spread around. It’s easy to overlook the football part.
Personally I’d recommend ordering what interests you first over what you’ll eat all of. Salads have half portions, and the deserts are stellar (apple crisp all the way). And that sourdough bread is great. Everything is great and you don’t want to miss out if it’s your only trip there.

I've heard really good things about the desserts. Thank you!

 

[L_MD]

I would eat at Shula's simply because it has your curiosity piqued and you've already eaten at Yachtsman.

Yeah, I'm all about new experiences which is usually good but sometimes the wishy-washiness sets in!

 

[DarthGallifrey]

I have had some sub par experiences with Yachtsman lately which has turned me away from going back and spending that money there. Tried Shula's for the first time in Dec and was blown away. Best steak ever.

 

[illinidp]

Shula’s, but if you’re open to places just off property, consider Bull & Bear also.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Im also all about new experiences. Since you've been to Yachtsman, i'd go for Shula's for sure!

 

[L_MD]

I have had some sub par experiences with Yachtsman lately which has turned me away from going back and spending that money there. Tried Shula's for the first time in Dec and was blown away. Best steak ever.

That's really good to know...I checked and I actually went in 2016, not 2018, so I haven't had a "recent" good experience. I'm trying Shula's for sure!

 

[armerida]

We had great service and the giant porterhouse for 2 at Yachtsman over Christmas week. Haven’t been to Shula’s, don’t really like the idea of chain restaurants, but it does get a lot of great reviews.

I actually found the grass-fed filet at Narcoossee’s to be amazing, my favorite steak on property. I love the Jiko filet too - it’s been wonderful except for one time seemed a bit tough and flavor was off.

Please post how Shula’s is after you try it : )

 

[evilqueenmindy]

Shula’s is great, the football theme is not super over the top (I mean they do have the menu printed on a Dolphin football, but it’s more upscale and clubby than sports bar type thing. The downfall for a solo diner is the a la carte sides, they are way too big for just one person.

I’m not a fan of yachtsman, I think you’ll get more bang for your buck at Shulas.
However, going off board, Flying Fish has a phenomenal NY strip, and comes with sides. It’s my favorite steak at Disney.

 

[L_MD]

Shula’s is great, the football theme is not super over the top (I mean they do have the menu printed on a Dolphin football, but it’s more upscale and clubby than sports bar type thing. The downfall for a solo diner is the a la carte sides, they are way too big for just one person.

I’m not a fan of yachtsman, I think you’ll get more bang for your buck at Shulas.
However, going off board, Flying Fish has a phenomenal NY strip, and comes with sides. It’s my favorite steak at Disney.

I am definitely leaning toward Shula's. Funny you mention Flying Fish- it's my favorite WDW restaurant and I'm going there on my first night. Not for steak, though...I think their scallops are amaaazing.

 

[L_MD]

We had great service and the giant porterhouse for 2 at Yachtsman over Christmas week. Haven’t been to Shula’s, don’t really like the idea of chain restaurants, but it does get a lot of great reviews.

I actually found the grass-fed filet at Narcoossee’s to be amazing, my favorite steak on property. I love the Jiko filet too - it’s been wonderful except for one time seemed a bit tough and flavor was off.

Please post how Shula’s is after you try it : )

Yeah, that's another part of why I don't want to do Shula's...I try to stay away from chains too. But sometimes it's unavoidable...a ton of WDW restaurants are part of a larger group, so it's hard to get away from it.

As for Narcoossee's, I've never wanted to go there for one reason or another. And I went to Jiko and got their filet but I honestly wasn't into it...I liked my app more than the filet!

I'll definitely post after I try Shula's, don't worry! I don't think there are nearly enough 'recent' reviews of it on here and I'll contribute.

 

[Erzengel]

I'll 3rd and 4th my decision not to go to Shula's or Rainforest Cafe in Disney as they are available in other places.

In terms of steak I'm more of a fan of La Cellier.

I'd put Jiko, Narcoosees and Yachtmans's Steakhouse over the Boathouse in Disney Springs.

 

[The13thLetter]

I am having the same issue for our upcoming trip. We are deciding between Yachtsman, Le Cellier, and Shulas, as we have not been to any of them. I thought we settled on Le Cellier but now you got me all wishy-washying too!

 

[L_MD]

I am having the same issue for our upcoming trip. We are deciding between Yachtsman, Le Cellier, and Shulas, as we have not been to any of them. I thought we settled on Le Cellier but now you got me all wishy-washying too!

Haha, sorry about that!