Tell me about Mara..

[Cindy B]

Yes, I know counter service, but I just want to know.

We're not interested in Boma or Jiko , but want to know how Mara is.

I've heard good, and I have heard bad.

Is the bad warranted? Or is it that others are comparing it to Boma or Jiko? Boma and Jiko seem to be pretty outstanding, but if you wanted counter fare, is Mara horrible?

I've been glancing at the Mara menu and the sugar cane chicken sounds good, same with the shrimp dish. (can't remember the name).

If you were looking for quick counter service only, how would you say this is? We have the Q& C Connections vouchers, so that is what we are basing it on..

You get an appetizer, entree, drink and desert there (non alcoholic drink)

What would be the best things to order there?

 

[Epcotgal8]

On our trip last summer we wanted to check out the AKL and decided to grab lunch at Mara. You've seen the menu so you know that they do offer items that aren't what you usually see as well as the old stand by counter service food. They also have a refrigerated section with salads, sandwiches, and lots of different things. We were a party of 3 adults, one pre-teen and 2 children. We all had different things. Fish and chips $9.49, dd had the fried shrimp $9.49, a cheeseburger $5.99 (I can't remember for sure but I think fries were extra), individual cheese pizza $5.29, grilled chicken sandwich $6.79, and hot dog $5.09 plus fries. Of course since we weren't staying at AKL we didn't have refillable mugs so dd and I got a bottle of water $2.50, boys had cokes, and 2 adults had a beer (don't know that cost). When all was said and done it was almost 80 dollars which seemed steep for counter service (even at WDW lol). BUT the portions were pretty large so perhaps if we had wanted similar things we could have and probably should have shared. We didn't have vouchers either. I've never used them so the only knowledge I have of them is what I read here at DIS. But if I understand correctly and you get all that you mentioned I think this is a good counter service place to use them and get your $$ worth. As far as what you should order...that's hard to say and is a matter of preference but I have heard the sugar cane chicken is good and it is one of the higher priced items, dd really like the fried shrimp. Everything we ordered was fine, nothing so fabulous that it would be a must do for us again, but fine and ESPECIALLY if you have the vouchers.

 

[LKS]

We liked Mara, but didn't try the items you are considering. I had a fried fish and french fry plate that was suprisingly good. It was obviously cooked to order, as I had to wait and was hot, crisp and not greasy. The kids were hanging all over me to get some because they had opted for PB&J in the room and my food was much better.

 

[antkim]

We stayed at AKL this past December and ate at the Mara often. The prices aren't cheap BUT the portions are quite large so it is reasonable considering it's WDW! We enjoyed the bacon double cheeseburgers and pizzas the most-nice and healthy!!LOL My DH had a nice breakfast there one morning also.
Enjoy!
Kim

 

[Cindy B]

I'm not worried about price (can't believe I said that!)
since I have these vouchers.

Now the vouchers cost $11.50 a piece (I think!). I gues I will easily absorb the cost of these vouchers without tax!

What would be your ideal meal?

And also would it be better to do an evening or lunch?

 

[MinnieGi]

Wow - $11.50 for a voucher for all that you get is a great deal for Mara! It is expensive counter service! You will definetly get your monies worth. And if you're not staying at AKL it'll be a great way to check out the resort which is really nice!

We ate there several times since we stayed a week at AKL. I thought they had it set up well. You order in one area, pay in another and they deliver the food to you. I really cannot remember anything in particualar that I ate there, but it was all decent so I wouldn't worry much about your selection as long as it sounds appealing to you.

 

[kidlit]

We stayed at the AKL in May and ate at the Mara several times. I had the sugar cane chicken and really liked it. It comes on skewers, boneless and with a dipping sauce. The sauce was REALLY hot, jalopeno(sp?) hot! If you have a sinus related allergy it will clear your head right out! Given I said this I still really liked it. DH had a hamburger once, chicken sandwich another time (he sticks to the familiar). DD had the usual chicken tenders with fries(everytime!). We enjoyed it. The selection was good, the food was good.