Teppan or Mexican for Epcot dinner?

[peaches0313]

First trip to Epcot, 2 girls ages 3 and 5. Doing Askerhus lunch. Have Teppan Edo booked for dinner. Thought the hibachi would be fun for the girls, but wondering if they would like the food? I have also heard the Mexican restaurant is good (not sure which one though?) Thoughts? Thanks!

 

[Kimosabe]

Teppan Edo is fun, but while we've done it once (only option for a Candlelight Processional dinner package a couple of years ago by the time we got around to booking something), we have hibachi places near us at home, so we try to do something else when we're at WDW. If you don't have it nearby (or do, but don't go), it could be a big hit for the kids, and we did enjoy the food.

As for Mexican, we loved Hacienda de San Angel, especially during Illuminations (never a guarantee you will have a good view, but worth a shot). Haven't done San Angel Inn in many years, but it always seems so dark in there (especially with young kids), and I don't have fond memories of the meal itself. I need to go back sometime and try it again, but when I know how much I enjoyed Hacienda, I'd likely do that again first. Oh, and our kids liked it too (daughters aged roughly 7 and 9 when we went).

 

[Hopefully]

First trip to Epcot, 2 girls ages 3 and 5. Doing Askerhus lunch. Have Teppan Edo booked for dinner. Thought the hibachi would be fun for the girls, but wondering if they would like the food? I have also heard the Mexican restaurant is good (not sure which one though?) Thoughts? Thanks!

A couple of thoughts. Have you looked at the menus here or on allears.net to see if the items appeal to your children? Only you can decide that.
BUT neither San Angel Inn, inside the Mexican pavilion, nor La Hacienda on the lagoon, have Americanized Tex Mex food. If your children like burritos etc, you will not find them here. It is more authentic Mexican cuisine.
We like Teppan Edo a lot. It is a typical Japanese Hibachi restaurant. It is mainly grilled meat and veggies. The rice is seasoned, but I think you can ask for plain white rice (not fried rice, that is not available)
Good Luck

 

[StirlingSilver83]

Teppan edu is a lot of fun when u have the mind set of "disney" hibachi. My 7 year old was a little disappointed with it. When u have been to authentic hibachi grills Teppan Edo doesn't really compare. When I started planning for our trip next year I asked my son if he wants to go back and he said no. He'd rather go back to garden grill.

 

[nkereina]

Agree with PPs. Teppan's food is fine but the experience is not unique. It's a bit of a dumbed down, bland (for the masses) hibachi experience. They realize they need to cater to all types and people expect that since it's Disney.

I would go with Mexican and would choose La Hacienda. It's bright, overlooks the lagoon, and the food is good. San Angel Inn has good food as well but it's pretty dark and we found the seating cramped.

 

[SouthJersey]

First trip to Epcot, 2 girls ages 3 and 5. Doing Askerhus lunch. Have Teppan Edo booked for dinner. Thought the hibachi would be fun for the girls, but wondering if they would like the food? I have also heard the Mexican restaurant is good (not sure which one though?) Thoughts? Thanks!

San Angel Inn and Via Napoli are our favorite two locations in Epcot.
Teppan Edo is average hibachi and for us nothing different about it or even inferior to countless hibachi restaurants back home.

San Angel Inn has very good traditional Mexican food, the setting and atmosphere is unique and the tequila bar in the front makes amazing margaritas if you're waiting to be seated

 

[Shutterfox]

I have not been to Teppan Edo, but we do have lunch planned for their hibachi style this December, so I couldn't really tell you anything about that place just yet. However, I really love Hacienda De San Angel, which is the waterfront restaurant in Mexico. The hubby and I went there last trip to Disney World and just lucked out on scoring a great table during Illuminations without a prior reservation. DH is originally from Mexico (back when he was just a boy) so he very much enjoyed the cultural experience in addition to the delicious food and cocktails.

Neither Hacienda De San Angel nor San Angel Inn offer your typical Americanized "Tex Mex" style food, as the menu is more authentic, but it's not exactly the most authentic Mexican food either. Then again, there are very few restaurants in the entire country that offer true authentic Mexican eats. While both San Angel locations certainly offer different food from what you would receive at your typical Americanized "Tex Mex" Mexican restaurants, it is not so much so that it's unrecognizable; both my DH and I really love the food there and I know we are not the only ones with that opinion! I definitely don't see any reason why kids wouldn't enjoy both the food and the experience. We found the food to be reasonably priced (for Disney, at least) and the service to be excellent. All in all, I'm a big fan of both places and would really recommend that your family give it a shot, especially Hacienda.

We are taking our daughter (for her first Disney trip) and my father to WDW this year for the week after Thanksgiving and I have made reservations to Hacienda De San Angel for dinner during Illuminations. I'm not super fond of scouting out a good viewing spot along railings well in advance and standing around waiting for twelve minutes of fireworks and on-water entertainment; the view of the show from Hacienda was lovely since the establishment has large, tall windows overlooking the water and you can see the fireworks clearly. Advice I was given by a Disney call agent was that I stop over on the morning of our reservation and make a request for a table with a good view of Illuminations, so I intend to do that to ensure we secure a good spot.

Not too much can top relaxing with a good drink in hand and delicious food in front of you while watching the nighttime show with the family! Whatever you decide, good luck and I hope your family has a magical vacation!

 

[Hopefully]

QUOTE=Shutterfox;52451346]I have not been to Teppan Edo, but we do have lunch planned for their hibachi style this December, so I couldn't really tell you anything about that place just yet. However, I really love Hacienda De San Angel, which is the waterfront restaurant in Mexico. The hubby and I went there last trip to Disney World and just lucked out on scoring a great table during Illuminations without a prior reservation. DH is originally from Mexico (back when he was just a boy) so he very much enjoyed the cultural experience in addition to the delicious food and cocktails.

Neither Hacienda De San Angel nor San Angel Inn offer your typical Americanized "Tex Mex" style food, as the menu is more authentic, but it's not exactly the most authentic Mexican food either. Then again, there are very few restaurants in the entire country that offer true authentic Mexican eats. While both San Angel locations certainly offer different food from what you would receive at your typical Americanized "Tex Mex" Mexican restaurants, it is not so much so that it's unrecognizable; both my DH and I really love the food there and I know we are not the only ones with that opinion! I definitely don't see any reason why kids wouldn't enjoy both the food and the experience. We found the food to be reasonably priced (for Disney, at least) and the service to be excellent. All in all, I'm a big fan of both places and would really recommend that your family give it a shot, especially Hacienda.

We are taking our daughter (for her first Disney trip) and my father to WDW this year for the week after Thanksgiving and I have made reservations to Hacienda De San Angel for dinner during Illuminations. I'm not super fond of scouting out a good viewing spot along railings well in advance and standing around waiting for twelve minutes of fireworks and on-water entertainment; the view of the show from Hacienda was lovely since the establishment has large, tall windows overlooking the water and you can see the fireworks clearly. Advice I was given by a Disney call agent was that I stop over on the morning of our reservation and make a request for a table with a good view of Illuminations, so I intend to do that to ensure we secure a good spot.

Not too much can top relaxing with a good drink in hand and delicious food in front of you while watching the nighttime show with the family! Whatever you decide, good luck and I hope your family has a magical vacation![/QUOTE]




Just a thought for the OP. There is NO guarantee of a window view for Illuminations. The night we went everyone was asking for a window view. We were seated in a side room with no view at all.
There are a few tables with an outstanding view, as the PP stated. There are many that have a limited view and there are many that have no view at all. I would never book La Hacienda planning on being able to view Illuminations during dinner.

 

[Melanie B]

Teppan Edo is a favourite of ours. The food is very good. San Angel Inn is also a great experience. Sitting at the base of a pyramid and active volcano at night is really neat.

 

[itchin2go]

Just a thought for the OP. There is NO guarantee of a window view for Illuminations. The night we went everyone was asking for a window view. We were seated in a side room with no view at all.
There are a few tables with an outstanding view, as the PP stated. There are many that have a limited view and there are many that have no view at all. I would never book La Hacienda planning on being able to view Illuminations during dinner.

I was just coming to say the same thing regarding requesting certain tables. This is from another DIS thread today:

SEATING ASSIGNMENTS, THE NEW WAY: (almost all TS eateries)
. . . in most cases, the Podium person has no control over seating
. . . with the new system, the Seat Assigner determines your table
. . . the Assigner walks around with a computer and assigns the next table
. . . this assignment is then printed out at the podium
. . . the Seater then takes the printout and leads guest to the table
. . . the printout info also includes party size, adults/kids, DDP, special diets, etc
. . . this is done without any consulting with the podium people ahead of time
. . . once assigned, it almost takes and Act-of-God to change the table
. . . to change tables, requires a lot of computer work for the Assigner and Podium
. . . if you want to try for a good seat, get an ADR 2-2½ hrs before fireworks
. . . then, hope you get lucky

I *think* the fireworks comment is about California Grill though.

I have read other reports cautioning people against expecting a certain table at La Hacienda. If you want to eat there, by all means eat there. I, for one, love Mexican food! But if you're going specifically for the view of Illuminations, I wouldn't get your hopes up. I have read also that there are very few tables with lagoon/fireworks views.

 

[itchin2go]

I'm posting this separately so it doesn't get lost in the post about fireworks views.

We have eaten at Teppan Edo twice, and loved it (more so the first time). My daughter, who was maybe 10-11 the first time we ate there, also loved it. She even tried the vegetables, and this is a child who hates vegetables. What do you know? She liked them. It's by far her favorite restaurant in WDW.

Compared to Benihana, it's fantastic - way better, IMO.

We have also eaten at San Angel. Honestly, the tables are so jam packed in that place. The experience is great, the volcano is so cool, but the tables being packed so close together always turns me off.

It's weird for me to say that, considering that you sit with other families at Teppan Edo, but it stands out for me nonetheless.

I will also say that Teppan Edo is a harder to get reservation than either of the Mexican eateries. So, be sure you want to get rid of it before you drop it!

 

[Shutterfox]

Well, perhaps things have changed over the past two years. The previous two dining experiences we have had at Hacienda proved to be no trouble for us when we requested a table with a view for Illuminations, with the most recent even being without an ADR. I think it's hit or miss no matter where you go.

I'd like to point out that requesting a table in view of Illuminations wasn't really my intention for posting a reply to the OP. I was merely sharing my experiences

ETA: It's also worth mentioning that even if you do have a table with little or no view of Illuminations, you can always get up from your table to watch the show =)

 

[peaches0313]

Thanks everyone for your input. I am leaning towards Teppan. Also, our kids are young so we would not be there late enough for any illuminations/ fireworks, etc.

 

[MickeyNicki]

We do not care for TeppanEdo as we are too used to our local hibachi place so TE is a huge let down for us. Mexico is just eh, would rather go to Cornado Springs to eat at their restaurant, food is much better. Italy is awesome, great food - as is Germany and they have a really nice atmosphere with entertainment