I've been to the Garden Grove many times and, compared to other WDW character meals, it is a much more relaxed & upscale atmosphere and it's not boisterous at all.
Food: I can't speak for the Southern BBQ (as I only go on the seafood nights), but I have found the food to be as good as (if not better) than the food at other WDW buffets. On seafood nights, they serve you Caesar salad tableside and on the buffet, they have (among other things) crab legs, shrimp, and seafood risotto made to order. Also, their dessert selection is excellent and you will find things that you don't see at other WDW character meals.
Characters: On Monday & Friday nights, the characters are Timon & Rafiki and on the other nights, the characters are Goofy & Pluto. Usually, the characters will spend plenty of time at your table & they may come around multiple times while you're there.
