The restaurant you will never go back to...

[Sherry E]

I do agree w/ you. I got the Monte Cristo - but shared w/ my bottomless-pit DD. DH got steak that he actually was impressed w/ .... but the rest, ehh. Nothing to write home about. We knew we were paying for the atmosphere & we got what we paid for, but the food was debatable. I think meal sharing & dessert only visits are worth it...especially at lunch.

Yeah, exactly - it isn't 'bad' food but it just isn't my thing, really. We did a dessert only at BB once, but I think our mistake was going later at night for that, when the place was jam packed with people in the parlor area. So my friend was not happy at all that we had to wait over 45 minutes to be seated for a dessert she ended up not even eating! I think if we had done the dessert at an earlier, slightly less crowded time rather than an 8:30 P.S. time, my friend would have been happier, but she was already tired and so everything got on her nerves. I was annoyed at the rude, brusque hostess taking the names up at the front - and it seems a few other DIS-ers have reported encountering a snarky hostess up at the front too, so I wonder if it was the same one for all of us!

 

[pycees312]

:

Do they serve Mickey pancakes at Carnation? The last time I had breakfast there I ate a Mickey waffle, BUT I thought I recalled seeing a pancake on the menu too. In any case, yes, that mouse shape will bring a smile to one's face in an instant!

.

ooh waffle not pancake. my mistake....

 

[fairycat]

Hmmm....do you folks think the places with more complaints have a menu that is more "difficult"? Like Carnation is sandwiches, we all love sandwiches!!
But Naples w/ italian dishes or pizza....maybe there's just too many steps involved!!

How many have complained about the finer dining like w/ BB or Napa Rose?

Also - how many of these eateries have pre-cooked frozen food they just nuke & serve? That also may cut on quality & make others notice.

See the funny thing is I am the foodie in the family, I like full flavors, good veggies and can occassionally be picky. My Mom and Sister are meat and potatos people, who like basic flavors, while my sister is occassionally adventurous my Mom is the kind of person you sometimes have to fib too, to get her to try anything (no Mom its not eel it's tuna :lol).

Saying that my sister was with me two of the trips to Storyteller's and thought it was awful. My last trip sadly to BB was not good, normally I like it well enough (though I have to be in the mood for the one dish they offer vegetarians at BB), but the last time my mushrooms were horribly burnt, and the couscous was off. My Mom and sisters meals were cooked fine. Since I had already eaten my salad and knew we were having dessert, I had the waiter just take my plate back. I wasn't in the mood to try it a second time. The server was very nice about it and did not charge me for my meal (though I would have paid for the salad I did eat). Since it was a one time issue for us and the server was good I will go back to BB.

I have done Napa Rose many times and have overall had a great experience. Saying that sadly this NYE when we did the coursed event, we did have some server issues (slow service, mistakes that caused/could have caused issues with our dietary issues [they misinformed us about ingredients in one of the sauces, and poured stock they said was vegetarian on DH's dish and then rushed back to tell us it was not veggie when we double checked with them], an overcharge on our bill and just little things that at the cost should have been worked out), we will still continue going to Napa Rose.

My sister and I have eaten at a lot of the restaurants at Disney and on DTD and we have our favorites and those we skip, but I have to say we skip very few for being bad. But we also have a lot of experiences since we do go so frequently and always eat at least one TS meal a trip.

The funny thing is that as I said I love many of the DTD restaurants, I think Catal/UVA are really good and Jazz Kitchen is a regular stop for us. My sister loves HoB, though their lack of vegetarian food makes it hard for me to give in, unless we want early entry to a concert.

Overall I think the place I have had the best food and service at has been WCT, and for the price I think it's also one of the best choices at least in my book! But then I am currently craving a Caprese Sandwhich!!!!

In the end we all have experiences and some of us hit people's bad days and that can ruin an experience, so it's hard if others only have good experiences. I think that is why you have to take everything in with a grain of salt or look at the bulk. I mean no one seems to argue anymore Captian Kidd's is terrible, but that is because if 80% or more say it's terrible you have to assume its always terrible at that rate!!! But one or two bad experiences from 100's just shows bad days. But if it's your bad experience, you probably won't go for a second round, especially with experiences like C&M's.

 

[Sherry E]

I have to agree on WCT - for the location, atmosphere, food quality, portion size (that humongous salad) and prices, it is a great choice! I only wish they had a few more choices on their menu (I wish the same thing for Carnation's limited menu), but I like it anyway!

I have heard nothing but bad things about that Captain Kidd's, Fairycat!! I don't think I have ever read a good review on that one. So I have no desire to go there to try it out for myself, because I have to believe that if that many people say it is terrible - not just bad, but terrible - they must be right!!

 

[Leofoenget]

I have seen many recent threads about what treats and restaurants people are looking forward to visiting at DLR. I thought it might be fun if people posted the places they would never go back to and why and we'll see if there's a trend. The most common reasons could be: terrible food, terrible value (more so than you would expect), horrible service, does not meet your dietary requirements, etc. If you wish to nominate both a counter service and a table service establishment, that would be great too!

Captian Kidds on Harbor

 

[caligirl stuck in va]

Tortilla Joes for me - not because it was horrible, but we just thought it was expensive for what we got. It was like going to Chevy's, but paying twice as much.

Wow, really?? Chevy's is pretty much not great, but we love Tortilla Joe's! They tend to get a bad rap on here, there is one poster who always tells the Food Poisoning story (could have been a flu bug, not even food poisoning, right?). The few times we have been - both at the take out window and inside - have been really, really good. So good that all 14 people in our party were happy with the meal. I know each place can have an off day or off shift, but we have been very happy with TJ's.

For us, the never return location would be Cocina Cuca-crapa in DCA. Talk about BAD food - ours was so bad that we tossed it all in the trash can - all $40 of it. And the service was super terrible, too.

 

[bronko78]

Pizza Om Mow Mow. Disgusting! Worst "pizza" I've ever had, including the frozen variety.

A big thumbs down to the Celebration BBQ Round-up in Disneyland. Terrible service, mediocre food, and a big price tag. Not worth it.

 

[spacemermaid]

French Market, in New Orleans Square.

I used to quite enjoy it, before the menu was changed. But, the last time I ate there, I had what easily ranks among the very WORST meals I've ever eaten, anywhere. The jambalaya tasted like ketchup mixed with sugar, atop not-quite-cooked-all-the-way instant rice. Jambalaya is NOT supposed to be sweet! The cornbread was cold and stale. The only thing edible on my plate was the side of steamed vegetables. It was especially disappointing because, for a couple of $s more, I could've had a DELICIOUS meal at Cafe Orleans. It was around the holidays, though, and I didn't have a PS. Seriously, the food was NASTY.

 

[mechurchlady]

There are few WDW sites I do not recommend to people with food allergies but here are about half a dozen and all owned by someone other than Disney.

I try restaurants and if I do not like them then I give them a month to heal and show me a better side. Everyone around here jokes about me and ketchup. I look at the meal based on my neurovariancies, religion, picky eater, and allergies. I like Plaza Inn despite the at times bland chicken because it is booze free (religion, allergen friendly, nothing like dead fish on a plate, and variety that I can eat.

My return list are Blue Bayou and Carnation Cafe. At least Blue Bayou tried really hard to make me a great meal. It was a good meal considering I do not like plain rice pasta and abhor more veggies. They did try so later this year I will go back.

The WORST DISSAPOINTMENT was Carnation Cafe. I love onions and I love cooked bell peppers. I crave and love philly cheesesteaks. it is an SID type of things and meets my passions so well. They do not serve soy free salad dressings so I was given just veggies steamed aka YUCK and a gluten free hot dog bun with plain cubed steak. All I had to eat was plain steak.

The next time I am healthy and wealthy I am going to pick me up some Lays potato chips and french fries then get me a philly cheese steak with no bread. I am bring me some soy free dressing also. I am going to order me a steak sandwich on hot dog bun. When they bring me the plain salad and plain meat on a plain bun then they will see how to really serve customers. I will layer cheese and onions then a bit of ketchup and pour out fries on the plate then set there and have me a real gluten free steak sandwich.

DO NOT GO THERE: Riverbelle Terrace has the most incompetent park staff. I went in there for breakfast. They could not give me a gluten free slice of bacon or a piece of fruit. I would not send anyone with allergies there.

I am scared to death to eat at the Cone Shop on Main Street after seeing a ditzy CM with not a clue in her brain as to what cross contamination is. BANG goes the ladle for the hot fudge onto the waffle cone. She could not grasp that in doing so she had now contaminated the ladle and the entire pot of hot fudge. No I do not want to wait half an hour for the fudge to heat up.

Bengal Barbecue is on my do not eat list as they do not sell soy and gluten free foods.

I miss the Corn Dog Castle and though I cannot eat there that is the nature of the food they serve unlike Bengal Barbecue.

 

[joeysmommy]

Some may disagree with me on this one but if I never went back to Rainforest cafe I would be so happy.
My kids love it for the ambiance and of course it's their fav restaurant aside from character meals, I think the food is disgusting..esp their salads made with wilted iceberg lettuce...yuck!
Maybe I'll bribe them with a character meal instead of going to RFC next month.

I agree with the Napolini pizza..yuck! Maybe it was sitting under the heat lamp for too long.
Although I didn't mind the thin crust pizza at Naples (restaurant)and the Caprese salad wasn't bad.

I hAd the mexicone at Tortilla Joe's and didn't get sick..I know others say they'll never go back but I thought it was pretty good. Can't beat the portions at Rancho del Zocalo but T.J's is pretty yummy.

 

[Krissy Marissy]

All these stories remind of a podcast espisode I listen to a while back. Being a fairly new podcast listener I was going back and listening to some older ones.

They were talking about a place in WDW. It was crowded and they had to wait for their table. This one waiter kept coming over to their group out of all the people there and telling them they were in the way and they had to move. Each time they stayed in the spot the waiter told them to stand. Finally after the fourth time they said they weren't moving and the WAITER went to complain to the manager. It was so bizzarre, I think I would have started asking where the Candid Camera was!

I've never had any bad experiences with food at DLR fortunately. At most, years ago I decided that hamburger place in Fantasyland was not that great.

But I do know where I am not going this trip- Napels. Thanks for the tip!

As someone who worked in a restaurant for nearly 7 years as a server and then a manager I am inclined to defend the waiter here. There is nothing worse than people being in your way and standing somewhere they shouldn't be on a busy night. Even though they may not think they are in the way they probably were

I haven't had a will never go back experience but the food this last time at BB was hit and miss big time. The salad...LOVED it, was great! The beef short ribs were 80% fat. It was yucky! I should have sent it back It was the only meal my family had eaten all day, an early lunch, and half of us got sicker than a dog about an hour later. It ruined the last 2 days of our trip. This is the 2nd time I have gotten sick there and so I can't say I am in any rush to return

We have had awful service and great service at cafe orleans and since the great outweighs the bad we still go once a trip.

 

[mystic_path]

I know many will disagree with me, but definitely the Blue Bayou. The price is expensive, the portions are eh, the food isnt great, the service I have found is terrible and we even had hairs in our meal, and they still made us pay for it, nor would they replace the meal. Not a happy place to go, even if it is for the coolest atmosphere.

 

[MagicalMomAZ]

Some may disagree with me on this one but if I never went back to Rainforest cafe I would be so happy.

I wasn't going to mention this one bc I feel I already said Naples but....I hear ya sister!! We eat so naturally that if we get MSG in our systems....I pass out & DH gets a screaming headache. Guess what happened to us? I couldn't keep my eyes open & he had a screaming headache. Hmmmmmm... So...yeah - annoying gorillas can be fun but I'd rather be awake when I'm on a ride.

 

[VallCopen]

Rancho del Zocale for us was a waist of time and money. Portions were good but it was fair in taste and very cold (Mexican can't be cold), I don't know if I would blame them because I think cafeteria style with Mexican just don't mix.

We also had mixed reviews at BBayou. Some things were great and some just ok.

Love Napa and Love Steakhouse 55!

I was going to try Storytellers next time we go but now I think I will just pass on that one.

Thanks for the help.

 

[mechurchlady]

That is another thing I do not like is paying $40 for rice pasta, one scoop of ice cream, tea, veggies and a chunk of chicken. I could ahve done a Minnie breakfast, burger and fries, hot dog and chips for the price of one meal at Blue Bayou. The events at DCA were worth $140 but $40 for a meal that is average chunk of chicken, veggies that are cooked in mass quantities and rice pasta is just too much.

 

[PinkBudgie]

As someone who worked in a restaurant for nearly 7 years as a server and then a manager I am inclined to defend the waiter here. There is nothing worse than people being in your way and standing somewhere they shouldn't be on a busy night. Even though they may not think they are in the way they probably were

I'm sure that is what the waiter thought but the odd thing is, each time they stayed in the spot he put them before.


Vall- Good to hear you liked Steakhouse 55 because that is where we decided to go for our anniversary. After reading many not so great reviews on BB on the boards we decided to go with that one. We've eaten at BB before and they food was just ok then.

 

[Plumeria]

Hook's Point at the Disneyland Hotel. Without a doubt the worst meal I've ever had anywhere at the Resort!

 

[LavenderPeach]

French Market, in New Orleans Square.

I agree. I didn't have an absolutely terrible experience so I can't say that I would never go back but the food just wasn't that good. It seemed salty and artificial.

Also, I have to add that I like Storytellers. The last time I went was last november or december so it's been several months. Maybe something has changed but I've always had good food and good service there. I reluctantly ordered a chicken sandwhich. I say reluctantly because although the idea of a chicken sandwhich always sounds good to me, they often end up being kind of bland or something, idk. But I was pleasantly suprised with this one. I loved it! Now, I will say that DH ordered some sort of pizza thing (it wasn't called pizza but that's basically what it was) and he didn't like it at all. He also used to love the ribs they had at dinner but i guess those are gone now and years ago we got a chocolate, peanut butter and banana creme brulee that was SO yummy but that is long gone. So maybe they've made some bad changes recently.

 

[SoCalKDG]

Rancho del Zocale for us was a waist of time and money. Portions were good but it was fair in taste and very cold (Mexican can't be cold), I don't know if I would blame them because I think cafeteria style with Mexican just don't mix.

We also had mixed reviews at BBayou. Some things were great and some just ok.

Love Napa and Love Steakhouse 55!

I was going to try Storytellers next time we go but now I think I will just pass on that one.

Thanks for the help.

Big fan of Rancho del Zocale. Eat there 3-4 times per year. Never had a meal that wasn't warm. Good size portions as well as my wife and I sometimes split the 4 cheese enchilada meal. Looks like you ended up with a bad meal.

 

[Teki]

Wine country Trattoria. It wasn't for us.