Thoughts on Tony's

[Alicefan]

Italian is so subjective. I see so many people comparing it to Olive Garden vs "authentic Italian" but I have to say, this authentic has got to be the most over hyped thing in the history of overhyped things lol. It's the same with "all food is better in NYC". Each and every solitary time I've gone to someone's house that insisted that they made "real" sauce or "gravy" etc...and they cook it all day blah blah blah....it's THEE most bland stuff I've ever tasted. Like someone opened a can of crushed tomatoes and called it a day. I'm military and have lived all over and tried lots o' stuff, and I'm sorry, but I prefer flavor with my food and so far I'd pick Olive Garden or Carrabba's over any of the mom and pop places I've ever been to. Don't believe the hype! It's just spaghetti in the end! LOL

 

[tony67]

If you go to Tony's, enjoy it for the theming. You can't pretend you are Lady and the Tramp, complete with the look and feel of the place, on any lovely Bella Notte at your local Olive Garden. Sure, you may have an authentic Italian place somewhere that does the food a little better, but where else can you get the experience?

This is the only reason I can see to go to this restaurant - if your a fan of Lady and the Tramp.
We always go here when we are with my parents because they like that movie...and there was a time when the food was OK.

Today for $26 I think they could at least make fresh chicken parm and not serve a frozen breaded piece of chicken with overcooked pasta.
I don't expect the most amazing Italian meal I ever had in my life, but I'd expect it to be on the same level as Olive garden.

I still don't buy the handful of reviews that say it's good..maybe people are more accepting of it because of the DDP, but I cant imagine very paying OOP for Tony's and being satisfied with it.

 

[tsme]

The theming of Tony's is really nice. If you go, walk around to look at some of the pictures, etc, of course, not disturbing other guests eating. We like the food there & the service is good.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

The theming of Tony's is really nice.

RECAP (imho):
1) THEMING: Good.
2) SERVICE: Spotty.
3) FOOD: POOR.

 

[Bearshouse]

Our DD is a huge lady and the tramp fan. Maybe the food isnt as great as other places and maybe it is only Olive Garden quality. Maybe the service is spotty because a server is having a bad day. (they are human or heck new) But I can tell you that the way her eyes light up every time they say "Attention Attention now seating.... " It is worth it. We share meals so the sticker shock of prices isnt as bad. Also we have allergies that aren't on the normal menu so the chef interaction has been wonderful. I liken Tony's to the 2 hospitals in our area. You love one and hate the one there is no middle ground. Both are excellent in their rights but the perception is the sticking point.

 

[Mr & Mrs DD]

We avoided Tony's for a while based on bad reviews. We decided to try it anyway and we were pleasantly surprised. We had a good meal and good service. We would eat there again based on our last visit there.
It is not gourmet Italian, but it was an enjoyable meal for us. I would have no problem eating there again.

 

[got15]

We have 1 TS credit to use and used it at Tony's. My DS5 at the time LOVED Lady & the Tramp and he was excited to try it out. After reading the reviews, I was not as much. But, we did go and enjoyed ourselves. We were on the DXDP so we tried a lot. DS had pizza and the other spaghetti and meatballs. DH had Chix Parm and I had a Salmon and fennel salad. Was it the most amazing meal I had ever eaten- No. Was it the most authentic Italian ever- no. Was it as bad as people set it up to be- no. We thought it was ok- not amazing- but not horrendous. The service was really wonderful- quick and friendly. We were seated in the sunroom- and it was very nice to see the comings and goings in the park. We liked it and would go again.

 

[goofy4prez]

Italian is so subjective. I see so many people comparing it to Olive Garden vs "authentic Italian" but I have to say, this authentic has got to be the most over hyped thing in the history of overhyped things lol. It's the same with "all food is better in NYC". Each and every solitary time I've gone to someone's house that insisted that they made "real" sauce or "gravy" etc...and they cook it all day blah blah blah....it's THEE most bland stuff I've ever tasted. Like someone opened a can of crushed tomatoes and called it a day. I'm military and have lived all over and tried lots o' stuff, and I'm sorry, but I prefer flavor with my food and so far I'd pick Olive Garden or Carrabba's over any of the mom and pop places I've ever been to. Don't believe the hype! It's just spaghetti in the end! LOL

Oh my goodness, my Grandma Benedetti is rolling over in her grave right now with such blasphemy. Nobody could cook Italian like grandma Benedetti; Her recipes came with her across the ocean and still are being used today in my Uncle Benedetti's "mom & Pop" restaurant now open 38 years strong. I would be an family outcast if I was ever seen enjoying Olive Garden or Tony's.

 

[goofyintoronto]

I'm one who will not return for a variety of reasons.

If you have to leave the park early due to party, my preference would be to stay until 7 so I got my day's worth from my ticket ....

And then to use my Table Credit look at -

- The Wave at Contemporary
- Kona or Ohana at Polynesian
- 1900 Park Fair or Grand Floridian Cafe at GF
- or more likely I would grab the bus to Disney Springs and enjoy that area for the evening.

I agree with this 100%. I'd stay at MK til 7pm, then take myself and my family elsewhere for dinner. The Wave is a hidden gem. That place is simply devine. Love it. GF is also quite good. My first pick though would be to go to Disney Springs for the night. Have dinner, look around. There are a ton of restaurant options now!

Not a fan of this place at all. The service was nice but the food was just down right gosh awful. It makes the Olive Garden seem like a 5 star restaurant. With you leaving the park that late I'd have to agree with others and recommend one of the restaurants nearby at one of the resorts.

Yup. And I agree. Food at Tony's is awful. I tried my DS meatball and I couldnt swallow it. Yes it was that bad. And I wanted to add that I didnt like the atmosphere/theme here at all. I found it very cold and uninviting.

 

[fifthdimensiondweller]

We've always enjoyed Tony's. Like others have said, it's more of an Americanized Italian but I think it tastes very good and the service is usually great.

 

[Alicefan]

Oh my goodness, my Grandma Benedetti is rolling over in her grave right now with such blasphemy. Nobody could cook Italian like grandma Benedetti; Her recipes came with her across the ocean and still are being used today in my Uncle Benedetti's "mom & Pop" restaurant now open 38 years strong. I would be an family outcast if I was ever seen enjoying Olive Garden or Tony's.

Lmao! Crushed tomatoes!!!

 

[bloomjes]

Has anyone tried to do the patio seating for the Festival of Fantasy parade/lunch? Just curious if you were successful in getting good seating - that for me would be totally worth it

 

[Judith nims]

We have a lunch reservation at Tony's the middle of October It is a package with reserved viewing for the electric parade. I now see that the parade is leaving. They are still selling this package. Any thoughts on whether another parade is planned? it is my grandson's 5th birthday and this is the best we could find.

 

[jaiminee krikit]

My family and I were pleasantly surprised by Tony's this past summer. I was one of those who refused to go here because of the reviews I'd read on here and other sites. But on our last day at MK, I was exhausted and wanted to have someone serve us dinner. Tony's was the only ADR I could get, and it would cost around the same as Pinocchio Village Haus, so we gave it a try. We were seated quite quickly. Our server was absolutely lovely - so sweet and energetic, but a little forgetful. I was just glad to put my feet up, so it didn't bother me too much. The bread service I will admit, was terrible. The bread was flavorless and hard. We ordered 2 flatbread pizzas to split between 3 of us. It was nearly 1 pizza too much - but 1 wouldn't have been enough. We didn't get dessert there (I do regret that because I've heard many good things). But we will be back! The pizzas were quite tasty! And I just love the motif of the restaurant. Lady and the Tramp was my favorite Disney movie when I was a kid, and this restaurant was too cute. We were seated right next to the window overlooking Lady and the Tramp on their date. So sweet!

 

[JerseyJanice]

It would be hard for me to try Tony's or Hollywood & Vine.

I have read so many bad reviews of both restaurants, I just don't want to take a chance on either. Vacations are short; I don't spend my time and money in a place that as poorly received as these two.

 

[2hapykdz]

I need to use one more table service credit. For our trip next week. I'm still looking for a few things to open, but I was able to get a Tony's dinner at 5:55 on a night we would be leaving at 7 the park because we aren't doing the Halloween party. I thought the menu looked good and I don't have an other Italian restaurants planned. What has been your experience with the food and service?

Tony's gets killed a lot...especially by the Dis guys. Their red sauce could be a whole lot better than it is! We were there 2 years ago on Free Dining....the atmosphere is awesome.....the service was pretty good....the food....was 50/50. I had braised lamb shank with polenta and it was OUTRAGEOUS!!! Wife had Ckn parm and kids had spaghetti and meatball......it's pretty hard to screw those up....but they did. Ckn was like an inch thick.....mealy and tasteless....and the red sauce is very acidic and the cheese is a lower quality mozz that didn't taste or melt right. I have the pistachio creme brulee for dessert...AMAZING...but wife and kids had ice cream that was forgetable. My advice....order something "non-red sauce based.....Prima vera....alfredo.....fish...and you'll be fine. And ask if they still have the pistachio creme brulee...sometimes its the chefs selection. Good luck!

 

[DizDaD7]

I need to use one more table service credit. For our trip next week. I'm still looking for a few things to open, but I was able to get a Tony's dinner at 5:55 on a night we would be leaving at 7 the park because we aren't doing the Halloween party. I thought the menu looked good and I don't have an other Italian restaurants planned. What has been your experience with the food and service?

To be honest...We went back in the day, & it was terrible....From the place to the service to the Food......I hope since 2006 it has changed, but not quite sure..

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I admit it's been years, but it stands out as one of the worst places. I felt like I was eating Chef Boy R Dee and while Lady and the Tramp might have loved that I was disgusted LOL!

 

[Alicefan]

Back in the 90's this place was the bomb! I actually had one of the best steaks that I've ever had here. BUT I have to say that I've not been able to recreate that meal since. I do still like the place but I miss the quality that they used to have...and have I mentioned the sundried tomato pesto that they used to give you? OMG that was the best stuff EVER!

 

[Kbendig]

We went using the DDP for the electrical parade package. It was terrible. The server was rude, we had a split stay so there was an issue with the dining plan kicking in. When it showed not on the dining plan I said "oh, no problem, we will just pay and fix it at the hotel later." He came over and practically shoved the thing in my face to show me it said 0. Yes, I see that. We have a split stay, I believe you. After the appetizer he took all my utensils and napkin. I got the food and had to wait a long time until I saw someone walk by to ask for another set. The food was even worse, I could barely eat it. Look, yes I am Italian from NJ but that aside it was just bad food. And cold. My husband tried some and he was shocked at how cold it was. Not even room temperature. Would have asked for another thing but I didn't see a server until the rest of the family was done. My husband, to be fair, loved his meal and it was hot. Until, that is, what we refer to as Tony's Revenge happened at 2AM.

Getting to sit right in the front with small kids for the parade? That was worth the cost. Otherwise it was the only disappointing meal I have had in Disney.