Underrated/Overrated: Restaurants Edition

[NeuroCindy]

I love Chicago Style pizza but it is a completely different animal - much more of a full meal than a to-go option

Like comparing pie to cake

For deep dish that's definitely true. There is a distinct chicago-style thin crust too.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

For deep dish that's definitely true. There is a distinct chicago-style thin crust too.

That's true - and some really good ones. Guess I was thinking of "traditional Chicago styye pizza"

 

[FeaturePresentation]

Underrated: La Hacienda de San Angel. San Angel Inn probably gets more attention because of the great atmosphere, but La Hacienda has better food IMO, and catching Illuminations there is a sight to behold.

Overrated: Sci Fi Diner. I like the atmosphere pretty well, but the food is disappointing. Getting the backseat in a car and watching someone else watch movies isn't that great either.

 

[disneysteve]

Without giving this a great deal of thought:

Overrated: Via Napoli. Ate there for the first time last month. The pizza, which I've heard so many raves about, was awful. Wet, soggy, and disgusting. Why Disney can't produce a decent pizza is beyond me.

Underrated: Pecos Bill's. I think their chicken fajita platter, embellished with salsa and guac from the toppings bar, is one of the best meals and best values on property. (but don't go telling everyone or else it will get smaller, more expensive, and less good)

 

[SorcererHeidi]

Now - I have to start with the caveat that I have not been to Disney in 4 years, so a LOT has changed since then. But - based on my experiences back then, I'd have to say

UnderRated - Somebody said Olivia's at Old Key West, and I have to agree. Have eaten there MANY times since the early 90's, and it's always been good to great, especially CM's, who always seem welcoming. It's also been very easy as a walkup/in, or trying to get seated earlier than ADR. Even at busiest times, I've had either the same or maybe a bit longer of a wait than "normal even with ADR" times @ other, more popular places where you always have a wait. Food has always been nicely prepared and plated, and what has not been imaginative and different has been comfort and homestyle.

OverRated - Have pretty much always had just "meh" food @ California Grill the times I've eaten there, ESPECIALLY considering the price point. Were it not for the incredible view, and usually good (and I stress usually - there have been times when it hasn't been that great) service, the only time I would go there would be at someone else's request.

 

[Aerin75]

I'm insulted that in a comment about pizzas you didn't mention Chicago.

As a Chicago girl originally, I concur!

Underrated - although I know it recently got a better review, Grand Floridian Café. It's our go to place, so I was surprised to hear it was disliked as much as it was until recently.

Overrated - I have a tie. Le Cellier - food was okay, the cheddar cheese soup was a bit too "beery" for me. But the steak wasn't up to what we were expecting for a signature restaurant.
Second is Chef Mickey's. It was pretty good, but I was expecting a bit more for how popular it is.

 

[disneysteve]

It has been said on the show numerous times that most Disney restaurants wouldn't survive if you picked them up and moved them into the real world. Their biggest selling point is location. Take that away and you're left with mediocre over-priced food in most cases.

 

[Aerin75]

It has been said on the show numerous times that most Disney restaurants wouldn't survive if you picked them up and moved them into the real world. Their biggest selling point is location. Take that away and you're left with mediocre over-priced food in most cases.

Haven't listened long enough to hear that, but it totally makes sense! For the most part, we've thought that the food was really good, and yeah...it probably had to do with the Disney Bubble. Plus, we did the Dining Plan so we didn't necessarily notice cost.

 

[samsteele]

Underrated - a tie betw Sanaa at Kidani Village and Marrakesh in Epcot. Sanaa is the high(est) quality food & presentation one will find at WDW w/o paying Signature prices. Some folks are worried that this is spicy hot Indian food. It isn't. It is tamed for North American palates. You can also get a great strip steak here and bypass the more themed dishes if you wish. Def get the full bread service as either an appie to share or as cheap filling lunch for one. Fun & flavourful. Marrakesh is just not at the same food & presentation level as Sanaa, but the decor & entertainment are very, very good and help swing the balance. Bonus points for the convenience of in-park dining. Again, guests are worried the food is spicy hot. It isn't & is tame.

Overrated - Ohana. @TheMaxRebo hit the nail on the head. It is not consistently good. Guests go in with big expectations because of word of mouth & difficulty securing an ADR. Often the restaurant can't meet those expectations.

 

[disneysteve]

Haven't listened long enough to hear that, but it totally makes sense! For the most part, we've thought that the food was really good, and yeah...it probably had to do with the Disney Bubble. Plus, we did the Dining Plan so we didn't necessarily notice cost.

We've never done the dining plan (nor would we) so when we eat on property, we're paying cash.

At Via Napoli last month, we got one pizza, a salad for 2, one soda and one glass of wine. The bill came to $74!!! And the pizza wasn't even good. That meal would have been acceptable at $40-45 but it was absurd at that price. That place wouldn't last 90 days in any big city in the US.

 

[Tonyz]

Weird that people are saying Chef Mickey's is overrated. Doesn't it have a horrible reputation already? (And people, stop saying Sanaa is underrated. The less people that go there the better!)

Underrated: The Wave. Never gets mentioned in discussions of great places to eat. While the ambiance is nothing special, definitely one of the best one-credit table services on property.

Overrated: Chefs de France. Terrible meal, terrible service. How it gets such high marks is beyond me.

 

[gmboy95]

The amazing thing for me is that the "overrated" category, usually always revolves around $$$$.....for example, i could not get over the price at California Grille, the food was good, but for that ridiculous price i should have had an extraordinary meal and it was not........on the flip side, I ate a couple of weeks ago at Jiko and found the quality of the food lived up to the ridiculous cost.....but it would be very difficult for me to say any of the high end restaurants are underrated because of the cost

 

[disneysteve]

The amazing thing for me is that the "overrated" category, usually always revolves around $$$$.

I think price is a big factor in whether or not a place's reputation is deserved. My expectations are different for a $20 meal than they are for a $50 meal or for a $100 meal. If I go for a $100 meal and get served a $20 meal, I'm going to be disappointed.

 

[Aerin75]

Weird that people are saying Chef Mickey's is overrated. Doesn't it have a horrible reputation already? (And people, stop saying Sanaa is underrated. The less people that go there the better!)

I ate there before really getting into the DIS and had seen Chef Mickeys as "the" character meal. So that's why for me

 

[gmboy95]

I think price is a big factor in whether or not a place's reputation is deserved. My expectations are different for a $20 meal than they are for a $50 meal or for a $100 meal. If I go for a $100 meal and get served a $20 meal, I'm going to be disappointed.

This is what frustrates my wife and kids....i guess I have never been able to wrap my mind around a $100 meal....I do become a surly curmudgeon during the meal...i have learned to bite my tongue, but it does drive me crazy.....of course I remember the days when spam sandwiches were a sunday morning staple as a kid LOL

 

[samsteele]

(And people, stop saying Sanaa is underrated. The less people that go there the better!)

I'm more worried that Sanaa will up & close. Maybe get some nasty Frozen on the Safari make-over.
I've been 4x and it was not even half full.
Same with Marrakesh. Rarely I have ever seen it even at 1/3 capacity.
Great restaurants but struggling. Maybe some good word of mouth might keep the doors open?

 

[TheMaxRebo]

The amazing thing for me is that the "overrated" category, usually always revolves around $$$$.....for example, i could not get over the price at California Grille, the food was good, but for that ridiculous price i should have had an extraordinary meal and it was not........on the flip side, I ate a couple of weeks ago at Jiko and found the quality of the food lived up to the ridiculous cost.....but it would be very difficult for me to say any of the high end restaurants are underrated because of the cost

I think price is a big factor in whether or not a place's reputation is deserved. My expectations are different for a $20 meal than they are for a $50 meal or for a $100 meal. If I go for a $100 meal and get served a $20 meal, I'm going to be disappointed.

I do think there is a difference between "overrated" and "disappointed" .... for example, I wasn't "disappointed" with our meal at Chef Mickey's but I still fee it is a bit "overrated" given the hype and crowds and challenge in getting ADRs at time

On the flip side, I actually think Jiko is underrated as not as many people talk about it compared to other signatures and the experience/food is better there than at many others. But I also don't think it is underpriced or anything

So I guess for me price has more to do with satisfaction than over/underrated. Like, I recall our meal at Victoria and Albert's and totally thought it was worth the money and I was fully satisfied - but I would say that makes it underrated or anything

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I'm more worried that Sanaa will up & close. Maybe get some nasty Frozen on the Safari make-over.
I've been 4x and it was not even half full.
Same with Marrakesh. Rarely I have ever seen it even at 1/3 capacity.
Great restaurants but struggling. Maybe some good word of mouth might keep the doors open?

I have never seen Marrakesh full, but I have seen Sanaa full.

MG

 

[disneysteve]

.i guess I have never been able to wrap my mind around a $100 meal

I have no trouble paying $100 for a meal - but I need to get a $100 meal when I do. I think the problem at Disney is that they often serve a $40 meal but charge $100.

This is one reason why we generally don't do TS meals at Disney. We find them disappointing for the price. If we want a really good meal, we have more than enough places at home where we can do that.

 

[disneysteve]

I do think there is a difference between "overrated" and "disappointed"

I see overrated as a place that everyone raves about and gets great reviews and when we go there, we're underwhelmed by the food and/or service and/or find the meal just wasn't worth the price.