What happened to Chef Mickey's?

[LeeAnn]

Just looked at the menu and there is nothing there. All the good things gone. Where's the sushi? Is this temporary? Don't think it's worth it to go now.

 

[Ratzo]

What do you mean sushi? Are you confusing Chef Mickey's with The California Grill?

 

[LeeAnn]

They had sushi. California Rolls. We all enjoy it. Wasn't much of it. Always running out when we were there and not replacing it. Also, loved the macaroons. Don't think it's there anymore too. There used to be some much more of selections. Now, it just lists just a few. Like it's less than half than it used by. Was there last 2 years ago. I couldn't image that drastic of a change.

For those who have just eaten at Chef Mickey's, what do you think of your experience there? The food? Was it worth it for you?

Thanks.

 

[melanielll]

We ate brunch there in December. The food was fine. It was definitely not great.

We ate there because my daughter said she had been wanting to eat there for over 10 years and had never mentioned it before.

It was - to me - the worst of our dining experiences on this trip. It wasn't terrible - I just felt that, for what we paid, it was not worth it. The food was fine. Nothing great, but everything we ate was tasty. I would say the food was a 6-7 on a buffet scale of things. The desserts were just blah. Also - we don't eat a lot, so volume does not impress me.

Outside of the food, it was chaotic and a bit dirty. That spinning the napkins in the air was part of the dirt problem - food was flying during that. The character interactions were rushed. One of the characters was actually sticky - I am hoping from syrup. Our waitress could have been straight out of Denny's.

For me, the value wan't there. We also ate at CRT. It only cost a little bit more and the experience (and the food ) was outstanding.

 

[DisneyHardin]

What is listed on the "menu" is just a sampling of what could be there that night. There is variation.

 

[Mousemommy1]

We ate brunch there in December. The food was fine. It was definitely not great.

We ate there because my daughter said she had been wanting to eat there for over 10 tears and had never mentioned it before.

It was - to me - the worst of our dining experiences on this trip. It wasn't terrible - I just felt that, for what we paid, it was not worth it. The food was fine. Nothing great, but everything we ate was tasty. I would say the food was a 6-7 on a buffet scale of things. The desserts were just blah. Also - we don't eat a lot, so volume does not impress me.

Outside of the food, it was chaotic and a bit dirty. That spinning the napkins in the air was part of the dirt problem - food was flying during that. The character interactions were rushed. One of the characters was actually sticky - I am hoping from syrup. Our waitress could have been straight out of Denny's.

For me, the value wan't there. We also ate at CRT. It only cost a little bit more and the experience (and the food ) was outstanding.

Word for word...I could have written this about our 3 experiences there....Alas, we are looking to make a breakfast reservation in August for our 2 year old who has yet to experience the wonder of Chef Mickey's, LOL. He loves the Fab 5 and our older girls are like "do we have too???".

Oh, the sacrifices they make for their brother.

 

[Ratzo]

My son loves Chef Mickey's but I refuse to "waste" a dinner experience when there are so many better options. The breakfast selection was fine.

 

[LeeAnn]

When did the menu change?

I know it is just what may be there but in the past the list was much, much longer. Quite disappointing. Wondering if its been a while. Then I think it will stay that way. Hoping it a temporary. I know what it was like the ine past and that will be missed.

 

[BabyHabs]

I don't think many people eat at Chef Mickey's for the food.

 

[goofyintoronto]

I don't think many people eat at Chef Mickey's for the food.

LOL! Exactly! This is so true. Its definitely more for the characters. I cant recall reading on these boards "omg the food was amazing". Honestly the food sucks. The napkin waving is annoying. Its so bloody loud. BUT, people seem to flock here because of the fab 5.

 

[msjprincess]

Where did you see the menu? The sample menu on the Disney website is very basic.


I agree, with not going there for the food. For us it's become a tradition. It's one of our first meals and we buy the picture. I have to say in all the times I've eaten there I've never seen any type of sushi roll. I'm not saying they never had it, but it must have been pretty recent that it started.

 

[LeeAnn]

The California Rolls have been there a few times I visited Chef Mickey's. The reason I looked at the menu was someone just returned from the Chef Mickey to tell me it was not like it used to be. That the California Rolls were gone, along with many dishes and the desert selection was small. I thought it was just a flute thing. But when I looked at the menu, it was much shorter.

While the menu was not top notch, there were a few tasty items that we looked forward to. Yes, the characters is why we went but we would not go back if there was nothing good to eat.

I'm hoping maybe it's because it's a slow time of year. We usually go in August. Hoping it improves. Was wondering at people's recent experience (especially for those went a few times in the past).

 

[LeeAnn]

Went to look for an old menu. Started to think, maybe I exaggerated the abundance of selections but I came across an old menu which showed what I used to experience.

This is from 2/16 (about a year ago).

Sample Menu - Actual Items May Be Different

Seasonal Salad Selection
Cesar Salad with focaccia croutons
Premium Salad Bar and Soup Du Jour
Soup such as Chicken and Rice and Beef Barley

California & Spicy Salmon-Tuna Rolls
Peel & Eat Shrimp

On The Carving Board

Specialty Carved Item like Spiced-rubbed carved beef and Oven-roasted turkey will be featured

Chef's Buffet Specials Of The Day

Oven Roasted Chicken with Bourbon BBQ Sauce
Mango BBQ Pork Ribs
Creole seasoned halibut with red rice
Chicken, chorizo & shrimp etouffee with white rice
Baked Salmon Fillet with mango chili chutney and rice
Braised short-ribs with creamy polenta
Orecchiette Pasta with vegetables, garlic oil, and goat cheese

Wonderful Accompaniments

Parmesan Mashed Potatoes
Mickey Cheese Ravioli and Marinara Sauce
Chorizo Red Beans and white rice
Green Beans with a mushroom cream sauce
Broccoli with Cheese Sauce
Eggplant Parmesan

Children's Favorites

Chef Mickey's Macaroni and Cheese
Goofy's Cheese Pizza
Chicken Nuggets
Pluto's Chicken
"Minnie" Corn Dogs
Meatballs in Marinara Sauce

Save Room For The Fabulous "Create Your Own" Sundae And Dessert Bar

Rice Krispy Treats
Peach Cobbler
Warm Bread Pudding
Seasonal Melon
Fresh Fruit Display
Chocolate Chip Cookies
"Minnie's" Chocolate & Red Velvet Cupcake
Key Lime and Seasonal Fruit Tarts

And this is from 1/17:

Fresh Mixed Fruit Salad
Chef Mickey's Seasonal Salad Selection
Peel-n-Eat Shrimp

Beef-Port Short Ribs
Farmhouse Polenta
Lemon-Pepper Chicken
Carving Station Selections
Eggplant Parmesan
Baked Salmon with Herb Butter
Mango Barbecue Pork Ribs

Minnie's Sweets & Treats
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Create-Your-Own Sundae Bar
Key Lime and Seasonal Fruit Tarts


Guess, this is permanent. I'm bummed.

 

[melanielll]

Well - "pay more, get less" seems to be their unofficial motto these days. Maybe they will open up an upcharge buffet tier there.

 

[goofy4prez]

LOL! Exactly! This is so true. Its definitely more for the characters. I cant recall reading on these boards "omg the food was amazing". Honestly the food sucks. The napkin waving is annoying. Its so bloody loud. BUT, people seem to flock here because of the fab 5.

Winner, winner chicken dinner! I couldn't agree anymore. IMO, one of the most miserable dining experiences anywhere, including outside of Disney World. This is not saying much, but I'd take Golden Corral any day over CM.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Oh, i forgot to add one more point. For what they charge for CM, its honestly not worth it at all. All that money your spending on not-so-good food, you're better off saving that for a better meal some place else.

 

[cmph]

Maybe they will open up an upcharge buffet tier there.

Snorting my coffee at that!!

We have avoided it b/c of the food rep, but now I'm even more horrified b/c of the dirty napkin food-bits-flinging. ick ick ick.

 

[JerseyMama11]

We ate at Chef Mickey's for dinner last week (1/17) and the changes you mentioned are accurate. We had been over the summer - I remember the sushi rolls, an antipasto type salad with mozzarella; meatballs, corn dogs and pizza for the kids. all of those are gone. Of course we go for the characters and not the food, but my DH did ask to speak to the manager. He let the manager know how disappointed we were with the changes, especially the kids options (the only choices for kids were chicken fingers, mac & cheese and corn). i hope they go back to the old menu.

there were still macaroons and mini-eclairs at dessert, as well as warm bread pudding, rice crispy treats and other assorted cupcakes, etc.

 

[shruley]

We ate at Chef Mickey's for dinner last week (1/17) and the changes you mentioned are accurate. We had been over the summer - I remember the sushi rolls, an antipasto type salad with mozzarella; meatballs, corn dogs and pizza for the kids. all of those are gone. Of course we go for the characters and not the food, but my DH did ask to speak to the manager. He let the manager know how disappointed we were with the changes, especially the kids options (the only choices for kids were chicken fingers, mac & cheese and corn). i hope they go back to the old menu.

there were still macaroons and mini-eclairs at dessert, as well as warm bread pudding, rice crispy treats and other assorted cupcakes, etc.

Sorry to be a bother, but on your most recent visit, was there a salad bar like plain lettuce and toppings and dressings and such? Or the Parm mashed potatoes or Caesar salad still there? We've eaten there several times in the past, the food was always "fine" to us. But besides the characters, I was trying to pick more buffets as I have some picky kids, and typically this buffet was a winner because it had lots of "plain" food. Shredded cheese, fruit, mashed potatoes, the bigger selection on the kids bar. My kids don't want eggplant and polenta???? And while they are happy with most typical kids food (pizza, corn dogs, meatballs would all be good) chicken fingers are the 1 food NONE of them like. Why reduce the offerings on a kids buffet where the main people you are targeting are kids? isn't that some of the cheaper food to offer?

 

[JerseyMama11]

Sorry to be a bother, but on your most recent visit, was there a salad bar like plain lettuce and toppings and dressings and such? Or the Parm mashed potatoes or Caesar salad still there? We've eaten there several times in the past, the food was always "fine" to us. But besides the characters, I was trying to pick more buffets as I have some picky kids, and typically this buffet was a winner because it had lots of "plain" food. Shredded cheese, fruit, mashed potatoes, the bigger selection on the kids bar. My kids don't want eggplant and polenta???? And while they are happy with most typical kids food (pizza, corn dogs, meatballs would all be good) chicken fingers are the 1 food NONE of them like. Why reduce the offerings on a kids buffet where the main people you are targeting are kids? isn't that some of the cheaper food to offer?

they definitely had Caesar Salad and various other salads (Kale, Spinach, etc) - though I don't remember plain lettuce. I agree - I could not believe the kids choices were so limited! After my DH complained the manager, the waiter offered to have pizza or a cheeseburger made for my son. they could not do the corn dogs because they didn't have them.