What happened to Jiko?

[Norm1]

We just left Jiko's and was more than disappointed. The menu has changed and my favorite entree, short ribs, was one of the many items left off. Nothing seemed appealing so I ordered the Filet Mignon and the mac & cheese. The steak was less than ordinary and the mac & cheese was not much better than from a box.
I told my displeasure to the waiter and a manager and they apologized and brought me a pistashio creme brulee which they said was also off the menu.

Jiko has always been my favorite and I make it a point to eat there every trip. I know that sometimes you hit a bad night but at $41 a plate you should expect consistancy.

Has anyone else ate there recently and experienced this or is it just me? I hope it was a bad night because I will be very, very disappointed.

 

[TDC Nala]

They just got a new head chef a couple of months ago. He's been revamping the menu. I'm waiting to try it. I won't miss the short ribs but I have a friend who will.

 

[kdfogliano]

I was just there about 2 weeks ago and felt the same.
The first time we went (about 4 years ago) it was Great, this time not so much and I had the same dish u did,

also our waiter was not friendly or nice

 

[Belle5]

You are not the first person to complain about this. I know we are now steering clear of what used to be our favorite restaurant until reports improve. How dare they touch my short ribs!!!

 

[prttynpnk]

Is the new menu published here?

 

[Burnt Toast]

Short ribs. Go to Sanaa.

 

[CJK]

I noticed that my beloved shrimp curry pasta is now gone too.....*sigh* We were going to go to celebrate our anniversary, and I was already dreaming of this dish. I'm SOOOOO disappointed.

 

[TillyMarigold]

Shrimp curry pasta?! I don't remember any shrimp curry pasta! Are you talking about the Swahili shrimp curry stew served over coconut rice? That was gone when we were back in May, they had a different shrimp curry dish that didn't sound as good.

 

[CJK]

Shrimp curry pasta?! I don't remember any shrimp curry pasta! Are you talking about the Swahili shrimp curry stew served over coconut rice? That was gone when we were back in May, they had a different shrimp curry dish that didn't sound as good.

It was shrimp curry with bow tie pasta. I had it last September and then also two yrs before that as well. It was hands down my favourite dish in all of Disney. I have no idea what to order this time. Anyone have any recommendations from the new menu? I love spicy food.

 

[TillyMarigold]

You did? I had the shrimp curry pasta over coconut rice in September 2009 (the 11th), here is a picture of it:

 

[CJK]

You did? I had the shrimp curry pasta over coconut rice in September 2009 (the 11th), here is a picture of it:

Isn't that strange?? I'm not a big rice fan, so I'd never order it if it had come with rice. I'm trying to think of the exact date, and it had to be around the last week of September.

 

[sweetsusannah]

That stinks! We were so excited to try it next month. I am thinking we should cancel and pick something else now. It cost us even a little more since DD will go to Simba's Clubhouse for dinner. I hate to drop that kind of dime and be disappointed when we can just take her to Sanna with us.

 

[tinacaplan]

When we ate there in February, which I realize was prior to the change in chefs, it was the most disappointing of all the signatures. I completely agree with a PP's assessment of the mac and cheese with the fliet; it tasted more or less like Kraft! Its a shame, too, because we had wonderful service and love AKL.

 

[Trinityloo]

Funny, we went in January, also before the new chef and we wondered what all the fuss was about. I had the short ribs and they were okay but not great. Neither was the ostrich appetizer or the tandoori butter that everybody seems to rave about. Jiko was the least favourite of the signatures we tried including Cali Grill, Citricos, Flying Fish and Hollywood Brown Derby. I guess everything`s a matter of personal taste.

 

[tinacaplan]

Funny, we went in January, also before the new chef and we wondered what all the fuss was about. I had the short ribs and they were okay but not great. Neither was the ostrich appetizer or the tandoori butter that everybody seems to rave about. Jiko was the least favourite of the signatures we tried including Cali Grill, Citricos, Flying Fish and Hollywood Brown Derby. I guess everything`s a matter of personal taste.

Sounds like we had very similar trips! We really thought the food was just OK, nothing great, especially after the rave reviews I had read here and elsewhere. We tried one of their flatbreads and I truly didn't think it was nearly as flavorful as the one we had at Cali Grill.

 

[Vijoge]

Oh, my, this is distressing to hear. First I find that Mickey won't be visiting our table at Chef Mickey's and now that our beloved Jiko is becoming mediocre. Add that to the fact that ToonTown is history and WDW is looking less and less attractive.

 

[jenjersnap]

This is disheartening. I was hoping a new chef would bring new and equally great things to our favorite signature. This makes me wonder if I should change our adr too. I wonder if Sanaa has any openings left?

 

[jiminyfan]

we were there in July and it was still excellent, went back in August (after free food started) and it was very disappointing. The Ostrich went from an appetizer last year to an Entree in July to off the menu in August. Waiter said it got too expensive, I was like ok. Then why not just return it to the appetizer.

I did notice the steak was also not up to normal standards. It seems once free food kicks in all menus are dumbed down. Artist Point the Buffalo went from a filet to a strip. At Studios the Braised beef ribs were removed from the menu at Fairfax. Many love free food deals, but those who want a higher level of culinary delights suffer from it. We had ressies for Jiko for our October trip and dropped them. Still keeping AP as the Buffalo was still very good and the Salmon was awesome.

I am sure once the free food stops the better menus will return.

I am not a big fan of the new Jikp Chef as it seemed EVERYTHING had an Asian-Fusion twist to it.

 

[Vijoge]

I am not a big fan of the new Jikp Chef as it seemed EVERYTHING had an Asian-Fusion twist to it.

Not what I'm going to Jiko for!

 

[robinm1215]

I had a great dinner there in May -- not sure if that was before or after the new chef though.

Shrimp curry pasta?! I don't remember any shrimp curry pasta! Are you talking about the Swahili shrimp curry stew served over coconut rice? That was gone when we were back in May, they had a different shrimp curry dish that didn't sound as good.

Yup, the Swahili curry shrimp was my absolute favorite dish and it wasn't on the menu when I was there in May. There was some kind of seafood stew with shrimp in it but it didn't sound the same. However, I had the lamb dish which was very good.

I've had that shrimp dish about 4 different times over the last 2 years and don't remember it ever coming with pasta either. It looked just like the picture you posted!

The menu on the Disney World website is from July and has a shrimp dish that sounds very similar -- Grilled Shrimp Curry with Citrus-Coconut Basmati, summer vegetables, and Durban Curry sauce. I'm hoping this is the same dish (or very similar) under a different name. I sort of remember that the first time I ordered this is was called Durban Curry Shrimp and the next time I was there it was called something else but was essentially the same dish. Hope this is still on the menu in October so I can try it!