What's a TX girl to do... no Mexican?

[Texian@WDW]

Don't waste your time or money on SAI. Here is my review from Oct.:

San Angel Inn All agreed this was the WORST meal ever had ANYWHERE! I should have picked up on the first clue when I saw bags of Tostitos Chips for sale out by the restaurant entrance. We were seated by the river (so far so good). The waitress brought everyone but us the chips and hot sauce and it sat on the tray right behind my DD for about 10 minutes before she came back and gave them to us. Low and behold they were TOSTITOS chips that I buy right here at my local grocery! The service was so poor too. Anyway, we ordered the Queso Fundido which was ok, but not worth the price. I orderd the Mexican Plate which was the sorryest excuse for Mexican food ever! Flour tortillas with melted cheese, chicken and I think one was supposded to be fajitas but were so burned, I couldn't eat it. The black beans are supposed to be refried, but trust me, they are not and you only get about 2 tablespoons of beans and rice and about 1 tbls of guacamole. It really was the most disgusting meal I've ever had. Granted I am from Texas and we have some of the most wonderful Mexican food anywhere, but this is an embarrassment to Mexicans and Mexican-Americans (IMHO). They have got to improve this restaurant DRASTICALLY before we will go again. I also figured out that they must not have fryers because nothing was fried! You cannot have traditional Mexican food and NOT fry anything - it's not right! Ok I'm done with my rant.

While you won't find good Tex-Mex anywhere other than Texas, (Chevy's is not good Tex-Mex IMO) you might find some good spicy dishes at the Coronado Springs restaurants.

 

[christygobar]

This is exactly why I don't eat mexican food anywhere else but in this state! There is just zero comparison.

I am out of town for work right now for the next 1 1/2 weeks and I tried some yesterday. It was fine (can you really mess up a quesadilla?) but was definitely NOT what I am used to

Best advice - stay strong! hee hee. Eat mexican food the day before you go and the day you come back and you juuuuuuuuuuust might make it

Edited to clarify, I just say mexican food when I do mean the Tex-Mex we get at home. Although, I would compare some of Baja Fresh's items similar to true Mexico/Mexican food.

 

[Angela Kay]

San Angel is definitely not Tex-Mex. Just have a Fiesta and you'll be fine.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

I don't know about Tex Mex, but I do eat authentic Mexican made by my boyfriend's best friend or his mom and I love it. Anyway, I really enjoyed San Angel Inn. I had the Sopa Azteca - it had tomatoes, tortilla strips, avocado and a whole poblano pepper in this flavorful broth. Yum. I also shared the Pescado with cactus strips in ranchero sauce- also excellent. As far as margaritas, I had a mango margarita there that was just fabulous!!!! It's a beautiful place. Why not order nachos and drinks and say you need more time to decide on an entree. If you truly don't like it you can say you'll skip the entree and just pay for the nachos and drinks. Just don't try this at a super busy time.

 

[profdsny]

Hard to find real Tex Mex outside of Texas. Chevy's is good Mexican, but not Texan. Fraid you'll have to pack a doggie bag from your favorite place at home before you go next time. OR, see if your favorite will overnight a meal frozen. I always thought that a good Tex-Mex place would do well there at WDW. Maybe some year.

 

[Brutie]

I love mexican food, but that tex-mex stuff just turns my tummy....

I havent tried the SAI but it sounds like its really gone downhill lately and it wont make my list of must do places on my trip next month.

 

[chamonix]

I love tex-mex, and I love traditional mexican, and yes I know the difference. Just wanted to mention our experience at SAI two years ago:
bad service
bad seats--NO ATMOSPHERE! We were seated far to the side, behind a wall! from the river/volcano area and the marketplace. We couldn't even see the river/volcano area, nor the marketplace area. Our table was smack up against the kitchen area (it seemed anyway) and crammed in so tight we couldn't even move our chairs without hitting other diners.
Food was pretty boring, no matter how you want to classify it. (lol) Perhaps we just ordered the wrong things? Next time we will try some of the dishes mentioned here.
Stale chips, when we could get any.

We will try again, not sure why, lol, but hope it was a fluke.

I mainly wanted to make this post so folks are aware you may be seated at tables that don't give you any of the wonderful "atmosphere" being touted here. Next time I will know to ask (and be willing to wait) to be seated elsewhere. (because the atmosphere is really nice, if you get seated in the open river/volcano/marketplace area!)

 

[idreamofdisney24/7]

Hello,

We always go to Don Pablo's on International Drive. If you have a rent a car its only 10 minutes away.

http://www.donpablos.com

Very good.

My husband and I love our fajitas!! We rent a car and go to Don Pablos on International Drive during every trip. We like it better than Chevy's.

 

[mrp4352]

Hail fellow Texan!!

If you can't leave property, I would stop at the Cantina outside of the Mexico pavillion, order nachos and a margarita. We've done that several times (um, usually starting about an hour to an hour and a half before Illuminations, with one person at the table while the other goes for nachos; then after the nachos are done, one goes back for flan and drink refills; whoops! Whaddayaknow, it's time for Illuminations!).

Another option is to go to SAI, but go at the latest lunch time for drinks and apps. They don't go too wrong with those...

 

[cdtommie]

My wife and I have been there several times and for us SAI falls in the extremely mediocre food category although the atmosphere is quite lovely. I think we're going to stay away for the next few trips. And the margaritas are really, really weak.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

My wife and I have been there several times and for us SAI falls in the extremely mediocre food category although the atmosphere is quite lovely. I think we're going to stay away for the next few trips. And the margaritas are really, really weak.

Everyone has different tastes, but I have to disagree with you on the last one! I think it depends on who is making them because mine was *STRONG* (and sweet) I drank one, and ordered a second halfway through. Well, 1/4 the way through my second, I had had it, had to give it to DBF! I was seeing stars *everywhere* not just on the ceiling!

 

[Sammie]

San Angel Inn is quite good. It is traditional Mexican food, not tex mex though. If you want tex mex you can probably hit the chevy's across the street from the marketplace area, if it is still open.

The Nachos, chips, salsa, all great at San Angel. The pork is fantastic.

Every region of Mexico has their own way of doing things, can't remember what region San Angel is. It is definately worth a shot though. And, the margarita's are good, lol.

You are definitely right about what it is.

San Angel Inn is owned and operated by the owners of the orginial in Mexico City, so it's definitely Mexican not Tex-Mex.

Unless one has truly experienced traditional Mexican food of that area I don't think it's fare to give SA Inn a bad review for not being Tex-Mex. It always amuses me people bash the Alfredo fettucine at Alfredo's, how is that possible it's the orginial. It is the Alfredo fettucine, every thing else are imposters.

We have always found the food to be exactly as we expected. Service is hit or miss as with all Disney restaurants.

 

[IDoDis]

I've learned never to eat Mexican food when I'm outside of New Mexico (with the exception of the Texas/El Paso/Mexico area). The food is not even close to being good. Instead, try some things that you wouldn't usually eat. Trust me... The last time I did this (and should have known better), there were peas in my rice and the chile sauce tasted like some kind of canned sauce blasted with paprika (not a hint of chile).

 

[5disneyfreaks]

As much as I love Mexican and Tex-Mex, San Angel is a no go for us. It just sounds too much like home. (San Angelo, Tx)
Honestly we won't go because we don't want to be disappointed. We don't want to try and compare it to what we are use to. Even though DH and I may have to ditch the DK's and get some nachos and 'ritas. (DH is in Korea and is having major Tex-Mex and Mexican withdraws. It will be his first stop after coming home. )

 

[IDoDis]

(DH is in Korea and is having major Tex-Mex and Mexican withdraws. It will be his first stop after coming home. )

That happened to me when I went to England for a semester of college. I was having major red chile withdrawls! A girl in the room next to me was from New Mexico, too and going through it, as well. I had my sister mail me a bag of red chile powder and I was lucky enough to find some tortillas in England at a store! They were canned, but at that point, I'd take anything! We made enchiladas that night which were the BEST I'd ever had (or so I thought because I was so desperate).

 

[Tissa]

Just say NO!!!

Texans don't let fellow Texans eat at SAI

 

[wdwbeforetn]

Yall are so funny! I'm sure I'm going to love all the food at WDW, I'll just have my dose of TX-Mex before I leave....ha! Maybe a Chipolte burrito for lunch and a margartita (or 2 ) the night before!

 

[Aimeedyan]

Just say NO!!!

Texans don't let fellow Texans eat at SAI

Have to say 'Amen' to this!

Just don't do it!