Which chain restaurant, please?

[disneyfan888]

You're forgetting the exceptional gastronomic delights offered by Denney's, and IHOP.

You also let out P.F. Changs

 

[waldiddy]

You could go to the olive garden and get probably better food than at Tony's town Square or mama melrose.

I'll take your word for it, as I've never eaten at those places (at least lunch/dinner ... the grand gathering breakfast at Tony's was really good though. You'll note that I didn't mention Tony's or Mama Melrose in the original post.

You were impressed by Crystal Palace? Seriously? exactly what was impressive? The menu is routine, Peel and eat shrimp? I did like the fact they tried a few ethnic dishes like thai but seriously it was pretty average. Roasted turkey? pretty boring, cheese pizza? a very dry prime rib.

Well, I think you're seletively choosing some offerings at the CP. Surely no one would expect the cheese pizza off the kid's buffet table to be a gastronimic surprise. If it were, it's likely the intended audience wouldn't touch it. And, yes, peel & eat shrimp isn't really special.

There's been so many meals, you'll forgive me if some details are hazy or if I'm overly vague. We were impressed, in all the buffets, by the array of cold salads. Things with couscous or soy nuts & oriental ingredients.. .flavors you just don't see in buffet restaurants in the real world. Today, for example, the Biergarten had a wonderful salmon cold salad with cucumber. It was fantastic.

Maybe where you live, you can find offerings like this in restaurants .. sadly, in central NC, it's pretty tough unless you go upscale and ala carte.

We don't have many chain restaurants that are buffets but at 37 bucks a person, the food was no better than my local cheesecake factory (actually my local cheese cake factory has better salads)

Exactly right about chains that are buffets with any quality.. I don't think there any chains in this price category or at this level of quality. The only chain buffets I can think that comes close are Golden Corral or Fire Mountain, which are so awful, just thinking about it makes me feel sick.

Maybe Disney should build chain restaurants the same way they've built a chain of stores for their merchandise.

Never been to Chefs de France but since I've been to Paris and Southern France I refuse to try it because I know I'll be disappointing.

I'm sure you're referring to the food being disappointing, not yourself

Right outside of DTD you will find quite a few steakhouses, there is definitely an outbacks. Once again, the only thing Le Cellier has going for it is the cheddar soup. I totally give them kudos for that but since I go to a steakhouse for the steak, well you can understand my frustration. We went to Outbacks for fathers day and the prime rib was just as good.

i get your point about French food. I rarely order steak anywhere after eating at Indian Cliffs in El Paso a few years back. But, for those of unfortunate enough to never have visited France, surely an occasional lunch at Chefs de France will do in a pinch.

Let's see crystal Palace, if you have a car try going to Celebrations town Tavern, it's about 8 miles from the world. Excellent food.

Well, the next time we're down here, I'll certainly visit there. Unfortunately, we live far away from Kissimmee.

I'm very much like you, I'd gladly pay 30 bucks a plate. I have no problem with that and in fact when I go on vacation I pretty much expect prices to be inflated. what I hate is when you pay that money and the food is so-so. I can honestly say I've never had a terrible meal but doesn't that make you sad when the best thing that can be said about a restaurant is that the food is not "horrible"?

I stand by my assesment, unless you do a signature meal, disney food is mediocre at best.

You know, most theme parks dish out horrible awful and expensive food. Disney's certainly qualifies in the latter category, but we came away from every meal we had this week never saying anything remotely like 'well, it wasn't horrible'. We were all impressed and highly enjoyed what we ate.

In fact, as I was writing this reply, i just finished up a danish from Epcot. Mmm mm

 

[waldiddy]

However, to the extent that the question was truly being posed, eliza answered it in post #4 above. And I think her answer is spot on. All of the places she listed are, IMO, as good if not better (food-wise) than a typical "casual" category restaurant at WDW. Nothing high and mighty about her list at all.

We've got outback & ruth chris, but those are steakhouses. Not a real steak lover myself (unless you're talking about a steakhouse in Texas!). Sadly, i'm not familiar with the other restaurants or they're just not to be found where we live.

Why can't there simply be a buffet restaurant that has a variety of good tasting sides and entrees? Like others have mentioned, this stuff is cooked in bulk; it ain't a high-end culinary challenge. The only chain buffets we've got are things like Golden Corral and they're just pathetic when stacked next to Tusker House or Crystal Palace.

 

[Goofy_Girl]

If I had to think of a chain restaurant outside of WDW where I was getting similar delicious food I would have to go with

The Cheesecake Factory (or at least our local CCF had never disappointed me)

Not Your Average Joe's( this chain is popular in Ma not sure if it is anywhere else but they have excellent and creative dishes)

and for italian I enjoy Bertucci's (the pizza and rolls are made in traditional brick ovens, very tasty)

well that's about it, those are the chains I like best outside of WDW food

 

[bangzoom6877]

It's all a matter of opinion and personal taste. My family and I have also enjoyed the food we have had at WDW. We all enjoy different types of ethnic cuisines, but we also enjoy a good burger and a beer sometimes. So, what we do is make sure we have a variety of different types of restaurants, with different experiences. So, one night, it will be a character buffet for the kids (and kids at heart) to enjoy. Another night, it will be Biergarten for some tasty German food and beer and some fantastic entertainment. Another night, it will be a more quiet, low-key resort restaurant (not a signature, just a less popular, less loud place). We try to mix it up. Last time, we ate lunches and dinners at places like Chef Mickey's, CRT, Sanaa, Captain's Grill, WCC, Kouzzina, Le Cellier, Marakkesh, Biergarten, Kona Cafe, San Angel Inn, Chefs de France, 50s PT, Sci-Fi and Akershus. I read both positive and negative reviews of each and every place we ate. Some were extremely positive or negative too. We threw in a few character breakfasts, and a couple of counter service lunches. We never got bored, we enjoyed every meal we had. We found a couple of places to be nothing special, but that doesn't mean we thought the food was inedible or that it was a bad experience, or that I would tell everyone I know not to go there.

I think that the food I have had at WDW is better than chain restaurants I have eaten at. We don't have too many chains here in Brooklyn, NY...but I can't stand Friday's or Applebee's, and I never eat at those places. The food is far better, IMHO, at WDW than it is at both of those. However, I can compare the burger I had at Sci-Fi for lunch to something I would get at my favorite local diner...and that works just fine for me! I haven't eaten at any of the Italian restaurants at WDW because we usually don't eat Italian food on vacation (too picky with Italian food...don't like Olive Garden either!)...same thing with Chinese and Japanese food...we are very picky with those and we don't eat them on vacation because we eat them all the time at home.

So, I think it's just a matter of knowing which restaurants will work for you, based on your preferences, and things that may disappoint you (Italian, Chinese or Japanese for me when I am outside of NY...perhaps Mexican food for someone from Texas, while a New Yorker like me loves San Angel!). And making sure to mix things up if you are a person like me who likes variety.

By the way, FWIW, I loved Crystal Palace both for dinner back in 2008, and for breakfast last year!

 

[dioxide45]

There are national chains that are bad, some that are average, and others that are very good.

We haven't eaten at a lot of places in WDW since we tend to stay off site, but I would compare those that we ate at to the average or very good. The food in general is better than Appleby's, TGI Friday's or Golden Coral. It is about the same as Hard Rock, Outback, Longhorn, Carrabba's, Cheesecake Factory, Brio, Mimi's Cafe. It falls short of Bice or Ruth's Chris.

Speaking of Cheesecake Factory, that place isn't cheap and price is probably on par with a lot of WDW TS restaurants on price. However, at WDW you are paying for the experience, the characters and just being a captive audience. So you will always pay more than a chain off site.

The one problem I have with WDW food is that the counter service restaurants all seem to sell the same types of food. How many different variations of burgers do they make? One place has a single with cheese, another has a double. The patties always seem to be the same.

An issue I have is that they don't let the restaurants run independently, they buy items in bulk and those same items go to many restaurants to be served in a slightly different way.

 

[Stinky_Pete]

The one problem I have with WDW food is that the counter service restaurants all seem to sell the same types of food. How many different variations of burgers do they make? One place has a single with cheese, another has a double. The patties always seem to be the same.

An issue I have is that they don't let the restaurants run independently, they buy items in bulk and those same items go to many restaurants to be served in a slightly different way.

I do agree that some things seem to be the same in all parks, but I think WDW does a pretty good job mixing up the counter service offerings. Flame tree barbeque, Epcot WS counter service and Sunshine Seasons come to mind. Not a burger among them (except the American pavilion in WS).

I've enjoyed many TS meals at WDW, but I may not have as sophisticated of a palette as some of you. I've been to steakhouses where the steak is $35-40. And oh, if you want a potato that's another $10. I would have been just as happy at Outback or Texas Roadhouse. But like some have said, those places are half the price of most WDW TS restaurants. And I am one of those who compare LC to Outback...

 

[yenlee]

The one problem I have with WDW food is that the counter service restaurants all seem to sell the same types of food. How many different variations of burgers do they make? One place has a single with cheese, another has a double. The patties always seem to be the same.

An issue I have is that they don't let the restaurants run independently, they buy items in bulk and those same items go to many restaurants to be served in a slightly different way.

Actually, one thing I've always appreciated about Disney is that it seems as if every restaurant serves a different kind of french fry. It would be really easy for them to just have the same fries everywhere, but they don't.

I try to avoid the numerous Disney burger and pizza places, but I understand that they are ubiquitous because that's what the public wants. A lot of us want a wide variety of interesting options (e.g. Epcot), but I think even more people like the safety of knowing that chicken fingers are always a few steps away (e.g. my DS). Also, at least Disney does a decent job with the basics. When they try to be interesting, there are occasional disasters (ABC Commissary anyone?).

Also, in defense of Disney counter food, yes it is expensive but the portions are large and the quality is decent. Compared to what you get and pay for at, say, a regional theme park, or perhaps your local zoo, Disney is a bargain.

 

[ammo]

Maybe where you live, you can find offerings like this in restaurants .. sadly, in central NC, it's pretty tough unless you go upscale and ala carte.

Don't bash the Dash! You don't get out much in Winston, do you? Your original posting included Chefs de France, which is not a buffet, so don't move the goalposts by knocking a la carte. This isn't about stuffing our faces, it's about high-quality food. You also said you'd gladly pay $30 a plate.

So here are just a few (out of many) choices in the Triad that blow away the Liberty Tree and stay under your $30 per plate limit:

- Milner's (on Stratford) has great Southern takes on classic American cuisine

- Breakfast Of Course (on Trade Street just above 7th) has unique breakfast and lunch offerings

- The Old Salem Tavern serves period fare in a historical setting

- If you are over in Greensboro, stop at the O. Henry Hotel and try the Green Valley Grill. It's amazing. They actually offered a seasoned cauliflower steak as a vegetarian entree last spring (I stuck with meat, but it looked incredible).

- Greensboro is also home to one of the largest concentrations of Montagnards outside of Vietnam. As a result, you can get unbeatable pho ($7 or $8 per serving) and related specialities that are difficult to find in many cities.

I have nothing against spending money in Orlando. My family does it every year. But let's support our local businesses in the Triad that support our local schools, local little league teams, local theater, local churches, and all the things that make a community great. Not a penny of the money you spend in WDW is going to help the Triad. So have an adventure and discover the myriad of Triad restaurants that serve better food than most WDW restaurants at a lower price.

 

[yenlee]

A word about buffets: Buffets are just not usually a good way to serve food. Most hot food does not do so well sitting in a steam table or under heat lamps. (On tangent, Indian buffets are great because stuff like curries are not harmed much by sitting around in chafing dishes.) I think that one reason why Disney buffets are decent is that turnover is high, because most of the buffets are very busy. Even still, the Disney buffets are generally inferior to the regular table service restaurants.

 

[TDC Nala]

The OP listed three buffets. I'm going to stand by my belief that the buffets are not nearly as good as they were several years ago. I think Tusker House may be an exception, although I have not been there since right after it opened as a buffet.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I only read through the first page, but I think quality-wise Olive Garden probably is better then Tony's, but I've never been a huge Tony's fan. I really think most Disney restaurants are better then the chains I have in my area; Applebees, Unos, and TGI Fridays. Coral Reef is definatly better IMO then Red Lobster, (though I do love their cheddar-bay biscuits.) I do like PF Changs more then Nine Dragons. It really just comes down to personal preference though.

ETA - And I've never been to a better buffet off-property, but around here all I have is a cheap Chinese buffet, and a Country Time buffet. There is just no comparision for me of them to Boma, Cape May, Crystal Palace, etc.

 

[goofy4prez]

We would rather eat at Disney than any chain restuarant in our area with the exception of
Teds Cafe Escondito in Oklahoma City. I think Oklahoma is the only state with Teds.

I would never compare any Disney restaurant with
Outback
Applebees
Ihop
Ect.

You may not but I will... LeCellier is very comparable IMHO to Outback.

 

[goofyintoronto]

You are absolutely right Jimmy but I guess my contention is why can't they have both? Would it really be so hard to make a marinara sauce that was tasty? Wouldn't Tonys be even better if people were leaving saying "damn, that chicken parmigna was excellent".>>Tony's by far has the worst marinara sauce i've ever had in my life.

We definitely enjoy the ambiance of the disney restaurants but what many return visitors and foodies can't understand why it is "either" "or"?
At twice the price, disney can't get better quality steaks? My family owned a restaurant in NYC for 30 of my 50 years. I know for a fact that dang near any food or meat supplier on the planet would bend over backwards to get a contract with the mouse.

Yes, I love being immersed in the magic but the magic starts to tarnish when day after day, meal after meal you realize you are paying top dollar for the same stuff (or worse) than you can get at home.

Maybe it's because me and my family love meals. Nothing better than after a long day in the parks sitting down to dinner and having a great meal. Nothing worse imo than after a long day in the parks sitting down to dinner and expecting a great meal and then taking the first bite and it's "eh" just ok.

I'm looking forward to trying tutto Italia it's been getting great reviews. You're way more generous than me, Tony's is worse than Olive Garden. tony's IMO is ragu at best. >> I'd much sooner crack open a jar of Ragu sauce than to eat Tony's pasta again. Heck, i'd eat Chefboyardee's before Tony's. Yes, Tony's was that gross!!! I'd never eat there again. My son also begged me not to go back there, ever. Lol. And I agree, I dont think Tony's is similar to Olive Garden at all. Olive Garden is good in my opinion, Tony's is not. The couple of dishes i've had at Olive Garden were not that bad! I actually enjoyed it.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

A critique I've encountered a few times on this board about Disney's food usually is something along the lines of ... 'Disney table service food is overpriced and about the same quality as any chain restaurant.'

We've been in the World for a week now, marvelling once again at how good the food is. The TS meals continue to impress us, and we've been travelling here since 1996. So far this trip, we ate at H&V, Liberty Tree, Crystal Palace, Tusker House and Chefs de France.

So, could someone please tell me which chain restaurant i can visit that has the same food quality as WDW? I really want to know. I'd love to find a local place that's close to being as good .. and I'd gladly pay $30 a plate to do so.

We feel the same way. I have only have a few meals I would consider chain quality: Tony's Town Square and Sci Fi are the first 2 that come to mind.

We love all the ones you have ate at so far, but havn't been to H&V in years.

 

[waldiddy]

Don't bash the Dash! You don't get out much in Winston, do you?

We actually eat out a lot, but mostly in the K'ville area which is pretty poor as far as quality restaurants. Plus, our daughter tends to like tried & true (*sigh*). Thanks for the tips on good places to eat in the area, though. I'm really eager to give them a try!!

 

[waldiddy]

Also, in defense of Disney counter food, yes it is expensive but the portions are large and the quality is decent. Compared to what you get and pay for at, say, a regional theme park, or perhaps your local zoo, Disney is a bargain.

We didn't try a lot of counter service this past trip, but I wish we'd had more time in World Showcase to do so. Our kids got some stuff from the new Mexican eatery and it was fantastic. It makes me hungry just thinking how good it was.

Good point about regional parks. The last time I got a "meal" from our local amusement park, which shall go unnamed but rhymes with 'Darobends', I'm sure it was more expensive than Disney CS and probably wouldn't have been eaten by my dog.

Slight exaggeration, but the food was truly awful.

 

[travisx4]

We've eaten at Bahama Breeze a few times and they get my vote for off property dining, also right around the corner from DDD

 

[missnanse]

A critique I've encountered a few times on this board about Disney's food usually is something along the lines of ... 'Disney table service food is overpriced and about the same quality as any chain restaurant.'

We've been in the World for a week now, marvelling once again at how good the food is. The TS meals continue to impress us, and we've been travelling here since 1996. So far this trip, we ate at H&V, Liberty Tree, Crystal Palace, Tusker House and Chefs de France.

So, could someone please tell me which chain restaurant i can visit that has the same food quality as WDW? I really want to know. I'd love to find a local place that's close to being as good .. and I'd gladly pay $30 a plate to do so.

You will never win with the naysayers here so please continue to enjoy the food along with the magic that no Ruth Chris can ever employ and know there are far more people enjoying Disney than not.