2nd Chances?

[Tomi-Rocket]

After reading a post about a bad experience in a restaurant and stating they'd never go back my first thought is - "That seems harsh, why not give it a second chance?" I have this thought especially when the complaint is about the staff and not the food. Then I remember that we have never gone back to Pizza Planet after not enjoying the food or atmosphere there. We've not even considered trying it again. But now I wonder, do you give a place a second chance or is it crossed off your list for good? And if it is crossed off for good what was it that made you make that decision?

We might try Pizza Planet again in the future but it will probably be after we've tried all the other restaurants in HS first.

 

[Doombuggy13]

We've had bad experiences but have never sworn off a restaraunt. I can say the one place we won't go back to was Restaurant Marrakesh in Epcot but that was simply because we did not enjoy the cuisine served. Last year we saw a serious drop in quality at some of our favorites, Chef Mickeys was sub par last year as was Cape May Cafe and we had the rudest waiter at Crystal Palace but we've never said we won't go back. That being said, we are not booked at any of these places for our trip next month but thats mainly because my boys are growing up and we've done the Character thing so many times it's time for a break. This year, all off the menu table service choices. Maybe after a year off, we'll want to try them again.

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

I think every place can have a rough day when it comes to food. I know not everything I make at home comes out perfect every single time. Staff members can have bad days (though they should never act rude or take it out on the customer) so I think 2nd chances are good. If after the second time things are still bad, write it off!

 

[Sweet Melissa]

I can't say there are any restaurants I wouldn't give a second chance, but there's so much out there for us still to try (and so many favorites to which we frequently return) that I'm definitely in no hurry to revisit some.

 

[OswaldTheRabbit]

I agree that there are too many other option to try! Our never return to restaurant is Coral Reef and since it is in Epcot it is a no brainer to try some of the other restaurants instead of risking it! there are just too many to choose from

 

[Master Yoda]

It depends on what went wrong. Yak and Yeti RFC and T-Rex are on our "never going back" list for various reasons. Yack and Yeti is there because of the cost and quality of the food. If I see that those factors change I might give it another shot. Since I have not seen those things change it has stayed crossed of my list.

I do not see RFC or T-rex ever coming off that list. We have given those places chance after chance but they have just continued to disappoint in every area imaginable. The most I ever see us doing there in the future is a drink at the bar or at most breakfast at AK.

 

[tracyandalex]

We generally will not cross a place off after 1 bad visit, especially at WDW. Now if we have more than 1 bad experience then yeah, the place will likely get crossed off. Around town, we have a few one and doners but those we weren't expecting much from to begin with it was more just a confirmation of suspicions.

 

[Pooh Lover]

We've had bad experiences but have never sworn off a restaraunt. I can say the one place we won't go back to was Restaurant Marrakesh in Epcot but that was simply because we did not enjoy the cuisine served. Last year we saw a serious drop in quality at some of our favorites, Chef Mickeys was sub par last year as was Cape May Cafe and we had the rudest waiter at Crystal Palace but we've never said we won't go back. That being said, we are not booked at any of these places for our trip next month but thats mainly because my boys are growing up and we've done the Character thing so many times it's time for a break. This year, all off the menu table service choices. Maybe after a year off, we'll want to try them again.

Uh Oh, you mentioned 3 of our upcoming ADRs...Chef Mickey's, Cape May Cafe and Crystal Palace. I'll go in with an open mind, an empty stomach and hope for the best.

For us, a menu or bad atmosphere can be a deal breaker. If I felt I received bad service or if the food seemed off for one visit, I'm sure I'd consider the restaurant again. Everyone has an off night and I'm sure I do too when it comes to the attitude I'm bringing to a restaurant.

 

[Phonedave]

There is only one place that I crossed off after one visit, and that is Cape May Cafe. Everything there was bad. The Servers were awfull, the food is just plain garbage - all of it, the restaruant was a mess, really, everything from the clams with a bucket of sand in each one, to the overcooked fish, to the crab legs that were room temperature, to the clearly pre-frozen sugar bomb desserts that were weeping condensation all over the place, to the spilled food all over the buffet, to my waitress that brought me one drink and how I never say again untill I went and found her so I could get my check. It was all very bad. Having said that, if I was with somone that really wanted to try it, I would give it a go. I just would not choose to go back myself.

Yak & Yeti (Table Service) is something I have only done once, but it is not something I have "written off" - It's just a poor restaruant in my opinion. Maybe it's better now. I may go back if the spirit moves me.

-dave

 

[baymenxpac]

i never cross a table service place off my list after one visit. i don't really think it's fair.

for example, i was so psyched to finally get to citricos last february. we got there, and were completely rushed through the meal. ate in an hour and ten minutes, and that's with ordering alcoholic beverages, appetizers, dinner, and coffee. in my opinion, that's weak, but i'm aware that we're younger and some servers might not take us as seriously as other diners, or a server/expediter or whomever can just be having an off night. i'll give it one more chance though, especially since the reviews are always so good for the place. if it fails to meet expectations the second time around, i just won't keep it on my list of places i want to go.

quick service, that's a different story. one time at the abc commissary is all i need to know that i don't need to go back there.

 

[OswaldTheRabbit]

quick service, that's a different story. one time at the abc commissary is all i need to know that i don't need to go back there.

Oh I 100, no make that 1 billion % agree with this!!! I will never step foot in ABC again

 

[Crush Dude!]

Oh I 100, no make that 1 billion % agree with this!!! I will never step foot in ABC again

Ditto

 

[HouCuseChickie]

I probably have said "never," but it really translates to "we won't be returning any time soon."

I have used "never" for Tusker House breakfast, Marrakesh, Coral Reef, and Pinocchio's Village Haus. Of course, 3 out of the 4 have been given a lengthy rest - so maybe we'll try them again at some point. Not next trip, but I think at some point soon I'm going to return to Marrakesh since it's been EONS since I've eaten there and many people seem to have a lot of positive feedback these days.

 

[Dad 2 M & M]

I probably have said "never," but it really translates to "we won't be returning any time soon."

I have used "never" for Tusker House breakfast, Marrakesh, Coral Reef, and Pinocchio's Village Haus. Of course, 3 out of the 4 have been given a lengthy rest - so maybe we'll try them again at some point. Not next trip, but I think at some point soon I'm going to return to Marrakesh since it's been EONS since I've eaten there and many people seem to have a lot of positive feedback these days.

Due to my palate not being sophisticated, I said I would never go to Tutto again. Reading (and agreeing) your post, I must say it is not likely. Via is fine with me.

 

[LowesChevy]

I will give a restaurant a second chance if one or two aspects of the experience was off. Bad service could have either been an overwhelmed kitchen, but most often it's a neglectiful server. With food-if I just didn't like the food due to personal tastes, its just me and I do not fault anyone. I will order something else next time. On the other hand if the food is poorly prepared, sloppy when I receive it then thats when it is a problem for me. I am giving Narccoossee's a third chance this trip because I really want to like the place, but if the service is bad again I am out lol.

If you have an experience like Phonedave did at Cape May-I understand you never going back to a place.

I like to choose restaurants based on the dining experience and food quality, so reading reviews with a pinch of salt is helpful.

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

Uh Oh, you mentioned 3 of our upcoming ADRs...Chef Mickey's, Cape May Cafe and Crystal Palace. I'll go in with an open mind, an empty stomach and hope for the best.

For us, a menu or bad atmosphere can be a deal breaker. If I felt I received bad service or if the food seemed off for one visit, I'm sure I'd consider the restaurant again. Everyone has an off night and I'm sure I do too when it comes to the attitude I'm bringing to a restaurant.

Pooh we love Chef Mickey's and Crystal Palace. Never been to Cape May Cafe, but doesn't mean we wont try it on one of our future trips. Like @derelicte19 said, just could have been a bad day. The only place I crossed off was the old L'Originale Alfredo di Roma in Italy. Went there 3 times and each time, IMHO, was worse than the time before.. I just thought my expectations were too high, but the food was horrible. The alfredo sauce, was inedible... who would have thought??

 

[luv]

I generally try to avoid repeating mistakes, but have been known to forgive one bad experience, so long as it isn't horrible or my first.

In the case of Tony's, it was a mistake. Tony's is always not that bad, but it's never any good.

 

[Pooh Lover]

Pooh we love Chef Mickey's and Crystal Palace. Never been to Cape May Cafe, but doesn't mean we wont try it on one of our future trips. Like @derelicte19 said, just could have been a bad day. The only place I crossed off was the old L'Originale Alfredo di Roma in Italy. Went there 3 times and each time, IMHO, was worse than the time before.. I just thought my expectations were too high, but the food was horrible. The alfredo sauce, was inedible... who would have thought??

I totally agree on L'Orginale Alfredo di Roma....was a definite one and done for us as well.

I'm not too worried about the others. It was just a surprise to see three of my favorites all listed at once.

 

[disney magic 06]

We have several times said 'never again' but usually that lasts only for a couple of trips - with the exception with everyone's favourite, ABC Commissary which is definately excluded from future plans.

We shouldn't condem places on one visit, we have found places change vastly from year to year - what can one year be our 'stand-out' meal sometimes disappoints next trip (eg Yachtsman) and vice versa (eg Rose & Crown).

 

[DisneyAubs]

Having worked in several restaurants over the years I'm pretty forgiving. I'm trying really hard to eat at every restaurant on property though, so with so many options it may be awhile before I even return to restaurants I've really liked in the past!