I checked the Unofficial Guide reader surveys for these restaurants. We've received almost 100,000 dining surveys in the past year.
That is an impressive sounding number, but I have no idea what it means in real world terms beyond a lot of people leave reviews on Trip Advisor and Yelp and the more I read them, the more I can see people with grudges taking unfair shots as well as people who either work for the locations or are paid to drop positive reviews (see what Royal Caribbean Cruise Line has been doing on forums like this for years!)
Not dissing the UG or anything of the sort. Just wondering what it means. Walmart, McDonald's and Starbucks are plenty popular too.
The average approval rating for all Disney Springs restaurants is around 86%. The standard deviation is around 6%.
Art Smith's Homecoming is the highest rated restaurant at Disney Springs, with 97% approval (n = 37 surveys).
Not at all shocked thinking about WDW's clientele, the type of food offered and even the prices (while the fried chicken at $26-29 is insanely priced, they made a conscious decision to price the entree sandwiches and salads all around $16).
But I wouldn't be in any hurry to rush back. The best fried chicken at WDW remains the Hoop Dee Doo (until they decide to ruin that) and it is some of the best I have had anywhere. The absolute best is at The Wicked Spoon buffet at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas. I'd rather have that than a fivesome with 'Angie' and three under 25 fanbois of my choosing!
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Portobello is the second-lowest rated restaurant at Disney Springs, with 68% approval (n=137). Only Planet Hollywood is lower. We would actively tell people to avoid anything less than 80% approval. In this case, we'll probably rewrite our review to lead with a sentence about going somewhere else.
I am not overly surprised. The Lifestylers all seem to enjoy the vastly overpriced Tutto Italia. I always wondered about Portobello and never went in until about 10-11 years ago. It instantly became a favorite. Quality food, low (yes, by WDW standards) prices and great service. You never need a PS. It is a favorite lunch location. It has been around forever and I think is largely overlooked. The only better Italian I have had at WDW would be at Il Mulino at the Swan. An amazing culinary experience every time and incredible service all the time. Also, a place that I would bet 97% of those on this site have never even heard of, let alone visited, since Disney doesn't own or operate it.
I have had a good experience at Ravello at the Four Seasons, but need more experience to advise people to go.
STK is at 70% approval (n=20). In the words of Jim Hill, I'm really looking forward to this restaurant ... 's next tenant.
Frontera Cocina is 84% (n=32). That's about where I'd put it, too.
Morimoto is 87% (n=281). I hear that Morimoto is still not satisfied with the food and service quality. The dude is serious about this place. I've seen him make a surprise visit in the middle of the afternoon, and I'm 99% sure I could hear the staff's collective sphincters tightening.
As I said before, I have really enjoyed the meals at Morimoto. On a visit earlier this year, two members of my party weren't thrilled with their entrees. But they both had different versions of Ramen and that just isn't something I would go out to eat for. It reminds me of poverty food for college kids. Everything I have had there has been very good to incredible.
House of Blues is 90% (n=132).
Jock Lindsey's is 91% (n=246).
Blaze is 94% (n=162). I think this is the best pizza in WDW. I prefer it to Giordanos and Flippers offsite, too. If anyone knows of better local pizza, let me know.
Splitsville is 94% (n=158). I didn't think it was this good, but I could be wrong.
The Jock's popularity doesn't surprise me. Fanbois and their collectible mugs, unless the food is spectacular. I haven't dined there, only drank and the drinks are typical WDW adult beverages where they seem to put alcohol in with a table-spoon. I am used to Los Angeles, NYC, SoBe drinks. Real drinks. And Jock's (like most WDW locations) doesn't seem to serve them.
As to pizza in O-Town ... no idea. The city isn't known for pizza. The ones at Il Mulino look good, but I have never had anything but pasta and meat and salads ... and wine ... lots of wine. I haven't tried Via Napoli yet, but the Lifestylers seem to love it, even with typical Disney prices. Been there?
