Jiko or California Grill

[crxbrett]

Jiko amd CA Grill are my two favorite tablw service restaurants at DW. I love Jiko for the great food and very unique menu options. It's also very quiet and nice in there. While CA Grill has a good menu and some good food, the view is what really makes it stand out for me.

In my opinion, you really can't go wrong with either one you choose.

 

[msg7]

I've never been to Jiko as the menu doesn't appeal to a lot of the members of our family. However, every trip, California Grill is a must. (sometimes even twice a trip!) I will say, during my last visit (Aug, 2017), I felt that CG's food wasn't as good as it was in past years. However, it still was the best restaurant on the trip and still is my favorite at WDW...

 

[surfsupdon]

I ate at Jiko June 10th. Had the wagyu and a small dessert. The food was incredibly tasty and I was very happy with the portion size for the meat, side, and veggies. Great taste, cooked exactly as I wanted. Service was impeccable as always.

California Grill in January 2018 was fair. My grouper had great flavor, but it was such a small serving. Sides were more for looks too, than for food to eat. Service was only okay.

 

[OneofThree]

Had the wagyu and a small dessert.

I don't mean to hijack but I have to ask: I've never had the wagyu at Disney and wonder -is it worth the premium? I'm one whose a bit more about flavor than fork-cutting tenderness.

 

[surfsupdon]

I don't mean to hijack but I have to ask: I've never had the wagyu at Disney and wonder -is it worth the premium? I'm one whose a bit more about flavor than fork-cutting tenderness.

The price was the same as the steak entree. $49 plus my Tables in Wonderland discount.

The meat was very tender, and the flavoring was terrific. I did not even consider asking for A1 sauce

The veggies that came with it were robust as well. And like I said I was very pleased with all portion sizes.

 

[c-one]

I don't mean to hijack but I have to ask: I've never had the wagyu at Disney and wonder -is it worth the premium? I'm one whose a bit more about flavor than fork-cutting tenderness.

I haven’t had all the wagyu in the world or the World, but from my experience, i’d say not worth the premium at WDW.

 

[BASS]

I don't mean to hijack but I have to ask: I've never had the wagyu at Disney and wonder -is it worth the premium? I'm one whose a bit more about flavor than fork-cutting tenderness.

Yes. I posted this in another thread. I was there just a few weeks ago. I didn't order it but my dad did and it was fantastic. I've had steak in a lot of nice restaurants across the country over the years and this one stacked up. It was perfectly seasoned, nicely charred and very well cooked (medium for him; a nice pink ran across the middle).

When I was there, it was an option of filet (did not indicate source) or Snake River Farms wagyu strip. Snake River Farms provides its meats to The French Laundry. If you know anything about Thomas Keller or his exacting methods for sourcing vegetables, meat, etc., that's reason alone to give it a try.

 

[durangojim]

I haven’t had all the wagyu in the world or the World, but from my experience, i’d say not worth the premium at WDW.

Unless you're having it at Victoria and Albert's along with the Miyazaki which makes the wagyu feel like jerky

 

[ABQ]

Unless you're having it at Victoria and Albert's along with the Miyazaki which makes the wagyu feel like jerky

Here here, the Miyazaki @ V&A was life changing.

 

[drwadadli]

Last time at Cali Grill for dinner was 4 or 5 years ago. It was good but not as great as it used to be. We’ve never been to Jiko but heard it recently changed chefs and has declined because of it. Any thoughts?

I think Jiko is better than Cali Grill. If you eliminate the ability to view fireworks, I think CG is the most overrated restaurant on WDW property. So....IMHO, I would go ANYWHERE but CG.

 

[c-one]

Yes. I posted this in another thread. I was there just a few weeks ago. I didn't order it but my dad did and it was fantastic. I've had steak in a lot of nice restaurants across the country over the years and this one stacked up. It was perfectly seasoned, nicely charred and very well cooked (medium for him; a nice pink ran across the middle).

When I was there, it was an option of filet (did not indicate source) or Snake River Farms wagyu strip. Snake River Farms provides its meats to The French Laundry. If you know anything about Thomas Keller or his exacting methods for sourcing vegetables, meat, etc., that's reason alone to give it a try.

Can I ask where this was? V&A’s?

 

[BASS]

Can I ask where this was? V&A’s?

Jiko.

 

[c-one]

Jiko.

Ah, gotcha. I had wagyu at Jiko once and thought it didn’t live up to what I’d had elsewhere, especially at that WDW price point—maybe it’s changed or my taste is arbitrary. (At any rate, I don’t take for granted that this discussion is a great problem to have to consider.)

 

[BASS]

Ah, gotcha. I had wagyu at Jiko once and thought it didn’t live up to what I’d had elsewhere, especially at that WDW price point—maybe it’s changed or my taste is arbitrary. (At any rate, I don’t take for granted that this discussion is a great problem to have to consider.)

Do you recall whether it was Snake River Farms' wagyu? I've been going to Disney for many years and don't ever recall seeing Snake River Farms at Jiko or any other Disney restaurant. This was a first.

I think the steak was good not because it was wagyu, but rather simply because it was from Snake River Farms.

Personally, I tend to avoid wagyu because I think it tends to be overpriced. My prior experiences with wagyu have been nothing to write home about. But this was good.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

The irony is Jiko's chef recently went to CG and now CG, IMO, is not as good. Jiko, however, is still as good as ever IMO! I still rate Jiko over CG any day of the week for food. Service at both establishments are very good to outstanding.

Agree...all the “signatures” have declined...but it seems California grill has declined the most.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

We went to Jiko third week of April 2018. There was a decline in both food and service. Example: the filet served with the mac and cheese still has the mac and cheese, but it was on the side vs. under the filet and there was no red wine reduction. There was an additional brussell sprouts side that was horrible. We actually told the server to let the chef know they were bad (and I readily eat brussell sprouts at home... these were just bad). For a 5:50 pm seating, we were still waiting at 8:10 pm to get a dessert menu.... horribly slow and disappointing service. Questioning whether we will give Jiko a couple year break before returning.

Sadly...reports like this have increased in frequency...

The “dining plan effect”...nothing new there...slow moving coup for the food.

 

[c-one]

Do you recall whether it was Snake River Farms' wagyu? I've been going to Disney for many years and don't ever recall seeing Snake River Farms at Jiko or any other Disney restaurant. This was a first.

I think the steak was good not because it was wagyu, but rather simply because it was from Snake River Farms.

Personally, I tend to avoid wagyu because I think it tends to be overpriced. My prior experiences with wagyu have been nothing to write home about. But this was good.

I couldn’t say for certain; I feel like American wagyu is so new that I’d be surprised if it was someone else, but maybe it just wasn’t the American type to begin with. (I’m also thinking now that I recall it being at Flying Fish, which may also have been my problem.)

 

[Hockey89]

I couldn’t say for certain; I feel like American wagyu is so new that I’d be surprised if it was someone else, but maybe it just wasn’t the American type to begin with. (I’m also thinking now that I recall it being at Flying Fish, which may also have been my problem.)

There are plenty of places doing American Wagyu and have for many years.... American Wagyu is a shell of what you can get from Japan or even Australia. Snake River does do a good job in general though....