Tony's verses Mama Melrose

[networkpro]

Hiya! We're in the world and noticed after eating at both Mama's and Tony's and were surprise that in our experience Tony's came out on top! At Mamas we started with the mozeralla and tomato, followed by the Chicken Caprese and pork Osso Buco and topped off with the SemiFredo Tirimasu. For Tony's it was samep preamble (the balsalmic was a tad sweeter and topped with Bermuda Onion ) Eggplant parm, Canoli and Mint cheesecake/chocolate hazelnut cake.

Less expensive, better food, and much better service!

 

[SDisney90]

That's good to hear. A lot of people down talk Tony's but, my girlfriend and I ate there last year and had a great time. The food was much better than Olive Garden (hate that place) and the service was top notch. This January we have a reservation at Tony's again, and actually trying Mama Melrose for the first time. Hope you enjoy yourself!

 

[DisneyJunkie]

We ate at Tony's for dinner on our last visit and our group was unanimous that we wouldn't have to eat there again. All of us said we'd get a much better meal at Olive Garden. The food simply wasn't very good. Mama Melrose, we weren't crazy about it either, but it does have a slight edge over Tony's.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I liked eating at both, considering they are both theme park restaurants they have decent food. I think I liked Mama's a little bit better over Tony's. I would eat at either one of them again though.

 

[afar28]

I really like Tonys, but didn't have the best experience at Melrose. Food was decent, but horrible service. Probably just a one time thing though

 

[aladdin2007]

Food is better at Melrose, but service is not. (and they rush you here in a very abrupt way)
Service is better at Tonys, but food is not. (have never felt rushed here)

for us anyway, funny how that works out.

 

[networkpro]

Anyone who'd order the spaghetti with marinara would be disappointed at either.. It looks like playDoh with florescent topping.

 

[brifraz]

We have never visited Tony's. Don't do much Italian because our DD9 absolutely hates tomatoes. That being said, we have done Mama Melrose almost every trip. Why you ask (or if you don't ask, I'm telling anyway)? One of our daughter's first times really speaking up for herself was requesting a pizza with garlic butter sauce at Mama Melrose when she was 5. It has been a favorite of hers ever since.

 

[rt06]

Mama Melrose was a pleasant surprise for me. I'm very particular with my Italian, else fuhgeddaboutit. Will definitely do the Fantasmic package next time.

 

[erasure fan1]

Hiya! We're in the world and noticed after eating at both Mama's and Tony's and were surprise that in our experience Tony's came out on top!

Less expensive, better food, and much better service!

We found Mama Melrose to have the slight advantage over Tony's. We did like Tony's and would eat there again but Mamas was just a bit better. That said I agree with

All of us said we'd get a much better meal at Olive Garden.

We went to Olive Garden a couple times recently and I can say the meals were better than either Tonys or Mamas. I think if you go into either meal expecting gourmet Italian cuisine, you will most likely be disappointed.

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

We always avoid Tony's because off it's rep around these forums. But we tried MM for the first time in September and it was one of our favorite meals! I was really surprised, especially because we got off to a not so awesome start with waiting an hour over my Adr and our waitress never came, we had to ask for someone, and then we had to ask for a bread basket & drinks. But It was clear that that waitress wasn't assigned to our table and was covering so she was clearly overloaded with tables. But once people cleared out her service became top notch! So we didn't ding her for it!

 

[harryk]

Have done both - have enjoyed both - It must all depend on the time you get there. Service at both has always been top notch. They are Disney restaurants - so we expect great service but don't expect V&A meals. Have reservations at both next week. Be there on the 12th with all ADR's made.

 

[luv]

I'd take the Olive Garden over either one.

If forced to pick one, I would toss a coin.

 

[Dog Ate Mouse]

First it's nice that you tried Tony's and was surprised at how good it was. I love surprises like this at Lunch and dinner. When you are at a resteraunt and all of the sudden the food comes on and your taste buds spring to life like where the daylight did this food come from and how come I did not know this before makes for a wonderful dining experience. Now the DW and I had a bad experience at Captain Jacks 6 years ago. We wrote it off for two years and three years later we tried it again. We went in with our guard up not expecting anything much. We decided to sit and eat at the bar due to seating and could be served right away. The Bar Tender was a nut that loosend us up and made us laugh. Then the apetizer came and it was delicous. Then our main course and it was really really good. Then desert and a drink or two and Captain Jacks was back on our must do list. I love getting pleasent surprises like this and am glad to hear that Tony's was yours. So many places in WDW propperty to eat and choose from. I find my best meals at times comes from some not so must do resteraunts and am truly glad that the DW and I at times stay open minded and give a place a chance.

 

[jeffk410]

Been to both multiple times. At this point, I will not go back to Tony's. However, I do like Mama Melrose a lot and try to make it once a trip... I vote Mama Melrose.

 

[plaz10]

I've eaten at Mama Melrose a few times - most recent in March 2013. We split 2 pizzas and had the cannoli cake and spaghetti and meatball cupcake for dessert. I really enjoyed our pizza (Margherita more than the Grilled Chicken) and the desserts were also quite good. Very good service too even though it was during Spring Break and the place was very crowded.

We ate at Tony's for the first time in June 2013. Service was a bit slow - enjoyed our appetizer (Garlic Parmesan Bread). I got the Chicken Parm and my husband got the Cioppino (seafood pasta dish) - both were good...neither were jaw droppingly amazing. The chicken parm/spaghetti had very little sauce on it so I asked for a side of alfredo and mixed it together...what a huge difference! The alfredo mixed with marinara was excellent and the more sauce definitely made a difference.

We would eat at both places again - although neither are high on our "must do again" list. Both good but not extraordinary. Though without DDP...I can see ourselves eating at Tony's for lunch to try their flatbreads (I'm a pizza lover)

Points to both for being in parks lacking table service restaurants (which is really any park that isn't EPCOT).

 

[Disney Shib]

We love Mama Melrose's. I usually stick to the Charred Steak Strip or the Chicken Campanelle and have never been disappointed.

 

[MOXOMUMD]

I'm probably one of the few who enjoys Tony's. I just go with an open mind....and a hungry stomach.

 

[Minnie_girl]

I liked eating at both, considering they are both theme park restaurants they have decent food. I think I liked Mama's a little bit better over Tony's. I would eat at either one of them again though.

Same here, I enjouyed both, but Mama's wins by a small margin.

 

[WDW 3]

We've had good meals at both locations. Would absolutely go back to both. They were both a totally different experience.