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Worst meal on Disney property?
- Thread starter BeachClub
- Start date
cherrynegra
Well-Known Member
Universal too? Jeeze. What is it with these guys and making simple food so horrible??
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lebernadin
New Member
Re: Re: Bad Meals
I'll let you folks in on a semi-secret that some may already be aware of. If you order a well-done or "burnt" "burn that thing"......9 out of 10 times you'll be chosen a cut from set aside lesser appetizing cuts specifically for people who request well done. The better cuts that have either been pre-cut by the purveyor or cut by the house staff are reserved for rare thru medium orders. :wave:
I'll let you folks in on a semi-secret that some may already be aware of. If you order a well-done or "burnt" "burn that thing"......9 out of 10 times you'll be chosen a cut from set aside lesser appetizing cuts specifically for people who request well done. The better cuts that have either been pre-cut by the purveyor or cut by the house staff are reserved for rare thru medium orders. :wave:
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Our pick for worst restaurant(s) would have to be Coral Reef at EPCOT. The food was ok, but not for what you pay. We loved the atmosphere, but would only go there for dessert now. The other on our don't go back list is San Angel Inn. My husband and I ate there three times and all three times we were disappointed. We got cold, semi-tasting food, bad service and because there were two of us...the itty bitty table just outside the kitchen door. My husband kept getting hit by the waiters....I think the setting arrangements would be better when there are more than two in the party.
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Pumbas Nakasak
Heading for the great escape.
I think even the best places can have an off day but the trouble with WDW is that with so many alternatives its easier to be less forgiving and move onto somewhere else.
Over the course of our visits virtually all of our dining experiences have been good ones, HOWEVER-
As I have vented on here more than once the food and srvice we got at mama Melroses would be sub standard even for a Ponderossa. Yes it was busy but by the time we ate the rush had passed and there was many empty tables. I have no quams about ethneticity having lived in Italy for 3 years but this was just imitation (Americanised?) food served by surly staff.
This summer at MGM we went to the Brown Derby, our server was new but very bubbly and freindly. Its just a shame that he got the orders wrong. But not only that our appetizers arrived half way through the main meal and then only after much reminding and a request to just forget it and deduct it from the bill. The really annoying thing is that I never received an apology or explanation.
On the positive side there were several places that we will go back to because of the quality of service and food, so its not all doom n gloom.
Over the course of our visits virtually all of our dining experiences have been good ones, HOWEVER-
As I have vented on here more than once the food and srvice we got at mama Melroses would be sub standard even for a Ponderossa. Yes it was busy but by the time we ate the rush had passed and there was many empty tables. I have no quams about ethneticity having lived in Italy for 3 years but this was just imitation (Americanised?) food served by surly staff.
This summer at MGM we went to the Brown Derby, our server was new but very bubbly and freindly. Its just a shame that he got the orders wrong. But not only that our appetizers arrived half way through the main meal and then only after much reminding and a request to just forget it and deduct it from the bill. The really annoying thing is that I never received an apology or explanation.
On the positive side there were several places that we will go back to because of the quality of service and food, so its not all doom n gloom.
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Scooter
Well-Known Member
Re: Re: Re: Bad Meals
There shouldn't BE any "Lesser appetizing cuts" when ordering steaks in Restaurants.
All meat in the USA is graded by their amount of marbling and coloring according to USDA Grading standards. Whether a restaurant serves Good, Select or Prime meat may make a differance, but that should be stated on the menu.
Cooking steaks to a Well done state and making them not tough is a challenge though. Some steaks like New York Strip are almost impossible to cook well done and not be tough and dry. Filet Mignon however, while best cooked medium rare, can be cooked well done and still retain it's flavor and tenderness.
Prime rib however is a differant story.
When you order Prime Rib well done, you get what is called "The End Cuts" When a Prime rib is cooked, the outside and ends are more done than the middle. The outside well done portions aren't as attractive or as uniform as the inside middle rare portions.
Having said that, in my opinion, a good chef can take a tender, rare, inside piece of prime rib and "Flash Fry" it until it's well done, and still provide an attractive, tender, cut of beef that satisfy the cusomers needs.
There shouldn't BE any "Lesser appetizing cuts" when ordering steaks in Restaurants.
All meat in the USA is graded by their amount of marbling and coloring according to USDA Grading standards. Whether a restaurant serves Good, Select or Prime meat may make a differance, but that should be stated on the menu.
Cooking steaks to a Well done state and making them not tough is a challenge though. Some steaks like New York Strip are almost impossible to cook well done and not be tough and dry. Filet Mignon however, while best cooked medium rare, can be cooked well done and still retain it's flavor and tenderness.
Prime rib however is a differant story.
When you order Prime Rib well done, you get what is called "The End Cuts" When a Prime rib is cooked, the outside and ends are more done than the middle. The outside well done portions aren't as attractive or as uniform as the inside middle rare portions.
Having said that, in my opinion, a good chef can take a tender, rare, inside piece of prime rib and "Flash Fry" it until it's well done, and still provide an attractive, tender, cut of beef that satisfy the cusomers needs.
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BeachClubVillas
Well-Known Member
Ok, here I go on my least favorites:
Chef Mickey's-- loud, obnoxious, gross food
50s Prime Time Cafe -- lousy service, even worse food on multiple occasions
Italy in Epcot -- overpriced and lousy food
Favorite Restaurants:
Liberty Tree Tavern -- just like Thanksgiving in New England! Been there 10 times and it's been good each time
Sci-Fi -- great service, great atmosphere, good food. Also been there 10 times.
Yachtsmen Steakhouse -- best restaurant in WDW. enough said.
But remember, everyone has different tastes! Don't skip a restaurant that you want to try just because of something you hear from someone else.
Chef Mickey's-- loud, obnoxious, gross food
50s Prime Time Cafe -- lousy service, even worse food on multiple occasions
Italy in Epcot -- overpriced and lousy food
Favorite Restaurants:
Liberty Tree Tavern -- just like Thanksgiving in New England! Been there 10 times and it's been good each time
Sci-Fi -- great service, great atmosphere, good food. Also been there 10 times.
Yachtsmen Steakhouse -- best restaurant in WDW. enough said.
But remember, everyone has different tastes! Don't skip a restaurant that you want to try just because of something you hear from someone else.
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Djali999
Active Member
I refuse to eat the Hot Dogs at Disney. I got real, real sick in 2001 after eating hot dogs for lunch a few days in a row from Disney.
I like to stick to their burgers (overpriced, but they don't make me throw up), turkey legs (probably the best fast food value you'll find on property - it's a meal and a half), and whatever fresh produce I can scrounge up.
one of my lasting impressions about Disneyland actually is that they had much more fresh fruit avaible, in many more convient and attractive areas. sure, so it's $1.25 for an apple, but where else are ya gonna find one in Adventureland?
I've never liked Sci-Fi or Prime Time, it's basically IMO fast food. I love Brown Derby, I had a great filet mingon.
Mama Melrose's is a LOT of food, and if it's "Americanized" Italian, then that's really the point. not great but it'll do in a pinch - it's often overlooked.
I've never had a bad sit down meal at WDW... the fast food is what gets me.
I like to stick to their burgers (overpriced, but they don't make me throw up), turkey legs (probably the best fast food value you'll find on property - it's a meal and a half), and whatever fresh produce I can scrounge up.
one of my lasting impressions about Disneyland actually is that they had much more fresh fruit avaible, in many more convient and attractive areas. sure, so it's $1.25 for an apple, but where else are ya gonna find one in Adventureland?
I've never liked Sci-Fi or Prime Time, it's basically IMO fast food. I love Brown Derby, I had a great filet mingon.
Mama Melrose's is a LOT of food, and if it's "Americanized" Italian, then that's really the point. not great but it'll do in a pinch - it's often overlooked.
I've never had a bad sit down meal at WDW... the fast food is what gets me.
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BRER STITCH
Well-Known Member
Many good points here, LEBERNADIN!!!
In defense of many, though,...for what it co$t$ to eat at some of these places, it's alot to ask someone to ri$k it again!!
What I really don't understand, however, is why people would not send their meals back or call the manager about poor service while they are there?? :veryconfu
Customers would not be expected to pay for lousy food or service at any place outside of WDW....why should they be expected to while there???
There are reasonable requests and expectations that every dining establishment should provide. Fresh food, served hot, in a timely manner, by personable, competent staff is the most basic of these. If these are not provided to your satisfaction, AND YOU HAVE GIVEN THE RESTAUARNT A CHANCE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, then you should not be expected to pay for those items.
Anyone else have thoughts about this???
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SnowWhite5669
New Member
Another vote for Alfredos! Overpriced and definately not worth it. We get much better Italian food here on Federal Hill or my kitchen!!:lol:
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alice
Member
i had a moldy roasted chestnut from the man outside of the grand floridian hotel 2 weeks ago. it was getting dark, we were sitting outside, i didn't notice until the funny taste, then i looked at the rest of it and it was as green as grass. let me tell you it's hard to get moldy chestnut taste out of your mouth! but that's not really a restaurant. we loved the ambience in san angel, with the ride and the volcano in the background. but you're practically sitting on the laps of the people next to you, and the menu offers little selection. also, i threw up after that meal but it may have been the heat. :hurl:
my boyf really likes akershus (sp?) in norway because you get a cold bar then you order the hot plate. he got some sort of deer stew or something. i'm not a big meat-eater so i wasn't as impressed. also, stay away from the brown slices on the cold bar. i thought it was peanut butter but later found out it was some sort of goaty concoction!
our faves by park:
MK: COSMIC RAYS: oh yum, we have to go here at least twice each trip! they have veggie burgers and the toppings bar is awesome. (also try the ice cappicino)
Epcot: Lotus Blossum, the cheaper place in China, try the orange chicken and lomein! to die for.
AK: the stirfry place in Asia.
MGM: toy story pizza planet. pizza is good, (not as good as THE UPPER CRUST in celebration though) and you get to play arcade games like SKEEBALL if you make a happy plate!:sohappy:
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bugsbunny
Well-Known Member
I've had bad meals from my favorite restaurants in my home town. And since I also do quite a bit of fanciful cooking at home, I can certainly understand that things happen sometimes. Even Disney is going to have a bad day once in a while.
Fulton Crab House - Spent $200 for only 2 people!! We splurged and both got twin lobster tails. But everything was just incredible.
Brown Derby - Ate there about 2-3 years ago, so I'm sure things can change. But my wife still talks about how good it was to this day. One of my employee's wife says the same thing about their Cobb salad.
Prime Time - Eaten their about 6 times or so. Never had a bad meal there. Huge portions and entertaining if you get the right server.
Whisper Canyons - Food was good. It wasn't the cat's whiskers, but the atmosphere and good time made it a memorable and great time.
Le Cellier - As far as I am concerned, a must stop. I had the Beefsteak tomato appetizer and I only wish I could have it right now.
The food is fantastic and it also got a super rating from Zagat's.
Living Seas or whatever you call it - Ungodly expensive and I'm not sure for what. I would have rather saved my money on a smoked turkey leg.
Cape May Cafe - Sure, it's a buffet, but it's a Disney buffet. Great food and where else can you eat 200 clams in taragon garlic butter and get it included in the price?
Rainforest Cafe - Expensive? You bet. Big menu? Good food? Absolutely. I've eaten at the one at DisneyLand, at AK, and WDW Downtown. Haven't had a bad meal at any of them and I love their bar stools.
Wolfgang Pucks Express - Stopped at the one at WDW Downtown for brunch. They were out of everything including coffee, but they made up for it by not having anything on the lunch menu ready, either.
Trail's End Buffeteria - Another fabulous Disney buffet located at Ft. Wilderness. Some of the best biscuits and gravy. Plus the breakfast pizza rocks.
Breakfastasaurous - Another buffet located at AK. We made the mistake of getting 9:20 reservations when the park opened at 9:00. They need to seat the entire restaruant at once and then fill in the rest from there. Out front at 9:00, it looked like those pictures you see when they throw bread out the back of a truck in Somalia. It was nuts plus they don't use a PA to announce tables. Instead, they had someone who spoke English as a 3rd language shouting it out. The food was OK and it was a zoo in side with the characters and little kids running around. But what else would you expect at a character breakfast?
Hoop-Dee-Do Review - Great show and above average food. After all, it is BBQ food. But for BBQ food, it is quite good and PLENTY of it as the bring buckets forth. A real good time and shouldn't be missed.
Liberty Tree - Good food served up in bucket sized portions to spread around the table. Never had a bad meal here though the mac and cheese is more of a oatmeal consistency and bland. Everything else is quite tasty and good value for the dollar, especially when compared to the rest of the sit down dinners in MK.
ESPN at the Boardwalk - Unless your team is playing, don't ever go here on a Sunday afternoon during football season. It's a zoo. However, my team was playing and it was a great place to drink a beer and watch the game. Food is marginal. The day we were there, they were broadcasting live for the pre-game show. Talk about a mad house!!
Biergarten - If you are a vegetarian and don't like beer, either, then I suggest you avoid this place... and country.
Food, the beer, the show, and fun factor are all very high.
Portabello Yacht club - It was a few years ago, but I have to say that was one of the best meals I've had this side of any of Emeril Lagasse's restaurants in New Orleans. Expensive, but worth it.
Fulton Crab House - Spent $200 for only 2 people!! We splurged and both got twin lobster tails. But everything was just incredible.
Brown Derby - Ate there about 2-3 years ago, so I'm sure things can change. But my wife still talks about how good it was to this day. One of my employee's wife says the same thing about their Cobb salad.
Prime Time - Eaten their about 6 times or so. Never had a bad meal there. Huge portions and entertaining if you get the right server.
Whisper Canyons - Food was good. It wasn't the cat's whiskers, but the atmosphere and good time made it a memorable and great time.
Le Cellier - As far as I am concerned, a must stop. I had the Beefsteak tomato appetizer and I only wish I could have it right now.
The food is fantastic and it also got a super rating from Zagat's.Living Seas or whatever you call it - Ungodly expensive and I'm not sure for what. I would have rather saved my money on a smoked turkey leg.
Cape May Cafe - Sure, it's a buffet, but it's a Disney buffet. Great food and where else can you eat 200 clams in taragon garlic butter and get it included in the price?
Rainforest Cafe - Expensive? You bet. Big menu? Good food? Absolutely. I've eaten at the one at DisneyLand, at AK, and WDW Downtown. Haven't had a bad meal at any of them and I love their bar stools.
Wolfgang Pucks Express - Stopped at the one at WDW Downtown for brunch. They were out of everything including coffee, but they made up for it by not having anything on the lunch menu ready, either.
Trail's End Buffeteria - Another fabulous Disney buffet located at Ft. Wilderness. Some of the best biscuits and gravy. Plus the breakfast pizza rocks.
Breakfastasaurous - Another buffet located at AK. We made the mistake of getting 9:20 reservations when the park opened at 9:00. They need to seat the entire restaruant at once and then fill in the rest from there. Out front at 9:00, it looked like those pictures you see when they throw bread out the back of a truck in Somalia. It was nuts plus they don't use a PA to announce tables. Instead, they had someone who spoke English as a 3rd language shouting it out. The food was OK and it was a zoo in side with the characters and little kids running around. But what else would you expect at a character breakfast?
Hoop-Dee-Do Review - Great show and above average food. After all, it is BBQ food. But for BBQ food, it is quite good and PLENTY of it as the bring buckets forth. A real good time and shouldn't be missed.
Liberty Tree - Good food served up in bucket sized portions to spread around the table. Never had a bad meal here though the mac and cheese is more of a oatmeal consistency and bland. Everything else is quite tasty and good value for the dollar, especially when compared to the rest of the sit down dinners in MK.
ESPN at the Boardwalk - Unless your team is playing, don't ever go here on a Sunday afternoon during football season. It's a zoo. However, my team was playing and it was a great place to drink a beer and watch the game. Food is marginal. The day we were there, they were broadcasting live for the pre-game show. Talk about a mad house!!
Biergarten - If you are a vegetarian and don't like beer, either, then I suggest you avoid this place... and country.
Food, the beer, the show, and fun factor are all very high.Portabello Yacht club - It was a few years ago, but I have to say that was one of the best meals I've had this side of any of Emeril Lagasse's restaurants in New Orleans. Expensive, but worth it.
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mrmickeymouse
New Member
the worst meal i had was at downtown disney planet hollywood i orderd a burger and found hair in my fries
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leeocean
New Member
Wolfgang Puck was the worst experience I had ever had. First, I got the wrong meal - I had gotten chicken pad thai when I ordered vegetable. The chicken was underneath some noodles so I couldn't tell right away. And when the waitress finally came back to check on our food she accused me of purposefully not telling her fast enough (what was I supposed to do - chase her around in the restaurant?) just to get it off the check. I told her I would pay for it but I didn't even touch it. I should have gone to the manager but I just wanted out of there. I will never eat there again.
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cherrynegra
Well-Known Member
Wow! I'm really surprised about all the negative experiences about Wolfgang Puck. I was there last month and ate at the Wolf express location at Downtown Disney twice, and then had sit down lunch at the West End location. All times the meals were excellent and service as well. I was so happy to see them there because I eat at the one here in San Francisco on a regular basis and always liked the food. I guess other people had different experiences but it does make you wonder. Hmm...could it be that lack of crowds affects service?
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fire in the hole!
By less appetizing cuts, I'm pretty sure lebernadin means the ends of a fabricated cut; Say you have a beef tenderloin. both ends, while still tasting good, just don't look quite right and are oddly shaped. It's hard to cook an unevenly shaped piece of meat to a correct medium rare, so they save it for well done orders. It's the same quality, just, well, goofy lookin.
With the prime rib, the question is, if you have the end pieces that are already well done, why waste an already properly cooked medium rare cut for a well done order?
By less appetizing cuts, I'm pretty sure lebernadin means the ends of a fabricated cut; Say you have a beef tenderloin. both ends, while still tasting good, just don't look quite right and are oddly shaped. It's hard to cook an unevenly shaped piece of meat to a correct medium rare, so they save it for well done orders. It's the same quality, just, well, goofy lookin.
With the prime rib, the question is, if you have the end pieces that are already well done, why waste an already properly cooked medium rare cut for a well done order?
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bugsbunny
Well-Known Member
Cooking prime rib until "well done" is like cooking a fried egg until the yolk is fully cooked. At that point, I'm not sure what you are really after.
You have to be one helluva chef to cook a steak well done but still make it tender and juicy. The window between STOP NOW and TOO LATE is about 10 seconds.:lol:
You have to be one helluva chef to cook a steak well done but still make it tender and juicy. The window between STOP NOW and TOO LATE is about 10 seconds.:lol:
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