View Full Version : Food, Yuk!
Hello fellow Dibbers!
Just been sorting out the final part of my trip research (places to eat) and had a good read and look at some trip reports.
Apart from people having a good time, the other thing that came to my mind was the quality of food people where eating and on that note I am a bit worried!
All the meals look well oversized and do not look particular attractive (chips, sauce, cheese all chucked on a plate) can see why so Americans are over weight and I know I will only eat what I can. But what is the thing with mash spuds? All meals that I have read reports on have a big portion of this on the plate (mixed with bacon, cheese etc) and it reminds me of instant mash type thing.
The other concern I have is there does not seem much option for my wife (veggie) who does not eat meat, was planning a meal at Bahamas breeze or Black Angus but again it does not show any vegetarian choices. With the exception of Sweet tomatoes there is not much she can have, do any of you Dibbers know different?
Finally what other option can you have with you meal except Mash spuds, or is the food actually quite nice and the pictures I have seen do not do it justice?
Thanks for your help
Matt
I have found many offsite eateries very overfacing in terms of portion size Matt - I have a good appetite but still seem to send as much food back to the kitchen as arrived in the first place!
Last trip we ate more in WDW (ok it was on the dining plan and it IS more expensive to eat inside WDW) and their portion sizes are much smaller - in some places quite measly imho!
Have you looked at mcsue's reports as her DH is a veggie and always seems to get some lovely meals?
The chefs are always keen to come out and discuss particular likes and dislikes.
Offsite - I'm not sure what are the best veggie option places except Sweet Tomatoes. Onsite - places like Boma at AKL and many of the buffets have veggie options.
The food other there is fantastic, yes it's big, and a lot of the time the presentation is not michelin star quality, but neither is a lot of places over here. Although I'm not a veggie and nobody I've been with is, I don't think you'll have any problem finding good vegitarian options. Obviously there will be some meals that aren't the best, but I think if you look through the trip reports and reviews on here you won't go far wrong.
marioner
3 Mar 08, 04:11 PM
We found plenty of veggie options while dining over there, most restaurants do veggie options and are quite willing to change meals to suit.
I found most the food portions too big and left quite a lot, but it's so cheap.
I do think a lot of the photos you see don't do the food justice, especially a lot of the buffet places. When I eat a buffet type place I tend to put a little on my plate and keep going back for a clean plate because I can't stand all different foods on the same plate :blush:
We had some lovely meals that weren't at all like you have described - although some of them are quite pricey and you do pay for the extra presentation.
Boma at AKL was great for me (the only meat I eat is chicken) the chef guided me through the buffet and there was lots of interesting veggie chioces. Most WDW restaurants will cater you just need to let them know in advance if there is nothing you like the look of on the menu.
thank you so far for all your replies, My belly was turning looking at some of those pictures, really heart attack city! everyone does enjoy the food out there perhaps i am being a bit of a snob!
Any other option instead of mash with your meal? and has anyone had or seen a veggie option at Bahama Breeze?
thank you again for the comments so far
matt
Any other option instead of mash with your meal? and has anyone had or seen a veggie option at Bahama Breeze?
matt
You usually get offered fries or jacket as well as mashed potato and all 'sides' are interchangeable, meaning if the dish you fancy says it comes with mash on the menu - just say to your server that you do not like/fancy it and they will offer alternatives. The customer really is king over there :thumbs-up
You will not be offered much in the way of veg with meat meals - Americans seem to feel they are toxic in some way :pgig:
Perkins is one chain that offers rice instead of potato with a meal and other veg as well
Most of the 'mash' I had was very good - a lot of smashed in their skins red potatoes as opposed to the 'instant smash' type stuff, although I'm pretty sure you could substitute. :)
This was one big mistake I made when I went last year for the first time. To be truthful some of the places we ate were not nice and I will not be returning again. DH was disappointed with the food there as well, DS was not very unimpressed and all DD kept saying was make sure it doesn't have cheese on as everything came with cheese lol. I did not even like the food in DC. I guess this is all down to me not researching as much and now I can not wait for your trip report lol. I think your wife should be ok been a veggie as its like the norm now for some folk. I also find the food very fatty in places so take your rennie's.
Sorry if this thread has been no help what so ever but not everybody is the same and when we got there I think thats why we were disappointed as we had herd so much hype regarding the food.
Thank you Mishka,
You hit the nail on the head.
everyones comments are helpfull and i appreciate the honest too.
feel bloated just reserching this subject think i will go through a run now!!!! lol!
matt :tounge:
This was one big mistake I made when I went last year for the first time. To be truthful some of the places we ate were not nice and I will not be returning again. DH was disappointed with the food there as well, DS was not very unimpressed and all DD kept saying was make sure it doesn't have cheese on as everything came with cheese lol. I did not even like the food in DC. I guess this is all down to me not researching as much and now I can not wait for your trip report lol. I think your wife should be ok been a veggie as its like the norm now for some folk. I also find the food very fatty in places so take your rennie's.
Sorry if this thread has been no help what so ever but not everybody is the same and when we got there I think thats why we were disappointed as we had herd so much hype regarding the food.
That is such a shame Mishka as there is great food to be had there!
Must admit, we used to joke about cheese coming with everything!
Discovering and eating in the WDW restaurants restored my faith that there are good, fresh options over there :thumbs-up
FLGirl-UKNow
3 Mar 08, 04:47 PM
Well I will chime in here because I can give an opinion on two sides. The first is that my DH (who is English) is a chef here in Orlando and having lived here now almost two years he finds that although a lot of places take short cuts (meaning pre-packaged sauces, chopped veg, etc.) the variety and quality far outway the options/quality in the UK. I lived in London for almost 3 years and feel exactly the same way (and I am American).
The second opinion I can offer is that because most of the people coming over on holiday generally stay in the tourist district they make their judgement based on food that is fed to the masses (resort, dinner theater or buffet food, etc.) and it will never provide quality or michelin star food.
I can tell you that every place you go (even most of fast food places) will provide a vegetarian option. In fact, Florida has been voted one of the top cities (#16, I think) for vegetarian options. This is the land of opportunity so if you don't see it ASK for help or for an option. My DH works for Arnold Palmer and has to provide a vegetarian option quite often and they gladly will offer something that isn't on the menu. If you will be staying at a WDW resort or making ADR's for meals at the parks let them know when you make your booking that you have a vegetarian in your group.
As for portion size, yes, the portions are larger in comparison to the UK but it doesn't mean you/we have to finish it. Quite often I will even ask for the lunch portion simply so that I don't eat that much and of course the bonus to that is having a pudding every now and again.
I do hate to hear when people don't enjoy some of the chain restaurants that in other areas of town people rave over. It generally falls back to being overwhelmed due to the amount of people that flood the tourist district. It has to be hard for anyone to deal with so disappointments are bound to happen. I know that my DH wanted nothing to do with restaurants/tourist district when we moved here simply for that reason.
If you are in doubt and want to look into vegetarian dining consider getting this book: Vegetarian Walt Disney World and Greater Orlando, 2nd: The Essential Guide for the Health-Conscious Traveler (Paperback)
Keep in mind that we may eat the same types of food as you do but we just serve it/eat it in a different way. Part of the cultural differences. If in doubt, ask for your sauces on the side. That is a common request and you can then be the one to control how you want to eat it and how much of the sauce to use.
Hope that helps!
marioner
3 Mar 08, 05:31 PM
Well I will chime in here because I can give an opinion on two sides. The first is that my DH (who is English) is a chef here in Orlando and having lived here now almost two years he finds that although a lot of places take short cuts (meaning pre-packaged sauces, chopped veg, etc.) the variety and quality far outway the options/quality in the UK. I lived in London for almost 3 years and feel exactly the same way (and I am American).
The second opinion I can offer is that because most of the people coming over on holiday generally stay in the tourist district they make their judgement based on food that is fed to the masses (resort, dinner theater or buffet food, etc.) and it will never provide quality or michelin star food.
I can tell you that every place you go (even most of fast food places) will provide a vegetarian option. In fact, Florida has been voted one of the top cities (#16, I think) for vegetarian options. This is the land of opportunity so if you don't see it ASK for help or for an option. My DH works for Arnold Palmer and has to provide a vegetarian option quite often and they gladly will offer something that isn't on the menu. If you will be staying at a WDW resort or making ADR's for meals at the parks let them know when you make your booking that you have a vegetarian in your group.
As for portion size, yes, the portions are larger in comparison to the UK but it doesn't mean you/we have to finish it. Quite often I will even ask for the lunch portion simply so that I don't eat that much and of course the bonus to that is having a pudding every now and again.
I do hate to hear when people don't enjoy some of the chain restaurants that in other areas of town people rave over. It generally falls back to being overwhelmed due to the amount of people that flood the tourist district. It has to be hard for anyone to deal with so disappointments are bound to happen. I know that my DH wanted nothing to do with restaurants/tourist district when we moved here simply for that reason.
If you are in doubt and want to look into vegetarian dining consider getting this book: Vegetarian Walt Disney World and Greater Orlando, 2nd: The Essential Guide for the Health-Conscious Traveler (Paperback)
Keep in mind that we may eat the same types of food as you do but we just serve it/eat it in a different way. Part of the cultural differences. If in doubt, ask for your sauces on the side. That is a common request and you can then be the one to control how you want to eat it and how much of the sauce to use.
Hope that helps!
Very good advice and will order the book, thanks for that.
doradaxplorer
3 Mar 08, 07:57 PM
I think the mash you are talking about is their Loaded Mash,it has cheese,Sour Cream Bacon and spring onions on it and is delicious,you can have it plain.
The thing about eating in the US is they will go out of their way to help make something that is suitable for you,and a lot of things on their menu come in half portions.
FLGirl-UKNow
3 Mar 08, 08:01 PM
I think the mash you are talking about is their Loaded Mash,it has cheese,Sour Cream Bacon and spring onions on it and is delicious,you can have it plain.
The thing about eating in the US is they will go out of their way to help make something that is suitable for you,and a lot of things on their menu come in half portions.
You are exactly correct. If you are ordering a meal that includes a jacket potato and they ask you if you want it loaded you will get everything that the restaurant offers on it. Generally it will be cheese, butter, sour cream, chives and bacon. You can get everything on the side or pick what you want, if you want anything at all.
Red Lobster is great for half potion meals. We go there often and both DH and I ask for the half portion. It is noted on most of the dishes as an option but, again, ask if you don't see it.
Villainlover
3 Mar 08, 08:16 PM
there are all types of Restaurants available in Orlando.. I very rarely have had anything with cheese all over it?? well apart from Pizza ;)
Just do a simple search on the internet to see the vast array of offsite dining options .. Vietnamese, Tai, Japanese, Greek, Carribean, South American, English, American, Italian, Mexican... the list is endless.
potato options I have found are Fried, Baked (you can choose to have these 'loaded' or just have plain with butter) mash or red skinned boiled, but you don't even have to choose potatoes at all, you usually get a choice of 2 or 3 'sides' from a list
I have never found there to be cheese on anything, unless I order it.
cannot help with the veggie options as I go out for Steaks mostly. They don't go on presentation in the regular priced eateries, but the food is generally good. If you want Michelin stars then all you have to do is look around there are lots of upscale dining experiences to be had..
rusty30
3 Mar 08, 08:41 PM
Some good advice there!
We find the quality varies enormously and a bit of research before you go (as you are doing right now!) should help you out a lot. There is no denying there is a whole heap of pretty nasty places to eat in the tourist areas - but there are also a whole bunch of good ones and some REALL Y great ones. We definately find you get what you pay for - so heading into a $7 all you can eat buffet and expecting quality cuts of meat and fresh ingriedients is a big mistake. Everything is over processed, full of preservatives plus sugar and salt - just hideous.
We like the chains such as Red Lobster, Tony Romas, Bahama Breeze etc and find them all VERY accomodating. I like my jacket (baked) potatoes "dry" i.e with nothing on and its never a problem. If you want plain chicken or steak, again, not a problem.
The Disney restaurants maybe a bit dearer, but the quality is great, especially in the signature ones. Nothing is ever too much trouble and you can mix and match sides, sauces and change the potato option. Salad dressings can be put on the side, rather than mixed in, burgers can be ordered without the bun, pickle, cheese - however you like!
You are the customer, you have it "your way" and the US service industry really seems to take that onboard. There is no reason to eat unhealthily.
wow, did not think I would get such a response as big as this!
some good options, Oh by the way not staying at disney we are at Homewood suites just behind Bahma Breeze thats why was wondering if they do a veggie option. Might be an idea just to email them and see what they say.
happy about the mash thing, as I would just have a bolied spud or maybe just a dry jacket or even salad!
The reason I went into this spiral of doom was the poor pictures and lack of presentation of the meals being served,not forgeting the large oversized portions! I would expect better from say the local Brewers fayre in my town. However I am in an another country so must respect there dining ways.
Not after michelin star quality, just normal food not a plate of over faced calories!
thank you again for your help, some quality feedback taken onboard. will try and enjoy eating out when we get there and try and look at the plus side rather than being negative like I have today.
taaaaaaaaaa ;)
FLGirl-UKNow
3 Mar 08, 09:22 PM
Do us a favor and post about your experience so we can see what you actually thought after being here.
Give this restaurant a look if you want something on the nicer side. This is a calorie controlled restaurant but it is fantastic!! It is called Season's 52 (http://www.seasons52.com/) and is a local favorite.
If you haven't had a look already, take a look at the online Bahama Breeze menu (http://www.bahamabreeze.com/menus/).
ooops posted twice by mistake
cheers FLGirl-UKNow, will do a full review when when I get back. No doubt I will be moaning over nothing and eating "Humble Pie" ;)
Season 52 looks lovely by the way thank you for the tip. still got 8weeks to go and no doubt we will be told of more good dining experiences before the time we leave.
:wave: matt
Bridget
3 Mar 08, 10:03 PM
Bahama Breeze do the odd vegetarian dish - but not a great deal mainly salads and soups :confused2
Cafe Tu Tu Tango do a few vegetarian dishes - sounds a very nice menu.
The Olive Garden do some veggie dishes too :thumbs-up
derynifan
3 Mar 08, 10:12 PM
Don't dis the mash!
The mash I had there was without exception very yummy. Whispering Canyons is springing to mind here. Certainly not smash. In fact I had to stop myself eating the mash to have room for the rest of it. (Can you tell I was a fan? LOL)
Maggiemae
3 Mar 08, 10:31 PM
Bahama breeze have good starters for veggies as well as cuban bread,
tomato and basil flatbread, and the onion rings are great.
Treacle44
3 Mar 08, 10:37 PM
The food is generally very good over there, maybe some of the pics you've seen are of buffet offerings as there is so much choice, people generally do go overboard and pile lots of goodies onto their plates.
Mash is a big thing over there, it's very hard to get jacket potatoes like here, but it's not instant at all and is very tasty.
Disney caters quite well for veggies and the chef's seem to bend over backwards to accomodate people if asked.
Sweet Tomatoes on I Drive has a great choice for veggies.
x
FLGirl-UKNow
4 Mar 08, 04:38 PM
Mash is an easy side and of course it is perfect for buffets and resorts. You won't see it as much at some of our off site restaurants and when you do a lot of times it will be garlic flavored so be aware of that if you aren't keen on garlic.
If you asked us what a jacket potato was I think you'd get a lot of blank expressions as we don't use that term. Look for (ask for) a baked potato and then you'll be speaking our language! lol
FL girl - as a 'local' and married to a chef where do you go for a nice meal?
Seasons looks lovely, will add that to the list thank you. Am I right in thinking it's in the same mall as Fisn Bones? and is there a Mexican there?
Have you tried Texas de Brazil? (As we'll be out there a couple of weeks after our Wedding Anniversary I'm hoping they'll send a discount offer!)
Sorry for all the questions but you seem the ideal person to ask.
Thanks
Ruth
FLGirl-UKNow
4 Mar 08, 07:50 PM
FL girl - as a 'local' and married to a chef where do you go for a nice meal?
Seasons looks lovely, will add that to the list thank you. Am I right in thinking it's in the same mall as Fisn Bones? and is there a Mexican there?
Have you tried Texas de Brazil? (As we'll be out there a couple of weeks after our Wedding Anniversary I'm hoping they'll send a discount offer!)
Sorry for all the questions but you seem the ideal person to ask.
Thanks
Ruth
Texas deBrazil is a nice choice. Go with a big appetite because you will get a LOT of food. Of course you can control how much meat you eat. One of my co-workers is from Brazil and he agrees that it is pretty good....pricey but good. There actually is a new Brazilian restaurant opening as you make the big turn headed towards Texas deBrazil. It is called Gol! (http://www.golthetasteofbrazil.com/index.php) and they have sample menu at the website if you want to have a look.
Since my DH is a chef (high end) he tends to like easy eating so we don't do a lot of fancy dinners. For something middle of the road I recommend Stonewood (http://www.stonewoodgrill.com/default.asp) and they are off of Dr. Phillips (turn right off of Sand Lake) and are about 10-15 minutes from I-drive.
Some of our favorites as for chain restaurants are Longhorn, Red Lobster and my favorite is Kobe. There is a Kobe on Kirkman and we find it not as busy as the other Japanese places in/around I-Drive.
Seasons52 is on the left on Sandlake when you are coming from I-drive and I really can't fault any of the restaurants in that cluster of shops (left or right side). Ruth Chris, Melting Pot, Fish Bones, etc. are all great choices. In fact, take a look at the info here (http://www.tripadvisor.com/GoListDetail-i10550-Restaurant_Row_in_Orlando.html) for links and reviews on what is knicknamed restaurant row.
Not sure if that was of use but will be happy to keep trying if you have something specific you want to know. If you do decide to go to Seasons52 be sure to get the dessert sampler.....it's GREAT!!
:wavey:
FL Girl, fantastic reviews - thank you!
I first went to Orlando as a veggie in '93 and I can honestly say that the choice was pretty limited then. However, it's very good now, and Bahama Breeze has a number of great vegetarian options.
bigcol300866
4 Mar 08, 11:01 PM
:d: Thanks FL GIRL some great eating place's there, will have to try some, only thing me and DW really want to try a brazilian staek house but they tell me they don't cater for children, our DS is 9 yrs old, now and he will be 10 in summer when we come, my parents rave on about a restraunt down at haines city called mannies( i think thats how you spell it) they say its great but as yet we have never tryed it, but we will def go to season 52 that looks great, thanks for your post its nice to have an insider :d: :d: . We have some freinds that live on windwood bay, but when we are over we always go to them for dinner, so it would be nice to take them out to dinner one time.
Thanks FL girl.
ChastMastr
5 Mar 08, 12:58 AM
thank you so far for all your replies, My belly was turning looking at some of those pictures, really heart attack city! everyone does enjoy the food out there perhaps i am being a bit of a snob!
Not a snob at all! :o: We really are struggling with all kinds of health problems over here (including, but not limited to, heart attacks of course) -- I'm terribly fat myself, trying to work on it -- and if you look at the advertisements here on television they encourage people to keep eating more. Child obesity is very high, which is not only shameful but tragic as it's teaching them bad habits they will have trouble shaking for the rest of their lives... Taco Bell had this big ad campaign for something called "fourthmeal" ("You Need Fourthmeal" etc.), all kinds of "super-size" options to make fast food meals even bigger are everywhere, and so on. Generally what veg is available tends to be almost a garnish, sadly.
On the plus side for Disney, especially at the buffets, it's possible to eat very healthy indeed and vegetarian as well -- and the vegetarian options at the buffets are really, really good with lots of flavor. And since it's a buffet, you can go back and get as much or little as you like of things, so if you want to get three kinds of salad, balsamic-glazed roasted root vegetables, mushrooms in garlic sauce, etc. and skip the fried chicken, you can. :D
David
bigcol300866
5 Mar 08, 09:54 AM
Both my mother and DW, are weight watchers or slimmers world, or whichever diet they are doing this week, and both love it out in florida, because they use low fat this, low salt that, not forgetting lo carbs, they both come home and have lost weight, because of all the good for you food, and walking you would not normally do when at home, so there must be something being done right, in the good old US of A,my DW fetchs some clear crystals from walmart, they in theory, is nothing in them and they taste good too, no sugar, no carbs, no sweetner, yep i wonder how that work's too, but it does, any way here's to a meat feast athon when we go at easter, DW already mouth watering at staekhouse's FL Girl posted.
All the best Bigcol.
Bridget
5 Mar 08, 02:18 PM
I find the menus in America a lot better than over here. They give you more information on calories, low-fat, low-carb and healthy options from the menu.
And remember if it's not on the menu you can swap foods about and they usually make what you fancy.]
The food in Florida is fantastic! :spin:
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