Originally Posted By vbdad55 ^^^^^^^^^^^ You are absolutely right Luv -- my favorite steak I have ever had anywhere -- regardless of what they have on the menu, that is my entree each time
Originally Posted By Coachbagfanatic1 <<Best is Cal Grill's tamarind filet.>> Is that an entree that they have on the menu all the time as my husband would love to try that in December.
Originally Posted By LuvDatDisney ^^Yep. That's it. They tried taking if off a few years ago after switching chefs. That didn't last long! Everything at that place is great, but the filet is phenomenal.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <<<Best is Cal Grill's tamarind filet.>> Is that an entree that they have on the menu all the time as my husband would love to try that in December.< It is not always on the menu, but if you ask them for it, they will always serve it. I'd say it is on about 1/2 the times I have been there, but I have always gotten it.
Originally Posted By WDWVET Well to be honest all of the above restaurants are excellent, we've done them all over the years, but now we look for value, so we go to Longhorn on 535 near the Crossroads for steak that is is just as good for half the price.. We get more bang for our buck now, since we go as often as we do... Being locals and doing Disney for over 25 yrs gives us the edge over the tourists... most of them are stuck in WDW because they don't know their way around... We love Disney, but when it comes time for dinner and we want waitress service and a great meal.. we can find it five minutes outside of the park.. Don't get me wrong, we have snacks and sandwiches in the parks and resorts, but we refuse to pay double the going rate for food anymore at one of Disney's restaurants..
Originally Posted By trekkeruss But for many of us, it isn't just about the food. We can only visit WDW so often, and their restaurants make for part of the whole Disney experience. I don't doubt you can get food as good as Disney's for less money, but that isn't always the only criteria for visiting WDW. I can also stay at at onsite hotel and save money, but it's not the same, you know? Since it's a vacation, the splurge is worth it. Since you are local, of course it wouldn't be worth the same to you.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss ^^That should read, "I can also stay at an offsite hotel and save money"
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <but we refuse to pay double the going rate for food anymore at one of Disney's restaurants.. < see for many of us from large cities like NY or Chicago -- the prices at WDW restaurants are 'normal' for a nice restaurant by us-- so I don;t feel the sting.... but without ever having gone to your place on 535, I have traveled the world extensively for my job, and the filet at Cali grill is one of the best I have ever had at any price, so I am having a tough time buying that the Longhorn can match it for 1/2 the price....
Originally Posted By vbdad55 Although I take your work for it the place you go is probably good....Disney has no lock on good restaurants - there are plenty everywhere...and most of the best are small places, not chains
Originally Posted By WDWVET <<Although I take your work for it the place you go is probably good....Disney has no lock on good restaurants - there are plenty everywhere...and most of the best are small places, not chains>> You don't need to takke my word on it... It's my opinion... I have done most or all restaurants in Disney World .... I have no complaint about food quality.. This is been hashed out a million times for on this board Disney is high priced whether its food or not... I choose to spend my money on other thing... so I dont need to pay double for a steak there...
Originally Posted By LuvDatDisney Longhorn on 535 at CrossRoads? Is that new? There's a Lone Star Steakhouse and Landry's Seafood House on 535 at I-4, but I didn't know Longhorn had opened there. Regardless, both of those places are mid-level steak chains with average (Lone Star) to above average (Longhorn) food. They in no way compare to the quality of food, service, wine list and ambience of the California Grill. Yes. It's pricey, but not compared to NYC or Las Vegas or LA eateries on the same level , or even lower. I wish the filet were still $25, but I have no problem paying $35 for it either.
Originally Posted By WDWVET <<Regardless, both of those places are mid-level steak chains with average (Lone Star) to above average (Longhorn) food.< Is this a food critic rating?? Are you a food critic?? I sure your not... this is your PERSONAL OPINION....Either way.. It's mine that THAT'S ALL THAT COUNTS.. when it comes to opinions on this board... it's just one persons.. you should remember this, because you say it, does not make it so...
Originally Posted By Coachbagfanatic1 We have never eaten at Lone Star but have eaten at Longhorn here in NJ. There food is pretty good but a bit spicy for me. I love their Potato Soup. We also love the Cali Grill which their food is excellent but yes pricey. I do understand that some people don't like to pay a lot of money for their food no matter how good it is and that is understandable. Just as long as we enjoy the food that's all that matters to us no matter where we go. But that's just us.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <<<Regardless, both of those places are mid-level steak chains with average (Lone Star) to above average (Longhorn) food.< Is this a food critic rating?? Are you a food critic?? I sure your not... this is your PERSONAL OPINION....Either way.. It's mine that THAT'S ALL THAT COUNTS.. when it comes to opinions on this board... it's just one persons.. you should remember this, because you say it, does not make it so.< Ok-- I've never seen someone so passionate about this topic-- but here you go: When you find Longhorn in Zagat's Guide - let me know -- they are food critics and recognized as the best in the indutry...-- Cali Grill is in there for their food... Wasn't even going to answer with answers bordering on nasty with all the caps and such ....you're the one who made the opinion that you can get the same steak for 1/2 the price...and that was just your opinion and no one jumped down your throat yelling with CAPS. And last I counted that was only one opinion also, but somehow you made it fact... Zagat's says that does not appear to be true -- but you are right about one thing-- it is your choice to eat where you want..bon apetit
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey If I were a local, I probably wouldn't eat on property that often, either, because I'm sure you can get quality meals outside the park for cheaper. But since I'm a tourist, and I don't leave property once I arrive, I shell out the extra $$$ for a "Disney-fied" dining experience. Disney isn't the only place guilty of charging extra for meals. If you eat in the French Quarter, you'll pay twice as much for a po-boy as you would if you went to the restaurant with the cheesy formica tables and wood paneling by my house.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <Disney isn't the only place guilty of charging extra for meals. If you eat in the French Quarter, you'll pay twice as much for a po-boy as you would if you went to the restaurant with the cheesy formica tables and wood paneling by my house.< Has a lot to do with the cost of the property the restaurants sit on...my guess is those in the French Quarter pay a lot more for rent...so the cost gets passed along somewhere... btw-- my 2 trips to the FQ- I found to still be far more reasonable than downtown Chicago or NY....it's all relative.... but certainly some of the best food in this country is found in Mom & Pop restaurants..
Originally Posted By Coachbagfanatic1 <<but certainly some of the best food in this country is found in Mom & Pop restaurants..>> Isn't that the truth. Nothing like a home cooked meal in that Mom & Pop.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 Got some great ethnic ones in Chicago -- my faves are the ones with the menus on blackboards -- order early as things run out as you are deciding...
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey I'm sure New Orleans restaurants are cheaper than those in Chicago and New York. When my friends and I go out for a special occasion I'm prepared to pay around $60 for a three course meal without alcohol, and to me that's expensive.
