Cafe Orleans - June 16th 2010

[PiratesCove]

DH, DM and I were in SOCAL for 4 days and had ressies at 11:30am at Cafe Orleans for lunch. We usually stick to the Blue Bayou but this time wanted to try something different. We love the Monte Cristo sandwich and it's about $10 cheaper at Cafe Orleans than Blue Bayou. We sat outside under the covered patio which also had large umbrellas, which is nice getting out of the sun! I will say that upon entering the Cafe the hostess was nice and seated us quickly. There were people in the cafe but it didn't look packed at all. I was in hopes this was a good sign, it wasn't. The Hostess checked on us more than the wait person did! It took more than 45 mins to get our food and when we were seated, there were maybe 3 or 4 tables outside occupied. By the time we got our food, almost all of the table outside were filled and many of them had their food. I could not believe it!!! I finally asked a wait person that was at another table if we could get a refill on our drinks and she said yes and promtly brought them to us, I tried to tip her and she didn't want to take it b/c she said our wait person was taking a break and that she would be back. When ever I'm at a restaurant and this has happened the wait person comes to our table and explains this and tells us who our new wait person will be, this DID NOT happen at Cafe Orleans!! We sat there for a very long time wondering what was going on. Not to mention when the food was brought out that both Monte Cristo sandwiches didn't look like they do at the Blue Bayou, they had sat in the deep fryer too long, IMHO. We ate them and all three had stomach aches within a few hours. My DH felt so bad he had to sit down before we could even get him out of the park. Needless to say, we won't be going back to Cafe Orleans. I was so in hopes that it would be a wonderful lunch and great memories for my 77 yr old Mom, Hubby and myself...it wasn't! Just wanted to warn people that might think about going there. Stick to the Blue Bayou for the Monte Cristo and much better service!!

[Disney4us2]

Thanks for the review. I haven't been there since they re-opened as a TS and changed their menu. It used to be a buffeteria. I think I will stick with the French Market next door.

[mom2morgan]

uh oh! I have reservations there in 2 weeks :-) Hopefully your experience wasn't typical, but I'll be sure to report back!

[NotaGeek]

I have eaten there several times and the service level is really weird -- but they do share a kitchen I believe -- I am sorry you had such a bad experience there. I am shocked that you didn't ask for a manager, there is no way I would have sat there been served bad food and just eaten it and kept quiet. I believe that places like Disney need to hear about their short comings -- otherwise they won't have a point to start improvement.

[PiratesCove]

I am shocked that you didn't ask for a manager, there is no way I would have sat there been served bad food and just eaten it and kept quiet.

The food didn't taste bad at all, it looked over done. My DH is ever the peace maker and wanted me to calm down and just enjoy the view from our table. It wasn't until I kept thinking about the service and then hours later all three of us getting a stomach ache that I really became upset. I plan on writing a letter/email to Disney...we'll see what type of response I get!!


mom2morgan:

I had read reviews such as mine and I didn't heed the warnings, go at your own risk, more for the terrible service than anything.

[BrerGnat]

I have to agree about the lackluster service and, IMO, "ordinary" food. I had high hopes for this place too, and I ate there one night solo, and it was just NOT worth the 25 min I had to wait for a table. Food was TOTALLY "off the shelf". Not unique or good, and overpriced too.

When I want Cajun/Creole food, I'll stick to Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen, where I've NEVER had a bad meal...

[WDWRemaker]

That's sure strange, we ate there last August and it seemed great. Quick service and a delicious cheaper Monte Cristo. Hmm... :confused:

[dixielandings]

FWIW, we've eaten there twice and had really good experiences both times. We love the pomegranate lemonade and parmesan garlic fries. We also went for the less expensive monte cristo and were pleased.

I'm sorry you had a bad experience! I definitely agree that you should let them know about it (diplomatically, of course :thumbsup:) so they can improve on it. BTW - tell your DH I am just like he is but MY DH is ever willing to report underwhelming service, food quality, etc., IF and only if, it's merited. Very often we are rewarded with a nice visit from the manager or even the chef, and usually receive some sort of compensation. Again, my DH is always uber-nice about it and only does such a thing when it's legitimate (i.e. - he doesn't make stuff up just so we can get free dessert :blush:). It's always in the spirit of we-want-to-get-what-we-are-paying-for and hope-you-do-better-next-time.