Garden Grill or La Hacienda de San Angel?

[AvonleaCF]

Trying to decide between the two for an Epcot dinner. On the DDP so $$ doesn't matter. Have eaten at Hacienda de San Angel before and really enjoyed it, but never at Garden Grill. Will be solo. I enjoy both types of food and am really struggling to decide! My other reservations this trip are:



Biergarten (dinner)
Kona Cafe (dinner)
Via Napoli (dinner)
The Wave (breakfast)
Yak & Yeti (dinner)
Raglan Road (dinner)


Thanks!!!

[Maleficent_vf]

We've always enjoyed the Garden Grill. The characters are fun, food is good. The restaurant rotates, so your view is always changing, including seeing parts of the Living with the Land ride. There are a number of hidden Mickeys in the mural.

Not a fan of Mexican, so haven't been to La Hacienda de San Angel.

[jennsky]

If you haven't tried Garden Grill, then I say choose that one. It's great seeing into Living with The Land as it rotates. Then you can check it off the bucket list! BUT, having done both, I would pick La Hacienda, but purely because the Mexican Pavilion is my very favourite! I love the ambience there.

[texas211]

La Hacienda, the ambiance is cool. The food is not. Its like getting an El Patio Tv dinner, but disney prices of course. Garden Grill isn't bad, and neat in its own way too.

So if Ambiance is enough. Easy call. If you expect good food, easy call. What takes priority. But assume the food at Hacienda.. well, yeah. But you being from Conn, and me from Texas, expectations for Mexican food might be different, as well as a desirability for heat.

[kathleen.talamantes.7]

We ate at La Hacienda and haven’t been back. Love the atmosphere but the food not so much.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[AvonleaCF]

Whoa not so much love for Hacienda! I really enjoyed my meal there.

I’m a little nervous eating alone at a character meal plus all you can eat platters. Won’t I look a little silly? I’ve done Disney solo many times but never done family style or characters.

[#1donaldfan]

The atmosphere is better at San Angel without a doubt but the food & service stinks ... worst of any on property !! Garden Grill is good food and the service has been good the two times we tried it.

[Speedy1998]

La Hacienda, the ambiance is cool. The food is not. Its like getting an El Patio Tv dinner, but disney prices of course.

I am glad I am not the only Texan that feels that way about La Hacienda. Actually my biggest gripe about Disney food is that I find most of it to be bland for my taste.

[Maleficent_vf]

I don't think you'll look silly. It's not like they bring out big heaps of food. They scale it to your party size. How much time the characters spend with you may depend on how busy it is. If they've got lots of tables, especially with kids, I think they will greet you, but will probably move on rather quickly. While I've never eaten there solo, I have only been there with adults (40+). Sometimes they have moved on very quickly from us to other tables and other times we've had lengthy, silly encounters.

I'd go for it. Character meals are a unique experience. I've always enjoyed the ones we've done, even though I was initially hesitant to do them because we didn't have kids with us.

[texas211]

Whoa not so much love for Hacienda! I really enjoyed my meal there.

I’m a little nervous eating alone at a character meal plus all you can eat platters. Won’t I look a little silly? I’ve done Disney solo many times but never done family style or characters.

I've been there for business on various occasions. I will wear a suit, and break out my laptop at the table. So, no worries. I've seen other people, sans laptop, sitting alone. Probably less weird for a woman than a guy, but the only place I see weirder things is at Vegas. You'll be fine.


I am glad I am not the only Texan that feels that way about La Hacienda. Actually my biggest gripe about Disney food is that I find most of it to be bland for my taste.


All of it, way too bland I dump Tabasco and jalapenos on everything, whenever I can get them. I generally avoid mexican food outside of Tx or the SW in general. I do enjoy some of the cajun food at Riverside, but its nothing compared to what you taste in La. But I try and enjoy the experiences, and less the food. Not enough flavor or spice. I have brought my own bottle of sriracha to the resort.

[FaithTrustPixieDust]

Garden Grill has some great Hidden Mickeys if you enjoy searching! Plus the restaurant rotates, so your view is always changing.

[MouseHouser]

Regarding La Hacienda, I agree with much of what's been said: The service is so so, and the food is not outstanding. - Yet, we adore the place.

For us, the Mexican Pavillion has its fair share of Disney magic. It doesn't matter what the weather is outside; In the Pavillion you feel as though you're dining al fresco in a Mexican pueblo on a lovely, starry night. And if you speak a little español, this is the place to break it out.

Yes, the cuisine will not change your life, but in my book, it's quite tasty. And then there's the mango margaritas -- my favorite bevy in all of Disney.

For us, La Hacienda does what Disney does best -- transports you away from daily cares and into a land of enchantment.