Back in the 80s when EPCOT Center made its debut, the San Angel Restaurante captured our imaginations and our restaurant dollars. Today is Cinco de Mayo, and the beloved location is still the very best place to celebrate it at Walt Disney World.
The restaurant sits in the perfect location- Mexico's World Showcase pavilion is beautiful! It's as atmospheric if not more so than the concept art below or even Disneyland's Blue Bayou:
The end result is better than the Imagineering art!
Sitting on the waterside of the lagoon, boats sail on El Rio del Tiempo, the River of Time, taking passengers on their way for a fun and music filled Gran Fiesta Tour. (Yes, the opening day attraction was based on the culture and history of Mexico and not Disney characters- and it was SO much better!)
As you sit there enjoying your excellently prepared tacos, perfectly cooked steak, enchiladas, or Queso Fundido, the perpetual moonlight and smoldering volcano in the distance takes you to a timeless land far away. The stresses of a Disney World vacation melt away. Isn't this why you came to Disney in the first place?
Is this the right place for you to get out of the sun and enjoy a meal when there are so many options at Epcot? This Dine or Ditch review should help you to make a wise decision on what is best for your family and particular trip.
Regular visitors to Walt Disney World or local Floridians are most likely familiar with this restaurant. But for you on the West Coast or if you're a Disneyland only fan, picture if you will, a lushly themed Mexican version of New Orleans Square's classic Blue Bayou, and you'll get an idea of what's in store for those who choose to dine here.
In place of the fireflies and charming Spanish moss draped trees of Louisiana, once guests venture into the giant exterior pyramid that represents Mexico and beyond the town's plaza, the lively Mariachi music fades the deeper they go into the pavilion. They'll eventually discover a smaller Mayan pyramid hidden in a thick jungle. A smoking volcano erupts off just beyond the horizon. The majestic blue night sky glistens under the moonlight while the faint sounds of an ancient civilization are heard off in the distance. Boats sailing on El Rio del Tiempo drift by those dining on the waterfront. Here, passengers begin their journey on a music filled Gran Fiesta Tour to meet up with The Three Caballeros.
Sounds like a great place to relax and dine, doesn't it?
It was only fitting that we would eventually eat here during our adults only vacation with our youngest son. We all love Mexican food and great margaritas. But with so many options for this type of cuisine, would we be disappointed or delighted by choosing this place?
Things started off promising: Our wait was merely ten minutes once we arrived on time for our reservation. In what can only be described as a gift from God, at prime dining time and without us requesting it, we followed the hostess to a seat right at the water's edge- front and center - something we had never experienced in any of our other visits. Good start! I was once again instantly smitten by the place.
What to order? Margaritas were the go-to (of course), and we just had to request an appetizer of Queso Fundido, a dish we'd had first in the 80's and now a tradition for each meal here. What's not to love about gobs of gooey melted cheese, bits of chorizo and spices with tons of warm toasty tortilla chips- even at $15 USD? A cool, crisp, very large, and stunningly simple house margarita with top shelf liquor was my choice to complement our meal... but at a $23 price tag, there was not an additional one ordered.
When eating Mexican, I normally order Carne Asada for a special night out, but after an absolutely great evening at The Edison, the $50 USD price tag for the beef forced me to instead choose the Enchiladas de Pollo at a still expensive $27. No matter, the meal was delicious and beautifully presented with a side of plantains. My wife ordered as I did, but our son chose the $30 Ribeye Tacos which he deemed quite delicious and well worth the price. For me, one of the true determining factors of a great Mexican restaurant is its salsa. I'm happy to report, it is absolutely delicious, very flavorful with more than a hint of heat. Just the way I like it. I could have made an extended meal of just the appetizers.
Our server was beyond excellent, leaving us time to enjoy each piece of the meal while still providing attentive service. Not only did he happily take several "money shot" photos of the three of us with both the pyramid and volcano perfectly in the background, he also spent time talking with us about Epcot, his love for the park, and his appreciation for the company he works for which is headquartered in Mexico City. He much enjoyed the family environment among those who work at his location and stated many of the staff are still there since opening day.
The relaxing pace, the excellent food and drink, and the professional yet very warm service made for a very leisurely and memorable meal (and an appropriately large tip. I believing in blessing those who provide excellent service). We certainly were not rushed out or pressured to finish our meal in any way. This made it a wonderful setting to discuss the trip, our love of family and being together, and the faithfulness of God. All told, we found San Angel Inn Restaurante to be worth every effort to reserve and every bit of cash it took to dine there.
Should you dine there?
Here are a few things to consider as you decide:
Do you have children with you? In spite of the kid friendliness of the Gran Fiesta attraction, the atmosphere of the restaurant proper feels very adult. It's dark, moody, romantic, and nicely quiet the nearer you are to the lagoon. If your children are patient, well-behaved, and love learning about other cultures, they may enjoy and appreciate the relaxed but refined experience- and so will the diners around them. If they need stimulation or interactions with Disney characters, this may not be the right choice.
Consider your trip budget. It's difficult to deny that San Angel is very pricey for what it is. Although the upscale food is quite good and the drinks sublime, you are paying for the magical Disney atmosphere here. How much is atmosphere worth? That would be the tipping point for us as we have great restaurants in Denver, but none with this type of environment. When the Disney Dining Plan returns, this place should at least be on your list of places to consider.
Timing. If your desire is to transition out of the hot late afternoon sun to refresh your body and soul and lift your spirits, San Angel Inn is a perfect choice. It feels far away from the crowds and provides a one-of-a-kind experience that cannot be duplicated elsewhere in the World. Wanting a quick bite as you go from attraction to attraction? Maybe not worth your time. After dark, San Angel Inn may not be your best choice as many restaurants offer outside dining options alongside the World Showcase Lagoon. (If you still prefer Mexican for an evening meal, try La Hacienda de San Angel. Their food is even more high cuisine than San Angel Inn, but I find their atmosphere more ordinary. The prices are about equal.) If an evening viewing of Harmonious is a priority as part of your day at Walt Disney World's second theme park, this dining location is not for you.
Dine or Ditch for San Angel Inn Restaurante? Your mileage may vary, but if you're looking for unique experience that's pure Disney, and you don't mind the high price tag, it's a "Dine". If Mexican cuisine is not a favorite, the timing is off, or active children are in your party, it's a definite "Ditch".
Want more Dine or Ditch?
Check out these other reviews:
Raglan Road at Disney Springs
Sci-Fi Dine In at Disney's Hollywood Studios
Be Our Guest at Magic Kingdom
Garden Grill at Epcot
Cafe Orleans at Disneyland
Toothsome Chocolate Emporium at Universal Orlando
(Top photo copyright Simply Sinova. All other photographs copyright the Mark Taft.)
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