San Angel Inn- just give it to me straight

[BecuzImaLady]

Thank you ALL for your honest replies, the promise of icy air conditioning on a hot July afternoon is almost enough to make be book a reservation. I think we will go into this with an expectation of mediocre Disney food whether it be in taste or service (and we have had some!) with a cool ambiance. And after all, the “cool factor” of the restaurant is worth trying once.

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

DH and I ate there about a month ago and enjoyed it. Also from Texas (Houston), and knew it was not Tex-Mex, and we liked it just fine. As good as the best authentic Mexican we can get in Houston? Nope. But we waited for a table closer to the river (second row), we love the atmosphere and how it is such a respite from the sun and heat, and the margarita I ordered was perfection!

I do agree with others that they have crammed too many tables in there, but we did not mind that.

I noticed they added some tables in the little area near the restrooms where people used to wait for their table. I would absolutely REFUSE to sit there.

 

[nkereina]

The other complaint I've seen is that its very dark in there. People complaining of getting the flashlight on their phones out to read the menu. Personally, I'll try anything at WDW once, especially something as subjective as a restaurant or resort. I definitely think its worth a try. And try not to have any preconceived notions - there's been plenty of times we've liked something that others have hated, or vice versa!

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

The other complaint I've seen is that its very dark in there. People complaining of getting the flashlight on their phones out to read the menu. Personally, I'll try anything at WDW once, especially something as subjective as a restaurant or resort. I definitely think its worth a try. And try not to have any preconceived notions - there's been plenty of times we've liked something that others have hated, or vice versa!

ooooh--I love that it's dark. At lunch, it's so nice to get out of the heat and sun.

 

[CartyGirls]

My girls hated it and hated how dark it was and that they couldn't see their plates I liked the food. I had worst on my trip. My mom one request was this place so we did it. I would go again without my kids and I would love if the tables were further a part.

 

[pens4821]

We really enjoyed the food. We were there in January. Like you we weren't sure but wanted to try it, and glad we did. Only downfall was we were sat to the side near the restrooms, where you can't really see any of the restaurant. It was nice because it was kind of secluded (I think there were 4/5 tables there) and not right on top of other tables, but we booked to see the view and didn't get to see that. Next time I'd request not to be in that area.

 

[starrysky]

We are fans of SAI and we love the food and the atmosphere. Service can be a tad hit or miss.
If you can get a table by the water it’s lovely and the view back into the pavilion is very pretty.

 

[coast2coastmickey]

It's not Tex-mex, it's more authentic to Central Mexico.

We go there almost every trip, and love it every time.

My favorite criticism was the DIS people reviewing it on Youtube and specifically calling out how "ugly" the queso looked. It's NOT the same liquidy queso you get at a tex-mex restaurant, but it's authentic (I ate pretty much the same dish on a trip to central mexico myself) and it is out of this world delicious.

But, it's not going to make everyone happy, and if you prefer tex mex, just go to Hacienda across the pyramid right there for that kind of food.

 

[cmwade77]

Food is delicious, it is not the spicy Mexican food, but it is flavorful and good. It is as good as some of the better (not the best) places to get authentic Mexican food out here in Southern California.

The service on the other hand is usually just ok until it comes time for the bill, then it takes about 15 minutes to get the check, takes them 30 minutes to run the bill the first time and then if you are adding tip as a room charge or with a gift card, forget it, just use cash.

 

[eva]

We had always avoided SAI because of the reviews. But a few years ago we were in WS and trying to decide where to eat a late lunch. We stopped by the Mexican pavilion to use the restroom and DH said let’s try SAI for lunch. It was a weekday around 3:00 and there was only a handful of people there. No one was seated anywhere near us. It was very romantic. It is dark and we had to use our phones to see the menu. But we loved it. The food was very tasty and the margaritas were amazing. The service was fine, nothing extraordinary. Our waiter may have been hanging back a bit to allow more romance. We will definitely try it again.

 

[Micca]

even the tortilla chips are bad

In the early days of Epcot we dined there several times, I honestly don't remember much about the food. I do know that we ate there at some point in the 90s, the tortilla chips were Tostitos! The round chips that are like a knock off of Doritos much less freshly prepared chips you'd expect at a Mexican restaurant.

The atmosphere is pretty great though, maybe go for some drinks and an appetizer?

 

[epcotobsessed]

We went once. Took 15 minutes to be acknowledged by our server. After waiting another 15 minutes to get water and order, our kids asked to go on Three Caballeros while we were waiting for the food. There was a line to get on but they went anyway, came back to the table for about 5 minutes, went on the ride again (again with a line), came back and our food still was not there. We got it about 70 minutes after ordering, so nearly two hours after sitting down for our reservation. No explanation, no apology. We'll never return.

 

[dizneefan13]

What is a good time to eat here if you want to go when its least crowded, to avoid having people super close.

 

[soniam]

I refused to go for the longest time, because we are also from Texas and regularly eat Tex-Mex and authentic Mexican. The setting finally pulled us in last Thanksgiving. It was much better than I expected. It was actually good. Not every dish was authentic, but many were. My husband had the mole and really enjoyed it. I would go again. Give it a try. We actually have never had a bad meal at WDW. There are places that I wouldn't go back to, but the meals weren't bad, just not as good as I wanted. San Angel is not one of those places.

 

[nkereina]

What is a good time to eat here if you want to go when its least crowded, to avoid having people super close.

Probably mid-afternoon. After lunch, before dinner. Would also be a good time to get a seat along the railing where the ride goes by. Every time we've ridden the ride and go by SAI, it seems mostly empty during this time.

 

[SamFaniam]

Probably mid-afternoon. After lunch, before dinner. Would also be a good time to get a seat along the railing where the ride goes by. Every time we've ridden the ride and go by SAI, it seems mostly empty during this time.

I agree. We like a late lunch, and the restaurant is often pretty empty after 2:30.

Another option if you want to experience the atmosphere, but not have a full meal is just to go for margaritas and appetizers.

 

[gharter]

I have had very good, authentic mexican food in Mexico several times and this wasn't it. In general, bland.
It is very dark inside and the tables are very close together.
Its really a shame as the atmosphere inside is beautiful.

 

[GEK209]

We go there for lunch on our first day every time we visit EPCOT. The ambiance of the restaurant and the surroundings are great and the food is good, not great. But it's a tradition for us and we love it and will be going back in July.

 

[Disneylover99]

What is a good time to eat here if you want to go when its least crowded, to avoid having people super close.

We make our ADR at lunch as soon as it opens. It’s just starting to fill up as we leave and we always get a table by the water. Delicious food and awesome atmosphere!

 

[dizneefan13]

This restaurant seems to be one that you have to try at least once and decide for yourself if its worth it or not. The location and atmosphere alone is enough for us to try it at least once. There is so much to choose from in Epcot that we only revisit the places we absolutely love.