Episode 1044 - Counter Service Madness (The Final Four)

Authored by: frandog on Thursday, June 07 2012 @ 09:23 PM CDT

Len: "I think people will go with Pecos Bills because of the familiarity."
Bingo for me. I love burgers and fries, and Tangerine Cafe is a bit too adventurous for me.

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WE'RE TALKING DISNEY, GOING AT IT AS HARD AS WE CAN!

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Authored by: NarnianViolinist on Friday, June 08 2012 @ 08:07 AM CDT

I'm voting Tangierine Café, mostly on the basis of the baklava alone. And the fact that I've never seen Pecos Bill's not completely swamped, while the crowds at Tangierine are much more manageable.

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Authored by: NullUnit60 on Friday, June 08 2012 @ 09:50 AM CDT

My last encounter with Sunshine Seasons was like encountering the chocolate from the Whizzo Chocolate company. "Don't you even take the bones out?" "If we took the bones out, it wouldn't be crunchy would it?" That noodle dish with the boney (and marrow) chicken is something that I will never, ever, get again.

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Authored by: PittsburghDad on Friday, June 08 2012 @ 01:49 PM CDT

I'm voting for Tangerine Cafe. Obviously, both are great, that's why they have made the final four. However, what Disney World needs most is more unique cuisine. The Tangerine Cafe is probably the counter service that is the most unique in all of Disney World. While I might not go there every time I visit, I definitely think that the combination of quality and uniqueness makes it a great choice.

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Authored by: cubeinhabitant on Friday, June 08 2012 @ 02:06 PM CDT

I am voting for Tangerine Cafe. It is a unique non-theme park type of restaurant with very good food. I believe that Matt voted against Flame Tree Barbecue because it had "theme park" food and yet he votes for Pecos Bills which is basically burgers. Burgers to me are more theme park (and ball park, mall, and fast food) than actually smoked meats. So using the non-theme park test, my vote goes to Tangerine Cafe. Okay, stepping off of the bitter train. :-)

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Authored by: TinkyBell on Friday, June 08 2012 @ 02:24 PM CDT

I vote for Tangierine Cafe. Love the food, and love the coffee!

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Authored by: TinkyBell on Friday, June 08 2012 @ 02:29 PM CDT

By the way, guys, the name of the cafe is Tangierine (think of Tangiers), not Tangerine like the fruit. Can I vote twice? :)

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Authored by: FigmentRules on Friday, June 08 2012 @ 05:03 PM CDT

Guys, I am so disappointed in your assessment of the lack of sophistication among your listening audience. After all, these are the same folk who stay at Deluxe resorts and thus, have not dined at any Moderate or Value Resort food court. Tie-died Cheesecake? Newell, really, I'm shocked! ;-)

While Pecos Bill's might be the counter service restaurant against which all others should be compared, Tangierine Cafe not only compares favorably, it knocks the socks off even the fixin's bar! Count my vote for the Tangierine Cafe!

In the end, I hope Sunshine Seasons takes the big win. After the Table Service Madness, for the first time I could not get a dinner reservation at Tokyo Dining during my recent May trip. I certainly don't want or need long lines at Tangierine Cafe! That said, you really should give it a try.

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Authored by: Mouseinthemiddle on Friday, June 08 2012 @ 06:11 PM CDT

This one is easy - Tangierine Cafe. I'm a bit baffled by Matt's obvious love and admiration for Pecos Bill and his fine establishment. It is basically the exact same burger/chicken quick serve as a dozen other food courts at WDW and a really good fixins bar. Tangierine Cafe is truly unique, well-themed and in my opinion quite a bit tastier than the average WDW cuisine. Although Len is totally right about the service - the guys are not rude, but indifferent is a good description...French Colonial influence :)

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Authored by: cgessner on Friday, June 08 2012 @ 06:18 PM CDT

I love Peco's Bill; BUT.....the Tangierine Cafe has a lot going for it. For starters, diversity of menu. You can't find what TC has at any other restaurant in Walt Disney World. And even if you want a burger, you can technically get one here (though it's on the Kid's menu -- at least last time I checked). While the menu might seem a bit out of the norm for some people, most can find something new to try without leaving their comfort range. Also -- a big plus for me are the drinks! Can you say "beer" people? Your not getting that at Peco's or any establishment in the Magic Kingdom. And the coffee drinks? Awesome. But the best part might be the desserts. Plenty of pastries to try from, whereas Peco's is giving you that same old DisneyWorld standby: chocolate cake, carrot cake, and yogurt. WOW -- the same thing I can get at just about any other counter service in WDW. Give me TC in the finals!!

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Authored by: mpaxton88 on Friday, June 08 2012 @ 07:13 PM CDT

So in the middle of the ultimate wdw 24 hour challenge, we had to choose some place for dinner. There was only one place in my mind that I was interested in which was Tangerine Cafe. So that's my vote.

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Authored by: mjs805 on Friday, June 08 2012 @ 09:44 PM CDT

I vote for Pecos Bills. It's always been a regular stop for our family going back decades. I'm just not the adventurous type when it comes to food. Keep up the good work guys.

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Authored by: DisneyPhD on Saturday, June 09 2012 @ 07:45 AM CDT

I vote for Tangerine Cafe. The food is fresh and tastes great. Every meat (chicken or angus beef) I've had at Pecos Bill's has been so dry that no amount of fixins would help it. We prefer Columbia Harbor House at MK which was unfortunately left out of the competition.

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Authored by: jody125 on Saturday, June 09 2012 @ 10:46 AM CDT

My vote is for Tangierine Cafe! Pecos Bills is a burger place, enough said.

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Authored by: icemantx on Sunday, June 10 2012 @ 06:44 AM CDT

Pecos Bills all the way. With 2 kids ages 1 and 3, finding food they will like is challenging to say the least at Tangerine. Add tot he fact I am not a fan of middle eastern food and Pecos Bills is a winner hands down. The Fixins bar is the simply best on property.

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Authored by: WDWFanCBIIIME on Sunday, June 10 2012 @ 10:43 AM CDT

I have to vote for the Tangerine Cafe its the best counter service on property and deserves a spot in the finals!!!

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Authored by: MrsDarling on Sunday, June 10 2012 @ 08:56 PM CDT

Count me in for the Tangierine Cafe. The food at Pecos Bill's is OK, but I suspect it's popular because there's not that much competition in the counter service category at the MK. It's a good place if you've got fussy eaters in your group, but there's an ordinariness to the food that I'd rather avoid if I can.

I agree with the folks who are a bit disappointed that the WDW Four have so little confidence in the sophistication of their listeners' palates. Food is expensive at Disney, so if for more or less the same money I can get something special (A chicken shawarma platter, baklava, and a Kasbah Coffee, anyone?) that's what I'm going for.

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Authored by: alagille on Monday, June 11 2012 @ 05:57 AM CDT

TC for me. Nothing like setting up a lamb for the slaughter!

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Authored by: Kfischler on Monday, June 11 2012 @ 06:54 AM CDT

TC for me. While both have good meat, there is nothing like watching your "kill" roast and and having it carved for your meal.

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Authored by: Jul on Monday, June 11 2012 @ 09:03 AM CDT

For Matt: Hot counter service breakfast that is worth it? Here's a few suggestions:

Capt. Cook's for Tonga Toast for under $6.
The Mara for Bobotie for $7.
Landscapes of Flavor for the Vegetarian Breakfast Sandwich (naan, cauliflower, spinach, and paneer) for $5 (with the caveat that it just sounds good--I haven't tried it yet)
Any Earl of Sandwich breakfast sandwich
Any Wolfgang Puck Express breakfast pizza

But I'm with you...pretty much skip the eggs at the park or even on the cruise ship!

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Authored by: Jul on Monday, June 11 2012 @ 09:19 AM CDT

Another vote for Tangierine Cafe here... for me, I love the Moroccan Mint Tea--with real mint in it! A glass of that and a slice of baklava, sit down next to the fountain to people watch. That's an Epcot moment for me. I'll let my husband speak to the coffee quality. :)

I was concerned about non-adventrous eaters and Tangierine Cafe until we had a party of 10 (with the full gamut of tastes and adventure levels in eating) who had a week where they couldn't agree on a single counter service location until they saw the menu at Tangierine Cafe (and then later Sunshine Seasons). Somehow even though the preparations were a bit unusual, there was something for everyone's comfort level.

The only thing I think is disappointing there is the kid's meals, which my daughter won't eat (and of course that means she doesn't have anything she will eat at Pecos Bill's aside from fries), but she's more than happy to eat off our plates. I'd love to see one "Tangierine-style" kid's meal available.

Ironically, out of all the booths for F&W, the Moroccan one was the best we had last year. Hmm....

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Authored by: Doc21g on Monday, June 11 2012 @ 10:13 AM CDT

I actually really like both places. I probably eat at Pecos Bill's more often because there are fewer enticing options at the Magic Kingdom. I don't like how little seating that there is at Tangerine though. I would judge a place on it's facilities, service, price, and food quality. For those reasons I have to choose Pecos Bills.

I think that Tangerine my stand out more if it was larger wich would make for better theming and a more imersive environment and if it wasn't at Epcot surrounded by all the other places with such fun food to try.

winner=Pecos Bill's

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Authored by: grumpy13 on Monday, June 11 2012 @ 07:44 PM CDT

My vote is for Tangerine Cafe. The food there is way better then Pecos Bills and I am sad to see this even had to go to a vote off(only because one person hasn't been there and somehow still gets a vote...cough*shouldn't of got a vote*cough). Just because the people flock to familiar simple American food does not mean it is better. That's like saying Mcdonald's has some of the best food in the world because so many people go there.

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Authored by: danicapizza on Monday, June 11 2012 @ 07:55 PM CDT

I vote for Tangerine Cafe! I believe in the latest Touring plans survey Tangerine Cafe was the highest recommended counter service. Correct me if I am wrong. But I am not wrong about it being the best place I love to eat!

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Authored by: bellj on Monday, June 11 2012 @ 08:04 PM CDT

Tangierine Cafe... love the interesting choices and how veg-friendly it is.

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Authored by: psk193 on Tuesday, June 12 2012 @ 04:41 PM CDT

Funny situation - I have never eaten at either place in all the times I have been to WDW. So that being said I have to rely on the menus. I like the uniqueness of the Tangierine Cafe and would like to see more choice and food diversity in WDW. Pecos Bills is pretty much the same old thing of any park restaurant. I believe that Pecos Bills would have to be known as the "Best Burger" in WDW to equal the level needed to overcome a Tangierine Cafe type menu. Since I have never heard that distinction for Pecos bills, I will have to choose Tanierine Cafe.

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Authored by: Patty on Tuesday, June 12 2012 @ 05:31 PM CDT

My vote is for Pecos Bill's-only because I'm definitely not adventurous enough
to eat at TC. We usually go PB once per trip and it has always been good.

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Authored by: 0sirys on Tuesday, June 12 2012 @ 06:20 PM CDT

I vote for Tangierine Cafe. Mostly because I can't imagine theme park burgers (fixins bar or not) beating out one of the few bastions of non-homogenized food left in Disney.
I find it funny that Matt mentions a few times in this series that he is "done with theme park food" but then votes for Pecos Bill's every time and it is precisely that theme park food. Now don't get me wrong I am not anti Pecos Bill's, I like it and love burgers in general but the reasoning is just bugging me.

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Authored by: BrerJeffries on Tuesday, June 12 2012 @ 09:05 PM CDT

Tangierine Cafe for me. In Matt's words, Pecos Bill's "substituted disgusting beef with less-disgusting beef"--hardly a vote of confidence from its number one fan.

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Authored by: JBajkowski on Wednesday, June 13 2012 @ 10:40 AM CDT

I am voting for Tangerine Cafe. My whole family loves the food as well as the atmosphere of the outdoor dining areas. Perhaps my children are a bit more adventurous eaters, but we have never had trouble here. We get a number of dishes and share and sample the offerings. I agree that the employees can come across as indifferent, bordering on hostile. We always make it a point of eating here during a visit to WDW.

On a separate note, I was bit surprised that Earl of Sandwich did not make it into the competition. If you are going to include resort counter service, why not Earl of Sandwich at Downtown Disney?

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Authored by: castawayjp on Thursday, June 14 2012 @ 08:06 AM CDT

Another vote for Tangierine Cafe from me!

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Authored by: Betsy on Thursday, June 14 2012 @ 08:56 PM CDT

Tangerine Cafe over Pecos Bills. Definitely.

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Authored by: ms_minnie on Thursday, June 14 2012 @ 11:41 PM CDT

My vote is for Tangerine Cafe because it is different than burgers and fries.
But when in MK we almost always eat at Pecos Bills or Columbia HH!

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Authored by: Tank on Sunday, June 17 2012 @ 10:10 AM CDT

My vote is Tangerine Cafe. I got the Taco Salad at Pecos Bill's last December...incredibly greasy. Definitely overshadowed the fixins bar...something you can get at OTHER MK counter service restaurants.

I don't get how Hochberg can back Pecos Bill's while continuing his crusade against common theme park counter service food.

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Authored by: Brian on Tuesday, June 19 2012 @ 07:03 PM CDT

Whenever you get down to a Final 4, you're going to have tough choices and this is no different. Pecos Bills is my favorite MK CS restaurant, and Tangerine Cafe is my favorite in WS. Ultimately it's tough to vote against 1 of my favorites, but I'm going with Tangerine Cafe because of its amazing variety, food quality and freshness.

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Authored by: gilleska on Thursday, June 21 2012 @ 06:38 PM CDT

Tangierine Café. Variety, freshness, and delicious non-meat options are the deciding factors for me. I'm not a vegetarian, but I also don't eat meat every day, and Tangierine Café is one of the few counter service places on property that provides really tasty options for those who don't want meat. And when I do want meat, the lamb shish kebob is fabulous!

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