Just a few weeks ago, the turkey leg was retired from Hollywood Studios and Fairfax Fare on Sunset Boulevard added some large baked potato dishes to their menu. We decided to head over last weekend to try these out, and here is what we found on our starchy expedition:
Small Southwest Salad (Side)
The side salad (served with each of the large baked potatoes) was a surprisingly good offering, so much so that I would rather they devise a full entree out of this. Looking at this, I was prepoared for the worst, but it actually was pretty tasty, blending fresh, healthy ingredients with a sweet corn flavor. Seriously WDW, please make this a counter service entree.
Loaded Fairfax Potato ($9.49)
This wasn’t bad, but it was mediocre at best. I love baked potatoes, so even the most poorly prepared one is probably something I can stomach. There was nothing special about this, but it’s probably a good addition in a park with fairly limited counter service options right now. The potato was cooked well enough and the toppings are what you would expect from any counter service location. It is large and filling for the price, but doesn’t deliver on the flavor. It’s not the worst quick serve meal and it’s not the best, it’s just sort of middle of the road. I don’t know how many other ways I could possibly say “meh” in this review.
Fairfax One-Pound Baked Potato ($10.49)
While the potato was of the same quality here, the tri-tip with brown gravy was fairly gross. It reminded me of the infamous “stewed beef” from the Diamond Horseshoe Saloon at the Magic Kingdom, and if you remember that review, you know why that is a bad thing… a very bad thing.
Vanilla Cupcake with Strawberry Buttercream ($5.59)
The strawberry buttercream on top tasted like warm strawberry ice cream, which somehow isn’t gross. A quality cupcake that blends well with the strawberry cream on top, yet probably pretty forgettable in the grand scheme of Walt Disney World desserts. This is a pleasant dessert offering and a cute photo-op if you love Minnie Mouse, probably no the best dessert option unless you absolutely need a Strawberry snack and are eating here.
Overall, I’m happy about the loss of the turkey leg from another park (as the sight of them makes me fairly ill), but I was hoping for something more here. Honestly, the loaded baked potato was solid, but would work better as a smaller side item. It is better than the Disney counter service french fries without a doubt, bnut does little to warrant being a full meal at a counter service location. Also, the one-pounders toppings are vile…
OVERALL SCORE FOR FAIRFAX FARE BAKED POTATOES – 3 OUT OF 7
These prices are so abnormally out of control (abnormally, meaning Disney’s prices are always high, but not like this!)
Think about it. A potato.
$10.50
A potato!
Should be half that price, and still that would be high. Are they charging per calorie now?
I agree with you, Kim. That price is crazy high! Maybe that’s why they’re smothering it in stuff people wouldn’t normally want, to justify the hefty price tag? I would never buy that. However, if there was a regular potato with options like butter, chives, or sour cream, I’d certainly pay $5 for it.
I personally think that is reasonable. McAlister’s serves “giant spuds” for around 8 bucks… and the toppings aren’t as appealing as the ones seen in this post.
I agree with Kim too. A 5 cent potato with a $1.00 worth of topping for $10.00. But then again, many people will buy it so it makes you wonder who’s crazier…..
Ok RockB thanks for playing. Now go back under the rock you came from.
?? I get it. This is the type of blog where only regulars are allowed to speak their mind…..
Don’t sweat replies like Kim. Its Disney PR. That’s all they spend money on. It sure isn’t in their customers enjoyment nor food ingredients based on this trend!!!
Its from articles and comments here that many of us Disney lovers and employees post in a HOPE Disney Parks will make turn around.
I don’t get the appeal…who’s walking around Hollywood Studios thinking “I want to eat a big potato on the go for $10!”. Especially when it replaces the turkey leg which is such a hot item at the Disney Parks (though I agree, they’ve always grossed me out!). The Studios are definitely lacking in good quick-service foods…this seems like a surprisingly bad addition. I agree with you, the southwest salad sounds like it’d be a great new entree! The potato should be the side.
Good article but it looks disgusting. Not just unappetizing poor quality food, but spending 10 cents on cheap ingredients, charging 10 bucks. It just gets worse at Disney. They really need to fire a lot of management staff.
Why don’t they put the pulled pork on the potatoe? It would fit with the rest of the menu.