SDCFans - The Unofficial Fan Site For Silver Dollar City
Silver Dollar City & Celebration City Discussion => General Silver Dollar City Talk => Topic started by: mhguy77 on May 05, 2010, 09:01:55 PM
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I have been traveling to the city for 30 years and have seen many changes with the foodservice in the park. What are your opinions on changes good or bad and do you have any suggestions?
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One thing that I have noticed is that the rolls that they use as buns at the Rib House for the Pulled Pork have seemed to gotten smaller since the start of the year. I thought it was my imagination earlier this month (or that I got the "unluck" of the draw) but this past weekend I went to Rib House again and the bun was just as small, so it looks like those portions are getting smaller. Food is still good, just less for the money.
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Food service is great, food value is declining and food quality is steady to lower.
In all seriousness I don't think that you get nearly the amount of food for your money as you used to. And it truly has made us change the way that we plan trips there now. We don't eat on park. Or if we do we find a way to split things or get just a snack.
That being said...the sausage rolls at eva and delilahs are imo the best value on park and possibly anywhere for breakfast.
The potato bowls have gotten too high (but I must be the only person that thinks this since the lines are outrageous) and the "seasonal foods" make it hard to grab something for less than 9.00/plate from what I saw.
I think that SDC does their best to put a quality product out but I think that they will see less and less money spent on food, since we consider eating there a splurge.
Oh, but please, Please,please SDC don't take away our ability to bring on our own food a drink. It is a lifesaver...especially with the snacks for the kiddos
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One thing that I have noticed is that the rolls that they use as buns at the Rib House for the Pulled Pork have seemed to gotten smaller since the start of the year. I thought it was my imagination earlier this month (or that I got the "unluck" of the draw) but this past weekend I went to Rib House again and the bun was just as small, so it looks like those portions are getting smaller. Food is still good, just less for the money.
I agree. Also, we've thought that we had less meat sometimes. Still good.
Oh, but please, Please,please SDC don't take away our ability to bring on our own food a drink. It is a lifesaver...especially with the snacks for the kiddos
I completely agree with this! We still bring a little container of Goldfish crackers sometimes. Now, it won't be long before the baby will need little snacks. Those little snacks are nice when waiting for shows and such.
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SDC foods are getting institutional and allot more expensive, even considering inflation.
The key to selling food is either to sell it cheap, or to sell something nobody else has, I feel SDC is failing both of these points.
The food is now institutional for the most part ( Bakery and some candy aside) They have pans of food there but they havent cooked the stuff, they have opened a can or a bag.
And its so high I cant justify the cost.
I was looking at an email I just opened and they have a new BBQ buffet this year.
" This special dining experience is $20 for Adults (age 12+), and $13 for Children (age 5-11). Children 4 and under eat free. Price includes drink, but not tax or gratuity."
These is absolutely no way I can justify that expense.
THey would get more from me if they had more realistic prices, or really good foods.
At one time that was the case.
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yeas i agree that $20 is WAAAAy to much for a buffet. i thought that when they had that hollidaybuffet during christmas. but anyway i think $10 is reasonable price per person and as far as the food coming out of a bag or can or whatever, yea i agree but still better then most theme park food
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Having visited several parks, Most notably the Six Flags and Disney franchises, I think it is much nicer than what I have experienced- the typical hot dog/corn dog, gargantuan slice of mediocre pizza, or average burger and fries, overpriced mass produced candies. I have a soft spot for the SDC food though since I always looked forward to having "something different" than the usual pastas and entrees that we would have at home. I know it is "home cooking" to an extent, but not my home.
I have recently began making my own cinnamon coated nuts, and peanut brittle to remind me of the park between my frequent visits, but I have yet to try the homemade kettle corn-I still have to resort to getting that from the guy making it on the parking lot at the local hardware store.
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10.00 not including a drink would be a good deal to me, and the facts are that people don't eat as much at a buffet as you would think, by volume the food actually goes further on a buffet than plating it. ( experence managing restaurants)
I would like SDC to give me something to keep me there longer, as a SP holder I actually go for a few hours then I am off to Branson to run around town. My food dollar is spent in Branson.
SDC misses my food money, I almost feel bad that I don't spend more there as I love the place, but they need to make a change......
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That $20 buffet is to be offered in the Reunion Hall, only on the weekends during the Bluegrass and BBQ festival, and it's all you can eat. I know a lot of people who can put away a ton of BBQ, so at that, it might be a reasonable price. Call it a preferred dining experience if you want. Still, at the Red Gold, you will still be able to get your BBQ dinner for around $10.
I don't really have a beef with the price of food at SDC. It seems reasonable for being able to get a wide variety of things to eat. Several of you have mentioned that portions seem to be smaller. I don't know. But I do know that I used to be able to buy a good sized candy bar for a quarter, and now I have to pay a buck for one half that size. So...say what you will.
My only problem with food service at SDC is that it generally takes a long time for the servers to prepare and serve it. We have a lot of elderly people in those positions, and, nothing against them, but many of them are just slow. For example...standing in line at the Springhouse...
"What do you want sonny?"
"I'd like some spaghetti in a bread bowl with meatballs."
"OK, ...let's see, where are those bread bowls. Hmmm, they're here somewhere...ah, here they are. OK, you wanted spaghetti?"
"Yes, maam."
"Well, just let me ladle some into this here bread bowl. Do you want sauce on that?"
"Yes, maam."
"OK, here you go."
"Maam, I wanted meatballs too."
"Oh...you want meatballs?"
"Yes, maam."
"OK, here you go...spaghetti in a bread bowl, with meatballs. Do you want a breadstick with that?"
"Yes, maam."
"There you go."
"Thankyou."
Then I get to the register to pay, get out my employee ID card and say...
"I've got spaghetti with meatballs in a bread bowl, and a coke...and I'm an employee."
The cashier spends about a minute ringing up the total.
"That'll be $9.65 (or whatever)"
"Is that the employee price?"
"Oh...you're an employee?"
"Yes, maam, that's what I said."
"Oh...OK...I'll have to void this out and ring you up again."
Two minutes later I've paid and I'm finally eating.
I appreciate the fact that SDC has jobs to offer these elderly folks, they are an integral part of SDC. But sometimes I wish SDC would place younger people in these kinds of positions. They need jobs as well, tend to move around a little faster, and often tend to be a little quicker on the uptake. Let the older folks work in the merchandise shops or some place where the pressure to "move the line along" is not as great.
And that's all I got to say about that.
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The food and service at SDC is lacking. The only value you get is the morning breakfast at Molly's. The ribs used to be our favorite evening meal while in Branson, now we just skip it. Cost is not the issue, the food is not the same as it was say ten years ago.
As far as going up against Six Flags, SDC city wins hands down. As far as going up against Disney, that is a fight SDC does not want. Yes Disney's food is higher in cost but they can wow you.
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20.00 is more that I pay for a meal at Bijans in Springfield ( Chicken Bijan that is)
I understand you are an employee and it sounds like bread
noodles,tomato and a cpl of meat balls is pretty high even at the employee price.
I agree with the fact that the ribs ext are not the same as they were, I remember the mile high pies, homemade stuff. Not that way anymore.
Food at Disney? I just came back, it was quite good, I might actually say it surpasses the food at SDC. They do wow you and give you more than you expect. Just to clarify I am not talking about hamburgers and hot dogs, frankly those are not barometers of adult fare so I do not consider them.
Remember the Chef they used to have at SDC, they advertised him, I think that was a good idea.
Now I am afraid the salespeople from the food companies are the chefs, its all just rip the bag/open the can.
We need some of the old time quality....
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Yeah, I remember Chef Zader... Whatever happened to him?
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We eat breakfast at the park if we have people with us, but if we are by ourselves, we eat before we get there. Even being season pass holders, the discount dont seem much like'a discount. We have also cut back to drink'n water, i dont see paying almost $2.00 ANYWHERE, for soda.
We do eat lunch there, but by supper time we are so wore-out that we go ahead & leave.
The food itself? Its good, but it could be better.
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The quality and the value are both lacking at SDC when it comes to food. It is a shame but they like so many other restaurants and guest service companys have lost their way looking at the bottom line.
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We love the cinnamon bread at Sullivan's Mill but the loaf is smaller than it used to be. Also, on the Friday of anniversary weekend, we went to the mill before park opening to get a loaf. We were anticipating hot bread but it was cold -- guess it had been baked the day before. :'(
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Totally agree the servings are smaller and costs are higher. The quality of the food has went down hill. We no longer buy anything to eat or drink when we visit. Unfortunately, our cost of living has not enjoyed the same increase as the inflated food prices at SDC. We do enjoy the park very much and will continue to buy season passes but pass on the eats and drinks.
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After 8 hours @ SF StL today I am going to say for sure the food service, choices and prices are 100% better @ SDC.
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^Um, Duh. :D
The only place that might be better would be Knoebel's because the food is good and is cheap
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I went with the kids on a school trip as a chaperone so I was in free, ate the lunch buffet-free to me again as a chaperone, and spent $0.00 all day mostly because I would have had to hit up the ATM since my meager $$$ wasn't enough for a worthwhile meal. $5 for an ear of corn? $7.50 Turkey leg? $4.00 churro? $3.50 for a bottled pop. I actually made money by finding $0.22 total on the ground. I did try the fudge that was made on site today and it was good, very similar in taste and texture to the Fudgery chain. The mint/choc was the best followed closely by the cookies and cream. I'll be back next week as another chaperone, and will definately rethink the food issues by then...
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We also believe that the quality of food has eroded since Chef Zader left. I remember telling my wife "I don't like the sounds of that", when we heard he was gone. Sure enough we just can't find the quality that we were accustomed to.
I always find that the smells are incredible, but I can't seem to find what smells so good. :)
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I would like to say that I like the Food in the park. We love the Breakfast Buffet and we love to eat the BBQ buffet in the mine. I still find both these options a good value for the amount and quality of the food. The prices are a little higher maybe than if I would go eat somewhere around Branson but not not much. In Oklahoma City at Frontier City a Burger and Fries are over $10... At SDC a Burger and Fries are $6.99.... There are kids options all over the park from $3.99 to $4.99. I mean really, do you think a Corn Dog and Fries at $3.99 is over Priced... Try Sonic. Over all I do not find the Prices to be that Inflated.
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I always find that the smells are incredible, but I can't seem to find what smells so good
Amen to that comment, I feel exactly the same, smell is there but the taste is not.
Seasonings are cheap, and easy to apply.
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I can't believe that anyone would want to eat the BBQ in the mine more than once. The food was some of the worst I have ever had any park. The great smells of SDC food. Remember when it also meant great mouth watering food. The cookies at the flour mill, the BBQ down by the lost river. Breakfast at Mollie's, the great breads
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The barbecue in the mine is kinda hit and miss for me. One time last year I went and it was great and I looked forward to the next time. Then when I returned for some in the fall, I was very disappointed.
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I eat in the mine every time. Have never had a bad meal there.
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We just came back from Bluegrass and BBQ. The Bluegrass was great. The BBQ was somewhat dissappointing. We started at the all-you-can eat BBQ buffet at reunion hall. I paid for 3 adults and 2 children. The cost was $84.00 (including drinks). Now you get 10% off for a season pass. So thats about $76.00. Recently I spent $72.00 at Tony Romas for 3 full slabs of ribs, sides and drinks. The last time we ate at Bandana's it cost us about $67.00 and these were not all you can eat places. So the pricing on the BBQ buffet wasn't too outrageous. The quality of the BBQ varied--the chicken, brisket, and pulled pork were nice and tender and juicy. The Ribs were about as tough as leather. I like ribs where the meat comes off the bone easily. These ribs were a challenge to eat. The same was true with the House of BBQ. Juicy brisket and pulled pork...tough ribs. Overall the house of BBQ was a disappointment. We went there on Sunday (May 23) and the line was too long. Went back on Tuesday (May 25) and all they had open were three booths open--one serving SDC's original sauce, another with the new honey-blackberry sauce and a third with a Carolina-style sauce. I didn't see anything advertising Texas or Memphis style. Also all the meat is cooked the same way in the same place. The only differences were the sauces used on the meat. I was expecting a little more variety in the way the meats were prepared. Regarding the rest of the park fare--of course the skillet, and bakery products continue to be wonderful. It would be nice to see them come down in price on some of their food prices. If they dropped food prices 15-20% and continued to offer the 10% discount for the season pass. That would seem a bit more reasonable. But of course we're talking about theme park food here. And food in a theme park (or ball park) is rarely reasonable. Or, they could do something like Holiday World (Santa Claus, IN) does and offer free soft drinks in the park. Or wait, they have a Show Lovers Pass and the Trailblazer pass for the rides...what about a Food Lovers Pass--Pay $10.00 and save 20% on your food purchases for the day! Combine that with the Season Pass discount and that would be a pass I would buy!
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im with you on the bbq. i wish they put a little more effort into it being is that its in the festival name.
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Lets keep in mind that this is a theme park...not a restaurant. They have the luxury of preparing on demand for the most part. SDC doesnt have that luxury, let alone preparing in different manners. Yes it can be expensive, buts lets keep things in perspective.
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Lets keep in mind that this is a theme park...not a restaurant. They have the luxury of preparing on demand for the most part. SDC doesnt have that luxury, let alone preparing in different manners. Yes it can be expensive, buts lets keep things in perspective.
Fair Enough. But SDC advertises the "House of BBQ" on their website by saying "Try the nation's most popular flavors at The House of BBQ. From Memphis dry rubs and sweet and tangy Carolina vinegars to smoky Texas-style tastes and the Midwest's own Kansas City-style." They didn't have that variety when I was there.
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We got our season passes mid-April and have been four times since. We have bought: bbq buffet at the mine once, one funnel cake, one skillet bowl, twisted tater on a stick, one pop with the purchase of a souvenir mug and four pop refills since, one ice cream float in the saloon, and three frozen lemonades. The prices aren't that bad, but if you notice, we don't usually eat meals there. We typically eat a big meal before we head to SDC and snack through the park.
Having a toddler, I sure hope they never stop us from bringing in food/drink. It's so much easier being able to whip out a snack for her (or a bottle of water for myself) than stopping what we're doing to find something at a stand. I think being able to bring your own things make the trip affordable for families. I love going through the parking lot in the tram seeing families around their car having a picnic. I grew up doing this as did my husband. It makes it affordable. Affordable = MORE trips to SDC!
There are a few things that are just plum outrageous. Compared to other theme parks, though, I am very pleased with the pricing. The food quality is what I would expect. I'm happy it's not carnival fare, it's actual food!
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I guess this is the right string for this question...Can anybody tell me what the price is this year for SDC cup refills? We have both the "mug" type and a tall one.
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Depends on your mug, of course. Some of the older ones have the prices printed on them. We're lucky to have snagged a cheaply-refilled one. The glass ones are the least expensive, but I'm glad I don't have to carry one around.
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We have a couple mugs that refill for a dollar. We have some that refill or 1.75.
So...guess it just depends ;)
And I loved when they only had the glass mugs.
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So you refill the cheap one, pour it into a more expensive one, the refill the cheap one again, right?
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Those glass mugs always seemed like a liability to me, encouraging people to carry them all day, ever seem one dropped?
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I have a box full of our old ones, and I have often wondered that same thing...isn't this a bit of a liability? I did as a child love the look and feel of them, much more than a plastic advertisement covered cups that are there now-even though these insulate much better.
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Thanks for the info everybody. I got out the cups and...lo and behold!! There was the refill price right there on the side of most of them! :P Just goes to show..."If at first you don't succeed...read the directions!"
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The mug I use is only 2 years old because even though I grew up going to the park, I never began appreciating it until the past couple of years. So I never saved any of my old ones. But I did go with a friend a few weeks ago who had a mug that was several years older than mine and had a different price listed on the side. But when we both stopped and got frozen lemonade, they charged us both the same higher price that was on my mug. Not sure if that's the norm, or if the guy just wasn't paying attention.
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I think the refill price that is on the mug is the price for the refill when you bought the mug. I think the price for a refillable mug is like $9.25 with a refill charge of $1.75 this year. So! if you take your $1.75 refill mug in let's say 10 years from now and the refill price is $2.50, you will still have to pay the $2.50.
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They've always honored the printed price for us. What are the refills for the glass mugs - something like 74 cents?
We really like our cups at Christmas for hot chocolate with the works.
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We have three of the glass mugs that we have not used for years. There is no price on them. It seems like they were free refills ??????????? It was too much of a hassle to deal with them all day.
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We've been charged different prices for our refills in the last year. Our mugs say "refill offer subject to change or cancellation" under the prices, so I'm guessing that's why we are most often charged the current refill price. I don't push the issue.
Our mugs that we currently use are All-City, so they aren't that old. We do have one Christmas one. They have the skinny base that fits in car cup holders (and now our stroller cup holders).
The oldest one we have right now (not counting a couple of glass ones) is a Wildfire mug, but you can't close the spout; it's just an open hole, so we don't ever bring that one. I can't read the prices on that one anymore.
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I have never seen a glass mug get broken at the park...kinda funny considering how many would have been circulating some days.
The ones we have that they fill for a dollar are from the first year they had geyser gulch and in all honesty you cant read them anymore.
Last night I did a test and our Christmas Big Mug, holds more than twice the amount of the 1.00 refill ones, so by them charging us 1.75 it is actually cheaper per ounce. Now if I could just get them to use less ice!
A couple years ago we bought the kids cups that have the straw and they love them, I just wish they were insulated.
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We have 3 refill cups. 1 from 2006 & fountain soda refills were $1.50. The other 2 are from 2007 & 2008, they say fountain refill drinks are $1.75. BUT! What we do now outsmarts it all, we just drink water for free.. ;D Soda aint us anyways.
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Soda will dehydrate you, so I try to stay away from it when I'm at a park. Any place at SDC that has water on tap will fill your mug for free and usually put ice in it too.
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Soda will dehydrate you, so I try to stay away from it when I'm at a park. Any place at SDC that has water on tap will fill your mug for free and usually put ice in it too.
Yeah, but there's nothing like a nice, cold fountain Dr. Pepper...er...Mr. Pibb!
I know water is best, but I have a Dr. Pepper addiction on vacation--and isn't anytime I go to Branson a vacation? :)
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^ AGREED!!! i usually get water but there is something about sdc that makes me in the mood for DP aka PIBB..although i prefer a bottle of sasparilla over anything
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Sioux City Sarsaparilla all the way! Even though I can get them a mile from my house, I always get one. I drink water 98% of the time at home with the occasional Root Beer-Sarsaparilla mixed in (I am a self proclaimed root beer aficionado, if it is new, or different I will try it in search of the best one out there).Like StaceySue said isn't Branson a vacation? Splurge a little!
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8.22.10
1 pm today a group of us were hungry so we tried Big Jacks but there was a church group of 50 kids waiting to get in so we went to the mill restaurant.
We had a chicken / catfish buffet.
The chicken was mis-cut pieces, salty and cooked to death. The only thing that really was worth eating was the broccoli salad. The catfish was OK but showed ALOT of dark skin when you ate it.
There was a group of 7 of us and we all agreed however when we paid it ran 2 of us 30.00 to eat.
Guys that's just crazy. They couldn't keep the food stocked and it was a salty mess.
I could have sat down and been waited on in Branson for 15.00 a person.
The cookies, funnel cakes, pop corn, Arctic lemonade we all great and we had no complaints.
I chalk that up to experience, I will not trust SDC with another fried chicken buffet, and never NEVER will I pay 15.00 for something like that at SDC again.