Since I first set foot inside the Mexico Pavilion at Disney’s Epcot, I’ve wanted to dine at the restaurant San Angel Inn. As my annual pass nears its expiration date, I decided last night was as good as any to give it a try. Without reservations, we were able to land a table in less than five minutes (around 5pm on a Sunday) sitting alongside the waterway that the boat ride Gran Fiesta Tour travels along.
Obviously with it being Disney, we expected the prices to be slightly more expensive but we kept in mind that the experience and ambience was one-of-a kind, and therefore included in cost. The menu was simple but satisfying, and from what I could tell, authentic. Chips and salsa are brought to the table for all meals. For someone who does not typically enjoy spicy, I thoroughly enjoyed the salsa. It was a sweet spicy, and a welcomed twist on the typical spicy salsa experienced at mainstream restaurants. In anticipation of dessert at Italy, I chose an appetizer “Tostadas de Tinga” for my entrée. Essentially, it was similar to a “nacho bell grande” in that the food was piled atop nachos. The food, however, was delightful and an interesting blend of different flavors from chicken, tomatoes, chipotle, beans, cheese, onions, etc. Brian selected a dinner entrée called “Carne Asada a la Tampiqueña.” There was a lot going on with the plate, but I can attest that from what I tasted of it, it too was delicious.
As I mentioned before, the atmosphere is incredibly charming and that includes the staff as well. As the employees in the pavilions at Epcot are all from the respective country that they work in, Spanish is spoken fluently at San Angel Inn (and then kindly translated into English). Should you happen to respond in German accidentally to your Spanish-speaking server, she will kindly smile at you and still take every picture you ask her to. To that lovely server who remained patient with my German faux pas, I offer a most genuine, “gracias!”
After dinner, we headed over to the Italy Pavilion to check out their new Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar for drinks and dessert. Although the drinks and cheese platter we ordered were phenomenal, and the Italian staff interestingly entertaining, the entire visit can be summed up in one beautiful word, “tiramisu…” The positive that I can take from my annual pass expiring is that it saves me from this new-found delightful addiction. I’ve always wanted to travel to Italy, but tiramisu may have made Italy my next vacation. Between the wine, cheese, pizza, pasta and desserts…I may actually think I have found my heaven on Earth (or next place to live).
I hope you enjoyed traveling with me. Until next time…
Salute!
Stephanie
Almost Thirty-Something 
Looks like it was a wonderful evening. I love the mexico pavillion, it is such an experience, you forget that it can be day outside if your in there for too long. Thank you for sharing your experiences.
That is a great point. It does a fantastic job of really immersing you into the experience. Never really thought about that compared to some of the other pavilions. Great point!
Wow your blog looks great. Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks Elizabeth!
Nice. What’d you use to create the photo collages?
Thank you. I used an app on my Mac called “Picture Collage Maker Lite.”
Cool. I’m a Windows guy, but your images reminded me there’s a collage maker in Picasa. Thanks for following my blog…
One of the perks I’ve enjoyed working for NATO is the fact we have a base down in Italy near the town of Trapani on the island of Sicily. I’ve been down there 3 times for work and have seriously enjoyed the food while I was down there. The Marsala wine is really, really good (I’d heard of Marsala wine a number of years ago). Then last summer my daughter flew over from the states and we went to Rome, Vatican City and Naples for 4 days. I swear I’ll never drink another cappuccino again unless I’m in Italy. LOL The best places I’ve ate while in Italy have been the hole-in-the-wall mom-and-pops type of joints. Ugh…just thinking about the food is making me hungry. LOL Good article, Stephanie.
I’m seriously jealous Jon!!! I’ve heard though that the mom and pop shops are the best though! I want to go now. 🙂
Oh, perhaps I shouldn’t give my thoughts on the REAL Italian tiramisu? 😛 Anyway, I highly suggest giving Italy a visit. It was well worth the $2200 I spent for our hotel, airline tickets from Germany and the various tours we took. On the note of the tours, should you ever make it over there, sign up for the guided tours with the skip-the-line features; it’ll save you from standing in line for 2-3 hours, depending on which attraction you’re seeing. I can hit you up on email to give you the website I used. 🙂
Ooo, good advice! I would have never known that! Thanks Jon! 🙂 Another positive of your job, you get to travel and see amazing countries!
Stephanie,
I love your mouth watering description of the culinary delights and the pictures that hieghten the experience from afar.
LOL, thanks “Grand Dan.” I must admit though, they are SOOO much better tasting when you charge it on Grand Dan’s credit card. 🙂
This is so vastly Interesting Stephanie…Thank you for posting all your thoughts and experiences. The pictures on your blog here are Great too! Thank you!
Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed.