Oh, darlings, gather ‘round. It’s time for another Saucy Meal Queen review, and this one is a bit of a doozy. Now, as you know, I’m all about indulging in the finer things, whether it’s a great meal, a perfectly crafted cocktail, or just a relaxing evening out. But let me tell you, my experience at STK at Disney Springs was far from what I expected. This restaurant, known for its sleek vibes and trendy atmosphere, had the potential to be a great experience – but sadly, it didn’t quite live up to the hype.
Let’s get into it.
Walking into STK at Disney Springs, you’re greeted by a modern, stylish interior with chic lighting and a buzzing atmosphere. The place has a reputation for being one of the more upscale options in the area, and the vibe definitely leans towards a trendy, nightlife kind of place. It’s got that whole “cool” factor going for it, but once we sat down, things started to take a turn.
Our first sign that things weren’t quite going as planned? The service. Now, I’ve had my fair share of dining experiences, but this was definitely one of the more forgettable ones when it came to the staff. From the start, we felt like we were a bit forgotten. Our server seemed overwhelmed, and even though we were sitting in a relatively quiet part of the restaurant, it took quite a while for us to get any attention. It was frustrating, to say the least. For a place that prides itself on its upscale experience, the service was really lacking.
Now, let’s talk about the food, and I’ll be honest – this is where things took a real dive. We decided to sample a few items from their happy hour menu, hoping to try a variety of their offerings at a more affordable price. And while the prices seemed reasonable for the portion sizes, the quality of the food was nowhere near what we expected.
Let’s break it down:
We started with the 3oz fillet with jumbo prawn. It sounds great on paper, doesn’t it? A small, tender steak with a giant prawn. But what we got was far from impressive. The fillet was overcooked. I mean, really overcooked. We asked for it medium-rare, and what we got was more on the well-done side of things. The steak itself wasn’t particularly tender, and it didn’t have much flavor, which was really disappointing given that STK is supposed to be known for its steaks. As for the prawn, it was…fine, but honestly, the overcooked steak really overshadowed everything else on the plate.
On the flip side, the tator tots were surprisingly enjoyable. At only $3, they were crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and had just the right amount of seasoning. These little bites were probably the highlight of the meal for me. They’re a simple dish, but when done right, they’re hard to beat, and these tots hit the mark. Still, not enough to save the overall experience.
Next, we tried the Lil Burger & Fries. Now, I’m all for a good burger, but this one was a bit of a letdown. The patty was dry, and while it was supposed to be a simple, satisfying bite, it didn’t quite hit the mark. The fries were fine, but nothing special. After just one bite, I set the burger aside. It wasn’t bad, but it certainly wasn’t anything to write home about. Honestly, you could find better burgers elsewhere, even at a fast-casual spot.
Oh, the Wagyu meatballs. I was really excited about these. Wagyu beef is supposed to be a treat, right? But these meatballs were a real disappointment. The flavor was decent enough, but they were served cold in the middle. Not lukewarm, not slightly cold – cold. That’s a huge issue when it comes to food, and it was really hard to overlook. You don’t expect to be served cold food at an upscale restaurant, especially when it’s supposed to be a “premium” offering. Needless to say, I didn’t finish them.
The shrimp cocktail was probably the best thing we ordered. I mean, it’s hard to mess up shrimp cocktail, right? And at least it was served cold as it should be. The shrimp was fresh, and the cocktail sauce had a nice tang to it. It’s a simple dish, but it was executed well, and I was thankful for that. The shrimp were large and juicy, so we got a few satisfying bites out of it.
The Wagyu taco was another letdown. It sounded promising, but the execution just didn’t do it justice. The taco was greasy, and the wagyu beef didn’t add the richness I had hoped for. It wasn’t a bad taco, but it definitely wasn’t a standout. Honestly, the whole dish felt like it was trying too hard to be fancy without really delivering on the flavor.
Lastly, we tried the short rib quesadilla. Now, I love a good quesadilla, and I was hoping this would be a flavorful bite. Unfortunately, it was just okay. The short rib wasn’t as tender as I expected, and the quesadilla itself felt a bit dry. It didn’t have that melty, cheesy goodness I crave in a quesadilla. I wasn’t expecting it to be revolutionary, but it could’ve been a lot better.
As for drinks, I stuck with a classic – a Martini. And let me tell you, it was delicious! However, the rest of the drink menu seemed overpriced for what it was. The drinks at STK are certainly not cheap, and while mine was tasty, it didn’t feel like the price justified the experience.
All in all, I give STK a 4/10. You’re going to get a cheaper and higher quality service at Longhorns. The service was subpar, and while the atmosphere could have been fun, the food didn’t live up to expectations. The portions were small, and while a few items were okay, most of what we ordered was underwhelming. The overcooked steak, the cold meatballs, and the greasy taco left us feeling like we could’ve spent our time and money elsewhere.
The atmosphere and location at Disney Springs are definitely a plus, but unfortunately, the food just didn’t do it for us. Maybe if we had stuck with a more traditional steak or a larger dish, things would’ve been better. But for now, it’s safe to say we won’t be back anytime soon.
Until next time, my darlings – stay saucy, and keep searching for those better bites! 💋
Stay saucy, Saucy Meal Queen
PS – If you’re looking for better food that’s perfect for sharing, check out Capa at the Four Seasons Resort, Orlando.
