The Original Smoking Area

While true, that this isn't a character breakfast, the San Angel Inn at Mexico in Epcot is cool. Or hot...at the very least it's smokin'. A reality mind bending look at Mexico, anyway. You go inside away from blazing heat and sun only to be made to feel that you're once again outside at night and the air is cool. You go inside to be outside. Trippy.

There in the background is a sizzling volcano and outdoor dining by a river. Except-it's still really indoors. The river is El Rio del Tiempo-The River of Time, which used to take you on a tour of Mexico's history from Aztecs to modern tourists in dated 80s hair and bikinis. It was a much milder version of the Maelstrom over in Norway. Since then it has been changed to El Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros.

This means it went from being mildly the "Mexican Small World" to the "Mexican Small World with Donald Duck." Still, if the line is short, it's air conditioned, a place to sit for awhile and it entertains small children.

Now, the San Angel Inn, however, that's more for adults. The atmosphere would be really lost on a kid and the darkness if it doesn't inspire a bit of fear, may at least inspire mischief. I can't say that I've ever seen many families eat there. My memory may also be inventing things due to the overall mood of the pavilion, but it's never really all that noisy either. The food itself is fine. Mexican food being rather common means you'll pretty much know what you're getting. So this isn't for those looking for an adventurous exotic meal. Some of the menu items such as the Tacos Al Carbon are no different than what is served outside at the Cantina.

If you are looking to get away from the crowd for a bit and perhaps from kids, this may be the place to do it easily. Sure, lots of people like Le Cellier and Chefs de France. Any restaurant with French in it seems to evoke romantic, quiet dinner get-aways from kids. However, San Angel Inn is easier to get into. It also has that volcano in the background. Nothing says a good time like a threatening volcano.