FROM: Disney Tale of the Tape Published Every Other Saturday

La Cantina de San Angel vs Flame Tree Barbecue

The favorite, Flame Tree, knows how to whip up the fans with smokey smack talk, but some think it's just a show, a spectacle, and that the well-chiseled contender, La Cantina de San Angel, has the cajones to stage an upset tonight in Margaritaville.

- by Dan Sisneros, May 21, 2011

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It's a showdown of counter service eateries!

Let's look at the Tale of the Tape:

Animal Kingdom's Flame Tree Barbecue is the veteran in this bout as it takes on the challenge of Epcot's newly refurbed La Cantina de San Angel. This is a very crowded weight division, and these two are slugging it out to advance in the Disney counter service restaurant rankings!

ROUND 1: Theme & Appearance

La Cantina is themed as a lakeside Mexican taqueria, with a simple, covered patio area tha overlooks the World Showcase Lagoon.

Flame Tree is a colorful outpost with winding paths that lead to several covered and open sections of tables. I can't really explain the restaurant's theme, except to say it is "a meat eater's oasis in the middle of the jungle".

While the Flame Tree is a fun looking place, La Cantina takes this round by a score of 10-9, because its theming fits better with its surroundings.

ROUND 2: Location

La Cantina is located in Epcot's World Showcase, across from the Mexico Pavilion's impressive pyramid, and that's hard to beat. The restaurant has more of an 'open feel' than its opponent, and the streams of park guests passing by make it ideal for people-watching.

Flame Tree is tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the Animal Kingdom. I always eat there shortly after it opens, and it has never been crowded. It's serene and refreshing.

At both eateries, however, you may hae to fight off hungry birds: seagulls at La Cantina, ducks at Flame Tree.

I love the seclusion of Flame Tree's garden patios, and so I've got to give it the 10-9 edge for this round.

ROUND 3: Food

The chicken and ribs served at Flame Tree are a real treat for this judge. The 'secret rub' used to spice both is pretty darn tasty! The tacos offered at La Cantina are good, but not good enough to withstand the punishing jabs and power punches of those meaty BBQ ribs, chicken, and sides.

Flame Tree scores a knockdown in round 3, but La Cantina has a good chin and gets up off the deck to finish the round. Nonetheless, Flame Tree takes it, 10-8.

ROUND 4: Service

Both places offer a walk-up counter where you order and then pick up your food. The service has been friendly and efficient at both eateries each time, with neither achieving a clear advantage, and so the round is tied, 10-10.

ROUND 5: Price & Value

La Cantina tacos were tasty, but for $11.95, a side of beans and rice would have made a difference when it comes to value. Flame Tree's 1/2 slab of St. Louis style ribs and 1/2 barbecued chicken paired with beans and muffin landed a big overhand right to score another knockdown! This judge sees the Flame Tree as the better value for your money.

Of course, you can't buy the table-side view of World Showcase at La Cantina, but we're talking strictly eats here, and a 1/2 slab of pork ribs for $10.49 or a 1/2 BBQ chicken for $9.49 paired with baked beans and a cornbread muffin is a heck of a deal.

Flame Tree almost scores a KO in round 5, but La Cantina gets up before the count of 10 to finish the round. Score it 10-8, Flame Tree.

ROUND 6: Intangibles

It's the final round, and La Cantina de San Angel would need a knockout to win this bout.

Both restaurants have lots of intangibles in their favors. La Cantina offers some very tasty margaritas as well as imported Mexican bottled sodas that are a real treat. But Flame Tree offers escape and a feeling of being somewhere exotic and tropical.

La Cantina keeps the excitement going with a 'party atmosphere'. I can easily imagine guests swinging sticks at pinatas and diving for candy here! But Flame Tree has areas where you can sit and watch trainloads of screaming coaster fans take the long plunge on Expedition Everest across Discovery River from your table.

At La Cantina, you can just sit and 'feel' the World Showcase! But Flame Tree has the advantage of being the 'big fish in the small pond' at Animal Kingdom, where there are far fewer dining venues than you'll find at Epcot. La Cantina tends to get lost in that crowd.

I love both restaurants, and they finish the bout with an exchange that impresses this judge. This is a very rare match that features two rounds that are too close to pick a winner. The bout ends with an even round on my scorecard: 10-10.

JUDGES' FINAL SCORECARD

The crowd rises to their feet, but you can almost foretell the finish by looking at the two winded contenders: one appears ready for its hand to be raised, the other stands with head down.

We go to our ring announcer, the tuxedo clad Bob McLain!

"Ladies and gentleman, here is the scoring of the judges...

"Judge #1 scores the bout 59-56, Judge #2 scores the bout 58-54, and Judge Dan Sisneros scores the bout 59-55, all in favor of the winner by unanimous decision...

"THE FLAME TREE BARBECUE!"

The combination of tasty meats, plentiful servings, and an incredible view of Expedition Everest make Flame Tree a true title contender. Though beaten, La Cantina de San Angel feels that perhaps another match would have a different outcome.

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