ESPN club or Big River Grille and Brewery

[kreed]

I will be visiting the Kingdom with my DH and 3 teenagers. On our visit to the Boardwalk we will go to ESPN club or Big River for our kids. DH seems more interested in Big River and my teens lean toward the ESPN club. Thought I would post and asked which you liked better. I don't want to hear about how they are unoriginal chains as I am aware of that, but this one is for the kids and thought I would ask which one you prefer and why.
Thanks,
Kathleen DH My disney teens

[Ladysunflr]

THe food is equal in quality, but ESPN has a better/bigger selection, and if you're sports nuts.. you really can't go wrong!

[portocall]

I personally haven't been to either, however my mom has been to both but is only pushing me to do ESPN as that is her favorite.

[Uncleromulus]

Big River has "better" beer I suppose, but that's about it. ESPN would be more entertaining for the kids.

[Pig Pen]

We were not impressed with Big River at all. We thought it was overpriced for the quality of food and lack of atmosphere. The only plus would be to sit outside...which we didn't do.

[trac96]

we ate at both this past april. the big river grille was great. and sitting outside was so nice. i think it might of been the best server we had the whole 10 day trip. espn was just the opposite. it was the worst of everything we had in the 10 day trip. the food was horrible and the server was even worse. we will NEVER go back again. my husband said we wouldn't even go back if the steelers were in the super bowl again and that's the only place he could watch the game. that says somthing about how bad it was. we bleed black and gold!

[Claroquesi]

We do Big River every time we go. They make a good cheeseburger and the servers are without exception very nice. You can go to the ESPN zone and play the video games with the teens after, but for food quality and service I would go Big River

[MickeyNicki]

We really enjoyed our lunch at ESPN, great food, quiet place and the Red Sox were on!

[Uno Mas]

The beer is better at Big River but the food and service and atmosphere are not. Never had good experiences and have been there several times - now we just stop by and have a beer and then eat elsewhere. I suggest you have your husband do that and then take the kids over to ESPN for lunch. Not that the food there is outstanding or anything - basic bar food but not bad - but I think they will enjoy the atmosphere much better there. Big River has a terrible set up inside - very tight and awkward. Sit outside if you can if you choose to go there.

[KEMdisney]

Food wise, both places are good -- nothing fantastic about either. Atmosphere wise, I think with 3 teenagers theyd rather go to ESPN.
Beer wise, Im a Coors Light girl, and I didnt realize they didnt sell anything but the beer they brew at Big River -- they did have something comparable to Coors Light, but my sister did not like it! If you are looking for "good brew", i guess go to Big River.

[AnitaDisneyVacation]

The one thing to watch for at ESPN is if there is a big game on. There aren't a lot of places around WDW to see sports, and the crowds can get large and rowdy at ESPN - especially during the playoffs.

We've eaten at both and they have about the same quality food. Service and beer were definitely better at Big River.

[genealle]

Good food and beer at the BRG, but it's so tiny and themed like a public restroom. Disney missed the target with that design. I do like to go there and get the beer sampler.

[xipetotec]

Originally Posted by kreed

I will be visiting the Kingdom with my DH and 3 teenagers. On our visit to the Boardwalk we will go to ESPN club or Big River for our kids. DH seems more interested in Big River and my teens lean toward the ESPN club. Thought I would post and asked which you liked better. I don't want to hear about how they are unoriginal chains as I am aware of that, but this one is for the kids and thought I would ask which one you prefer and why.
Thanks,
Kathleen DH My disney teens

Well we always go down with a big crowd and have been with kids ( and big kids ) of all ages between 3 all the way to 63. And we *always* go to Big River Grille. Sometimes more than once per trip! The food is good, for the grownups, the beer is good. And if you're lucky, you can get a table right on the boardwalk overlooking the lake. Totally awesome.

[webray]

We have been to both several times, Big River more than ESPN. We find the food/beer better at Big River. It is also nice to sit outside at Big River if the weather is nice and people watch.

ESPN, depending on the day is very crowded, especially game day and you will wait and wait for a table.

Your boys can still go in ESPN and look around, etc. It isn't big like the one in CA. ESPN is typical bar food, nothing special.

If your boys are sports nuts (basketball) they would love NBA city at Universal City Walk. Lot's of fun and really delicious food.