Sometimes in life, things do not add up correctly. Logic dictates that the more expensive products will be better. The adage “you get what you pay for” sometimes fails to be true. For example, ever bought a new more expensive cellphone only to find out it could not do the things your old one did? Ever priced the cost to move that heavy expensive piece of furniture or a piano wondering if owning that was worth it? Theme park fans know the pain of this sometimes at $65 character meals. You do not always get what you paid for. More expensive and/or more desired sometimes leads to disappointment. Today’s dining review revolves around that concept.

Writing in partnership with MouseDining, I utilize the data gathered by MouseDining regarding searches for advance dining reservations. In terms of the most searched for advance dining reservations in Disney Springs, as of time of writing, first place belongs to T-Rex Café. I know many factors add into this place having more desirable reservation than Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ and the Boathouse. Yet, no one should ever argue that T-Rex offers better food than those places. Why is this place more desired even though it offers inferior food to almost every other place in Disney Springs?

Well, Disney Springs targets adults. T-Rex Café and Rainforest Café target kids. Many grandparents, for example, want to visit Disney Springs. They tend to appease the grandchildren by going here. Some guests see the big themed exterior and heard about the themed interior as a draw to dine here. However, let us be clear—you do not go to T-Rex Café for the food. The food here costs as much, if not more, than many of the other excellent restaurants within Disney Springs. In fairness, T-Rex café offers food around the level of many table service level chains like Applebee’s and Chili’s. However, T-Rex Café tends to cost more for similar products.

For example, during a recent trip to T-Rex Café, I attempted to find a good “safe” option for adults dining here. I traditionally suggest a burger or one of the pasta dishes. Neither of those classify as great. Yet, they qualify as “safe” here. On this trip, I decided to order a Cobb Salad. Yes, it felt wrong to order this type of salad from anywhere besides Hollywood Brown Derby. Yet, I did. For record, the price of the Cobb Salad at Hollywood Brown Derby went up two dollars on the day I am writing this.

So, what did I think of the Cobb Salad from here? The portion size of this salad deserves praise. For the $22.99 price point (about same price as at Hollywood Brown Derby), I would have wanted more ingredients, but I knew I was at T-Rex Café. The menu description reads “grilled Chicken, tomatoes, black olives, blue cheese crumbles, chopped egg, bacon, (and) balsamic vinaigrette dressing.” The dressing comes on the side with this salad. I found the appearance and construction of this salad different than I expected.

All the ingredients of this salad provided decent flavor with two exceptions. The bacon tasted below normal expectations. In less polite terms, the bacon lacked real flavor. For all my bacon lovers out there, please forgive me for having to tell you that. Also, the dressing, on this evening, failed to add anything positive except a bit of moisture to the salad.

Even though I was surprised by the flavor of some of the ingredients like the cheese and eggs, the overall flavor was just okay. For same price as one at Hollywood Brown Derby, this needs to taste better. Also, for a Cobb style salad, some of the lettuce pieces were far too large. This reduces the dining enjoyment a bit.

If you select T-Rex Café for a meal during your time at Walt Disney World, then you should expect average food. Do plan for loud noises also. The best reason to visit T-Rex Café relates to enjoyment for your kids and grandkids. Having said that, this salad might function as a good option if you find yourself here. As always, eat like you mean it!