Is Tony's Town Square Still the Worst Restaurant at Magic Kingdom? Our Honest Review

For years, Tony's Town Square on Main Street has had a rough reputation. You've probably seen it called the worst restaurant in all of Magic Kingdom. I'll be honest: I've enjoyed Tony's for a while now. But I've also read the horror stories, so we went back to find out if it really went from worst to first.

What people have said about Tony's

Before we ate, we looked at what other diners had complained about:

• The chicken parm was "very forgettable"
• Waiting in cramped quarters with lots of other guests
• Overpriced, with limited selections
• A skimpy ravioli portion for the price, with a dressing that wasn't even on the menu

Let's see if any of that holds up.

How we rated it

We rated Tony's on three things: the food, the service, and the overall vibes.

One thing I think is really important: Tony's belongs in the moderate restaurant category. You are still at a theme park. This isn't the highest-end Italian restaurant in Orlando, and it isn't trying to be. If you set your expectations properly and know what to order, I promise you're going to love this place.

Start with the garlic bread and fondue

We started with Tony's garlic bread for the table ($14): toasted ciabatta with roasted garlic butter and a parmesan fondue. This is incredible. I would honestly come back to Tony's just for this appetizer. Save some of that fondue for your entrée, because it's fantastic on everything.

We also tried the fried mozzarella ($16), hand-breaded with a spicy, creamy tomato sauce. It was really good, though it was hard to follow the bread service. Still recommended.

The entrées

Our table tried four entrées.

Spaghetti and meatballs ($29)

House-made beef and pork meatballs over spaghetti with Tony's marinara. It's exactly what it says it is. It's a good dish, but it isn't going to knock your socks off, and that's okay. It goes back to setting your expectations.

Chicken parmesan ($34)

Lightly breaded chicken breast baked in marinara with mozzarella, served with campanelle pasta. This was really, really good for the cost. They'll also let you make substitutions. I usually order mine with the vodka sauce instead.

Rigatoni alla vodka ($26)

Rigatoni in a classic tomato vodka sauce topped with citrus herb bread crumbs. Those bread crumbs are the star and really set this dish off. It's a huge portion, so you won't leave hungry, but it doesn't come with a protein. If you like protein in your pasta, add a chicken cutlet, meatballs or shrimp.

Braised beef ($35): the standout

This is the dish. I think it may be one of the best dishes in all of Disney World, across every park. Tender braised beef with crispy potatoes, arugula and a zesty relish. It's a 10 out of 10, and it's why I come to Tony's almost every time I'm in Magic Kingdom.

It does have a hint of spice. I wouldn't call it spicy, but if you're sensitive to spice, skip it.

There are comparable dishes on property (Brown Derby, I'm looking at you, and yours is delicious too). But at almost half the price, Tony's wins for me every time. Someone at our table orders the braised beef on every visit. It's non-negotiable.

What's changed at Tony's

Our server shared two things worth knowing:

1. They recently upgraded the quality of their olive oil and cheeses, and with that, their sauces. You can taste it.
2. Tony's is now the number two adult restaurant in Magic Kingdom, behind only Cinderella's Royal Table. That's according to our server, not an official ranking, but it lines up with our experience.

Honestly, I think Tony's is making a huge comeback.

Pro tip: dinner and a front-row parade spot

Every time I come to Tony's, I check the parade time before booking. I aim for a reservation about 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours before the parade starts.

The parade starts in Frontierland and takes about 17 minutes to reach Tony's on Main Street. I ask for my check right as the parade starts, walk out onto the patio, and there's always a great view. You don't need to camp out. About 5 minutes is enough for a front-row spot for the whole family.

Parade times change, so check the My Disney Experience app on the day of your visit.

Vibes and reservations

Tony's is low-key Italian with a Lady and the Tramp theme, and it's absolutely adorable inside. Reservations are usually pretty easy to get, but booking ahead instead of same-day helps.

Our ratings

• Food: 8.5/10. Yes, I kept the price in mind. For what you get, Tony's is one of the best sleeper restaurants in Magic Kingdom. Just go in knowing what to order.
• Service: 8/10. Always good, but things can slow down when you ask for the check. Bring a little patience and grace.
• Vibes: 7/10. The theme is super cute, but it could do a little more. It's not Be Our Guest, and it's not trying to be.

Overall: 7.8/10.

The verdict

Is Tony's still the worst restaurant in Magic Kingdom? Not even close, in our opinion. It's one of my absolute favorites, and I eat here nearly every time I'm in the park. Order the garlic bread with fondue, get the braised beef, and time it with the parade.

Have you been to Tony's recently? Tell me what you thought in the comments on the video.

Prices and menu items are from our visit and may change.