Check out our full Jaleo review for details on this Disney Springs dining location. Our overall impression: Jaleo at Disney Springs is a fun, tasty experience—but not best for big appetites.
After a day reminiscing with old friends in Cocoa Beach, I was more than ready to dive right in to dinner at Jaleo at Disney Springs.
Even with an early—5:45!—reservation, we’d overestimated traffic on I-4 (a rarity) and killed time sipping a happy hour cocktail at House of Blues, steps away from the José Andrés restaurant splashing colorful Spanish notes all over its corner of Disney Springs.
Before we go any further, let me give the TL;DR version of my Jaleo review: Jaleo’s fantastic for wine and small plates, but it’s not a great idea if you want a substantial meal.
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First, the Décor at Jaleo
Photo by Cathy Salustri
It’s phenomenal. The lighting, the colors, the shape of the dining room … they all add up to a fun, yet mildly elegant experience.
We sat outside, by the water, and although we dined there on one of Florida’s rare cold days (we’re Floridians, so that means anything under 70 degrees), the space heaters kept us warm.
And despite a full patio, the experience was cozy and quiet.
Next, the Service at Jaleo
Jamon Iberico ham. Photo by Cathy Salustri
The waitstaff was unfailingly patient and charming. Our server first asked if we’d dined at Jaleo before and patiently explained the menu breakdown.
Photo by Cathy Salustri
He was similarly thorough with the wine list (we ultimately settled on a bottle of a 2016 Gran Coronas, because on Wednesdays, they have 50% off bottles and I love drier red wines).
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Finally, the Food at Jaleo
There’s no doubt in my mind why everyone’s buzzing about Jaelo’s presence at Disney Springs. The food is, in a word, perfection.
Pimientos del piquillo rellenos con queso caña de cabra. Photo by Cathy Salustri
We ordered the pimientos del piquillo rellenos con queso caña de cabra, piquillo peppers seared for hours, then stuffed with goat cheese; gambas al ajillo, a simple yet mouth-watering dish of shrimp sauteed in garlic (and, no doubt, a not-insignificant amount of butter); and carne asada con piquillos confitados, 6 ounces of flat iron steak grilled in a Josper charcoal oven, served with those delicious piquillo peppers, although this time not stuffed with goat cheese.
Carne asada con piquillos confitados. Photo by Cathy Salustri
Because my husband is the sort of person who embraces moderation (sample apres-meal discussion: Me: Are you full? Him: No, but I’ve had enough), the 6-ounce filet and three piquillo peppers made for a perfectly sized meal, even after I stole a bite.
I love steak, but it doesn’t always love me, but this smelled heavenly and I couldn’t resist—and I regret nothing.
He, far more (ahem) discerning than I, loved his steak. Jaleo knows their way around a cow. And peppers. And, for that matter, the goat cheese-stuffed piquillos I thought I would have all to myself, but, alas, did not. It’s OK; I sneaked a pepper off his steak plate.
Gambas al ajillo. Photo by Cathy Salustri
The shrimp? Swoon-worthy. I could have eaten three of these tapas. I did not, but I could have.
As an afterthought, I ordered a José’s egg taco, which promised imported Spanish ham, egg and caviar.
Or did it?
This was a hiccup: Because I have celiac, after we ordered our tapas to share and knew what I could and couldn’t eat off my husband’s plate (this is why I love tapas, because I can try more things), we only kept the allergen menu (which is extensive). On the regular menu, Jose’s taco is described as such:
José’s taco
Jamón ibérico de bellota and Royal Ossetra caviar; $18
José’s taco. Photo by Cathy Salustri
On my allergen menu, however, Jaleo describes the same dish thusly:
José’s egg taco
Jamón ibérico de bellota and Royal Osetra caviar; $18
I realize now I should have not have expected chicken eggs mixed with the ham and caviar (you have to admit, though, that sounds delicious), but I did, and when I received my “taco” (sans any type of container, such as, oh, a tortilla) I was … disappointed. It was also incredibly… tiny.
José’s taco. Photo by Cathy Salustri
Which, had I realized the “egg” in the name of the dish (on the allergen menu, anyway) represented only caviar, I would have expected (Jaleo sells an ounce of the stuff for $155). Instead of a tortilla filled with egg, caviar, and ham, I received a Band-Aid-sized piece of ham (delicious but diminutive), a dollop of caviar (incredible), and … nothing.
We looked at each other.
“Do we need to go back to House of Blues?” my husband asked, then tucked into his flan, which he devoured with gusto.
Review: Jaleo at Disney Springs
Flan al estilo tradicional de mamá Marisa
con espuma de crema catalana. Photo by Cathy Salustri
Jaleo serves incredible food; sincerely, I enjoyed every bite.
I do wonder, though, how it fits with the Walt Disney World Resort dining experience: I cannot imagine bringing a hungry family here after a full day at the parks.
To adequately feed a family of four, I’d imagine a $200-plus bill (perhaps more, if, say, you have teenage boys or want to have wine or beer).
And anyone with a big appetite might leave disappointed. To feed a hungry family of four, that cost could easily double.
That said, Jaleo’s the perfect experience for a couple not looking to recoup calories lost riding Space Mountain and hopping from park to park.
A couple of tapas, a glass or two of wine, or even a shared paella or one of their large plates (Jaleo serves two: rack of lamb, for $42, and imported Spanish ham with tomatoes, mojo, and honey mustard, for $85) makes for the perfect ending to a Disney day.
Maybe don’t come hungry, though.
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