[Pictures] T-Rex is open! TR and photos

[KevinYee]

The place opened only at 4pm today (the 14th) and it was busy; long lines made for 50-60 minute waits.

We had fast service, but then post-entree everything slowed to a crawl. Still, the opening day jitters were few and far between. On balance, the place is a solid hit (a double, possible a triple, but not a home run). More in my miceage update this week.

But for now, some pictures:

[yoyoflamingo]

Re: T-Rex is open! TR and photos

Thanks for the pics! It definitely has piqued my interest. Perhaps more than Rainforest Cafe, which was only ok for me.

[sir clinksalot]

Re: T-Rex is open! TR and photos

Looks totally cool.

Like YoYo, I'm not impressed with Rainforest, but this looks pretty cool. I'm assuming the womens bathroom says She-Rex.

[insidethemagic]

Re: T-Rex is open! TR and photos

I attended the grand opening of T-Rex today and I was thoroughly surprised at how nice it is throughout. The food samples (all menu items) were very good (the bruschetta was FANTASTIC) and the decor is wonderful. I'd go to T-Rex over Rainforest any day. I'm quite impressed.

Here is a video featuring the animatronics and decor, a couple of interviews, and some photos from inside the restaurant:

[flynnibus]

Re: T-Rex is open! TR and photos

is it as loud as rainforest cafe inside?

[KevinYee]

Re: T-Rex is open! TR and photos

Louder. This is one of the reasons it's not a home-run, actually.

[SeaWolf38]

Re: T-Rex is open! TR and photos

That restaurant looks pretty fun though! I've been waiting for that place to open, because I wanted to see what it would look like. Wish we had one of those out here on the west coast.... maybe we will soon enough!

[Rex Dopey24]

Re: T-Rex is open! TR and photos

wow these things are very impressive.

[aimster]

Re: T-Rex is open! TR and photos

I'll check it out at least once just to say I've been. It does look kind of cooler than Rainforest Cafe though.

[Armadillo4]

Re: T-Rex is open! TR and photos

Thanks for the photos and getting them posted here so quickly!!! It definitely looks interesting and worth trying at least once. Looking forward to your Miceage update later this week.

[Micoofy Duck]

Re: T-Rex is open! TR and photos

Ohhhhhh! Ahhhhhh! Can't wait to book my table in 2009!

[Mouse princess]

Re: T-Rex is open! TR and photos

It looks like fun. I may have to try it out whenever I get down there. I was not all that impressed with the Rainforest on my last visit

[tayakaleb]

Re: T-Rex is open! TR and photos

We have been to the T-Rex in Kansas City and it is better than the Rainforest. Get the make your own smores dessert! Do they have the Build-A-Dino in the new T-rex?

[SummerInFL]

Re: T-Rex is open! TR and photos

Nice! It looks like a Dinosaur version of Rainforest, can't wait to give it a go!

Thanks for sharing Kevin.

[mikeland]

Re: T-Rex is open! TR and photos

Thanks for the pictures and report. It looks to me like one of those places you go to once and that's it.

[kcnole]

Re: T-Rex is open! TR and photos

One of the biggest complaints (aside from the horrendous wait) about Rainforest has always been that the food is just very average and nowhere near worth the price you pay for it. How did the food compare to Rainforest? Is it essentially the same menu? Same quality? etc...

[KevinYee]

Re: T-Rex is open! TR and photos

I haven't done a line by line compare with Rainforest's menu, but in general, it's the same type of thing, roughly the same level of taste, roughly the same portion sizes, roughly the same costs. Possibly T-Rex is a tick higher in terms of quality, I guess, but by and large, it's about like Rainforest. I paid $20 for rotisserie chicken, which was tasty and moist, with highly flavorful rice, and decent roasted vegetables (they were a touch limp, though). Overpriced? Sure. But it was hardly a catastrophe for either price or quality, and the real attraction is of course the atmosphere. And in that, I agree with earlier comments that people will feel the need to eat here at least once. Some will come back, others may not feel the need to rush, but at least they won't be leaving feeling ripped off.

[TDLFAN]

Re: T-Rex is open! TR and photos

I am in TDR today, but my interest in T-Rex was picked last week when I saw the building from the outside and took a quick peek inside from the doors... It looked great, and I shall be there on friday to check it out... but not to eat.

[sir clinksalot]

Re: T-Rex is open! TR and photos

Louder. This is one of the reasons it's not a home-run, actually.

That's kind of sad to hear really. I don't know why these places feel the need to make everybody deaf.

I am in TDR today,

Rub it in, Rub it in.

[Phonedave]

Re: T-Rex is open! TR and photos

From the two menu items I can make out (the filet, and the pork), it does seem to be along the lines of Rainforest quality/price.

Again, you are paying for the "experence" more so than the food. I am sure I will be taking my kids there, but I doubt it would be one of my stops when going alone.

-dave