Explorer's Café — Restaurant in San Diego

This place was a train wreck! In my 40+ years visiting Sea World I have never had such a shockingly terrible dining experience. After waiting in line to order for over 20min, the kid that took our order advised us to "go wait somewhere else. It's going to be awhile..." He said next, "I wouldn't come back to the pickup window for 30-40 min". Sure enough, almost an hour later, I was standing at the pickup window, with probably 60 other people watching utter chaos. Of the 15 or so employees there, 3-4 we're working franticly in the back kitchen getting hot food ready, 6-8 we're standing at the warmer trying to put orders on trays while shouting at the back kitchen. 5 very lost looking employees were trying to get drinks ready and complete orders very un- successfully. Of the 8 windows there for pickup they were working out of 4&5 only. When I finally made my way to the window I found my order was one of the 8 sitting there with no drinks. I asked one of the shell-shocked young ladies if my order was ready, and was told "I don't know, I think we're working on drinks". I stood at the window for 10 minutes watching something that reminded me of a 3 Stooges episode, while the remaining employees of the bunch I mentioned "supervisors" passed from huddle to huddle franticly and occasionally barking orders to nobody in particular like "you just do ice". I would not be surprised to hear that a riot broke out at this establishment around the time we were there...the crowd was furious! I almost walked away with my tray of now cold burgers without the drinks. The food was aweful by the way. Cold fries and undercooked burgers that at the time of writing this, I think got me 🤢. For the privilege of watching this clown show Sea World charged me $72. (3) burgers, (3) drinks, and a kids meal. (That's with the platinum pass discount) The final kick in the teeth was the service fee tacked on top of the entire tab. Very disappointed is an understatement. I left feeling angry and upset for the poor untrained kids running this circus. Most of whom who looked like they were about to cry in the time I was observing them trying to run a restaurant. DO...

Here is your warning: Do NOT go here.

I went to Sea World on a pretty slow day. Monday, December 16.

I'm a pass member and I'm continuing my search for adequate food at Sea World.

I decided I'd try this spot. We ordered a cheeseburger with fries. Took less than 5 minutes for us to receive our food. We proceeded to get all the condiments: ranch, BBQ, Mayo, and ketchup.

The cheeseburger does not come with lettuce, tomatoes or anything, just a slice of cold cheese and a patty. And a side of fries. The burger was not warm. Not even under a heat lamp warm. The cheese looked like it came straight from the fridge and placed on a burger that was cooked 2 hours ago. The bun wasn't warmed, toasted, but was as rubbery as an automotive tire. Hence why we needed the condiments to be slathered on the bun. The fries were slightly cold, but at least the fries tasted good.

1 star for it being edible at least.

Will not go here again. Jack in the box tacos at least have more flavor. All I ask for is FRESHLY cooked food. But can't even get that apparently.

The BBQ place has my...

This was the worst dining experience I’ve ever had in San Diego. I understand it’s SeaWorld, and they don’t really care whether guests enjoy the food because they know you’re already here and will probably end up eating somewhere anyway.

Even on a slow weekday after summer break, they only had one cashier open, forcing everyone into a long line. The kitchen staff? Standing around, avoiding eye contact, clearly just passing time. The kitchen workers were literally just taking pre-made food out of the fridge and putting it on plates at the slowest pace I’ve ever seen, slower than a DMV sloth. They don’t give a dime about their customers. Horrible management and leadership.

The food itself was even worse. I paid nearly $130 for what can only be described as overpriced, low-quality fast food. The photos speak for themselves. The only reason I even stayed was because my kids were hungry. I will bring some snacks next time.

SeaWorld should be embarrassed to serve this to paying guests. Absolutely...