Rainforest Cafe Tempe, Arizona: Go for the Experience, Not the Meal

The Rainforest Café at Arizona Mills in Phoenix / Tempe, Arizona offers more than a typical dining experience. Seating for this unique restaurant is located in a simulated rainforest, complete with leafy tree, vines, a beautiful waterfall and a variety of animatronic animals. Watch large, colorful fish swim around in huge fish tanks which are scattered throughout. About every 15 minutes a sudden thunderstorm rolls through the restaurant. Lightning flashes, thunder crashes and the animitronic animals respond with noise and movement. Monkeys swing in the vines overhead and the elephants twitch their ears and toss their heads.

The fun environment is perfect for families. The restaurant is far from quiet; between thunderstorms music plays rather loudly. This makes it quite difficult to carry on a conversation over dinner. However, it is perfect for children who find it a challenge to sit quietly in a restaurant. Families walk around the restaurant and take photos of the many animals and interesting sites so don't be surprised in someone stops next to your table to take a photo of something. We noticed the hosts were quite good about seating people near the animatronic animals, waterfall or fish tanks first, so you are likely to be seated near something of interest. The environment is a welcome diversion while waiting for food. We reviewed the restaurant at lunchtime when it was less than half full; however, we still waited 25 minutes for our food.

Unfortunately, the food is where the Rainforest Café lacks. The menu offers a variety of food types but limited selections in each category. There are appetizers, burgers, sandwiches, pasta, pizza, salad, seafood and meat meals. We were happy to see some meatless options, such as a vegetarian burger made of brown rice. The children's menu offers typical child's menu fare; dinosaur shaped chicken nuggets, mini hot dogs, pizza, and shrimp are some choices. The prices are higher than one might usually pay at a comparable restaurant. Expect to pay between $10 - $15 for a sandwich or burger with potato chips (there is an additional fee to upgrade to fries, soup or salad), and $14 - $22 for a larger entrée. Even soup and salad is almost $6 for a small portion. Kid's meals are $5 - $6 each. Perhaps the reason the prices seemed excessive to us was the food quality. The $6 salad was quite bland and boring (except for the jicama which was a nice addition) and many of the foods seemed to have been prepackaged items that were reheated. The fish in the $15 fish and chips was tough and chewy. The saving grace of that meal was the rather tasty French fries (chips) that accompanied the disappointing fish.

That being said, the desserts were great, but then who could ruin dessert?! If you are feeling a little adventurous give the Volcano a try. Thick delicious brownies built like a volcano with vanilla ice cream inside and chocolate syrup lava will set you back about $13. It is big enough for the average family of four to enjoy together though.

As you enter and leave the restaurant you walk through a store featuring a variety of Rainforest Café memorabilia. There was a fun selection of shirts, jewelry, candies and other typical touristy items. The prices were average, actually much more reasonable than the food itself.

Overall, The Rainforest Café offers a family a fun dining experience as long as food quality and pricing is not a priority on your list. Our recommendation would be to stop in for a dessert instead of a full meal. You will get The Rainforest Café experience while enjoying a tasty dessert and not breaking your budget!

The restaurant, owned by Landry's Restaurants, is located at 5000 S. Arizona Mills Circle in Tempe, Arizona. Though it is located inside the Arizona Mills Mall, it is quite easy to find since it is listed on the parking lot signage and there is a large exterior sign on the building. This restaurant is part of chain that includes other locations throughout the United States and in several other countries.