Brown Derby

[ransom]

I don't see much discussion of Brown Derby on here.

Is it an unremarkable place to eat, or is it just so good or bad that no one bothers to mention it any more?

 

[skeleton_pirate]

We ate there in September and found it fairly unremarkable. It was good, and I don't have any major complaints about the food, but it wasn't our best meal in WDW. The service was excellent and the decor was lovely, however.

 

[CheshireVal]

We've had two different experiences at the BD. Last December, we ate lunch there and it was wonderful! We had a booth in the corner, the food was excellent, service was outstanding... it was one of our better meals of the trip.

So, we tried it again during our trip last week. This time for dinner. We ended up with a table in the middle of the room, uncomfortably close to the families next to us. The dinner menu wasn't as appealing as the lunch menu, so I had a hard time finding something to order. The restaurant was packed and service a little slow. No one really loved their food this time.

I'm not sure if we'd go back. If we did, it would be for lunch, I think!

 

[TLSnell1981]

We rarely miss dining at the BD, on our trips. The food is good as well as the service we have received. It is by far the best restaurant at MGM IMHO. It is a fairly expensive restaurant and requires 2 TS credits for dining. I think the price puts some off. Some don't like it since it became part of the Fantasmic Package...kind of lost some of the ambience.

 

[sue1013]

I've eaten there at lunch it was ok not bad not great. In October we ate there for dinner we 3 of us thought it was really really good. Only one didn't like their food and that was the noodle bowl with coconut tofu. Two had the pork chop and I had the filet mignon. I usually prefer the restaurants in the resorts to any in the parks, we were surprised we liked it so much at least 3 of us.

 

[Pitti-sing]

I really enjoy the Brown Derby for lunch. I always go at least once during Star Wars Weekends. Sometimes the park is a little intense during SWW; but it's the most amazing thing. If you're eating lunch in the Brown Derby, you can look out the windows and see a theme park; but you're somehow not in the theme park.

And after an hour with good food, good service and a Maker's Manhatten, I'm ready to go and run around with several thousands of my dearest friends again.

 

[auroraarielella]

I really enjoy the Brown Derby, but I guess since it doesn't have characters or a gimmick, it gets forgotten on the discussion boards. But I have anways had a good meal there, eat there usually every trip.

 

[jdvm]

We like Brown Derby...but it's not the kind of place where everything is fantastic. If you go to Jiko, Flying Fish or California Grill, I think just about everything you order will be best in its class. At Brown Derby, the Cobb Salad and Grapefruit Cake are unbeatable. Other menu items are a bit hit and miss. I would definitely suggest you give it a try. And if you're not bowled over..go back another time and try something different.
John

 

[IluvKingLouis]

We had lunch there a few years ago. I had their famed cobb salad and thought it was pretty bad. They chop it really fine and it looses any crispness that you'd normally expect from a salad. It was a little like baby food.

I forget what my husband ordered, but I do recall him really enjoying his meal.

The atmosphere is very nice, but I do agree with the PP about the tables in the center. We were seated at a table, and if we should go back, I'll be asking for a booth.

 

[BoomNLeon]

We had the Fantasmic Dinner Package at BD in September. The food and service was really good. Our waiter gave great suggestions and even pinch hit when they were out a specific wine, coming back to the table with 2 bottles as alternatives. We were lucky to have a booth (which I think made a difference) so were able to relax and watch the world go by. The people watching at WDW is really good!

All in all, the experience at BD was a good one for us. It is not an inexpensive experience, but really worth it.

 

[ransom]

Thank you for the great tips! Now I know just what to do!

 

[Iggipolka]

We love the Brown Derby and make a point to always eat there during Disney trips. I love the Cobb salad and my wife likes the Ox tail. We usually split a wine flight, so we get to taste three different wines. The grapefruit cake is delicious!
It's an elegant atmosphere and I agree that it feels like you aren't in a theme park. Do wait for a booth, it makes all the difference.

 

[disneyholic family]

we had lunch there 3 weeks ago and very much enjoyed it..

the food was quite good and the service outstanding...

we would definitely go back....

 

[dkostel]

It is my favorite restaurant at WDW, although I haven't yet eaten at V&A. I usually get the pasta-truffle oil dish, although everyone I've eaten with has enjoyed their various meals.
Fun decor, always great service.

 

[x5x5x5x5x5]

I really like the Brown Derby - especially the cobb salad - can't get one like it anywhere else! I also like their wines by the glass and the tortelloni app. We usually order the cobb salad and a few apps and we are set. We try to hit the BD everytime we visit.

 

[kscottiemom]

The last time we had lunch at the BD our server had serious body odor.

We didn't want to be rude, but it certainly didn't make for an agreeable memory. Every time he leaned over our table, a nice roomy booth, we just held our breath collectively.

Also, the salad was not nearly as good as other Cobbs we have had. It was, in fact, dry, and those tiny lettuce pieces can cause a coughing fit.

We haven't been back.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I made a 6pm ADR, on our MGM evening. We didn't book the Fantasmic package, but plan to try to catch it after dinner. If not, it's no big deal. F! is at 8:30 that night. Do you think 6 is late enough to avoid some on the DDP crowd? We haven't been there since the current plan was implemented. Thanks in advance for your advice.

 

[tmws66]

I have eaten there many times and I have enjoyed each meal. It is relaxing and I have always had good service.

 

[Vijoge]

I made a 6pm ADR, on our MGM evening. We didn't book the Fantasmic package, but plan to try to catch it after dinner. If not, it's no big deal. F! is at 8:30 that night. Do you think 6 is late enough to avoid some on the DDP crowd? We haven't been there since the current plan was implemented. Thanks in advance for your advice.

We ate a 6 and the restaurant wasn't terribly busy. There were a few empty tables and no wait and no sensing that we should hurry our meal so the next people could be seated.

 

[LindyN]

Love it for lunch, but not the best deal on the dining plan. There are better places to expend two TS credits.

I have the Cobb Salad and grapefruit cake. Not much for my older kids, so they do the kids menu.

It is an oasis of calm in an otherwise hectic theme park and I will return--for lunch only.