How is the Hollywood Brown Derby?

[Cat0727]

It's the only restaurant I haven't tried yet in DHS and I'm wondering if it's any good...and if it's worth paying OOP for or using 2 credits on the dining plan (not sure if we are going to be on it yet.)

Thanks in advance

 

[kaytieeldr]

Well, I like the Brown Derby, and I love the Cobb salad... but since it's an appetizer (for two, but still) I wouldn't use any DDP credits for it, I'd just pay out of pocket and that would be my meal. Well, that and dessert . But I'm biased. Last time I ate there, I did the Lunch with an Imagineer which included what seemed to be an eighteen course meal - but was really, I think, just four courses: lobster bisque, the Cobb salad, steak, and dessert.

 

[Nadjalu]

Brown Derby gets a bad rap. It is a lovely restaurant, but the atmosphere sure doesn't fit in with the park atmosphere.

It has a real "old world" style, rich, high society feel to the place. Like old rich men...if that makes any sense. Very prim and proper type.
It was strange when we ate there because I am in park clothes, so I felt out of place....and I never feel out of place at restaurants, whether I am dressed up or not.

So maybe that has something to do with it. Food was good and service was great.

 

[PatsMom]

We've eaten at the Brown Derby a couple of times and have always enjoyed it very much. The food and service were both good. My only regret is that my husband is not a salad eater so I've never gotten the Cobb salad although I've seen in prepared a number of times.

 

[Pakey]

Brown Derby is a nice place to dine. I don't think it's worth 2 credits on the dining plan but I am more than happy to pay their OOP prices. We've eaten here maybe a half dozen times and we've never had a bad meal or bad service.

 

[pixarmom]

We (including our three boys) loved Brown Derby. Great location by the hat at DHS and a nice, relaxing spot for lunch. We ordered kids' meals for two of the kids, our oldest ordered an appetizer for his lunch, and my husband and I shared the cobb salad, the tuna appetizer and the grapefruit cake for dessert. We didn't think it was the least bit stuffy or uncomfortable - just a great retreat from the busy park! It's an ideal lunch option at DHS for us, because we don't think the CS there is all that great.

We haven't done the dining plan since February of 09, but if we were on the dining plan, I would not use 2 TS credits. As the previous poster mentioned, I'd suggest it if you are paying OOP.

 

[MartDM]

We love it and think it's well worth 2 credits. It's a nice respite from the hustle, bustle of everything at WDW and really does have that stately, old hollywood charm to it. Makes you feel like you're doing something special for yourself.

We regretably haven't been in our last three trips since DS was born, but he'll be 3.5 on our next trip in Nov. & I'm debating whether to take him there (he is generally very well behaved in restaurants but I wouldn't want him to disrupt anyone's 2 credit meal if he was a little overstimulated and loud at WDW!).

 

[pixarmom]

We love it and think it's well worth 2 credits. It's a nice respite from the hustle, bustle of everything at WDW and really does have that stately, old hollywood charm to it. Makes you feel like you're doing something special for yourself.

We regretably haven't been in our last three trips since DS was born, but he'll be 3.5 on our next trip in Nov. & I'm debating whether to take him there (he is generally very well behaved in restaurants but I wouldn't want him to disrupt anyone's 2 credit meal if he was a little overstimulated and loud at WDW!).

Just a thought - our youngest is also a pre-schooler, and we went for lunch at 11:30am and got a table by the window. In addition to watching his brothers at the table (always interesting for him!) he could also see the base of the Sorcerer's Hat and all the activity outside. We noticed lots of kids at lunch, and the atmosphere was a little different than what we expect dinner will be. Our ADR next week is for 6pm, so we're asking for another table by the window!

 

[TIGGERmetoo]

We eat there most every trip because DH loves the Cobb Salad but we pay OOP. I don't think it's work 2 TS credits especially if DH has the salad. Last time we were there the service wasn't very good but normally it's not bad.

 

[mrs_noopie]

I love it, a must for me when I go to DHS.

I love the Cobb Salad, and everything else I've tried has been delicious. I'm not as crazy about the grapefruit cake as many, many are. DD5 adores the "hidden treasures" dessert for kids.

When I've taken other people there, they are always surprised (in a good way) to find a restaurant like that within the parks.

I go OOP there, because I like to get lots of appetizers and skip dessert. Lunchtime is more affordable.

 

[Unca_Scrooge]

The $15 Cob salad is huge, and easily splittable between two people. And it's awesome too. You could get that and the grapefruit cake for a cheap light lunch.

 

[laughinplace199]

We eat there every trip and we've never had a bad meal. We don't do the dining plan, so I don't know about TS credits.

 

[DizGirl20]

I liked the atmosphere and the food was very good (but not excellent). Would I go again and use 2 credits for lunch... probably not. But I like to try everything at least once. In my experience, what some people like, I may not enjoy and vice versa.