Is Brown Derby worth it?

[swkmom]

DH and I are going for a 3 night trip during free dining. I don't want to spend 2 TS credits to eat at the Brown Derby because it doesn't seem worth 2 credits according to the menu. However, I would really like to try the cobb salad.

My question is, would it be worth it to eat there for lunch (the salad is an entree choice during lunch) and just pay oop? This is what I'm leaning toward doing but wanted to get opinions from people who have eaten there first. Thanks!

 

[pennyplanner]

I LOVED the Brown Derby. My family on the other hand did not enjoy it at all. I think it depends what kind of food you like. If you like plain food (ie. nothing too adventurous) and larger portion sizes, I think you would be disappointed. My husband enjoyed the food but thought the portion size was miniscule.

Service is hit or miss. We had a surly waiter but when I lunched there alone on another trip, my waitress was just wonderful.

I don't think I would use 2 TS credits if you just want to have the cobb salad. I like your idea of paying for it.

Enjoy, whatever your decision!

--penny

 

[global_mom]

Would it be worth it? IMHO - no.

 

[KatMark]

Sorry...we did not like Brown Derby when we were there (my DH hated the grapefruit cake).

 

[Dizneydaz]

We like HBD and my DM really loves the Cobb Salad. We didn't do it last year during free DDP but have done it previously. We've also done it off DDP, paying OOP. Like others have said, the servings aren't overly large and the less adventurous may have a hard time finding something to eat. My DM and I have shared meals here both on, and off, DDP. Of course that was for dinner, when the Cobb salad was available as an appetizer for 2

As far as 2 TS go (value, etc.) we like Narcoossee's for selection-you can even get steak and lobster or a whole lobster. Or California Grill. If it was me I would go there but pay OOP. I find HBD a nice break in the day, especially if it's hot outside. Cloth tableclothes and napkins. Piano player. Elegant but not stuffy-most diners are in their tourist attire after all!

We too didn't care for the grapefruit cake but the Double Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee was good!

This is 1/2 of the Cobb salad

Creme Brulee

Seared Ahi-really good and huge serving-there's a huge piece hiding under the cracker.

 

[Greg K.]

We've always enjoyed it, and I'm a big fan of the grapefruit cake.

You'd be hard-pressed to find a swankier restaurant inside a theme park. Both the atmosphere and the menu are the kind you typically find at a resort hotel -- or even off property.

They used to have "characters" who acted like movie stars from the '40s popping in and out, but I don't know if they still do that...

 

[lady danger]

I would say yes. We had dinner there last trip and weren't on the dining plan so we paid out of pocket, and had a delightful meal. We didn't have the Cobb salad, so I can't speak to that, but the food we ordered was very good and the service we had there was the best we had all trip. I wish I could remember our server's name so I could pay her a compliment, but she was fantastic. Very warm and friendly, and attentive without hovering. It wasn't the very best signature restaurant we dined at all week food wise (not because the food wasn't high quality, we just adored the food at Citricos), but the overall experience was one of the best. Great service, good food, and a good atmosphere, it was hard to believe you were in the middle of a theme park. We loved the interior. Most in park restaurants at Disney have the tables packed in shoulder to shoulder, but the Brown Derby was very spacious and relaxed. I would think this place would be a real treat for lunch if you've spent the whole morning touring the parks.

I haven't ever done the DDP so I can't speak to what's worth two credits or not (our favorite restaurants are signature ones, so the DDP isn't for us), but we really enjoyed this restaurant and would go back.

 

[Silver Queen]

We would not use 2 credits on the Brown Derby. If we wanted to use 2 credits we would go to Jiko, California Grill, or Narcoosees. That being said, we did go their for lunch OOP two years ago. It was a pleasant expereince and very relaxing, but as far as the food was concerned, good but not outstanding. I, too, wanted to try the Cobb Salad. As you can see from the picture above the "authentic" preparation chops everything up pretty finely. I'm a fan of Cobb salads but I like restaurants where the ingredients are in bigger pieces. Seems fresher to me.

 

[MJMcBride]

The Brown Derby is good, but no its not really worth it. In order you to actually make out on the DDP, don't do any 2TS

 

[swkmom]

Thanks for the feedback everyone! Thanks DizneyDaz for the pics. I think we'll try it for lunch but pay oop, it just doesn't make sense to use to TS credits for this restaurant. Thanks again everyone...this is why I love the Dis!