Is SCI-FI Diner Really That Bad?

[disneyguy1818]

I let my DFi choose Sci-Fi Diner as our TS meal for the day we're at DHS. Honestly, all of the choices seemed awful at this park, except for Brown Derby, but we don't have enough TS credits to go there and don't want to drop one of our other Signatures. He seemed to want to go to Sci-Fi Diner because of the theming- which looks cool. But I've read terrible reviews of the food. I don't eat beef, so it looks like I'm stuck with Shrimp Pasta or Tofu. Has anyone had the tofu or shrimp? Is it decent? I'm not asking for gourmet- just edibility. I'm really looking forward to an alcohol infused shake- though I don't see that meshing flavor wise with shrimp pasta or tofu!

 

[MikeOhio]

I have never had anything decent there besides a burger which was mediocre and a milkshake. The theming is great though.

I would personally recommend mama melrosas,=it's not amazing but it is consistently good ever since they updated their menu.

 

[TDC Nala]

Reports on the new menu at Sci Fi say the tofu has been removed and they are offering a veggie burger.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

I ate there last week. If you eat there for lunch, the turkey sandwich was very good for a turkey sandwich. I also had the spinach and artichoke dip - it was average. I had a diet coke with cherry for my drink - that was delicious, but I had to pace myself because I kept draining the little cup.

 

[summerlady]

I had the shrimp pasta last November and thought it was very good. Loved the chocolate shake too, but skipped any gooey dessert and had fresh fruit instead.

 

[catne]

I know this place gets a bad rap, but honestly, we've been there 3 times in the last year, including a couple of weeks ago...and have had good food every time. This last time the service was very slow, but other than that, the food was good and the atmosphere/entertainment is a hoot. Our guests have thought it was great fun.

We always have the sandwiches there...have had the reuben, the chesseburger and the the turkey sandwiches. We enjoyed all of them. Fries are good, onion rings are even better. The soda fountain flavored cokes are excellent (they add the flavoring so much better than the canned version.) The milkshakes are excellent. We thought the spinach/artichoke dip was excellent. The Chocolate-peanut butter cake is fabulous, as is the sundae. My understanding is that the sandwiches are always available even if you're there at dinner time and they are not on the dinner menu. Try the sandwiches.

 

[annnewjerz]

We have been every trip and I think it's fine...more than fine when you factor in the themeing and the adult shakes! If you aren't into beef, I would try the veggie burger or turkey sandwich with onion rings, or maybe the spinach and artichoke dip as an entree. Between that and a milkshake, I'm sure you won't be hurting for something to fill you up.

 

[jess20k]

I think it is a fun place to try out at least once, but I would not waste 1 TS credit on it. Maybe you could just go and order drinks, appetizers and/or dessert, and pay oop. That way, you don't waste a credit, but you get to experience the atmosphere.

 

[sydneysmom]

I've been to Sci-Fi about 6 times total. And LOVED it. It was one of my favorites.... the theming is fun the food is really very good and it's just a really great place to eat. The atmosphere is terrific.

However, our last trip we went for lunch so my DH and DD6 could go for the first time. We had the worst server ever. He was in SUCH a bad mood. Now, I should have just asked that we be moved to a different car right from the get go, but we didn't. The rows in front of us had dirty dishes the entire time we ate. ( the people were leaving as we were seated) So that was just kind of nasty.

Then my DD, who was 4 1/2 at the time, dropped her fork. He actually said to me " perhaps mommy ought to keep a better eye on you, eh ?". Oh, I know he didn't !!!! He brought my DH's lunch out last..... like 10 minutes after me and my DD had ours. Seriously. Our drinks were never refilled and the entire time he was flitting around in the biggest snit like we were totally bothering him. (we were kind of just keeping to ourselves actually.....) It was alot worse, but I won't bore you with the details.

Then it came time for the bill. I give him our key to the world card and he says he's going to run those credits through...then he says to me "shall I charge my tip to your room then ?" say WHAT ???? You have GOT to be kidding me. You treat us like crap the entire time, scold me, scold my daughter (for a fork falling) and now you want to be all kissy kissy ?

So I told him not to worry, I'LL handle the tip appropriately. And I did.

I think though, it put a bad taste in our mouth (no pun inteneded) for going back.... maybe in the future, but for our next trip, definitely not. It ruined the whole lunch for us.

 

[MinnieTink]

We go for the theme and not the food, and have had a good time both times. A friend of mine did get the shrimp/pasta and said it was good, and she is pretty picky! It wasn't great, but the theming is really cool so it was still a win! And the shakes and desserts are really good too!

 

[sukhakuli]

I don't think it's that bad, but I think I'm not nearly as picky about food as some people here are (they have clearly never had my GMIL's jello with leftover mixed veggies in it). It's not the most amazing food you will ever eat or anything, but it is perfectly edible.

And the theming is really fun, so we chose to go back. They had chicken and rice when I was there last time, and it was kind of greasy, but OK. I've heard the burgers are good, so I am going to try one of them on our next trip. My dad really liked the reuben. And I think they have salads as well (do they still? My memory is vague, since it's been so long).

 

[3boys4me]

I really like Sci-fi. Like another poster said, the sandwiches are good. Loved the turkey, it has some kind of avocado mayo on it tht was great. Dh hads the Rueben and that was really good too. My ds had the ribs, he liked them and my other ds had a burger, again, no complaints. I will def. go back again.

 

[SPOERLX3]

I've been to Sci-Fi about 6 times total. And LOVED it. It was one of my favorites.... the theming is fun the food is really very good and it's just a really great place to eat. The atmosphere is terrific.

I agree 100%

This is the ONLY restaurant that my family unanimously chooses every single trip that we take to Disney!

 

[uscgrl93]

I agree 100%

This is the ONLY restaurant that my family unanimously chooses every single trip that we take to Disney!

Food was okay, but my kids love the atmosphere and they always want to go.

 

[SCDisneyMom]

We have to do Sci-Fi every trip. We've never had dinner there, just lunch, so I'm not sure how the menu varies between the two meals, but we've always stuck with cheeseburgers and milkshakes. The food isn't the best thing I've ever eaten, no, but it tastes just fine to us.

We go for the theming anyway...the atmosphere there is really neat, and I think everyone should try it at least once. I also think it's a great break from the brutal heat & humidity. I can sit there in the dark and drink my milkshake and just relax for a few minutes. I did try to convince DS that we should try one of the other DHS restaurants when we go next month, but he looked at me like I had 2 heads. So we'll be back at Sci-Fi for lunch on October 19th.

 

[GeorgeG]

When the Sci-Fi first opened the food was more along the line of what you might expect at a real drive-in theater, like burgers and hot dogs, and that worked well with the theme. Somewhere along the line, they got creative and ruined the original concept. At times, the food was good to very good, but lately it has been really hit and miss, mostly miss. Unfortunately, there aren't very many WDW restaurants that are as good as they were five to ten years ago. Disney has gone to great lengths to fix what was never broken to begin with.

 

[pamkas]

The Sci-Fi is not bad...we've always enjoyed the food and especially the atmosphere! I agree that sometimes the service leaves a lot to be desired!

 

[Pikezh638]

I don't get why everyone slams Sci Fi. I love it, and I always enjoy it when I get to go there. It is just an amazing place to me.

 

[prfctlyximprfct]

I love Sci-Fi!! I don't understand why is gets such a bad reputation! The food is good. I enjoyed it both times I ate there. I think people just like to find something negative to say. You are in Disney World!! Compared to every other theme park out there, Disney has the best food with the most options. I love Sci-Fi, the themeing is something you are sure to remember. Don't listen to the haters!

 

[goofyintoronto]

We go for the theme and not the food, and have had a good time both times. A friend of mine did get the shrimp/pasta and said it was good, and she is pretty picky! It wasn't great, but the theming is really cool so it was still a win! And the shakes and desserts are really good too!

I don't think it's that bad, but I think I'm not nearly as picky about food as some people here are (they have clearly never had my GMIL's jello with leftover mixed veggies in it>>OMG! hahaha! ). It's not the most amazing food you will ever eat or anything, but it is perfectly edible.

And the theming is really fun, so we chose to go back. They had chicken and rice when I was there last time, and it was kind of greasy, but OK. I've heard the burgers are good, so I am going to try one of them on our next trip. My dad really liked the reuben. And I think they have salads as well (do they still? My memory is vague, since it's been so long).

I agree with these statements. For me, its mostly about the theme of the place. But I have been to Sci Fi a handful of times and I have to say, i've NEVER had a bad meal there. Always yummy food. With the new menu, they took away the ribs and added more options for vegetarians...including, sweet potato fries!! Thats exciting. Anyway, my past meals there included ribs and burgers. Both were tasty! Fries are good. Shakes are great. Desserts are yummy too. It kills me when ppl go to SciFi then complain its nothing but burgers, not sure why theyre expecting gourmet food, it is a drive-in theater style afterall! Lol!