Mama Melrose: Why do people like it?

[vinotinto]

With the news of the Muppets area closing soon, it got me thinking. I've been to Mama Melrose only once, like 15 years ago, and I frankly don't remember it, so it must not have been anything special. Any reason to eat there? Why do people like it?

 

[DL1WDW2]

We just went there because it was available and we have done everything else many times.
They chose us for Family of Day and our photo is in their “ Family Album “now along with our signatures..and gave us VIP seating for Fantasmic !
Best decision ever to dine with Mama .

I think it is perfect to dine at Mama Melrose for the interior decorations . Especially on those hot summer days when sun is too bright and too hot .
I hope you also remember to go upstairs at PizzaRizzo to dance under the disco ball /as a guest at the wedding ceremony too!

 

[vinotinto]

We just went there because it was available and we have done everything else many times.
They chose us for Family of Day and our photo is in their “ Family Album “now along with our signatures..and gave us VIP seating for Fantasmic !
Best decision ever to dine with Mama .

I think it is perfect to dine at Mama Melrose for the interior decorations . Especially on those hot summer days when sun is too bright and too hot .
I hope you also remember to go upstairs at PizzaRizzo to dance under the disco ball /as a guest at the wedding ceremony too!

Never been to PizzaRizzo either!

 

[NYCgrrl]

Why do people like it?

I have nooo idea.
Guess I’m lucky living in the NE; easy to get worthy Italian food.

 

[Smugpugmug]

It's simple comfort food that appeals to a wide variety of palates. I ate there twice and thought it was disgusting both times, so it won't be missed IMO. It's also a reservation that is very easy to get and walk ups are always available.

 

[RuntheMouse]

No clue! We went once and that was enough. The food was so bad and the service left a lot to be desired.

 

[DaviVascaino]

"Why do people like A? "
"why do people like B"?

I mean, every single restaurant at WDW has haters and lovers. Mama Melrose is ok. not bad, not great, just ok. You can do worse at WDW.

 

[MillauFr]

Because the other restaurants in Studios are lacking as well.

 

[MillauFr]

No clue! We went once and that was enough. The food was so bad and the service left a lot to be desired.

The service is better than 50s Prime Time where the servers abuse you.

 

[han22735]

No clue! We went once and that was enough. The food was so bad and the service left a lot to be desired.

This is us as well...went years ago and the service was worse than the food.

 

[Micca]

We've been a few times, never thought it was terrible. No plans to dine there again but wouldn't object if someone in our group wanted to go.

 

[Anthony1971]

While everyone has different tastes.....
We went once in the 15 years ago range as well (someone above) and that was enough. It was not bad but not good there are far better places at Disney.
Pizzarizzo will be missed and the meatball sub was decent and the atmosphere was great.

 

[TheHulamuffins]

Mama Melrose's has been variable in our experience. When we first went there 25 years ago, it was excellent. We continued to like it, though not as much, up to about 10 years ago. Then there was a period when I did not much care for it. The last two years, it has been appreciably better again, in my opinion--still not up to our experience 25 years ago.

 

[TCRAIG]

When we first started going to MM years back - their steak was excellent - but the last few years - not so much. That said - I’ll definitely try and schedule one last meal there before it closes.

 

[DodgerGirl]

Mama Melrose's is supposed to be a throwback to the Italian restaurants seen in the movies like The Godfather and I think for people who like those kind of Italian restaurants Mama Melrose's fits the bill. Why I think Mama Melrose's is so popular in Disney's Hollywood Studios is because if you want a wonderful meal of salads pizza and different types of pastas this restaurant has that certain vibe to it. When my mom was a teenager she and my aunt went to an Italian restaurant similar to Mama Melrose's and my mother and aunt would get pizza and pasta and they loved going to that restaurant. But if you want to feel Hollywood nostalgia Mama Melrose's is great

 

[Miffy]

We go for two reasons:
(1) Vegan here, and the off-menu spaghetti marinara is vegan, as are the dinner rolls and often a pretty good dessert. They used to have a terrific vegan side salad but that has been a fail post-pandemic, so we skip it.

But the main reason is:
(2) It's inside, dark, and cool, and in the brutal FL heat, the place is worth it mainly for that.

 

[kristenabelle]

Coming from NJ, I don't think the food is particularly great. But I love the atmosphere. The crooner music, the Italian movie posters, the tablecloths and the cheesy lights. I also love the wood-burning smell - reminds me of being a kid, when we used to go there before Fantasmic.

These past couple of years I've been eating here before the Marathon as a new tradition. I just did it in January, and I was too tired/nervous to really enjoy it. Sad it's going away.

Same with Pizzerizzo - I'll miss the jokes, gags, hidden easter eggs, and the nice respite on hot days. Sitting upstairs with a diet coke & watching folks randomly dance to Bye Bye Bye in the banquet room is one of my favorite memories.

 

[Miffy]

Coming from NJ, I don't think the food is particularly great. But I love the atmosphere. The crooner music, the Italian movie posters, the tablecloths and the cheesy lights. I also love the wood-burning smell - reminds me of being a kid, when we used to go there before Fantasmic.

These past couple of years I've been eating here before the Marathon as a new tradition. I just did it in January, and I was too tired/nervous to really enjoy it. Sad it's going away.

Same with Pizzerizzo - I'll miss the jokes, gags, hidden easter eggs, and the nice respite on hot days. Sitting upstairs with a diet coke & watching folks randomly dance to Bye Bye Bye in the banquet room is one of my favorite memories.

Wait. Are you saying that MM is closing? Is it? [Edit: yes, it is.]

Edited: I guess I completely missed this news. Last day is May 10th.

 

[Nabas]

More than any other restaurant at WDW, Mama Melrose has been hit-or-miss. Sometimes the food tastes great; sometimes pretty bad. Same with the service.

Over the decades we’ve eaten here around 20 times. Our experience a year ago was poor and we decided never to return.

But they announced the closure and we decided one more time. Our experience two weeks ago was really good, bordering on great. All food was tasty and the service was the best ever.

 

[Pens Fan]

We ate there once many, many years ago. It wasn't horrible, but it wasn't good either. Though we are lucky to have tons of small Mom and Pop Italian restaurants at home, so we are pretty picky. That said - I agree with the above poster that the other options in HS are pretty bad. Unless you want to spring for HBD, you really don't have any great choices. Here's hoping that what replaces MM is an improvement.