Mama Melrose's or Sci-Fi?

[4boysmom]

Please explain to me your preference between these 2 restaurants. We're on the dining plan so price isn't a factor.

We have 4 boys (ages 2 to 13) so I'm thinking Sci-Fi might be better but I'm wondering about food quality (at each place) & seating 6 people at one table at Sci-Fi.

 

[Dreamfinder2]

I think the better food is at MM's, but the atmosphere at Sci-Fi is totally unique.

You WILL struggle with the seating at Sci-Fi, because the way the cars are configured. However, they do have "picnic tables" at Sci-Fi (and I actually remember these from the old drive-ins) that should handle your whole group. Just ask for 'em.

 

[formernyer]

You WILL struggle with the seating at Sci-Fi, because the way the cars are configured. However, they do have "picnic tables" at Sci-Fi (and I actually remember these from the old drive-ins) that should handle your whole group. Just ask for 'em.

Seating will not be a problem. There are only a few picnic tables, but they are small and round...won't sit more than 4. One the other hand, there are a LOT of cars which have the body of the car removed and replaced with a table and 6 chairs (3 on each side). Another option is to just put three people per row in a regular car. It will be tight, but not so tight that it's uncomfortable as long as you're all slender people. I ate at Sci-Fi last month with my two kids and rather than separating us into the front and back of the car we opted to all sit in one row in the front. It worked out great.

 

[BTown]

I seem to remember the cars at Sci Fi being able to seat 6 people. When we were there in Jan, I ate there with my family, and we were all able to sit in the same car, three rows of two. Anyway, I havent yet eaten at Mama Melrose's, though it is most certainly on my list of resturants for Sept. The atmosphere in Sci Fi is really cool. I'm a huge fan of campy sci fi and horror flicks of the 50's and 60's, so it was cool getting to see some of those trailers on a big screen. However, I thought the food was AWFUL. We were on the dinning plan then too, so I didnt feel like I was out of anything other than a wasted TS credit. I remember I ordered ribs, and they were over cooked and dry. My GF got a steak there that was small, over cooked and dry as well. I thought the food as a whole had very little flavor and very little to offer. However, I imagine that if your in the mood for simple hamburger and fries and interesting atmosphere for your young kids, it might be worth trying at least once. But, in my opinion, I wont be going back.

 

[erikthewise]

Actually the seating at Sci-Fi is just right in a sense.
The "cars" have three rows of two seats each, so your family will fit in one car nicely. The disadvantage is that you and DH would probably have to split up so that one of you can sit with the 2yo; It might be pretty cozy with all three of you in one row. Hint: Sit in the back row so you can keep an eye on the boys.

Go to http://allearsnet.com/din/gall_res.htm for photos of the different seating options.

I think with 4 boys you gotta try Sci-Fi. I'ts the first place our boys ask for when I'm making ADRs. The lunch food is familiar and they'll have a great time. If you're going for dinner, stick with something simple. The word is they will let you order burgers if you ask (They're not on the dinner menu).

Melrose's is reasonably good Italian, and in a sense a better "deal" on the dining plan, but unless your boys are familiar with this type of restaurant it may not go over well. The pizzas are "adult" flatbread style. In 2004 our 11yo bravely ordered one and regretted it. Our 8yo had a minor fit because he didn't believe that pipette pasta with four cheese cream sauce was really "macaroni and cheese" until it was delivered. They would have been happier at Pizza Planet. Perhaps your boys would do better there.

 

[Minnie]

The news on the MM pizza is interesting....

My DS ordered the pizza off the children's menu last July and loved it so much that he asked our server for the recipe

As adults we love the Chicken Parm. My DM cannot have much tomato based so she asked for the sauce on the side and they accomodated her very nicely. We have smaller appetites so we shared the entree and left very happy. Oh and my DS really enjoyed the starter bread/butter that they bring to the table.

DO NOT do Sci Fi for dinner. Yuck! I wanted a cheeseburger so I requested it even though it was not on the dinner menu and it was okay but the price was very high for what I received. My mother had a regular dinner item and was less than thrilled. We do have ressies for our trip this July because my DS asked to return there. He loved the atmosphere. I made the ressie but I did so for lunch

 

[formernyer]

I forgot that some of the cars had three rows instead of just two, but now that you mention it I do seem to recall seeing some of them that were 3 rows.

 

[erikthewise]

The news on the MM pizza is interesting....

My DS ordered the pizza off the children's menu last July and loved it so much that he asked our server for the recipe

It's just the pizzas on the adult menu that have adult flavorings. The ones on the kids menu are probably direct from Pizza Planet, which is right next door.