Need Brown Derby reviews

[maltdisney]

One of our favs - better than Le Cellier in my opinion

 

[Blondie]

Best thing here is the cocktails. They make a great martini.

I'll second that one. Their food is mediocre at best. The atmosphere is reminiscent of a Hollywood hang out back in the day. One of the best martinis I ever had was at the Brown Derby (and I've had my fair share!)

It was called The Diva Martini (IIRC) which had Bailey's Irish Cream, Vanilla Vodka, Kahula, Amaretto DiSaronno and Frangelica. There may have been something else in it, but if there was, after the third or fourth sip, I didn't know! Nor did I care!

What others at my table had looked pretty good. I have to say if given the option, drinking your lunch or dinner there is a superb idea!

 

[EastonCat]

I read some of your dining reviews - you'll love it there.

 

[TLSnell1981]

The texture of the Cobb Salad is different from other salads because the lettuce is chopped into tiny little pieces - everything in the salad is... If you read the history of the Cobb Salad, which was first invented/served at the original Brown Derby, it makes sense. They bring it out in a huge bowl and toss it around, then serve it. - It serves two. I love it but I can see why others, expecting a more conventional salad, might not! Not sure what the criticism of the dressing is about.

Actually, the Cobb Salad was first served at the Hollywood Brown Derby on Vine. It was the second of several restaurants and was part of a chain. There are different stories about the invention of this salad. One has Bob Cobb making the first one using leftovers. Another, the head chef made one for Cobb after a dentist appointment.

DH and I dined at the Hollywood Brown Derby before it burned, so it was for sentimental reasons we tried the one in MGM. It's one of our favorites and we dine there every trip.

 

[KatMark]

I'll second that one. Their food is mediocre at best. The atmosphere is reminiscent of a Hollywood hang out back in the day. One of the best martinis I ever had was at the Brown Derby (and I've had my fair share!)

It was called The Diva Martini (IIRC) which had Bailey's Irish Cream, Vanilla Vodka, Kahula, Amaretto DiSaronno and Frangelica. There may have been something else in it, but if there was, after the third or fourth sip, I didn't know! Nor did I care!

What others at my table had looked pretty good. I have to say if given the option, drinking your lunch or dinner there is a superb idea!

I won't go back to the Derby for the food, but that drink sounds like a great reason to stop.

 

[Alabama Minnie]

We were not that impressed with our meal there. It is very expensive and we paid OOP. I would much rather give the $$ to LeCellier. I think it takes 2 dining credits too.
I did want to try the grapefruit cake when we were there but it was my Bday and they gave me a Bday dessert.
50's is alot more reasonable and the chicken is very good there. The atmosphere can be fun too.

 

[ILoveDisney&Cruising]

We were not that impressed with our meal there. It is very expensive and we paid OOP.

I'm with ya.

Didn't care for the Derby. Would much rather go to the 50's Diner!

 

[sctigger]

We ate there last year for the first time and loved it. The food was excellent and service was good. That being said you need to make sure you plan for this to be a LONG meal. If you're running on a tight touring schedule you might want to skip it.

 

[cbg1027]

I thought the Brown Derby was pretty good. It's not AS good as the other signatures, but it's still better than most of the regular places.

It's not our chicken from Citricos , but still an enjoyable place to eat!

Here's my review: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=35875810#post35875810

Well thats alot of great reviews....do you think it will take us 2 hours to eat or can we make it out of there sooner? Reason I ask is I want to spend time at the Osborne Lights, love it when they first turn them on

You can def make it out sooner than 2 hours. The pace is quicker than the other signatures. I think we took an hour and fifteen minutes, and that was with 3 whole courses.

Can I ask you guys about the Cobb Salad? What was it with the texture that you didnt like? And what is the dressing like?

I loved the salad. It's texture is different than most salads because everything is chopped up really tiny so the feel in your mouth is like...hmm. Best thing I can come up with is couscous or really tiny pasta....but softer. Little tiny bits of everything, all mixed together. Look at the photos in my review and you'll see what I mean.

ETA: Tabbouleh! It's a little like the texture of tabbouleh.

The dressing is a French-style vinaigrette. That is, in the style of what they typically serve in France, not what we know as 'French' dressing. It's a mustard/oil/vinegar kind of dressing.

I haven't been to 50's PT yet, but I would advise you to go with the Brown Derby.

 

[mikeandkarla]

Excellent food!

 

[AlixaLock]

The food's good, but I like the atmosphere! I always end up at DHS on the most hot and crowded days ... after hours of criss-crossing the park, it's SO nice to duck in there and relax!

 

[princessmom29]

We did BD for the first time last year, and it was at the top of our must-dos for this trip. WE LOVED the food, had a great server and the atmosphere is FAB. I had the fillet, and thought that it beat Le Cellier's fillet, which was also VERY good. My husband still talks about the mango salmon appitizer. We have a 4:00 ressie for a fantasmic package agian this year, and cannot wait!!

 

[Pakey]

Can I ask you guys about the Cobb Salad? What was it with the texture that you didnt like? And what is the dressing like?

The texture is like eating a bowl of oatmeal. And just like oatmeal, the taste is fine but the texture really bothers me. So after a few bites of the salad, I just couldn't swallow any more of it.

 

[MickeyNicki]

I am so confused as to what to do LOL!

I know we love 50's and I would like to try HBD but nothing on the menu is wowing me if you know what I mean.

Maybe I will just roll with it and try it, hopefull the menu might change for the fall and have some yummy squash/pumpkin tortellini or something like it

 

[KatMark]

I am so confused as to what to do LOL!

I know we love 50's and I would like to try HBD but nothing on the menu is wowing me if you know what I mean.

Maybe I will just roll with it and try it, hopefull the menu might change for the fall and have some yummy squash/pumpkin tortellini or something like it

I think you should try it if you want. But, if you get there and decide you don't want to go, you know that all Todd has to do is smile and you'll get a table at 50's. And all I'm going to say is, remember WCC?????

 

[DEA]

I would choose Brown Derby 10 times out of 10 over 50s Prime Time Cafe without the kids along, and at least 8 times out of 10 with the kids along. I sent back my lunch at Brown Derby last time (pork chops... the whole dish just ended up tasting earthy and flat), but enjoyed the duck two-ways that I got as a replacement. The 50s Prime Time Cafe is mostly schtick; I didn't enjoy my meal there.

Good luck with whichever you choose!

 

[larryz]

I do miss the seared ahi, but my husband and I split the tuna tartar and the new fish entree and it was decent.

 

[KimR]

I've had fantastic service at the BD and love their Cobb Salad. However, I ordered Filet Mignon on two trips, in Nov. '09 and June '10. In '09 the steak was delicious. In '10, it was the worst steak I've ever had. The waiter was gracious about replacing it but the replacement (another Filet, cooked "rare") was just as bad. I cannot even describe how bad the steak was but it didn't even taste like beef.

The grapefruit cake was delicious, as were the apps. If your plan is apps and Cobb salads, you'll be fine.

I have to agree with you about the Filet. This was always one of my favorite meals, but this last time (June, '10), it was terrible. I have no idea what they did, but it tasted nothing like it had in the past. We've crossed this restaurant off our list.

 

[MickeyNicki]

If we are to go I would think one of us would order the filet but I would hate to be so disappointed in it like we were last year with Jiko.

The pork sounds interesting.....

I am kinda turned off on the cobb salad, it looks so minced and not salad-y at all.

 

[mickeymotto]

I would love to see a photo of the duck entree everyone is talking about. Does anyone have one???