Sci-Fi Diner.......STAY AWAY FROM THE STEAK!

[2hapykdz]

Was just down for Food and Wine (on Free Dining) and we hit DHS one day. Our go-to place is Mama Melrose's...with the Fantasmic Package you get and appetizer as well....and the wife doesn't eat any...so 2 apps an entree and dessert at noon and I'm lucky if I have room at 8 for a Turkey leg while watching Fantasmic!!!!(UNTIL NOW.....NO MORE TURKEY LEGS!!!) BUT we decided to try something new....so we grabbed Hollywood and Vine. They always get less than stellar reviews, but it's a buffet....and I'm a "buffet guy" and the wife is picky and can always find something....AND as a bonus....it's a character meal! As we go close, a spot opened at Sci-Fi...as I always wanted to try it...we switched. Got there early....got a beer from the Writers Stop, which was cool...but sadly I think they're closing it. We were seated pretty quick. ATMOSPHERE is everything! You're at a drive-in movie theater!!! Which should have told me to get a burger...or a chilli dog...or the reuben....BUT NO!!! I'm on free dining and my mind tells me to get the $39 steak....I'm not paying for it!!!LOL I ask the waiter his opinion and he raved about it...(honestly think he was just trying to inflate the tip) because it was awful! And if you've never been to Sci-Fi....it's so dark except for a small light glowing from the table....with a steak, I need to see it to cut it...especially the grizzle. When I was done, my wife said, you didn't eat half your steak....actually it all went in my mouth....just half came back out as grizzle! My wife had gotten a spicy chicken pasta which was okay and the shakes/vanilla cokes and desserts were pretty good, so I can't kill them completely.....just the steak. My fault.......who goes to a drive-in movie and gets a steak!!!LOL

 

[Jennasis]

I made that mistake too. Ordered the "butcher steak" and it came out burnt. Burnt beyond salvageability. I don't send food back, so I quietly ate the sides and ordered dessert. I THINK the waiter took it off the bill...was a while ago so can't recall . We have made subsequent visits and I stick with the burger and it's just fine. LOL...learned my lesson like you!

 

[crabbygal902]

I agree...burgers, fries, shakes are all just fine here. When we've gone beyond that on the menu, it has not been good.

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

I am sorry for your meal. I have to say that we have been going to the Sci Fi every time we go to DW for years. We went this time (in August) and it is not the same. The food wasn't good at all. The portions are half the size and not very good. We all loved the Sci Fi - we love the darkness - it is relaxing being in a dark place with AC from the heat and sun of Florida - plus we always loved the food. I don't think we ever got the steak but the burgers, sandwiches and pastas have always been good. Not this time. We were so disappointed. We will not be going back.

 

[mikeyg1479]

Good to know. I've been looking at that menu and while I seldom get a burger out, I think its probably the best option at this place.

 

[Alice777]

If I was on dinging plan, I would do the same thing and order most expensive item on the menu. Because we did that in April with our CS, sometimes we didn't eat what we wanted to eat because it was "cheaper" and we weren't getting our money's worth.

I'm glad we decided to pay cash when we go back in November. I want to eat what I want to eat regardless of the price.

We had ADR at Sci Fi this November and will try to remember your advise.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Was just down for Food and Wine (on Free Dining) and we hit DHS one day. Our go-to place is Mama Melrose's...with the Fantasmic Package you get and appetizer as well....and the wife doesn't eat any...so 2 apps an entree and dessert at noon and I'm lucky if I have room at 8 for a Turkey leg while watching Fantasmic!!!!(UNTIL NOW.....NO MORE TURKEY LEGS!!!) BUT we decided to try something new....so we grabbed Hollywood and Vine. They always get less than stellar reviews, but it's a buffet....and I'm a "buffet guy" and the wife is picky and can always find something....AND as a bonus....it's a character meal! As we go close, a spot opened at Sci-Fi...as I always wanted to try it...we switched. Got there early....got a beer from the Writers Stop, which was cool...but sadly I think they're closing it. We were seated pretty quick. ATMOSPHERE is everything! You're at a drive-in movie theater!!! Which should have told me to get a burger...or a chilli dog...or the reuben....BUT NO!!! I'm on free dining and my mind tells me to get the $39 steak....I'm not paying for it!!!LOL I ask the waiter his opinion and he raved about it...(honestly think he was just trying to inflate the tip) because it was awful! And if you've never been to Sci-Fi....it's so dark except for a small light glowing from the table....with a steak, I need to see it to cut it...especially the grizzle. When I was done, my wife said, you didn't eat half your steak....actually it all went in my mouth....just half came back out as grizzle! My wife had gotten a spicy chicken pasta which was okay and the shakes/vanilla cokes and desserts were pretty good, so I can't kill them completely.....just the steak. My fault.......who goes to a drive-in movie and gets a steak!!!LOL

ha ha, yes, your fault. You shouldve had the burger! Lol. Honestly though, their shakes, burgers, fries, onion rings, chicken wings even, and the spinach dip....all delish! Oreo shakes, omg, to die for. Good to know the steak sucks. I love that place! Its a shame you had a crappy meal. And I totally sympathize with you about wanting to maximize the value of the DP.....Ive been guilty of this.

 

[Pua]

My Dad learned this lesson the hard way. Not once, not twice, but THREE times going on three separate trips. He ordered the steak every time, and it took him three tries to finally remember not to ever get it again!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Stay away from everything on that menu. We once ordered a chicken sandwich and the chicken was so rubbery, it was completely inedible.

 

[smiths02]

ha ha, yes, your fault. You shouldve had the burger! Lol. Honestly though, their shakes, burgers, fries, onion rings, chicken wings even, and the spinach dip....all delish! Oreo shakes, omg, to die for. Good to know the steak sucks. I love that place! Its a shame you had a crappy meal. And I totally sympathize with you about wanting to maximize the value of the DP.....Ive been guilty of this.

We always stick to burgers, onion rings, shakes

OASN, Sci Fi has good shakes, but Chick Fil A has a way better oreo shake

 

[goofyintoronto]

We always stick to burgers, onion rings, shakes

OASN, Sci Fi has good shakes, but Chick Fil A has a way better oreo shake

Yes, at scifi, its best to stick to what they do best...burgers/shakes etc.

I dont think we have a Chick Fil A here in Canada. But if I see one during my trip to disney, i'll give it a shot! Thanks!

 

[L&Lfan]

I've only been to the Sci-Fi once (the theming to me is... you've seen it once, you've seen it all) but I had the Reuben and it was perfectly adequate theme park food. My expectations were reasonable (not that the OP's weren't) and I was satisfied.

 

[Alice777]

I've only been to the Sci-Fi once (the theming to me is... you've seen it once, you've seen it all) but I had the Reuben and it was perfectly adequate theme park food. My expectations were reasonable (not that the OP's weren't) and I was satisfied.

I was just going to ask about their reuben sandwich. I'm pretty sure my son will order hamburger so I didn't want to order the same thing so I was thinking of either reuben or their appetizer. Anyone had their appetizer that comes with chicken wings, onion rings, and fried dill pickles?

 

[richkaryn]

Was just down for Food and Wine (on Free Dining) and we hit DHS one day. Our go-to place is Mama Melrose's...with the Fantasmic Package you get and appetizer as well....and the wife doesn't eat any...so 2 apps an entree and dessert at noon and I'm lucky if I have room at 8 for a Turkey leg while watching Fantasmic!!!!(UNTIL NOW.....NO MORE TURKEY LEGS!!!) BUT we decided to try something new....so we grabbed Hollywood and Vine. They always get less than stellar reviews, but it's a buffet....and I'm a "buffet guy" and the wife is picky and can always find something....AND as a bonus....it's a character meal! As we go close, a spot opened at Sci-Fi...as I always wanted to try it...we switched. Got there early....got a beer from the Writers Stop, which was cool...but sadly I think they're closing it. We were seated pretty quick. ATMOSPHERE is everything! You're at a drive-in movie theater!!! Which should have told me to get a burger...or a chilli dog...or the reuben....BUT NO!!! I'm on free dining and my mind tells me to get the $39 steak....I'm not paying for it!!!LOL I ask the waiter his opinion and he raved about it...(honestly think he was just trying to inflate the tip) because it was awful! And if you've never been to Sci-Fi....it's so dark except for a small light glowing from the table....with a steak, I need to see it to cut it...especially the grizzle. When I was done, my wife said, you didn't eat half your steak....actually it all went in my mouth....just half came back out as grizzle! My wife had gotten a spicy chicken pasta which was okay and the shakes/vanilla cokes and desserts were pretty good, so I can't kill them completely.....just the steak. My fault.......who goes to a drive-in movie and gets a steak!!!LOL

I've always gotten the chicken pasta and never remembered it being spicy.....went last week and even had leave off the red peppers---- I was miserable that pasta was so spicy!!! I ate it because I was paying for it either way, but I was on fire when I left there......and I can't justify paying those prices for a burger when I can get a better meal somewhere else for that price, so I guess Sci Fi rolls off our list.

 

[Happysahd]

I ordered the steak when we ate there last trip, I had read similar warnings in similar threads and was hesitant. It was the same strip Disney serves most everywhere and was prepared to my liking.

Suppose I got lucky.

 

[Faldred]

I have been underwhelmed by the steak offerings at any Disney (non-signature) restaurant. I actively avoid them.

As for the dining plan... don't let the idea of "maximizing value" drive you to ordering something just because it's the most expensive. Yeah, of you're paying for the basic DDP or QSDP yourself, you have to work the plan hard to break even or better, but under a free dining discount especially, just go with what looks good.

(Deluxe dining, on the other hand, unless you're passing up appetizer and/or dessert every time or using a lot of credits on counter service, it's pretty hard to not at least break even.)

 

[prprincess]

Sounds like you experienced exactly what I did at BOG. My steak was flavored well, but half was gristle and even the waitress commented that she hadn't seen a steak so fatty.

But yes, one of the best burgers I've ever had was at Sci-Fi...I crave it all the time!

 

[Alice777]

Sounds like you experienced exactly what I did at BOG. My steak was flavored well, but half was gristle and even the waitress commented that she hadn't seen a steak so fatty.

But yes, one of the best burgers I've ever had was at Sci-Fi...I crave it all the time!

What kind of burger did you get? There are different types right? Going in November and I'm pretty sure my son will choose one of the burgers.

 

[prprincess]

What kind of burger did you get? There are different types right? Going in November and I'm pretty sure my son will choose one of the burgers.

There is an Angus, a build your own, and then a veggie burger on the menu, I believe. But what I had was specialty burger back during our trip in late August/early September, so I'm not sure if it'll still be offered in November. The thing that was amazing about it was that the cheese patty was fried and breaded, and then it had some type of special sauce on it. Sorry that I can't give you better details, but again, it was probably one of the best I've ever had.

Editing to say that I found it! It was the Boursin Special Burger!

 

[Alice777]

There is an Angus, a build your own, and then a veggie burger on the menu, I believe. But what I had was specialty burger back during our trip in late August/early September, so I'm not sure if it'll still be offered in November. The thing that was amazing about it was that the cheese patty was fried and breaded, and then it had some type of special sauce on it. Sorry that I can't give you better details, but again, it was probably one of the best I've ever had.

Editing to say that I found it! It was the Boursin Special Burger!

I hope they have it when we go in November. I wonder if "Seasonal Specialty Burgers" changes often. Fried/breaded cheese patty sounds delicious. Was there meat patty too?