Shula's Steakhouse at the WDW Dolphin permanently closing in June

[DodgerGirl]

They did not. They used to specify Shulas cut which by their own admission wasn't USDA Prime. The company changed after Don died. I think they changed suppliers.

I'm shocked you never heard of Shulas. It was in the Dolphin for at least 30 years

I knew about Don Shula because my uncle is a HUGE Miami Dolphins fan but I never knew he had a chain of steakhouses. Was this Shula's Steakhouse one of several in Florida?
Thank you so much for replying Lewisc
Dodger

 

[J-Dog]

They did not. They used to specify Shulas cut which by their own admission wasn't USDA Prime. The company changed after Don died. I think they changed suppliers.

https://shulassteakhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/SSH_Orlando_Dinner_Menu_11.26.24.pdf

According to the menu, at least the NY Strip and the Tomahawk are listed as Prime. They can't use the word "Prime" in reference to steak if it's not USDA Prime.

 

[Lewisc]

https://shulassteakhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/SSH_Orlando_Dinner_Menu_11.26.24.pdf

According to the menu, at least the NY Strip and the Tomahawk are listed as Prime. They can't use the word "Prime" in reference to steak if it's not USDA Prime.

It wasn't always that way. Changes after Don died.

 

[vakamalua]

We don't go to steak houses anymore--at home or on vacation. Been to too many tedious business meetings / meals at pretentious high end steak houses--at least they were on expense accounts. Always gagged at the trolley of raw meat where you picked out your steak. Don't miss big hunks of red meat; eating lighter these days.

 

[J-Dog]

We don't go to steak houses anymore--at home or on vacation. Been to too many tedious business meetings / meals at pretentious high end steak houses--at least they were on expense accounts. Always gagged at the trolley of raw meat where you picked out your steak. Don't miss big hunks of red meat; eating lighter these days.

That's probably my favorite part of the steakhouse experience.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Always gagged at the trolley of raw meat where you picked out your steak.

That's probably my favorite part of the steakhouse experience.

That would be a new experience for me. Walk thru the refrigerated meat room; yes. A meat trolley? No.
From a historical POV I wonder how much longer steak houses will remain at the top of the entertaining “heap”. Recent generations are less interested in eating large cuts of meat it seems.

 

[Marrila]

We don't go to steak houses anymore--at home or on vacation. Been to too many tedious business meetings / meals at pretentious high end steak houses--at least they were on expense accounts. Always gagged at the trolley of raw meat where you picked out your steak. Don't miss big hunks of red meat; eating lighter these days.

Never experienced the "raw" trolley there. Don't recall even seeing it during our visits over the years.
Anyway, I'd likely decline it if asked.

 

[Mazz519]

Lost its appeal plus it was very expensive, went there a few years ago and thought it was good but have had so much better

 

[honeymo78]

I'm sad to see it go and will get in one last visit later this month. I'm a prime rib person and not all steakhousese have that (at Disney or otherwise), but thankfully Steakhouse 71 has a pretty good one and at a way better price than what will be my other alternative, Yachtsman.

 

[OKW Lover]

I'm sad to see it go and will get in one last visit later this month. I'm a prime rib person and not all steakhousese have that (at Disney or otherwise), but thankfully Steakhouse 71 has a pretty good one and at a way better price than what will be my other alternative, Yachtsman.

My wife loves a prime rib and she raves about the one they have a Olivias. Bonus, its very easy to get an ADR there and their Fried Chicken is my favorite.

 

[focusondisney]

chains like Applebee's and Tony Roma's selling steak along with Chilli's Shula's Steakhouse couldn't keep up with other competition in steakhouse chains

Applebees, Texas Roadhouse or Tony Romas aren’t anywhere near the same category & quality of steakhouse as Shula’s. And plenty of those cheaper chain restaurants have gone or are going under too.

 

[Lewisc]

https://miamilakes.com/agriculture/

The Graham companies licensed Shulas name. They changed the name of their steakhouse and hotel to Shulas. It was just naming rights. Don hung out in the restaurant a certain number of days. The.beef came from Graham. The original restaurants were run by Grahams. After Don's death Grahams removed Shulas branding from the hotel and steakhouse. They no longer sell "Shulas" cut. Basically a brand refresh.


At one point Shulas franchised. I think Shulas family was at least.partially responsible for franchising.

Franchise locations appear to be closing.
The illusion that Don was responsible for the restaurants died with him.
I'll speculate franchised locations are evaluating their business as the leases and franchise agreements are up for renewal.

The NYC location closed years ago..

This is what's left.

https://shulas.com/our-locations/

Dolphin has an even higher end steak house ready to move in, as fast as they can renovate the space.

This has nothing to do with changes in consumer preferences.

Compare that with River Grill Restaurant on the Boardwalk. Empty for years.

 

[Lewisc]

From a historical POV I wonder how much longer steak houses will remain at the top of the entertaining “heap”. Recent generations are less interested in eating large cuts of meat it seems.

Years ago, maybe 50 the original Palm restaurant in NYC didn't even have menus. The waiter would describe the cuts of meat and the weight. Guests who didn't want steak where reluctantly offered lobster.

Menus now offer chicken dishes, seafood etc

 

[NYCgrrl]

Years ago, maybe 50 the original Palm restaurant in NYC didn't even have menus.

I’m confident I wasn’t ordering meals at the Palm back then .

 

[beccasmom]

I knew about Don Shula because my uncle is a HUGE Miami Dolphins fan but I never knew he had a chain of steakhouses. Was this Shula's Steakhouse one of several in Florida?
Thank you so much for replying Lewisc
Dodger

My DH was a huge fan of the Miami Dolphins in the 70’s, especially the 1972 team with their undefeated season. And we have eaten at Shula’s and enjoyed it. But he’s always ready to try a new steakhouse.

 

[justinslot]

So I just saw on reddit that Shula's closed. This is the first I am hearing about it, pretty shocked given it was open since 1995 and as far as I can tell from my visits it was always quite busy. I do not see any explanation about why they closed from any news source; the theorizing in this thread that Shula's the company is gradually being unwound is the closest I have seen.

Somewhat shocked that I only heard about via a reddit comment, and there were no "wow, Shula's is closing threads." (On reddit I mean; I do not check this board regularly.) Perhaps the median Disney visitor didn't care about it? I always loved it as an oasis of non-Disneyness on property, it felt like a regular high-end steakhouse, and as I think conventioneers were most of the diners your fellow guests also didn't feel like tourists. I do think it was the best traditional steakhouse on property; certainly better than STK, and, like, Yachtsman and Le Cellier are great, but they do feel like Disney experiences. Shula's felt like a Morton's or a Capital Grille, a place where a traveler is pretty much guaranteed to get great food and service. I will certainly miss it.

Anyway--I hope the new restaurant retains the Shula's staff, some of whom had been there for many years. There was a long time bartender named Bash who I consider to be one of the great service workers at Disney who I hope still has a job. I believe the restaurant staff were Marriott employees so hopefully the new restaurant has a similar arrangement with the hotel to handle staffing, and everyone is offered jobs at the new place if they want them.

 

[crazy4wdw]

Update on the new restaurant - Bourbon Steak

Post in thread 'WDW Dolphin provides update on new restaurant- Bourbon Steak'

Jun 16, 2025

Reservations now available:
https://www.wdwmagic.com/dining/bou...michael-mina-at-walt-disney-world-dolphin.htm

• crazy4wdw

• 

 

[buzzgirls&dad]

'So I just saw on reddit that Shula's closed. This is the first I am hearing about it, pretty shocked given it was open since 1995 and as far as I can tell from my visits it was always quite busy. I do not see any explanation about why they closed from any news source; the theorizing in this thread that Shula's the company is gradually being unwound is the closest I have seen.

Somewhat shocked that I only heard about via a reddit comment, and there were no "wow, Shula's is closing threads." (On reddit I mean; I do not check this board regularly.) Perhaps the median Disney visitor didn't care about it? I always loved it as an oasis of non-Disneyness on property, it felt like a regular high-end steakhouse, and as I think conventioneers were most of the diners your fellow guests also didn't feel like tourists. I do think it was the best traditional steakhouse on property; certainly better than STK, and, like, Yachtsman and Le Cellier are great, but they do feel like Disney experiences. Shula's felt like a Morton's or a Capital Grille, a place where a traveler is pretty much guaranteed to get great food and service. I will certainly miss it.

Anyway--I hope the new restaurant retains the Shula's staff, some of whom had been there for many years. There was a long time bartender named Bash who I consider to be one of the great service workers at Disney who I hope still has a job. I believe the restaurant staff were Marriott employees so hopefully the new restaurant has a similar arrangement with the hotel to handle staffing, and everyone is offered jobs at the new place if they want them.

All staff from Shula's will be hired back. Very few renovations are being made. Pictures, paint and new tables and chairs. They will only be closed approximately 6 weeks. Staff will be out less than that as they will be in training for the new requirements/menu.