So sad....

[amccu18007]

My dh and I went to the Brown Derby last night. It was a beautiful night and we asked to be sat outside if possible. We were sat and had a wonderful view of the Mickey hat. We were celebrating our anniversary and since I always wanted to try this place we did. Our meal turned into a series of unfortunate events. We ordered everything at once which I thought was weird but went with it. Dh and I ordered the Cobb salads which everyone raves about. They seemed to take a long time to come out but we were in no hurry so it didn't matter much to us. Our server brought out our salads and mixed them up at the table. We took literally two bites and here comes our entrees! Whew! So we stopped eating the salads and moved to the entree feeling very hurried.

At this point, a man walks up to our table (which is in a an enclosed area) and takes a chair from our table. Very strange, no excuse me, nothing! He walks the chair over to the table next to us where his family is sitting and waiting for their table! They hopped the fence and just sat down. They had two Tweens who alternated between pushing each other off of the wall by my seat to yelling at each other. The parents did nothing at all. I was so stressed out that I couldnt even eat. It really was that bad. Now I know that Disney is all about kids which is why I love it but this behavior was over the top and they shouldn't have even been sitting there. We pushed our plates to the side and just asked for the bill to sign. I am so disappointed. I had hoped for a wonderful meal for our anniversary and I feel really let down. My dh briefly spoke to the manager because he thought someone should know. He didn't want anyone else's meals ruined. Now I am left with a really bqd taste in my mouth about the brown derby. So sad

 

[lemondog]

My dh and I went to the Brown Derby last night. It was a beautiful night and we asked to be sat outside if possible. We were sat and had a wonderful view of the Mickey hat. We were celebrating our anniversary and since I always wanted to try this place we did. Our meal turned into a series of unfortunate events. We ordered everything at once which I thought was weird but went with it. Dh and I ordered the Cobb salads which everyone raves about. They seemed to take a long time to come out but we were in no hurry so it didn't matter much to us. Our server brought out our salads and mixed them up at the table. We took literally two bites and here comes our entrees! Whew! So we stopped eating the salads and moved to the entree feeling very hurried.

At this point, a man walks up to our table (which is in a an enclosed area) and takes a chair from our table. Very strange, no excuse me, nothing! He walks the chair over to the table next to us where his family is sitting and waiting for their table! They hopped the fence and just sat down. They had two Tweens who alternated between pushing each other off of the wall by my seat to yelling at each other. The parents did nothing at all. I was so stressed out that I couldnt even eat. It really was that bad. Now I know that Disney is all about kids which is why I love it but this behavior was over the top and they shouldn't have even been sitting there. We pushed our plates to the side and just asked for the bill to sign. I am so disappointed. I had hoped for a wonderful meal for our anniversary and I feel really let down. My dh briefly spoke to the manager because he thought someone should know. He didn't want anyone else's meals ruined. Now I am left with a really bqd taste in my mouth about the brown derby. So sad

You really can't blame the Brown Derby for the actions of people around you outside. You did the right thing by telling the manager, hopefully he took care of the situation.

 

[madalex]

Dh and I ordered the Cobb salads which everyone raves about. They seemed to take a long time to come out but we were in no hurry so it didn't matter much to us. Our server brought out our salads and mixed them up at the table. We took literally two bites and here comes our entrees! Whew! So we stopped eating the salads and moved to the entree feeling very hurried.

I've had that happen a couple times at Disney restaurants (the entree coming very quickly after the salad/appetizer). I can't stand being rushed like that and I just tell them to take the entree back until I am done with the appetizer.

 

[lizabu]

I've had non Disney restaurants bring the entree too soon before and I've just politely told the server I wasn't ready for my main course yet. The server will take the food back to the kitchen and they will keep it warm and replate it or recook it if it won't keep. I've worked in kitchens before and timing is a tricky thing to learn but its something every cook needs to learn.

 

[goofyintoronto]

I agree with the others. I would have also sent the entree back. Also, its true that you cant blame Brown Derby for what happened with the kids when it was clearly not their fault. Those ppl had no manners at all, the parents should have stepped up.

Sorry you had a bad experience. But was the food good at least?

 

[Pakey]

I'm sorry your experience was disappointing. We have always ordered everything at once at HBD but have never had our courses come too quickly.

This is a theme park restaurant and not one I would pick for a quiet anniversary dinner. I'm certainly not excusing the behavior of the table crashers but I've eaten at HBD many times, including 2 days ago, and it's never been quiet, inside or outside.

We've always enjoyed good food and service and I hope you give it another try sometime.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

I had similar issues twice with Le Cellier. The thought that a person would want their entree within a nano second after receiving their soup and appetizer is ridiculous. The table could barely hold all of the plates. I don't know if the waiter or the kitchen is to blame, I suspect the kitchen. The 1st time I did just like you, rushed myself and didn't enjoy my meal and then was upset about it. The 2nd time I sent our entrees back, the waiter looked at me oddly and I said that if the kitchen had issues with it, I would be happy to see the Mgr.

Now when I order at Disney, I make sure they understand from the get go that I don't want all of my food out at the same time!

The Brown Derby is a good restaurant, I would give it another try! Of course bad mannered children and parents frequent all types of establishements, can't be helped!

 

[Uncleromulus]

Sorry about what happened.
Our policy now (everywhere we eat--not just at WDW) is to order one thing at a time. Drinks first, then the appetizer, then the entree. That will prevent any chance of anything being delivered too soon and having to be sent back.

 

[pumba]

Happy Anniversary to you ..
Maybe I would of asked for a different seating when the
teens started to act up.......
And Yes please give the BD another go if you are
ever in that area again.....
Hope you still had a great visit to the House of the Mouse

 

[Jestocost]

FWIW, we had the same kind of experience with unruly kids while dining inside HWBD! We were seated in a back room next to a table of something like 18 people, and not a single adult at that table moved or said a word while their kids did things like play hockey using restaurant fixtures.

Our server was very apologetic and more than one CM shut down the kids at one point or another, but it didn't phase the parents and the kids didn't stay out of trouble for long.

With maybe one or two exceptions (Bistro de Paris is the only one that really comes to mind), there aren't any in-park restaurants that I would look to for a quiet meal. Everybody is just too wound up and in park mode for it to be conducive for that.

 

[waynesgirl]

I hate that for you...

The HBD is probably one of my Top 3 favs at the parks/resorts. I love the food and the atmosphere. We seem to be very lucky when we go there. Please don't let it spoil you for another trip...it truly is a great dining experience.

I can't stand rude ppl- it takes a lot for me to sit still and not say anything. My DH says that is the worst of my attributes, but I have no problem correcting my children in public but I would appreciate if someone would let me know if my children are bothering them (legitimately and politely) such as, kicking the seat when we are flying or in a theater, throwing food (that I didn't see) in a restaurant...but ppl are not so willing for polite exchange of - "Please don't hit me with your chair any longer..." Common courtesy is blown out the window and ppl don't seem to care that your experience can be ruined by "over" enjoying their own...

 

[MrsLS]

Sorry your evening was bad. We love BD and we've always ordered the app & entree at the same time. I've done this in every restaurant anywhere including high end restaurants in nyc. But getting the app & entree close together can happen anywhere, its happened at Narcoosees to us that I can remember and other restaurants not in Disney. I would have told them to take it away and bring it back when you were ready for your entree. If the entree was not properly stored (cold) or something, I would have asked for new entrees to be made.
The bad parenting is not really BD's fault, I would have maybe talked to a manager since they didn't belong there. I never ate outside, I guess we always have went when its colder at night, but I never had problems inside the restaurant.

 

[PSUGuy]

Sorry about what happened.
Our policy now (everywhere we eat--not just at WDW) is to order one thing at a time. Drinks first, then the appetizer, then the entree. That will prevent any chance of anything being delivered too soon and having to be sent back.

Ditto.

Bill From PA

 

[Sweettears]

Sorry about what happened.
Our policy now (everywhere we eat--not just at WDW) is to order one thing at a time. Drinks first, then the appetizer, then the entree. That will prevent any chance of anything being delivered too soon and having to be sent back.

I'm with you on this one Uncleromulus. To add to it, we refuse to order the next course until we are good and ready. I've experienced situations where you order drinks and appetizers indicating that you'll wait on the rest of the order and two minutes later they pop up to take the rest of the order. Not gonna work with us.

On the other hand I can see where its a difficult situation for the CMs. There are alot of folks who go to TS restaurants expecting CS service. They want to get in and out ASAP because time is money (or at least park time).

I have never really had too much problem once you establish the fact that you are there to enjoy the meal not chow and run.

 

[PSUGuy]

On the other hand I can see where its a difficult situation for the CMs. There are alot of folks who go to TS restaurants expecting CS service. They want to get in and out ASAP because time is money (or at least park time).

Given the prices at all WDW table service eateries, the last thing I'm concerned with is Disney's turn-over rate, and why a guest would pay TS rates for a CS experience is beyond me. If you're in a hurry, save your $$, hit a CS stand and shovel it down.

Bill From PA

 

[Ramsfan28]

You could have sent the entrees back and you can't blame the Derby for parents that can't or refuse to control their kids. Sadly, some people leave any parenting skills they have at home when they go to Disney.

 

[amccu18007]

Thank you for letting me vent here. I certainly do not blame the BD for others children and their lack of behavior. However, I guess that after the waitress saw how they were acting and that they weren't even supposed to be there that she would have alerted the manager to do something. We didn't expect to have a quiet meal as we are at Disney and love all that comes along with it but I feel cheated from hving a good experience there and guess that I just needed to vent.

I do understand timing in a kitchen can be difficult but we felt put on the spot when our entrees came so quickly. In the future, I will def. Ask to have more time to enjoy our apps. Mostly, I am sad that when I think of my experience at the BD, it won't be a pleasant memory.

 

[Owlpost23]

Thank you for letting me vent here. I certainly do not blame the BD for others children and their lack of behavior. However, I guess that after the waitress saw how they were acting and that they weren't even supposed to be there that she would have alerted the manager to do something. We didn't expect to have a quiet meal as we are at Disney and love all that comes along with it but I feel cheated from hving a good experience there and guess that I just needed to vent.

I do understand timing in a kitchen can be difficult but we felt put on the spot when our entrees came so quickly. In the future, I will def. Ask to have more time to enjoy our apps. Mostly, I am sad that when I think of my experience at the BD, it won't be a pleasant memory.

O.K.,you're sweet,but it IS the BD fault because it's their establishment.They need to diplomatically tell the group that jumped the fence that the entrance to the dining room is through HERE,and show them. Secondly,the timing isn't difficult,the server might have said "let's get 'em out fast!",and the kitchen accomodated her.Tell them next time "We'd like a quiet meal",and they should act accordingly. You deserve that!
!

 

[happypooh]

Have had similar experience at BD and honestly thought the service was lacking considering the cost of the food there. Won't be going back there...thought Citricos was much better or Jikos. Hopefully you can try somewhere else next time!

 

[C&B Young]

O.K.,you're sweet,but it IS the BD fault because it's their establishment.They need to diplomatically tell the group that jumped the fence that the entrance to the dining room is through HERE,and show them. Secondly,the timing isn't difficult,the server might have said "let's get 'em out fast!",and the kitchen accomodated her.Tell them next time "We'd like a quiet meal",and they should act accordingly. You deserve that!
!

Came here to post this exact same thing. Especially given that HBD is a "Signature" restaurant, staff needs to be on top of these things!