Best WDW Restaurants #3 MGM/DHS

[NickWilde]

Hello everyone. This is part 3 of my "Best WDW Restaurants" series, covering all 4 parks, the resorts, and DS. Today we will be covering the best places to eat in MGM/DHS, be it for food quality, atmosphere or entertainment. So without further ado, what are your favorite restaurants in DHS?MGM?

 

[HouCuseChickie]

We've eaten at every TS In HS at least once. While it's not the most exciting meal (pretty inside and the portraits are neat, but no major wow), Brown Derby has been the best for food. Sometimes it's excellent, sometimes it's just good, but I've never left feeling disappointed. If you want to factor in atmosphere and experiences beyond food, Sci Fi is my choice. Mind you, I wouldn't stray beyond the burgers and shakes when dining there (I've been disappointed every time I have), but every burger I've had there has still been better than anything I've ever ordered at 50s. And while H&V can be fun for the characters, breakfast is the only decent meal we've had there, and I can't totally justify a place as a 'best' when characters are the best thing it has going for it. Mama Melrose was average to us (decent steaks for the cost, rest of the food was meh, and service was pleasant but slow)...only booked it because we wanted the Fantasmic pkg, were on DDP and didn't want to burn 2 credits. I don't really have any perspective on quick service since our main go-to place closed and snacks beyond the cupcakes and the old carrot cake cookie are all we've had.

 

[LeighM]

HS is my least favorite park so I spend a lot less time there. In 5 trips, we've never been interested in any quick service there. We always had park hopper tickets and would just go to Epcot for meals We had a good dinner at 50s Prime Time in 2012 and, surprisingly, my husband and I really enjoyed the dinner during the Halloween seasonal dine in 2016 at Hollywood and Vine. However, none of them have been good enough for repeat visits. I would like to try Brown Derby once. Out of the 2 places we've eaten, my husband would chose 50s PT because he loves fried chicken. I would probably chose Hollywood and Vine because they had cocktail shrimp, garlic mashed potatoes, and lobster mac and cheese on the buffet

 

[Minnie Mum]

Brown Derby is our favorite DHS restaurant. The atmosphere is decidedly more "grown up" than the others in the park, as befits a signature (IMO). I agree with a PP on the quality of the food and service - we've never been disappointed. If you go for lunch, the longer dining time makes for a nice break.
Mama Melrose is just OK, both in theming and food quality, although I was pleasantly surprised at just how good the streak was. I've never once been seated without a very long wait, though.
We like 50s when we're in the mood for home cookin'. DH really likes the fried chicken, and I like the meatloaf - something I'm too lazy to make at home. And we used to have so much fun with the antics of the servers. Sadly, due to too many uptight, humor impaired guests, this isn't done much anymore.
Sci Fi is all about the theming. Do yourself a favor and stick with the burgers. The food is not the priority here.
We've only been to H& V twice. Both experiences were plain awful. Empty tables tables stacked with dirty dishes. The hot food wasn't hot, and was tasteless. The cold food wasn't cold enough, and service was practically nonexistent. It's at the bottom of our WDW restaurant list. But that was a few years ago. Maybe things have improved.
We don't eat at many of the CS places. We like Starring Rolls for lunch. The sandwiches are huge. Backlot Express is OK.

 

[aw14]

We eat at 50’s every time. Our daughter (15) absolutely loved the atmosphere and the interaction with the staff.

 

[Tuvalu]

We like Starring Rolls for lunch. The sandwiches are huge.

Starring Rolls closed February 5, 2017.

 

[Minnie Mum]

Starring Rolls closed February 5, 2017.

Bummer.

 

[zurgandfriend]

Hollywood Brown Derby or 50’s PTC are our favorites but to be honest we usually take the ‘slow-boat to Crescent lake and dine in one of resorts.

 

[spectromagic04]

Table service: 50s PrimeTime and Sci-fi Dine In
Quick Service: I feel like ABC Commissary gets a bad rap when the dinner menu is pretty decent

 

[GVentola]

Studio Catering Company used to be my favorite counter service restaurant at DHS, though it's closed now. Not sure why I liked it so much, as it didn't have much atmosphere (though you could sit next to the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground, but that's also now extinct.) I love the antipasto salad at Pizzerizzo, and the Mediterranean salad at ABC Commissary.

I love the atmosphere and theming of 50's Prime Time Cafe and Sci-Fi Dine In, but I've always had problems getting a meal I've enjoyed at the latter. I haven't been to Sci-Fi in years, though, it may be time to give it another chance and stick to something safe, like a burger. Went to Hollywood & Vine on my last visit. I enjoyed the characters and got a really great photo of Mickey and me, which my mother wants to frame and display, but there wasn't much on the buffet I was interested in. Chicken is usually a go-to dish for me, but the chicken they had there was on the bone and I'm not fond of on the bone anymore. I ended up eating mostly kernel corn and mashed potatoes instead of a real meal.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Brown derby is the best by far...is that a real question?

 

[NiarrNDisney]

Sorry can't really give a CS option as most all of them in DHS are mediocre at best. Here's my votes for TS

__TS__

Hollywood Brown Derby
Mama Melrose's

 

[correcaminos]

Honestly we're not a fan of any of the food at DHS really. I'd rather go to Y&BC or Swan/Dolphin for a meal - which is what we usually do when at DHS.

 

[Hockey89]

Honestly we're not a fan of any of the food at DHS really. I'd rather go to Y&BC or Swan/Dolphin for a meal - which is what we usually do when at DHS.

Agreed completely... Short walk.... There isn't anything special at DHS

 

[danyoung56]

Mama Melrose is just OK, both in theming and food quality, although I was pleasantly surprised at just how good the streak was.

Yeah, there's nothing like a well cooked streak!

 

[correcaminos]

Agreed completely... Short walk.... There isn't anything special at DHS

Even if it's raining, the boat ride to the Dolphin is pretty darn fast. Otherwise the walk is very easy to do and we often beat the boats.

 

[Amos1784]

Is none an option

If I had to pick Sci Fi for ambiance, Brown Derby for food (even though it would be probably my least favorite signature, and Brown Derby Lounge is nice to pick up a quick bite to eat/drink and people watch. Mama Melrose's is probably underrated and does put out some good food but ambiance is lacking and seems like any other Italian restaurant in town.

 

[Rlandrigan]

Mama Melrose's is a victim of it's theme - it really IS a generic Italian restaurant We had a great meal, great server, but we're not dying to go back when there are so many fun places to hit....but if we decided that we wanted to have a sit-down dinner at the last minute, it would be high on the list.

Looking forward to Sci Fi, never been yet. 50's cafe was very good last time we went, the servers make the place. Unimpressed at Brown Derby at the prices, the tapas bar seems like a good idea, tho. I do wish they had included Carthay Circle in HS - we loved it at DCA. But DL dining > WDW dining for the most parts

 

[Palavralee]

Love 50's Prime Time! It has always been fun with great food!

 

[c-one]

I kinda like the small plates at Baseline but they don’t quite make a full meal. Otherwise I concur with the crew that takes a walk down the river. This also reminds me that I wish there were more solid options at the Boardwalk for this express purpose.