Mama Melrose, or Hollywood Brown Derby?

[BobThompson44]

Which is better for dinner? And what should I try at either one? Not many great options at Hollywood studios. I’ve been to Sci Fi and 50’s prime time.

 

[networkpro]

It depends on what sort of food you like and how much you want to spend on a meal.

Totally different dining experinces. Mama's is a good take on Italian family dining, not a typical snow belt Jersey experience, but good none the less. It's also fairly dark and the AC is wonderful on a hot day.

Brown Derby is a bit more sedate, prices are higher, but you also get a larger variety of meats and preparations.

My wife and I love both, but each has thier own dishes which they excel in, and others they are hit and miss with.

At Mama's I'd recommend Caprese salad as an appetiser, Osso Bucco for entree, and Tirimasu for dessert. They are all consistently good.

Brown Derby if you'd like a good steak prepared well, only better choice would be Shula's. I wouldn't recommend getting the duck three ways as its hit or miss. Don't let your server sway you to get any of the dessert trios. You must get the full sized Grapefruit Cake.

Don't forget Cape May, just a 15 minute walk away at the Beach Club.

 

[durangojim]

Brown Derby is our favorite restaurant at DHS, but we enjoy adult experiences. By that I mean cocktails and not worrying about the cost of lunch or dinner. We love the Cobb salad and will often have it as an entree with a couple martinis. The other food is very good and the service can be great. We love sitting in a booth people watching and when we were there for lunch in April one of the Citizens of Hollywood came in and started making fun of the guests. It was a riot! To me, Mama’s is meh but Brown Derby is a great place and fits my style.

 

[Dutch Inn '76]

This is easy: Brown Derby in a landslide. Mama Melrose is pedestrian - not special in any way. The food is *meh.* ...and I think I remember the ceilings being open to the roof trusses.

Brown Derby is a beautiful space, with great finishes, service and food. It's one of my favorites at WDW.

 

[Amos1784]

It really is all a matter of opinions. To our family Brown Derby is one of the most over rated Signature restaurants. We tend to not love the Signature Dining in the parks, you are paying a hefty price for a meal and it is not a Signature experience in our opinion. It's loud, crowded and we just have not had the same food experience as we have at Signatures outside of the parks (can't comment on Tiffins have not been there yet). However, we enjoy Mama's like posted above it is dark cool and I think gives a nice break to the crazy of the park. We have consistently had good meals. If it were our choice we would pick Mama's.

 

[Hockey89]

It really is all a matter of opinions. To our family Brown Derby is one of the most over rated Signature restaurants. We tend to not love the Signature Dining in the parks, you are paying a hefty price for a meal and it is not a Signature experience in our opinion. It's loud, crowded and we just have not had the same food experience as we have at Signatures outside of the parks (can't comment on Tiffins have not been there yet). However, we enjoy Mama's like posted above it is dark cool and I think gives a nice break to the crazy of the park. We have consistently had good meals. If it were our choice we would pick Mama's.

Agree with everything you said about the Brown Derby

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

Have eaten at Mama Melrose's twice, and had excellent food and service each time. We love the kitchy decorations and atmosphere.

 

[Dutch Inn '76]

It really is all a matter of opinions. To our family Brown Derby is one of the most over rated Signature restaurants. We tend to not love the Signature Dining in the parks, you are paying a hefty price for a meal and it is not a Signature experience in our opinion. It's loud, crowded and we just have not had the same food experience as we have at Signatures outside of the parks (can't comment on Tiffins have not been there yet). However, we enjoy Mama's like posted above it is dark cool and I think gives a nice break to the crazy of the park. We have consistently had good meals. If it were our choice we would pick Mama's.

I can see what you mean. We tend to not go to a lot of the restaurants out of the parks - because they're out of the parks.

To the OP, if you're after a low key dinner; comfortable; in and out; then Mama Melrose is fine.

Brown Derby is for if you want a nicer "better" experience. As someone said above, an "adult" experience. I agree with that. Brown Derby is probably the most "buttoned down" restaurant in a park at WDW. It can only be so nice though, when you have strollers and young children everywhere. I assume that everyone here is fine with that though, since we're Disney nuts...

 

[BASS]

Brown Derby. IMO, it's better than Mama Melrose. The latter is a bit more pedestrian. But, obviously, you'll pay for the difference.

I do agree, however, that Brown Derby is a step below some of the "signature" dining experiences outside the parks (it is loud and crowded). But, you're in the park so that comes with the territory. Me personally, I avoid dinner in the parks because I do prefer some feel of a relaxed vacation. But, if I had to eat inside the park, Brown Derby.