Sci Fi Dine In - How to fix it

captainkidd

captainkidd

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I think the majority of people would agree, the Sci Fi has a great theme and if the food was better, would be an excellent dining destination. Sadly, as most of us know, the food sucks.

What I don't understand is, why don't they change the menu to go along with the theme? 50's Prime Time is a perfect example. Comfort foods in a 50's setting. Let's play with the menu a bit:

1.What does Seared Marinated Tofu have to do with a 50's drive in? How about some hot dogs, corn dogs, chili cheese dogs, nachos?

2.Maybe switch the reuben with sauerkraut with a simple cheeseburger and fries. None of this 1/3 angus nonsense. Just a good old fried drive in style burger.

3.Perhaps scratch the shrimp pasta for some gyros. Who would go to a drive in movie theatre and ask for some shrimp pasta?:veryconfu

4.Ditch the steak. There are plenty of other restaurants to have steak at WDW. Stick with the theme. How about some broasted chicken? Maybe some pizza?
 
Foolish Mortal

Foolish Mortal

Well-Known Member
captainkidd said:
2.Maybe switch the reuben with sauerkraut with a simple cheeseburger and fries. None of this 1/3 angus nonsense. Just a good old fried drive in style burger.
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Last time they took this off the menu, they were bombarded with complaints and decided to put it back. I don't see them making that mistake again. As long as the ribs are still on the menu I will continue to happily go to Sci Fi. Have it booked on both of my upcoming trips. Will probably book it for my 3rd trip when I reach the magical 180 day mark. The only thing I would change here is the same thing I would change at almost EVERY WDW restaurant, more menu selections. And yes I realise why the selections are limited.
 
sweetpee_1993

sweetpee_1993

Well-Known Member
I think the problem primarily lies in the fact that an ever-growing portion of the population has never been to a drive-in movie. They have no clue what the menu should be. :lookaroun

The dinner menu is horrible. Even at dinner, how do you not have a burger on the menu at the drive-in??? Yes, you can still get it on request but it should be on the menu.

I imagine there's a need to get a minimum amount of $$ per person to cover the cost to run the place. The problem with having traditional drive-in offerings is making such simple foods worth a higher cost. Disney could take their cues from some of these gourmet food trucks you see featured on the Food Network. They're doing amazing stuff! Take the traditional drive-in menu and re-imagine each dish into a worthwhile, fun, "plus" version of it's former self.
 
sweetpee_1993

sweetpee_1993

Well-Known Member
Trotsky said:
You're kidding me... you can't get a BURGER at SciFi? Haven't been in years - but this sounds absurd! TOFU? The Manager must be found, and fed to something with fur and lots of teeth....
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You *can* get a burger at dinner but it's not on the menu. It's on the lunch menu. You really should go have a gander at the menus. If the restaurant was anywhere else outside Disney's property it'd be a prime candidate for the show 'Restaurant: Impossible'. Seriously. The head chef, if there is one, should be canned. Bring in some new perspective. The menus both could use a complete overhaul.
 
sweetpee_1993

sweetpee_1993

Well-Known Member
David Roberts said:
There are burgers everywhere in Disneyworld. I don't understand what all the clamouring is for more burgers.:lol:
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Not fast-food burgers. I'm talking the gourmet kind. Red Robin charges $10+ for these things. At WDW, if it were quality & flavorful, in the themed setting I'm confident they could easily command $16+ for something comparable. Fast food frozen patty burgers are for counter service. Flavorful, seasoned, gourmet burgers with creative flavor blends and fresh ingredients are a whoooole other ballgame. :wave:
 
righttrack

righttrack

Well-Known Member
I think the problem is that it is a table service restaurant and nobody expects a burger to be served there. It's a lot of money to spend on a burger. I agree with the comment that there are too many burgers anyway. I enjoyed our meal there. My kids really don't like burgers or chicken nuggets and prefer the dining choices Disney has put forth.
 
T

tampabrad

Active Member
I have never had a problem with the food there. I am glad they have a varied menu. If you want burgers, hot dogs and corn dogs, go to a CS.
 
ArtieJim

ArtieJim

Well-Known Member
Even a bowl of popcorn on the table would make it more of an actual drive-in feel. The type of thing where any regular restaurant would put bread on the table, why not popcorn?

I also agree with them throwing a good, greasy, disgustingly delicious burger on the menu as well, a la Smash Burger type. The greasier the better for a themed place like that.
 
HouCuseChickie

HouCuseChickie

Well-Known Member
sweetpee_1993 said:
Not fast-food burgers. I'm talking the gourmet kind. Red Robin charges $10+ for these things. At WDW, if it were quality & flavorful, in the themed setting I'm confident they could easily command $16+ for something comparable. Fast food frozen patty burgers are for counter service. Flavorful, seasoned, gourmet burgers with creative flavor blends and fresh ingredients are a whoooole other ballgame. :wave:
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I agree...I think Burger Bar at Mandalay Bay in Vegas would also be a nice role model for them. Granted, that's Chef Hubert Keller's genius and it may be a bit too much for the masses, but why can't Disney take this idea- then combine it with something like Red Robin and Smash Burger?

I also really like the idea of popcorn on the tables and other concession stand inspired menu options.
 
David Roberts

David Roberts

Member
captainkidd said:
Do you have kids?
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I believe TampaBrad has the solution for you. Besides that there is Beaches and Cream and you don't even need a reservation.

To SweetPea: I agree that Disney should bring in some gourmet burgers, but I would rather have a Bobby Flay burger establishment put on property than just changing the menu at Sci-Fi. Plus it would add another dining option.
 
zurgandfriend

zurgandfriend

Well-Known Member
The theme is a 50's drive-in movie showing cheesy Sci-Fi movies.

Keeping that in mind how about a Guy Fieri inspired diners, drive-in and dives theme.You could have a 50's/60' dinner featuring classic diner meals and sandwiches; keep the Reuben, add BLTs, various clubs, etc. When I was stationed in Texas many moons ago I used to have a fried chicken on the bone sandwich. They could keep some vegan items as well for those that don't eat meat.
 
plaz10

plaz10

Well-Known Member
I think that not only change the food...but change some of the clips they show too. I know "cheesy" is definitely what they are going for w/the Sci Fi but aren't there any Sci Fi Mickey cartoons or something a little more entertaining they could show? So that maybe the entertainment would bring in more people too?
 
sweetpee_1993

sweetpee_1993

Well-Known Member
Burgers are just an example of 1 food item that's versatile enough you could dress it up or play with it. It's not all about burgers. It's about having a themed menu that fits the surroundings. There's plenty of chefs out there (known, less-known, and unknown) who could do some amazing things to bring cohesion between the setting and what's on the tables, give us some mind-blowing food, AND make the experience of the Sci-Fi Dine-In completely immersive on all levels. That's the point.

The menu as-is is dull and has nothing to do with a drive-in. It's uninteresting and is a stark contrast to the theme of the restaurant. That's the point. Not --Hey, we need another burger--.
 
S

ShadyLady

Member
I dont think there is a thing wrong with the menu. Weve eaten here 4 times over 4 years for dinner - every single time the food was almost inedible. Ribs, steak, even the kids pizza.

Weve eaten at almost every restaurant on property. The themeing at this one is one of the best, but we have sworn off sci fi after our last meal here. Consistently, the worst on property. Cant wrap my head around what is wrong here w the food.
 
TinkerBelle8878

TinkerBelle8878

Well-Known Member
The food has always been bad, going back to when it opened. I'm not sure why but they manage to really just screw up anything. Maybe either they need to fix the kitchen, the supplies, or scrap the entire menu and start from scratch.

Its not like they have an 'off' night and every other time its good. I've been there sporadically and every time, without fail, its not good. I guess I keep thinking maybe they changed something and its better.

I think the previous posters are onto something though. Dinerish food could work. Nothing too complicated that could be screwed up.

Taking movie theater staples and putting a spin on them would be interesting. Maybe a burger on a soft pretzel bun? Cheese fries with nacho cheese sauce. Stuff like that. But maybe justify the price with better quality ingredients.

For the more health concious, they could even do fruit and veggie skewers with some kind of dipping sauces.

Or they could just change it into a more 'desserts' only kind of place. Milkshakes, snacks and movie candy inspired desserts.
 

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