Mouse Extra

Located at the intersection of Sunset and Hollywood Boulevards is the signature restaurant of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the Hollywood Brown Derby. The place certainly produces the feel of the classic hollywood look. You half expect Bogart to come out of the mens’ room or bump into Errol Flynn waiting for a table. I suppose they would have to be wearing mouse ears, but still the look is there. Its thematically perfect.

The menu is good, as well, although it is fairly limited. If you have picky eaters, I would stay away as there are no burgers or chicken fingers to be found. However, if you are just a tad daring, you will be rewarded. The Cobb Salad, a Brown Derby original, is terrific. Its a combination of greens, turkey, eggs, bleu cheese and avacado. Plus, the waiter brings it over and dices it up fresh into little pieces so everything from the meat to the bleu cheese is in every bite. The noodle bowl was quite good, as well, with its coconut tofu, snap peas, bok choy and asian flavorings. Other favorites include the new york strip steak and the hijiki crusted tuna. Desserts are an event here, especially the world renowned grapefruit cake. For theme park fare, it is certainly above the norm.

So whats the bad. Simply put, the price tag. Its quite high even at lunch (This does have the added benefit of reducing the crowd which means this may be a good choice a last minute decision as opposed to the popular Sci-Fi Dine In Theater. It was quiet even on a busy day). The portions especially for the Cobb Salad are enough to fill but they are not overly large. And forget about the Fantasmic Dinner Package. Putting aside the benefits of the dinner package for a moment, this place charges you nearly $50 per person as the fixed price. A steep amount especially when you consider that the Hollywood & Vine’s Fantasmic price tag is $25 per person, the same as the other diners.

Those of you on the Disney Dining Plan should also forget trying this place. It will cost you 2 table service credits, the only such place in any of Disney’s theme parks that don’t dole out characters for your amusement. Plus, many of the other “signature” restaurants, such as Jiko and the California Grill, tend to get better grades. Of course, in order to actually save using the DDP, you should avoid all 2 credit establishments anyway.

So if you’re looking for a pretty good meal no matter the cost, this is a good spot. If you need to watch your spending or are on the Disney Dining Plan, avoid this place like the plague. Its simply not good value.

Today’s dining review is by Mike, contributing writer to Mouse Extra