Hollywood Brown Derby, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Juli Russ
12.10.20

In all of our visits to Walt Disney World, we had never given the Brown Derby a try!  I am very glad that we decided to have lunch on our recent trip and I can’t wait to return.

Disney’s Brown Derby is a spot on replica of the famous Hollywood Brown Derby, the place to be seen if you were a Hollywood star in the 30’s.  The Brown Derby is full of famous Hollywood rumors and stories, such as Clark Gable proposing to Carole Lombard in booth #5 and Lucille Ball having a dinner roll food fight with Jack Haley. Many stars including Katherine Hepburn, Jean Harlow, William Powell and Joan Crawford would sit in booths beneath caricatures of themselves drawn by Eddie Vitch, who would sketch the stars in exchange for a meal. 

We began our lunch with the shrimp cocktail appetizer.  The shrimp cocktail is served with fennel slaw, cucumber foam and house made cocktail sauce.  We found the shrimp to be perfectly cooked, the fennel slaw was delicious and the cocktail sauce was just the right amount of spice. 

The Vine Street Brown Derby was the birthplace of the Cobb salad. Legend has it that the owner, Bob Cobb, scoured the refrigerator for leftovers when loyal customer and theater big wig Sid Grauman came in looking for a midnight snack. Having just had dental work, Sid needed his salad finely chopped and the rest is history. The Hollywood Brown Derby still serves Cobb’s original recipe of finely chopped greens, tomato, bacon, egg, blue cheese, chives, avocado, and French dressing. A large bowl of delightful salad is presented to the table and then tossed tableside if desired.  I had to try the legendary salad, it was the most delicious Cobb salad I’ve ever eaten.

My husband, Kevin, decided to try the Grilled Wagyu Beef Burger.  I’ve never seen a burger like it, topped with gruyere cheese, house made pastrami, heirloom tomato, and a house made cognac-mustard aioli, all atop a toasted brioche bun.  The burger is served with steak fries.  Kevin commented that it was hands down the best burger he has ever had.

The unique atmosphere, incredible service, and delicious food make The Brown Derby a wonderful restaurant to try while visiting Hollywood Studios.  Now that we have had lunch, I am excited to have dinner the next time we are at Walt Disney World.

If you’re looking for a quick bite or an alcoholic beverage, the Brown Derby Lounge is the perfect option.  The lounge has a wide range of cocktails, beer and wine as well as smaller version of the Cobb Salad and a Wagyu Beef Slider.

If you would like to hear more about Disney’s Brown Derby or any other Disney dining experience I would love to chat with you.  Contact me at julir@wishesfamilytravel.com or follow me on Facebook and Instagram.