The Many Reasons We Love The Hollywood Brown Derby

By Nick

If you listen to the Disney Exchange Podcast with any regularity, you'll likely have learned at least 2 things about me. I love food, and my favorite restaurant in Walt Disney World is The Hollywood Brown Derby in Disney's Hollywood Studios.



My wife and I have eaten at the Brown Derby several times through the years, and a couple of our best experiences were had here.
In April of 2011, we Dined with an Imagineer with our friend Marilyn, a wonderful experience. I can't remember everything I ate, but do remember the Cobb Salad and Strip Steak were delicious, and our Imagineer, Dave, who was working on the revamped Star Tours at the time, was very entertaining.


On the right side of the table is me, Barbie, Marilyn and Dave

Then, January of last year we were asked to be the celebrity couple of the day!
We were given a plastic bowler for me, and a feather boa for Barbie, and cut a ribbon officially opening the restaurant!



We were then escorted to a table strewn with silver stars and Mickey heads!
Our meal was wonderful, as usual. And we had one more surprise at the end! We were given this commemorative photo souvenir!



And then, there is the food!
Now, I could come up with a multitude of complimentary adjectives for each item I'm about to present, but I'm going to just say right now, everything is delicious. I will, however, point out some highlights.
Lets start with the starters, also known as the appetizers, the first couple I would not be able to enjoy today, because I've developed a Shellfish allergy! :(
First there is the Portsmouth Lobster Bisque, with Tarragon oil, and a Brentwood sweet corn-lobster relish.




Next we have Blue Lump Crab Spring Rolls, snow crab claw and an Asian slaw with spicy miso aioli.




And finally, my favorite of the 3, Feuilles de Brick Napoleon of Blue Affine, with wild mushroom duxelle, grilled portobello, golden chanterelles, and a fig reduction.



This next item can be an appetizer or an entree, it is so large. I've had it for both.
It is also a signature dish at this signature restaurant.
The Famous Brown Derby Cobb Salad is made with finely chopped greens, turkey breast, egg, bacon, tomatoes, crumbled bleu cheese, avocado, chives and Cobb dressing.




Your server will even ask if you'd like to have it mixed for you.




On to the entrees.
Sterling Silver Pork-seared Tenderloin, with herb and four-cheese spaetzle with applewood smoked bacon, shallots, sweet peppers, braised red cabbage and an apple cider jus.




Spit-Roasted Leg of Lamb, with lyonnaise potatoes, garlic buttered hericot verts and a red zinfandel sauce.



Duck Two Ways, which is Crispy duck Magret and Duck confit, with apple-rosemary stuffing over a butternut squash, mascarpone anolini and maple brown butter.



On our last 3 visits, I've gotten what I consider to be the BEST pork chop I've ever eaten, the Sterling Silver Pork Chop, with smoked gouda and heirloom apple slaw served over potato hash with bacon, Napa cabbage, sweet peppers and a cider jus.

A unique item is the Grapefruit Cake for dessert. Light Layers of Yellow Cake with fresh Grapefruit-Cream Cheese Icing, and a slice of dried grapefruit.



The menu changes frequently, so not every dish I featured here will be on the menu when you visit, and, as I discussed on Episode 17 of The Disney Exchange, it appears the pork chop may not be on the menu, but if you visit I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

This article was originally posted on The Disney Exchange.