50’s Prime Time Café. Photo by Sue Holland.
When the Disney-MGM Studios opened in 1989, a couple of innovative and
entertaining full-service restaurants were added Disney’s extensive list
of eateries. The Sci-Fi Dine-In simulated being at an old-fashioned drive-in
movie theater, where guests were seated in convertibles, and old science
fiction movie clips were shown on the big screen. The other unusual restaurant
was the 50’s Prime Time Café. Here customers are transported back
to the 1950s thanks to Disney’s attention to detail in the décor
and costuming.
50’s Prime Time Café is open for lunch and dinner daily, and priority
seatings are recommended. Priority seating is Disney’s version of a reservation,
with the caveat that the party will be seated at the next available table
after their priority seating time. Usually that wait is only a few minutes,
although during busy periods if the previous party has not left, the wait
could be longer. To make a priority seating, call (407) WDW-DINE (407-939-3463)
up to 60 days in advance of your meal.
50’s Prime Time Café (for radp [rec.arts.disney-parks Usenet newsgroup]
fans, Larry from Scotland is the gentleman in the black T-shirt). Photo
by Sue Holland.
The restaurant is located near the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular,
and right next to the Hollywood & Vine buffet restaurant. The two restaurants
are actually connected, and share restroom facilities.
Tune In Lounge is a comfortable spot for an adult beverage. Photo by Sue
Holland.
There is also a full bar in the section referred to as the Tune In Lounge,
which is a nice place to have a beverage even if you are not waiting for
a table for a meal. There are several specialty alcoholic and non-alcoholic
choices available, and most come with the option of an ice cube that lights
up. These beverages are also available in the restaurant portion, and
the special ice cubes can be added (for a fee) to any drink. They are
not inexpensive—specialty drinks with the ice cube cost $8.75 and
the non-alcoholic version costs $5.99. The ice cube is a pretty cool novelty
item, though.
Mom’s kitchen is visible to everyone entering 50’s Prime Time Café.
Photo by Sue Holland.
The story or theme at 50’s Prime Time Café is that Mom is in the
kitchen cooking, and everyone present is family. Generally everyone is
referred to as kids—when the Smith family checks in and their table
is ready, an announcement is made calling the “Smith kids.”
Servers tend to be your aunt, uncle or cousin, and there is a lot of
good-natured ribbing that occurs here. Someone looking for a quiet meal
with little attention would be better off choosing another restaurant.
The servers chastise diners for any elbows spotted on the table, and expect
people to set their own table using the flatware found at the center of
the table. It’s not uncommon for diners to be given nicknames by the servers,
such as Spanky, Princess, or Scooter. It can be great fun to play along
with them, and children in particular seem to enjoy watching their parents
being treated like kids.
Television shows can be viewed from all tables. Photo by Sue Holland.
There are several black-and-white television sets located throughout
the restaurant, ensuring a view from every seat. Clips of old 1950s situation
comedies are played continuously; bringing back memories to those of us
who were alive back then. The chairs and tables are exactly what was found
in kitchens across America during the 1950s and 1960s, and the decorative
items are all representative of that time period as well. The servers
are dressed in old-fashioned costumes similar to what was seen back then,
and it is easy to forget we haven’t traveled back in time.
At any restaurant, the theming and entertainment value can be a big part
of the enjoyment, but the primary draw is the food. Mediocre food would
probably not keep people coming back again and again, and this restaurant
is a favorite of many guests. As expected, prices and portions are lower
during the lunch period. Lunch also includes several sandwiches, while
dinner includes more entrée choices.
Appetizers are the same at lunch and dinner, with the exception of New
England clam chowder only being available at dinner. A thick chicken noodle
soup is available, which can be combined with a small salad to make a
meal.
In the 1950s we were not as health-conscious as we are today, and the
menu includes several “comfort” foods. There is a huge platter
of thinly sliced onion rings that are very tasty, as well as french fries
with your choice of gravy, cheese, or chili and cheese. There is also
a smoked trout dip, which comes with baked tortilla chips. My favorite
choice is called Mom’s Fried Boursin Cheese, which is lightly breaded
and drizzled with raspberry sauce, served with toasted French bread slices.
It may sound strange, but it is absolutely delicious! The appetizers range
in price from $2.39 to $5.99 each.
Each day there is a “special” entrée offered, but the
most popular menu items are the golden fried chicken, traditional meatloaf,
and the old-fashioned pot roast meals. The chicken meal is a half-chicken
served with mashed potatoes and the vegetable of the day for $12.99. The
meatloaf is a blend of beef and pork topped with a tomato glaze, also
served with the mashed potatoes and vegetable for $12.99. The pot roast
is incredibly tender (no knife needed) and comes with the same potatoes
and vegetable for $13.99. Two people can share any meal, and the kitchen
has always split the portion in the kitchen to make it easier on the guests.
Other lunch offerings are as follows.
- Open Faced Steak Sandwich – pan-seared 8 ounce NY Strip
and mixed greens on a toasted French bread topped with roasted tomato
vinaigrette, garnished with Gorgonzola cheese and fried onion strings
$15.99. - BBQ Chicken Sandwich – BBQ spiced rubbed chicken breast
grilled and topped with maple-glazed bacon, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato
and creamy peppercorn sauce on a Kaiser roll with fries $13.99. - Sautéed Shrimp Pasta – penne pasta, diced pancetta
and shiitake mushrooms in a Dijon cream sauce; vegetarian pasta option
available $15.99 Chicken Pot Pie – flaky pastry stuffed with creamy
mixture of Vermont cheddar cheese, chicken, mushrooms, broccoli, carrots,
celery, onions and peas $12.99. - Grandpa’s Pan-Seared Salmon – spice-crusted filet, served
with sautéed green beans, red onions and julienne carrots, in
a mustard seed vinaigrette, garnished with shoestring fried potatoes
$16.99 - Turkey Sandwich – smoked turkey stacked on fresh seven-grain
bread with lettuce, tomatoes, Swiss cheese and cranberry mayonnaise
$10.99 - Ham Sandwich – shaved ham piled high with Swiss cheese,
lettuce, tomato, and honey mustard sauce on marble rye $10.99 - Chicken Caesar Salad – grilled spice-rubbed chicken served
over crisp Romaine lettuce tossed with traditional dressing and sprinkled
with grated parmesan cheese and garlic croutons $11.99 - Grilled Shrimp Salad – marinated shrimp served over romaine
lettuce, shiitake mushrooms, red peppers, bok choy, red onions, sunflower
seeds and sesame-soy vinaigrette $15.49. - Vegetable Stuffed Pepper – Stuffed with a medley of fresh
vegetables, rice, soy mozzarella, and capers all roasted in a rich tomato
sauce on a bed of mashed potatoes $12.49.
At dinner the same fried chicken, meatloaf and pot roast entrees are
available, as is the vegetable stuffed pepper, all at the same price as
lunch. Items exclusive to dinner include various steaks, pork and seafood
choices.
- Char-broiled Pork Tenderloin – Glazed with a chipotle
barbecue sauce, served with cheddar cheese and bacon mashed potatoes
and apple raisin chutney $16.49. - Char-grilled Chicken – Grilled and topped with a creamy
peppercorn sauce served with mashed potatoes and house vegetables $14.99. - Sautéed Shrimp Pasta – Penne pasta, diced tomatoes,
and artichoke hearts and kalamata olives tossed in a fresh herb butter
$15.99. - Grandpa’s Pan-Seared Salmon – spice-crusted filet, served
with sautéed green beans, red onions and julienne carrots, in
mustard seed vinaigrette, garnished with shoestring fried potatoes $16.99. - New York Strip Steak – Char-broiled to perfection and
served with roasted mushrooms, onions, and garlic finished with a red
wine sauce $18.99.
Portions tend to be fairly large, and a “clean plate” sticker
may be awarded to any diner who does not leave any food on their plate.
Quite often the servers will make a person eat “one more bite”
of something left behind, particularly if it is a vegetable. The server
will put a bite of food on the fork and then feed the person while pretending
the fork is an airplane flying into the (hopefully) open mouth, in the
style of a parent trying to get a baby to eat one more bite.
Sometimes a guest will have to stand and sing an old song such as “I’m
a Little Teapot,” and if Mom or the server think a person is too
sassy they may have to stand with their nose against the wall for a little
“time out.”
“Spanky” wears a bib waiting for his lunch to arrive. Photo
by Sue Holland.
For anyone with room for dessert, there are several great items to choose
from. In fact, it would be worth a visit just for dessert if you have
a sweet tooth. The dessert menu is a View-Master reel, with a photo of
each item on the reel. Adults and children enjoy using this old toy long
after they’ve made their selections.
The most popular dessert is the S’mores, which consist of several graham
crackers topped with chocolate pieces and toasted marshmallows. It is
a large enough portion to share between 2 to 4 people, and is something
not normally found in restaurants. The S’mores cost $4.49.
There is also a chocolate fudge cake with raspberry sauce for $3.49,
cheesecake for $3.99 and a cobbler for $4.99. Rounding out the dessert
offerings are milk shakes, ice cream floats, a banana split and a number
of huge ice cream sundaes, all priced from $3.29 to $4.79. Dessert is
the same at lunch and dinner.
Children have their own menu, which is the same at both lunch and dinner.
The choices are:
- Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich – served with potato
chips and beverage $4.99. - Macaroni with Tomato Sauce – served with beverage $4.99.
- Macaroni with Cheese Sauce – served with beverage $4.99.
- Grilled Hot Dog – Served with French fries and beverage
$4.99. - Fried Chicken Nuggets – Served with French fries and beverage
$4.99.
50’s Prime Time Café can be an excellent choice for good familiar
food for anyone with a good sense of humor and willingness to be part
of the entertainment. It is also a great place to bring first-time visitors
who likely have never experienced anything like it before!
