Review: 50’s Prime Time Café is a hilarious trip back in time with great food

We had the most incredible time not just eating but being immersed in Disney’s 50’s Prime Time Café entertainment. Check out our full review here.

What started out as a wonderful evening relaxing with friends before dinner ended up as an evening filled with more laughter than I (Susan) can remember.

First Impressions

As soon as we entered 50’s Prime Time Café, my mind drifted back to my grandma’s home in a bygone era. Remembering those precious moments made me smile. Everywhere you look, you feel as if you have entered a time warp back to the 1950’s. No detail is spared in theming!

If you remember formica, you’ll feel right at home at 50’s Prime Time. It covers the space from the check-in area, dining tables, “kitchen”, and bar area area.

We also loved the Cast Members outfits that reminded us of a 50’s diner. 50’s Prime Time Café features classic diner dishes such as meatloaf, fried chicken, pot roast, and a blue plate special of the day.

Anyone up for TV Dinners?

One thing I appreciate about 50’s Prime Time Café is that it doesn’t feel like a huge cavern. Instead, tables are blocked off into several smaller dining rooms.

This not only makes for a more intimate, quiet dinner, but also invokes the feeling of having dinner in your living room. Hence, the term tv dinners…something like that.

Speaking of tv dinners, once we were seated with our great friends, Kenny and Melinda, we settled in for the evening for a relaxing meal in “our” living room while watching Walt Disney on the television.

We spoke about times gone by when Disney showed movies every Sunday evening. Each time it came on, my dad told me to “catch Tinker Bell” so I would reach toward her on the tv.

Dining with “Family”

Mom sent her best helper, Josh, to take care of us. Not only that, but she wanted to make sure we also minded our manners. You know, no elbows on the table, no talking while chewing, and eating everything on your plate.

And then there’s the cardinal etiquette sin (lol) that Kenny broke, Do Not Eat Dinner With Your Hat On! Kenny took his hat off to say grace before the meal, but then he put it back on. Well, he was immediately corrected by Josh. Poor Kenny, no hat at dinner that night.

Ordering Dinner

After bringing back drinks, Josh immediately put his hands in his pockets, gave them “the look”, and scolded Kenny and Larry for putting their elbow on the table. Whoops! I became curious after our dinner. When exactly did putting your elbows on the table become rude?

“In the Middle Ages, table manners prevented us from leaving our space and starting a fight.”

Margaret Visser (author of The Rituals of Dinner: The Origins, Evolution, Eccentricities, and Meaning of Table Manners)

Thankfully, no fights broke out at our table. We were way too busy laughing.

Just like my mom growing up, Josh made sure mom knew what to cook us that evening. We knew it was an extra special evening since we were allowed to keep the television on! Since Melinda and Kenny have dined at 50’s before, they recommended the pot roast and fried chicken.

Our Meal

When Josh brought our food to the table, our mouths began watering. Being from the south, we’re picky about our fried chicken. However, we were not disappointed! The chicken was perfectly fried to form just the right amount of crispy breading without overwhelming the chicken.

The meal included four plump pieces of juicy chicken, not greasy, just “finger lickin’ good.” (We made sure Josh didn’t see us licking our fingers.) On top of the huge chicken portion, this meal included mashed potatoes with gravy and corn.

For a complete list of menu items available at 50’s Prime Time Café and all Disney World restaurants, visit characterlocator.com.

Melinda and I both ordered the pot roast. The beautiful stacked presentation was an unexpected treat. The celery and carrot shavings were a nice touch on top, too. Underneath the heaping portion of pot roast were mashed potatoes. The entire dish was surrounded with a delicious traditional brown gravy.

However, the true test is that if the pot roast melts in your mouth. Did it pass? The pot roast was so tender and juicy it passed with flying colors!

Cleaning your Plate

My husband, Larry, appreciates a good banter and even encourages it. When he realized how Josh was enforcing our “manners,” it was on. Several times while eating, Josh encouraged us to clean our plate so mom would be happy.

Larry protested that he had eaten most of his corn, but Josh wasn’t having it! Poor Larry tried but just couldn’t finish it. Melinda, however, wanted to please mom and cleaned her plate! Because she cleaned here plate, she earned the Official Member of the “clean plate club” sticker, which she proudly wore.

Did everyone become Clean Plate Club Members?

Larry continued to banter with Josh saying he ate everything but his corn, and deserved a sticker too. So, finally he wore Josh down, or did he? Josh returned with another clean plate member sticker and tore it into 4 pieces. Hahaha! Larry couldn’t believe it. We were dying laughing when he gave us each a piece.

It’s on Now!

So, now Larry was even more determined to get that sticker. Watching him, it was obvious his wheels were turning. Then, he jumps up, and says “Watch this, I’m going to get Josh.”

Larry sneaks around the corner asking other servers for stickers. He really did!! One nice lady gave him one. Our entire table burst into laughter when he proudly put it on. When he came around the table, at first Josh didn’t notice the sticker. But, then he saw it and looked astonished.

He lectured Larry in a hilarious way saying he did not earn that sticker. Even more important, Josh asked him where he got it. Then, Josh walked off saying he was going to figure it out!

Dessert

Melinda was in the mood for chocolate and asked if anyone would split a dessert? I was much too full from dinner, but Larry never passes up chocolate. Josh made the comment that Larry couldn’t finish his plate but he could eat dessert!!

Again, the portion of chocolate cake and ice cream were very generous. The triple layer cake was rich and delicious! So chocolatey! Both of them devoured it, and said they loved every bite.

Farewells

What an evening! For some reason, 50’s Prime Time Café was one of those table service restaurants I would reserve but later cancel. I heard so many mixed reviews that I wasn’t sure what to think. To end our hilarious interaction with Josh, he told us it was a pleasure to serve most of us. Then, he gave Larry that look again. We left in stitches.

If you experience an exceptional Cast Member, like we did in Josh, please consider giving them a Cast Compliment. For ways to thank a Cast Member, read our article here.

Tune-In Lounge

Attached to 50’s Prime Time restaurant is the adorable Tune-In Lounge. The seating area in the photo above can also be used when waiting for a 50’s table. Once it re-opens, guests can order from the full 50’s menu! This is great for spur of the moment dining and when reservations aren’t available at the restaurant.

Boy, are we glad we went! The laughter, banter, and friendship made the evening unforgettable. I was also very pleasantly surprised just how much I enjoyed the food here too. Each of these entrees would be easy to split.

It’s my hope after reading the story of our evening, that you’ll give 50’s Prime Time Café a try. Even with more restaurants opening at Hollywood Studios, increased capacity can make it difficult to get table service reservations. Be sure to book it early for a better chance of scoring a table here!

Have you eating at 50’s Prime Time Café before, or would you like to? Please share your thoughts by commenting below or on Facebook.