Glamorous and Glitzy – The Hollywood Brown Derby!
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When Walt Disney World’s third park, MGM Studios (now Hollywood Studios) opened in 1989, the theme was glitz, glamour, and all things old-school Hollywood. At the time, it actually was a real working studio, so the park was always filled with legit movie sets, celebrities, attractions, and restaurants to make every guest feel like they were on-stage and acting in a real-life movie of their own.
Nestled in the middle of all this magic was The Hollywood Brown Derby, authentically replicated from the famed restaurant of the same name in Hollywood, CA. Today, the restaurant still proudly stands in the same location, a testament to what it used to represent, what it still represents today, and some truly amazing cuisine.
The Hollywood Brown Derby: A Step Back In Time
Even though the park has morphed over the years, and much of the old-world Hollywood vibe has fallen by the wayside, The Hollywood Brown Derby remains a constant staple. And what I love most about it is how it’s unique to Walt Disney World – there’s not another version in any of the other Disney parks, stateside or worldwide!
The Tinseltown landmark in Hollywood, CA, attracted the biggest celebrities back in its heyday. It wasn’t uncommon to hear the most elite saying “Meet me at the Derby” to their friends and family. It was THE hotspot for Hollywood’s superstars!
As the story goes, a starving young artist once requested to create caricatures of celebrities dining at the restaurant in exchange for food. Those caricatures quickly became a signature aspect of the Brown Derby; many celebrities loved them so much that they signed them. Copies of those caricatures adorn the walls of The Hollywood Brown Derby in Walt Disney World, and there are even a few gold-framed originals on the premises. Be sure to look for them next time you visit!
There are many details and design elements taken from the Spanish mission style of the original Derby in California. The tile floor, exposed beams in the lobby, the dining room’s barrel-vaulted ceiling, the classy lamps, and the light fixtures in the shape of a derby add authenticity and whimsy. You truly feel like you’ve stepped back in time to the golden age of Hollywood!
The curved booths, dark woods, maroon seating, and stark white linens all harken back to a day when you would expect to see celebrities clinking their glasses and laughing over the latest Hollywood gossip. Even Clark Gable is rumored to have proposed to Carole Lombard in Booth #5 in the famed restaurant. This same booth is replicated in Disney’s Derby. (You can ask to sit there when you check-in!)
The Hollywood Brown Derby is also known for being the birthplace of a very famous dish when, in 1934, owner Robert Cobb invented a salad in the wee hours of the morning. He liked it so much he named it after himself and added The Cobb Salad to the menu. To this day, it remains one of the most requested menu items at both the original restaurant and the replica in Florida.
Who’s Who On The Hollywood Brown Derby Menu
Known for upscale, contemporary American cuisine, there are so many delectable dishes to try out at The Hollywood Brown Derby. Here’s what I recommend for the ideal Derby meal!
- Drink: Hollywood Manhattan
- Michter’s Single Barrel Rye Whiskey and Antica Carpano Sweet Vermouth garnished with Luxardo Cherries
- Appetizer: Tuna Carpaccio Niçoise
- Light and exquisite! This one can’t be overlooked. Enjoy Kalamata Olive Toast, Quail Egg, Green Peppercorn Aïoli. It’s delightful.
- Lunch / Dinner: Famous Cobb Salad OR The Brown Derby Signature Burger
- You cannot visit The Brown Derby without trying the famed Cobb Salad (recipe below if you want to try it at home). It comes in half and full sizes and is great for sharing. Or if you want something a little more hearty, the Signature Burger (Bacon Jam, Cheddar, Fried Egg, Russian Dressing) is fantastic! I highly recommend it.
- Dessert: Grapefruit Cake
- Made famous by the original, you cannot go wrong with Vanilla Sponge Cake, Grapefruit Syrup, and amazing Cream Cheese Icing! It’s divine.
Have kids dining with you? There’s a fabulous and rather extensive kids’ menu that includes a selection of non-alcoholic beverages. Now the kiddos will feel like Hollywood’s elite, just like the adults!
In addition to famous salad and an amazing burger, there are also some super yummy seafood options, from a shrimp cocktail appetizer to the Ora King Salmon Coulibiac main course. There’s even filet mignon – which is great on its own – but at The Hollywood Brown Derby it gets even better because it’s served Walt’s way!
We love any reference to our man Walt, so, it goes without saying that this is another great choice for dinner. Oh, but what exactly is “Walt’s way,” you might be asking? Well, it’s filet mignon served up with beef hash and a fried egg, of course! (Walt liked simpler foods, so nothing was better than an egg, canned chili, or hash-browns for him!1)
And while the grapefruit cake is a Hollywood Brown Derby original dish (and therefore a must-try), you also can’t go wrong with the chocolate mocha cake or crème brulee for dessert.
Really, you can’t go wrong with any of the choices on this menu, so, be adventurous! You won’t regret it!
That Was Some Salad…
Are you back from your amazing Disney trip and still craving the Brown Derby Cobb Salad? Yeah, me too! Luckily, you can make it right at home. Try the recipe below! It’s an exact replica from the restaurant, which has been used since it was created in 1934!
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Famous Hollywood Brown Derby Cobb Salad
Just like the scrumptious salad served at the Hollywood Brown Derby – now you can make your favorite dish right at home, dressing and all!
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
- 3 cups chopped iceberg lettuce
- 2 cups chopped chicory
- 3/4 cup chopped watercress
- 8 ounces poached turkey breast ((finely chopped))
- 1 avocado ((peeled, seeded, finely chopped))
- 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
- 6 strips bacon ((cooked, crisp, and crumbled))
- 3 hard-boiled eggs ((finely chopped))
- 2 tbsp snipped fresh chives
Old-Fashioned French Dressing
- 2 tbsp water
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tsp salt ((to taste))
- 1/2 tsp garlic ((minced or crushed))
- 1/4 tsp sugar
- 1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper ((to taste))
- 1/8 tsp dry mustard (mustard powder)
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Toss the iceberg lettuce, chicory, and watercress together and arrange in a large salad bowl.
- In straight and separate lines, arrange the turkey, tomatoes, avocado, blue cheese, bacon, and eggs on top of the greens. Sprinkle the chives in a diagonal line across the salad.
- To make the dressing, in a small bowl whisk together the water, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, salt, garlic, sugar, pepper, and dry mustard until combined.
- Whisking constantly, add the vegetable oil and the olive oil in a slow, steady stream until the dressing is emulsified. Store covered and chilled until ready to serve. Whisk the dressing to blend just before serving. (Makes ⅔ cup dressing.)
- Present the salad at the table, toss with the dressing and serve.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: American Cuisine
Enjoy!!
Have you tried the Derby’s Cobb Salad, or have you tried making it at home? Tell us about it in the comments below!
Cover Image
Photo: Josh Hallett via Flickr
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