Located at Hollywood Studios, 50’s Prime Time Cafe is a table service restaurant themed to 1950s America. Specializing in American comfort food (think meatloaf), the restaurant instantly takes you back to a bygone era with its excellent theming. Although I was not alive during the 1950s, endless viewings of Back to the Future have confirmed this restaurant is spot on.
Stella and I first visited 50’s Prime Time Cafe in 2018 and it instantly became one of our favorite restaurants at Walt Disney World. 50’s Prime Time Cafe is a ton of fun with its outstanding theming and hilarious castmembers. Ever wondered if you have any lost family members in Central Florida? We didn’t, until we dined here.
Below, the following review will analyze 50’s Prime Time Cafe’s theming, food and drink.
Theming
50’s Prime Time Cafe is located in the Echo Lake section of Hollywood Studios, close to the Indiana Jones stunt show. Once inside, the restaurant takes you back to the 1950s. The waiting area is designed as a 1950s living room. Look around and you will see a black and white TV, wood panelings along the walls and even tacky animal decorations.
When your table is ready, you are led through Mom’s Kitchen to the seating areas. This part of the restaurant is themed to a 1950s kitchen, from the tables to the wallpaper. Some tables have their own 1950s TV playing actual shows from the 1950s. This is the closest you can get to this time period minus building your own time traveling Delorean.
The theming continues when you meet your server. The server will introduce themselves as your “aunt” or “uncle” and the guests sitting around you as your “cousins”. Once everyone is reacquainted, the server will begin enforcing table manners. No elbows on the table and you must clean your plate. Or you risk a timeout.
During each of our visits, the servers were in character and it was tons of fun. They ensured we were respecting our table manners and made sure we were behaving with our cousins. When Stella hesitated to eat her food, our server took her spoon and flew the “airplane” so she would eat. Stella also got in trouble for being on her phone during dinner. It was hilarious.
Food
Continuing the 1950s vibe, 50’s Prime Time Cafe specializes in American comfort food. Think food mom would have in her kitchen back in the day. Heavy hitters on the menu include Mom’s Old-Fashioned Pot Roast, Grandma’s Chicken Pot Pie and Aunt Liz’s Golden Fried Chicken. Side items for each include classics like mashed potatoes and vegetables.
We’ve ordered Aunt Liz’s Golden Fried Chicken, Cousin Megan’s Traditional Meatloaf and Grandma’s Chicken Pot Pie. I loved the meatloaf. It was tender, juicy and full of flavor. Stella liked her fried chicken, although some pieces were a little dry. The mashed potatoes were excellent with each meal and reminded me of my mom’s home cooking. My mom of course cooked this entire menu when I was a kid (She is from the 1950s).
Other menu items include Dad’s Stuffed Pork Chop, Cousin Harold’s Vegetable Garden and a Cesar Salad with Salmon. Appetizers include Beer Battered Onion Rings, Cousin Amy’s Iceberg Lettuce Wedge and Grandpa’s Crab Cakes.
If you are feeling indecisive, you can order A Sampling of Mom’s Favorite Recipes. This huge plate includes fried chicken, pot roast and meatloaf with all the fixing (veggies). Only order this plate if you are really hungry as it is a ton of food. You want to clean your plate so you can get the coveted Clean Plate Club sticker (yes, it is a real thing).
Drinks
50’s Prime Time Cafe hosts a large list of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The alcoholic beverages, originating From Dad’s Liquor Cabinet, are more on the full of sugar and some alcohol variety. But we did find the Ultimate Long Island Ice Tea to be not as watered down as the other alcoholic beverages.
For non-alcoholic beverages, the star is the Peanut Butter & Jelly Milkshake. Imagine a peanut butter and jelly sandwich as liquidy ice cream. It tastes amazing. But be warned! The shake is thick and filling. Stella and I could not finish it. If you fancy something extra, ask to add chocolate to the shake. It’s out of this world.
Conclusion
We loved 50’s Prime Time Cafe. Every time we visit we have a great time. The restaruant is heavily themed and instantly takes you to a different time and place. The serving staff is hilarious and always gets into character as you enter Mom’s Kitchen. The food is great and offers some of the best comfort food at Walt Disney World. Plus, you can’t beat the milkshakes.
Next time you visit Hollywood Studios, stop by 50’s Prime Time Cafe. Along with Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant, 50’s Prime Time Cafe is one of the best themed restaurant at all of Walt Disney World. Make a reservation, say hi to Mom and Dad and eat some great meatloaf. As long as you clean your plate, that Peanut Butter & Jelly Milkshake will be well worth it.
Thoughts?
Thanks for reading! If you fancy a drink once Walt Disney World reopens, please read our post EPCOT: Drinking Around the World HERE or our post on the best hotel at Walt Disney World, our Review of The Polynesian Village Resort HERE!
Have you dined at 50’s Prime Time Cafe? Did you order the Peanut Butter and Jelly Milkshake? Did you clean your plate? Let us know in the comments below!
