Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant
When it comes to ambiance, the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant at Disney’s Hollywood Studios scores high at the top of the list. You will feel as though you have walked into an indoor drive-in movie theater, complete with “cars” for your tables.
The Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant shows a series of science fiction movie clips on the big screen. Unfortunately, the loop is too short, and we saw the same scenes too many times. That is a problem you might face if you have special dietary needs and want to speak with a chef. I will say, however, that the Disney Chefs here are very accommodating. The menus featured a plethora of options for those looking for a gluten-friendly dining experience. The allergy menu included ribs, sandwiches, gluten-free pasta, and even a burger.
One of the problems with sticking to a paleo or keto diet is the avoidance of canola oil which seems to be prevalent throughout Walt Disney World. Many of the restaurants and food booths use a 60% canola/40% olive oil blend. Luckily, Chef J.R. had extra virgin olive oil in the kitchen available for my meal preparation.
Although I came with a dining companion, neither of us were very hungry. We decided to split one entrée and selected the Flame-broiled New York Strip Steak. The dish currently comes with asparagus, roasted potatoes, and bacon vinaigrette topped with herb butter. The veggies are seasonal, so they may change from time to time. Also, when we went, they had garlic mashed potatoes available. The potatoes were gluten-free, so my dining companion asked for that. The seasonal vegetables available that night included squash, zucchini, and peppers, and Chef J.R. had them prepared for me in extra virgin olive oil.
The garlic mashed potatoes do contain soy and dairy. Keep that in mind if they have them when you are dining there. The sautéed vegetables were delicious, but the steak was over-cooked, tough, and chewy. Since we had already waited for so long to get our meal, it was useless to send it back and start again. I will try this restaurant again in the future and order a different item to see if we have better overall luck.
Would I recommend the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant? Yes, but I would say to come mid-afternoon and not in the middle of the dinner rush if you have special dietary needs.