Cobb Salad at Brown Derby or Docking Bay 7?

[PinkMagnolia]

Can't decide where to go for lunch! Will be me and DH on an adults-only trip. Haven't been to WDW since 2019. Should we have the Cobb Salad at Brown Derby or check out Docking Bay 7? I've heard the food and atmosphere is quite nice for QS at Docking Bay, but for a few more dollars, will we get a better meal and experience at Brown Derby?

 

[loves to dive]

It's very subjective but I'd go HBD. A lot of people are fans of Docking Bay but I'm not, just depends on your tastes. We were there not long after it opened, it was crowded, we had trouble finding a table and even after we did and I was actually sitting there, a family came up and just sat right down at it. I had to politely tell them I was waiting on my son, who was ordering, to bring our food. The food was o.k. but not anywhere close to HBD. I just like the more relaxed meal at HBD, we rarely eat inside the restaurant any more and just eat at the lounge outside.

 

[sheilafri]

I like the atmosphere at HBD. It is quieter and more refined but somewhat expensive. DB7 does have the Star Wars immersion experience, though. Oga’s Cantina makes a good break from the heat with the theming. TBH I’m not impressed with any of the food at WDW, but I’m a decent cook myself.

 

[Marthasor]

Docking Bay gets very crowded and feels chaotic to me. If you would like better food in a quieter atmosphere, I would do HBD.

 

[bbak30]

I really liked Docking Bay in January. We did go around 2ish, so most of the lunch crowd had moved on. Really enjoyed my chicken tenders and dessert. But I'm pretty easy to please.

 

[kiford]

We like HBD and the atmosphere but I have to say that I'm not a big fan of their Cobb salad. I personally feel that I make a better one (aka more to my taste) so I'm not sure that going there just for the salad if you don't know that you like it is necessarily going to make you happy. I felt it was very heavy on the chicory which overpowered everything and I didn't like how they so very finely chopped everything. However, if you do like their Cobb salad, then definitely go to HBD. It's a very nice place IMO.

 

[Robber Baron]

We have eaten at HBD probably 15 or more times. A couple trips ago we decided on concentrating on eating at new places we hadn't experienced before.

We were really in a rut eating at our favorite places over and over again.

We really liked Docking Bay 7.

 

[Richie248]

Hollywood Brown Derby is one of my favorite places to eat in the parks and LOVE the Cobb salad there. I'd go with Derby!

 

[wabbott]

We dined at the HBD last October. As noted, the atmosphere there is Old Hollywood, while DB7 is New Age SciFi. Just about as far apart as restaurant memes could be. The HBD reminds me of the Carthay Circle Restaurant in Disney California Adventure. You wouldn't be surprised if you looked up and saw Walt and Lillian sitting at a table across the room.

I had the Seafood Cioppino, which was good. I've had the Cobb Salad before, and also liked it.

For an appetizer I had the Escargot Casino, and it was delicious.

 

[CynBeth]

Hollywood Brown Derby is one of my favorite places to eat in the parks and LOVE the Cobb salad there. I'd go with Derby!

Same here. I always get the grapefruit cake for dessert.

 

[Kae]

We love The Hollywood Brown Derby

 

[TheHulamuffins]

For what it's worth, we love the Cobb salad at the Hollywood Brown Derby. At dinner time, which is when we usually go to HBD, my spouse and I order several for the table (which includes multiple relatives, 5 besides us this past January, more in previous years), and we share them. Then we also have a "regular" entree apiece.

We've been at Docking Bay 7 once, and enjoyed it when it was not crowded.

I would say that it depends on when you are going to WDW (crowd size, temperature), and whether you would like to get away from the exuberant, themed atmosphere of the parks a little (therefore favoring HBD), or whether you would like to stay immersed in that (therefore favoring DB7).

 

[SleeplessInTO]

Another vote for HBD.

Docking Bay 7 is fun to look at but the food is not as good as HBD (not a surprise), if you want quick service I’d rather order a couple of ronto wraps to go and eat at DB7. The moof juice is good there.

 

[HopperFan]

VERY disappointed in Docking Bay. One of few places I've thrown the food away. Over priced. Not enough seating. That is a never return after a few tries, which is sad. I thought after the great job they did with Satuli Canteen they would hit it out of the park again.

I'd be all over HBD and Cobb Salad.

 

[Pens Fan]

We love HBD and the Cobb salad is a favorite. But we also really love getting on the walk up list for the HBD lounge if it's a nice day (it's all outdoors, but most tables are under umbrellas). It's a great people watching spot, less formal, and we just find it a great break in our HS day. And yes, you can still order the Cobb salad. They offer some bar bites, but the last couple of times we've been there we were able to order off of the entire HBD menu as well. They also have fantastic cocktails, if you're so inclined.

We've never eaten at Docking Bay 7, but that menu has never enticed us. I can't imagine it's better than HBD. If you want to eat in Galaxies Edge, just grab a Ronto Wrap.

 

[wabbott]

We love HBD and the Cobb salad is a favorite. But we also really love getting on the walk up list for the HBD lounge if it's a nice day (it's all outdoors, but most tables are under umbrellas). It's a great people watching spot, less formal, and we just find it a great break in our HS day. And yes, you can still order the Cobb salad. They offer some bar bites, but the last couple of times we've been there we were able to order off of the entire HBD menu as well. They also have fantastic cocktails, if you're so inclined.

We've never eaten at Docking Bay 7, but that menu has never enticed us. I can't imagine it's better than HBD. If you want to eat in Galaxies Edge, just grab a Ronto Wrap.

I have to tell this story about the lounge. April 2021 trip with DW, DD and SiL for DD's 35 b'day. They all went off shopping, and I parked myself at the lounge with a great martini to do some people watching.

In a few minutes another fellow about 60ish came in, ordered a margarita, and I told him to have a seat and tell me all about himself.

And he proceeded to do just that. A widower, he allowed that this was about the 40th time visiting WDW. "The good thing about making that many trips is that you're not under pressure to do anything in particular, since you've done everything several times over. You can relax and watch everyone else," he said.

He was meeting some of their old friends there, folks who used to travel with he and his late wife.

As he finished up his margarita, he remarked, "That was good. I think I'll have another!"

It was as memorable an encounter I've ever had with anyone at WDW.

As my mamma used to tell me, "Life is for living."

 

[JodyK]

I was also coming in here to suggest the HBD lounge as an option if you do this, you could also split the Cobb salad and then check out Docking Bay for other options.

 

[jimmymc]

The Cobb Salad is more of a starter in my opinion. Docking Bay 7 is fine food but in a really cool setting. I love Hollywood Brown Derby and usually go there for a full meal plus cocktails (yes it isn't cheap, but well worth it). If you don't want to do that, you could also get Cobb salads then grab a ronto wrap.

 

[fly girl]

Well, my suggestion of the HBD Lounge was already mentioned. Go early, word is out and they go fast at lunchtime.

And just because I love it so, a cold beer and the charcuterie at Baseline Taphouse is a perfect lunch for dh and I. (and dd too with a lemonade!)

 

[petrola]

Cobb salad at HBD is one of our favorites! Plus a lot more relaxing than a QS meal. I’d vote HBD.