The Hollywood Brown Derby
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The year was 1926 when Hollywood movie entrepreneur
Herbert K. Somborn opened a coffee shop on Wilshire Boulevard
in Los Angeles, Calif. He called it the Brown Derby because New
York Gov. Al Smith was in town and was wearing his characteristic
hat, a brown derby.
The stars came at first out of friendship, but when the restaurant
moved in 1929 to Vine Street in Hollywood, Calif., many initial
patrons, including Mary Pickford, Louella Parsons and Loretta
Young, remained faithful, primarily because of the flawless service,
fine food and 24-hour service. The stars made the Hollywood Brown
Derby their second home, a place to see and be seen.
The stories are legendary: Clark Gable proposed to Carole Lombard
at the Brown Derby, and Lucille Ball and Jack Haley fought a
duel with flying dinner rolls -- a classic food fight that finally
ended in a truce.
The chic atmosphere of the original Hollywood Brown Derby is
re-created at Disney's Hollywood Studios in the 224-seat restaurant,
with teak and mahogany accents, reproductions of the chandeliers
and signature brass derby hat lamps. There are even reserved
tables for newspaper columnists Hedda Hopper and Louella Parsons
(they’re entertainers, “on stage” to amuse
diners), just as in the 1930s when they helped set the tone of
the world’s movie capital.
Over the years, many celebrities were honored on the Derby’s
walls with caricatures, a tradition that was started in 1929
by a young Polish artist who signed his portraits “Vitch.” Other
artists followed over the years, and today the prestigious tradition
continues. Reproductions of the originals line the walls at the
new Hollywood Brown Derby at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
The classic Cobb Salad is the restaurant’s most noted
entree, created in 1937 by then-owner Bob Cobb. According to
current owner Walter Scharfe, Cobb and theater magnate Sid Grauman
prowled the restaurant’s kitchen for a midnight snack;
the chopped combination of lettuce, avocado, romaine, watercress,
tomatoes, cold chicken breast, hard-boiled egg, chives, blue
cheese, bacon and French dressing resulted in a salad that Grauman
ordered again the next day. It became an overnight sensation
with customers.
Essential Information
Location
Hollywood Boulevard, Disney's Hollywood Studios
Type
Sit-down restaurant.
A la carte.
Included in Disney Dining Plan
Yes (2 credits)
Tips & Fun Facts
 One
of the Fantasmic Dinner Package restaurants.
Enjoy classic cocktails,
poured tableside.
This location can
accommodate most special dietary needs. Advance notice may be required
and cancellation fees may apply. Please indicate any special dietary need
at time of reservation booking.
 The
Cobb salad was invented at the original Hollywood Brown Derby
by restaurateur Bob Cobb.
Advanced Dining Reservations
Reservations recommended. Book up to 180 days in advance (or up to 190 days for Disney Resort guests).
Call 407-WDW-DINE (407-939-3463)
A credit card guarantee is required to make reservations. In the event that a cancellation is not made at least one day in advance, the credit card on the reservation will be charged $10 per person. Reservations can be cancelled at any table service restaurant podium, by calling 407-WDW-CNCL, at www.disneyworld.com/dining, or at any guest relations or resort front desk.
 Reviews & Ratings
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Recommended For
 Teens
Adults
Seniors
Meals
Meals Served
Lunch, dinner
Average Cost for full meal
$20 - $40 per person
Typical Menu Items
The menu offers items such as roast pork tenderloin with polenta, red onion
marmalade and apple pan juices; skillet-fired Florida grouper over almond-roasted
baby greens with lemon-butter sauce; or a spice-grilled filet mignon, in
addition to Derby originals.
Most popular menu items
Cobb Salad, Grapefruit Cake.
Nearby Attractions
Voyage
of the Little Mermaid
The
Magic of Disney Animation
Playhouse
Disney Live on Stage
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