If there is one thing that Disney World tends to get right often, it’s theming.

From crafting a believable outpost in a galaxy far, far away to serving up comfort classics in a vintage, mid-century dining room, Disney just knows how to make its park elements truly immersive. One of its most heavily-themed restaurants, Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, is an expert at storytelling. But, it’s not always known for having the best food in the park. Recently, the restaurant added some new eats to the menu, so I stopped by to see how they measured up.

Atmosphere

At Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant, you’ll be transported back in time to a mid-century drive-in, where you’ll get to watch silly B movies from a bygone era — right from your car — er, booth! Check in at the host stand, and when your car is ready, the host will transport you back in time.

The tables around the dining room are made to look like old convertible cars…

…but there are a few picnic table style tables with better lighting in the back that you can request if you think that would better suit your needs.

While you dine, make sure to keep an eye out for fun videos, like clips from Tom & Jerry, The Blob, and a cameo from Walt Disney himself!

Let’s take a look at the menu.

Menu

For drinks, you’ll find a selection of Cosmic Concoctions, Wine, Sangria, and Craft Beer.

But don’t forget the Milk Shakes! They’re a staple at this old-timey spot, and you can get Oreo Cookie, Chocolate, or Vanilla. For Appetizers, choose from options including Crispy Onion Rings, Fired Dill Pickles, and Sci-Fi Smoked Wings.

You also will find a few burgers on the menu! For Entrees, check out the Drive-in BBQ Burger, Classic American Burger, and the Flying Saucer Impossible Burger. There is also a Chicken Salad Sandwich, Grilled Chicken Citrus Salad, and a new Pesto Penne Pasta.

Let’s dig in!

Eats

I got three of the new menu items: Sci Fi-Impossible Nachos, Bánh Mì Burger, and Feature Film Burger.

The Sci-Fi Impossible Nachos are Fried Tortilla Chips topped with plant-based black bean chili, avocado cream, pico de gallo, and cilantro. These are $13.

I was shocked at how tasty these were! The “meat” was tender, flavorful, and a bit spicy. The texture was not quite similar enough to real meat that I would have been fooled, but it was pretty impressive.

The black bean chili added a fun, earthy flavor that was complimented well by the bright onions and tomatoes from the pico de gallo. And the chips tasted freshly fried. I would recommend this to anyone, not just those on plant-based diets. Although keep in mind, if you’re not a fan of cilantro, this might not be for you.

The Bánh Mì Burger, which I ordered for $23, is a grilled house-made pork patty topped with roasted pork belly, pickled vegetables, cucumber, herbs, and a sriracha aïoli.

This was a tender, juicy, and herbed patty, topped with delicious pork belly. The pork belly had a little bit of a char, a great salty — almost bacon — flavor. It was a bit fatty, but that’s to be expected with pork belly, and it contributed to the depth of flavor.

The savory, heavy components of the pork were complimented perfectly with all of the bright, crunchy veggies. The carrots and cucumbers were fresh and super crunchy with a slight vinegar flavor that was bright and tangy.

While I enjoyed the sriracha aioli, which was creamy and a little sweet, it didn’t taste spicy to me at all. The bun was soft on the inside but held up well to all of the components. On the side, the steak fries were tasty, soft, and well-salted.

I was truly surprised by how much I enjoyed this! It is on the pricy side though, at $23, and if you are not a fan of pork or fatty dishes, this one is probably not for you.

Last, I had the Feature Film Burger for $25. This is an item that is regularly on the menu, but the ingredients change from time to time. Currently, it is a signature beef blend with house-made seasoning on a brioche bun with shaved pastrami, lettuce, heirloom tomato, and a Carolina mustard sauce.

The burger was tender with a nice char from the grill on its edges and was well-seasoned with a noticeable garlicky flavor. I also noticed that it was a bit spicy in some bites — possibly from the Pepper Jack cheese.

The mustard was sweet and deliciously tangy, and it paired really well with the savory, well-spiced pastrami. The pastrami, which had notes of pepper and coriander, really made the burger pop!

While I originally thought this burger looked like it was going to be dry, it was so juicy and I loved it! Was it worth $25? Well, maybe not on its own, but given the setting, I was more than okay with it. As much as I anticipated being disappointed by it, I honestly was impressed.

Overall

This menu is pricey for some burgers, fries, and shakes. Is it known as the best food you’ll find in Disney World? Certainly not. But given the choice, I would go again in a heartbeat!

The theming is just too fun to pass up, and while the food does seem a bit simple, it was shockingly good. I went into it thinking I would likely feel that the $25 theme park burger was just okay but left with a huge smile on my face. If you’re looking for a fun dining experience and have the time — do not miss this one!

Nosh or Not

Cruise on down to Sci-Fi Drive-In Theater for the new menu items if…

• You want a super unique dining experience.
• You want to eat some classic American food.
• You want to watch some cool mid-century clips and be transported back in time.

Drive past this spot if…

• You want a more elevated meal.
• You are on a budget.
• You are on a tight schedule.

Make sure to check out these new eats on your next trip! In the meantime, we’ll continue bringing you all the latest Disney news and food reviews, so stay tuned to DFB for more.

Disney Shares Huge UPDATE on the NEW Holiday Party at Disney’s Hollywood Studios — Jollywood Nights

What is your snack in Disney World? Let us know in the comments below!

The post Our SHOCKING Take on the NEW Menu Items at Sci-Fi Dine-In at Disney’s Hollywood Studios first appeared on the disney food blog.