Disney’s Hollywood Studios Counter Service Restaurants Rankings
This post ranks the best quick service restaurants in Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World, a park with notoriously bad counter service options. In fact, “best” here might be a bit of a misnomer, as it could be more of a question of which restaurants are the “least worst.” Rankings are based upon a restaurant’s overall appeal, with factors such as cuisine quality, theme, uniqueness, and menu variety taken into account.
While I think Disney’s Hollywood Studios is actually underrated when it comes to table service dining, the same cannot be said for its counter service options. It doesn’t have a single restaurant on our Top 10 Counter Service Walt Disney World Dining list, and accordingly is the only Walt Disney World theme park not represented. Now, the counter service options at Disney’s Hollywood Studios aren’t awful, there’s just no real draw or anything that leaves a lasting impression. If your budget allows, I highly recommend doing table service meals here; you’ll certainly have time given the lack of attractions currently operating in the Studios.
Note that these rankings focus only on the major counter service spots at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, so not every outdoor vending cart and little location makes the list. We’ve dined at all of these spots, but have yet to review most of them…largely because there’s little to say. Our meals at most of these spots have been out of necessity when we couldn’t get into 50’s Prime Time Cafe or Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater, and we simply had to eat somewhere.
Let’s get started with the Disney’s Hollywood Studios counter service rankings…
5. PizzeRizzo – I’m guessing this is either going to be your favorite or least favorite counter service restaurant at the Studios. It’s my least favorite. PizzeRizzo replaced Pizza Planet a few years ago, but aside from some light, cosmetic changes, it’s basically the same thing. PizzeRizzo still totally phones it in with a very utilitarian look and only scant decorations to hint at its Muppets connection. This alone is a real disappointment, as it could be a really fun and hilarious dining venue.
The other big disappointment is the food, which is generic pizza. It comes as no surprise that this is a pizza restaurant, but the problem is that there’s absolutely no ambition. It’s all greasy, over-processed “Almost Pizza.” On the plus side, portions are large. It’s a decent guilty pleasure, I suppose, but PizzeRizzo leaves a lot to be desired and has a ton of unrealized potential.
4. Min & Bill’s Dockside Diner – When a glorified outdoor vending cart is this high on the list of places to eat, you know the park is in trouble. Min & Bill’s Dockside Diner has some decent options, although it’s mostly a good option when you’re waiting for fireworks and want something nearby and convenient.
The menu constantly changes here, but you can usually find a few comfort food staples, and those are safe–but uninspired–choices. It’s too bad Min & Bill’s menu is so small, and doesn’t feature more exciting options.
3. Backlot Express – Backlot Express scores points mostly because you can refill your drinks here, the only place with such a drink station at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. (What can I say, it’s a low bar.) Actually, Backlot Express has a few things going for it. It has the most involved theme of any of these restaurants, with a bunch of props, set prep work, and other areas in Backlot Express.
This isn’t to say the execution here is exactly brilliant (it feels a bit sloppy), but it’s something. Then there’s the menu, which includes a couple of interesting burgers, elaborate salads, and several Star Wars-themed items. I am partial to the Caprese Sandwich, which is good, but not great. This isn’t the most inspired dining option at Walt Disney World, but it gets the job done.
2. Sunset Ranch Market – This is the outdoor food court on Sunset Boulevard near Tower of Terror and Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster, with Fairfax Fare being the main restaurant here. I’m lumping them all together as one because they are basically separate ordering bays for the same restaurant.
There are some flashes of quality here, such as with the Fried Green Tomato Sandwich at Rosie’s All American Cafe, pictured above. During busy times, you might also have a hard time finding a table here that isn’t in the direct sun. There are also stands for turkey legs, burgers, pizza, and ice cream in this market. Basically, “variety” is what gives Sunset Ranch Market the #2 ranking here.
1. ABC Commissary – ABC Commissary wins because…drumroll…it has air conditioned seating and televisions! I’m only slightly kidding. The air conditioning and Modern Family clips on the TVs are nice…even if the menu leaves something to be desired.
I considered ABC Commissary an underrated gem based upon their upscale dinner menu, which is the best option at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in terms of counter service dining. Between that and the pleasant ambiance (it’s not particularly well-themed, but it’s a nice place), ABC Commissary wins here. This is more of a ‘for lack of better options’ scenario, so ABC Commissary fans (all 3 of you!) shouldn’t be doing cartwheels over this victory.
The key takeaway from this is that counter service dining at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is decidedly ordinary and uninspired. There are flashes of quality here and there, with other spots having 1 or 2 menu items that stand out, but you’re unlikely to have a meal at any of the other 5 locations that you will really remember after your trip. If you can, you really should try to avoid counter service meals at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Either by doing table service, or Park Hopping elsewhere around meal-time.
As for the counter service locations at DHS, the menus are disappointing, but what’s perhaps even more of a letdown is the theming at these locations. I am a strong believer that good theme can elevate a restaurant at Walt Disney World and make it a real draw. After all, theme is what Disney does best. There are a number of table service restaurants at Disney’s Hollywood Studios that demonstrate this, and some of our favorite places to dine at the Studios are favorites more because of their environments than their menus. This isn’t the case with the counter service restaurants, all of which are more decorated than they are themed. The one-two punch of largely weak menus and weak themes makes Disney’s Hollywood Studios the worst park at Walt Disney World for counter service dining.
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Your Thoughts…
Which Disney’s Hollywood Studios counter service restaurant is your favorite? Have you dined at any of these restaurants? Which did you like and dislike? We love to hear from readers, so if you have any thoughts or questions, post them in the comments!
We enjoyed ABC on last visit. We had both types of salads with salmon, and they both tasted good. Better than some fast-casual salmon salads we’ve had, like COSI, etc. Thanks for update!
Thanks for the report on the salmon. I also found the salmon at Columbia Harbour House on my last visit to be surprisingly good.
This year, with there being so little to do at Hollywood Studios, we were considering taking a ride on the Friendship Boat and eating a counter service lunch at one of the Epcot resorts. Any recommendations?
Well, it’s not technically counter service, but Beaches & Cream would be my pick for a low-cost lunch. BoardWalk Bakery is also pretty good, but the menu is limited. The counter service at Yacht and Beach Club is nothing special.
One or two more comments:
1.) Pizza Planet is godawful crap. A friend suggested it about five years ago and then halfway through the meal excused himself to run to the bathroom. We got concerned when 20 minutes later he still wasn’t back. We haven’t been back since;
2.) Backlot Express used to be wonderful, but that was in ancient days when Wayne Brady was performing in the Aladdin Parade that would go by the place (yes, folks, they used to have regular parades at that park daily … imagine that … and they often updated them annually!)
They had an amazing fixins bar with everything from sauteed peppers to pineapple to guacamole … just great. The sandwiches and salads were too. But, again, that was in a different lifetime when Disney actually cared about the product it provided.
OK, Tom, this is where I question your sanity (or just your taste, but questioning your sanity would be infinitely more entertaining!)
The ABC Commissary has the absolute worst food in that park and that is saying something.
I wound up stuck there last July 4th (after having at least 4-5 lousy meals over the last decade as every time they change the menu a bit I give them a new chance to disappoint and they never fail).
Service was awful as many places closed at 8 and I was there about 8:15 (let’s not get into how Guest unfriendly it is to close locations on a holiday so damn early). So, I was basically stuck there. Took 15 minutes to order … almost $15 for a very lousy (had a better burger for $1.29 at Wendy’s today) burger and inedible fries. Went to the counter and got a manager who apologized and gave me another order — of lousy fries.
Went back again and asked if I could simply get a refund for the fries and it was chaotic and I might as well have been asking for a night in the Cindy Castle Suite and Celeb Hideaway.
So, he offered something like a bag of kiddie carrots and I said I’d take it … along with a free dessert for my trouble. You’d have thought it came out of his paycheck, but I did get it.
And it was probably the only tasty thing.
Again, this is a constant issue at this location and, indeed, at most QSRs at the Studios.
If people don’t want to go off-property, then I’d say walk over to the Dolphin Fountain or Picabu or the BW pizza window or, best option, have a table service lunch at Captain’s Grille at YC and boat or walk on back.
The best option is not dining at QSRs at this park at all. This has been a consistent pattern.
They used to have burgers at Rosie’s and one night during EMH about 7-8 years ago, I was given an inedible thing that was supposed to be a cheeseburger. It was awful … throwaway bad … but they only had one cashier and a huge line at the window. I didn’t know what to do.
It’s the only time in my life that I went to Guest Relations and demanded (from a lovely Japanese girl who had worked at TDL) my money back. She didn’t want to do so (I am sure in Tokyo, they never would), but I just flat out demanded and said I threw the food away (true) and wanted my money back because I could get a better burger from McD’s for 99 cents (remember the days of Double Cheeseburgers on the Dollar Menu?) She relented.
The best advice you can give people is to NOT dine at this park’s QSR’s until there are major changes. It by far has the worst QSRs at WDW. Every other park is worlds better, even MK.
I guess we will have to agree to disagree on ABC Commissary. I think it actually *has* improved, but after your horrible experience, I can understand not giving it another chance. We can definitely agree that it’s the worst park at Walt Disney World for dining by a wide margin.
One thing, though…recommending the BoardWalk pizza window?! Now *that* is crazy. That place might give Pizza Planet a run for its money in terms of the worst pizza at Walt Disney World.
I definitely agree that Hollywood Studios’ counter-service options are not as exciting as any of the other parks – we usually have a go-to favorite for the other three parks, but we’re pretty indifferent to the options here. I know that Studio Catering Co. is rolling out a new menu, so hopefully there will be something more interesting coming…
Yeah! I saw the news about Studio Catering Company getting a new menu yesterday, so hopefully that’s a nice improvement for that spot.
We tried the Commissary again two weeks ago because of the new menu. I tried the steak – TERRIBLE. I had a low expectation, as it was counter service and around $11, but it even came in below what I had thought.
I have high hopes for whatever Disney is planning for this park. The atmosphere has always been one of my favorites and I hope food will also be drastically improved.
You are rolling the dice any time you order steak from a theme park counter service restaurant. I’ve done it 3 times, and each time was expecting the worst…2 times it was actually good, so I feel I got lucky.
To the point, I wouldn’t let the quality of the steak be the definitive word on the new menu. Counter service steak is just a bad idea to begin with. 🙂
We usually end up at Fairfax or Backlot depending on which one is closest when hunger strikes. My biggest disappointment at Disney ever was Pizza Planet. Awful pizza; “theming” is a few very loud video games in a warehouse instead of the Pizza Planet from TS; total fail! I like the food at Starring rolls but the congested shop, small menu and lack of seating make it preferable as a snack stop. Wish it was open to pick up snacks for fantasmic though. Didn’t know BD Lounge was an option without an ADR – we’ll try that next trip for sure!
We very rarely eat at counter service restaurants in DHS anymore. In a pinch, we can find something passable. But since we have little kids, we usually leave the park for an afternoon break. Generally speaking, there are better lunch options at the hotel food court. And we typically have dinner at one of the park’s highly themed table service venues. Mindy doesn’t feel like she has been to Disney World until she has eaten at the 50’s PTC.
I agree that Backlot Express at least makes an effort at theming. It also has drink refills and last time I checked it had a decent toppings bar. But the last burger I had there was sub-par. Haven’t been back since.
Pizza Planet is such a missed opportunity. I remember seeing Toy Story for the first time as an adult and wanting to go to Pizza Planet. The one in the movie not the poor man’s version in the park.
I used to hear nightmare stories about the ABC Commissary. The lunch room theme doesn’t do a lot for me. And supposedly the food was awful. But it looks like it has improved. I don’t know if that will be enough to lure me in. But if we end up eating counter service in DHS again I’ll certainly consider it.
I’m holding out hopes that when this park gets a refresh in the not too distant future it includes a fairly extensive reworking of the counter service restaurants. I’m fine with the table service offerings. But the counter service offerings are the weakest of the four parks which is really saying something.
It has to include a redo of the counter service. With the options that are being rumored, there is a lot of potential in terms of theming, and I think the guest response to recently added counter service restaurants dictates that the new lands that are coming will include destination dining options.
At least I hope so. DHS needs pretty much everything, and ‘better counter service’ is one of those things.
OMG you referenced “Almost Pizza” which is my favorite SNL skit of all time. I know, even more than Jeopardy and the cow bell ones and so many legit contenders. Seriously, my husband and I have watched it (and forced people to watch it) many times. Anyway….
The Frankfurter in pretzel roll at Min & Bill’s is terrible. Husband was on a quest for a good corndog and we settled for this one day. Awful. True, perhaps it was our disappointment that it was not a corndog, but still. Ugh. Do not recommend.
Btw, have you tried the tapas place by Brown Derby? I’m not really sure what it is, or even if it would qualify as “counter service” (I’m guessing not?) but wondered what you guys thought if you’ve tried it. It looks teeny tiny so I can’t imagine they fit more than 30 people there, but it’s appealing to me as “Brown Derby-light” if that’s in fact what it is.
I LIVED at Disney World for the College Program, and I frequently confused the Studio Catering Company for the Backlot Express. It doesn’t help that the Backlot Express is pretty out of the way and has a couple of the same menu items.
Backlot Express has been our default lately. We enjoy the refillable drink and sit outside to watch the Jedi Academy. Might try picking up the gluten free pizza for myself though…
I think this is really fair assessment of the “least worst” options. I agree with your assessment on the ABC Commissary – I also like a few ABC shows so it’s fun to see what costumes and props are in the glass cases when we’re visiting.
I would definitely say Hollywood Studios does not excel like most of the other Disney Parks do with tasty and interesting choices (Animal Kingdom and Epcot especially.) It seems like the food is just an afterthought at most of the quick-service locations and even though you did a great job ranking the restaurants it’s just burgers, fries, and pizza.
If I didn’t know it was Hollywood Studios, I would say this seems like a review of food at a Six Flags park.
This summary of HS quick service is sad but true. We have never found any HS QS that made us want to repeat the experience. Now the only place we will go for lunch is Brown Derby Lounge, right outside the BD restaurant itself. No reservation needed, its fairly quick and can be inexpensive but my goodness they have some great food (cobb salad or sliders anyone??). And incomparison to what else is available, this is a clear winner to us! Im not sure how it works on dining plan but we get 20% on TIW so we’re happy 🙂
I love that place!
We also eat at Backlot Express and really enjoy that vegetable sandwich. Other items are serviceable. Sounds like we should try out ABC Commissary.
We usually go to Backlot Express because I like the grilled veggie sandwich they have there. I can’t wait to try the Butterfinger cupcake from Starring Rolls though. I didn’t even know about it until I found your blog.
You are not the only one who confuses Studia Catering Company with the Backlot Express! (Since it is/was located by the backlot tour.)
I’ve never actually eaten at SCC or ABC Commissary, maybe I should give them a try. The picture of the chicken sandwich looked pretty good.
I’d probably bump Fairfax up a bit just for its variety. It seems likely that everyone in a group could find something they would eat here, even if none of it is that great. And I know there are only 7 spots on the list, but I’d put Pizza Planet 10th anyway. 🙂
We typically eat at the Backlot Express. The food isn’t too bad and it’s it good stop after Star Tours while waiting for Indiana Jones.
One of the few disappointments during our trip a couple months ago: arriving at Starring Rolls at 3:05 PM to discover they had closed at 3 (on a day the park closed at 7). After multiple glowing reviews of their baked goods, it seemed the perfect spot for an afternoon snack, but nooooooooo. Not sure if this and any of the other restaurants routinely close well before park closing, or if we just had bad luck that day.
Starring Rolls always closes early around 3 or 4pm depending on season. Other QS locations don’t do this. I’m guessing because it’s primarily a bakery.
It’s because they want to rob us of delicious cupcakes!
I actually love Pizza Planet, but it’s for a strange reason – I have a gluten allergy. I can’t do their normal pizza, so what they do instead is let me “build” my own pizza with the toppings I’d like, and they make it in the wood oven next door at Mama Melrose on a gluten-free crust. Honestly, it’s really good – nice crispy thin crust, and it’s big enough that my husband and I can share it. He’s tried both my gluten-free pizza and once a regular one off of the menu, and agrees that my version is far better. The inside of the restaurant is terrible, but if you can snag an outside table, it’s really pretty relaxing.
Wow, this actually sounds like a great “hack” to get a worthwhile pizza at Pizza Planet. I don’t have any issues with gluten, but I might have to give this a try sometime. Thanks for the info!
I was going to say the same thing! Kids are happy and I get a fresh gf made to order pizza!
And this is why people think that people with real gluten allergies are full of cr@p. Reminds me of a guy I used to know who used to request French fries with no salt from McDonald’s, only to put salt on them (because he wanted “fresh fries”). He too was an @$$hole.