Sci-Fi Dine In -- Table Service -- Lunch/Dinner -- Hollywood Studios

*This dining experience took place in September 2013.

 Sci-Fi Dine In at Disney's Hollywood Studios offers guests a chance to go back in time to 1950's drive-in theatres. Complete with tables that look like cars and screenings of old B film movies, you will definitely feel transported. The entire menu also fits the drive-in vibe and includes milkshakes, burgers, fries and all those things you'd expect from a typical drive-in. The great thing is that as a gluten free & dairy free diner, I have quite a few choices, including non-dairy milkshakes!On this particular visit, I went with my family before the DHS Villians Bash (which was crazy busy). Dining at Sci-Fi was a welcome retreat before the crowds. Before we waited to be seated, we took the time to look around that the interior design. I love the theming of this restaurant.

Need to make a phone call?!

Finally, our table was ready, and we headed in to the main dining area. I will say, be warned this place is dark. It is exactly like dining out at a drive-in. Of course, it's all in good fun and lends to the great atmosphere. And you'll be busy watching those classic films like "Attack of the 50 Foot Woman" and "The Cat Woman from Mars" (yes, these are actual film titles!). There's lots to look around at and see. You'll be greeted by a car-hop who will take your order!Once we met with our car-hop, he went to get the chef who came out and went over a few options. I will say, every time I go here the chefs always seem a little ambivalent about assisting me. It's not that they are bad, but I always feel like I need to know pretty much what I want to order. One of the things that I wanted was a non-dairy milkshake. I had a chocolate one the last time and it was good. I will say that I've been told that they don't use dedicated equipment, so they will clean everything well, but there is always the chance for potential cross contamination. I've been lucky that I personally haven't been sick, but I go in knowing that is a potential risk.

 I liked my milkshake as I did the first time. It wasn't quite as soupy as the first one I had but not quite as solid as a regular milkshake is. Still to get a non-dairy milkshake out is a rarity, so I really enjoyed it.

Car hop attendant area in the back of the theatre/dining room

Totally cool atmosphere!

Up next came my entree. This was a new one for me. I ordered the Salmon BLT which came on Udi's pizza crust which had been turned into a wrap type sandwich. First up, it is hard to see in this restaurant, so I literally had to take a photo of my food to see what it looked like!

Salmon BLT with Fries

Overall, it was a good sandwich, except I would have removed one thing from it--the sweet chili sauce on it. It was a little too spicy for me. It was basically a spicy mayo but I didn't think the sandwich needed it. Actually, I would have preferred regular mayo on it. The Udi's pizza crust/flatbread was not bad. It needed to be grilled a little more or something similar in nature (it was a little tough). The salmon was cooked beautifully and was very flavorful as were the other accompaniments. The fries were nice thick cut fries which I like (and are different than the regular wimpy Disney fries). The sandwich itself was a bit messy to eat, especially in the dark!My family seemed to like their meals. The reuben, onion rings, and the burger with a hot dog & sauerkraut on it were all choices they ordered. The shakes were a bit hit!We all liked this location a lot. I think it gets a bad rap in terms of the food, but overall I found it to be much improved and a step up from a fast food burgers & fries joint. I wouldn't say it's gourmet by any means, but it's not terrible either. As a gluten free/dairy free diner, I have a fair amount of choices, which is nice. I will note that this has not been a very soy free friendly place, as you can read in a previous review with my friend who's gluten, dairy and soy free (review is HERE). Overall, I give this a 7 out of 10 for this visit. Next time I might modify my sandwich to remove the sauce or try something else. But, I really enjoy this restaurant for its atmosphere and those non-dairy milk shakes! Totally out of this world!