Mama Melrose is tucked away in the very back of Hollywood Studios I feel as though this is the often missed out on dining opportunity of the park. I have found that the food here is really hit or miss. You can either have a fantastic meal or a meh meal and on this last trip, I think I figured out the key to success. So the secret is you don't order traditional Italian dishes and you will love your meal here. Let's now take a look at our full Mama Melrose dining review.
Mama Melrose Quick Breakdown
- Service: Table-Service
- Type of Food: Italian, Vegetarian-Friendly, Allergy Options
- Price: $$
- Location: Hollywood Studios
- Disney Dining Plan: Yes, 1 Credit
- Discounts: Annual Passholder, DVC
- Features: Reservations, Alcohol
- Good For: Casual Dining
- Menu: Official Disney Dinner Menu
A Tour Around Mama Melrose's
First off let's talk about the location. This restaurant is not something you run across easily at Hollywood Studios. The entrance is located just outside the exit of Muppet Vision 3D. You can also get there by walking past the entrance of Muppets, past Pizza Rizzo, and around the corner.
As soon as you walk in you will be greeted with the check-in podium that is pictured below. The restrooms are here as well as some fresh water which was perfect considering how hot it was on this fall day!
Mama Melrose has a nice quaint feel and is covered with all sorts of little knickknacks. The story goes that Mama came west from Italy to make her name in Hollywood. While the actress's fame didn’t pan out, she opened her “Ristorante Italiano” and gained a place in the heart of her new city that way!
Don't forget to look at the walls. Just look at this very inspired pizza art they hung on the walls! Since this restaurant is a converted movie prop warehouse you can find all sorts of fun items hidden around. Even some nods back to the days when the park was called MGM.
Just look at this image of John Travolta imprinting his hands in front of the Chinese Theater with none other than Mickey Mouse with him!
Here is a wider look at the seating area in Mama Melrose. The outer walls have booths which is what we were seated at, and the inter-area is standard tables and chairs.
Mama Melrose's Dishes
The following are a few of the dishes we have tried from their menu.
Appetizers from Mama Melrose
Here is a look at the complementary bread and oil you get to start off your meal at Mama Melrose. Pretty much your standard rolls with an awesome seasoned oil. The taste is along the lines of what you would find at Bonefish Grill or Carrabbas.
Vegetarian Minestrone
This soup was a great starter and a perfect complement to any of the menu options. As you can see from the image above it's a very hearty soup loaded with pasta, beans, and tomatoes.
Vine-ripened Tomatoes and Fresh Mozzarella
I was impressed with how fresh the Mozzarella and Vine-ripened Tomatoes were! The dish is topped with Balsamic Drizzle, Olive Oil, and Sweet Basil Leaves.
Fried Fresh Mozzarella
This fried mozzarella comes served with Marinara, Ricotta Salata, and Lemon Oil. If you are a cheese stick fan this is a must-get appetizer to start with!
Carne d'Italia Flatbread
This is the Carne d'Italia Flatbread. It's one of the pricier appetizer options and is honestly big enough to be a meal! It's a fantastic value if you are on the Disney Dining Plan but it makes it so hard to eat the rest of your meal.
Of course, you can't find an Italian restaurant without a Ceasar Salad on the menu This was a great pick and a very generous portion for an appetizer.
Oven-baked Chicken alla Parmigiana
This is the item I liked the least out of what we ordered. It just tasted like Prego sauce out of the jar, way too sweet and something fake tasting with the seasoning. I ate it but I didn't enjoy it, I can pick up way better chicken parmigiana at the Carrabas right outside of Disney off of 192.
Shrimp Campanelle but with Chicken
I wasn't really feeling shrimp the night we went so I asked if they could swap out for chicken and they said it wasn't a problem. This dish is Chicken and Campanelle Pasta tossed in a Four-Cheese Sauce with Cauliflower, Sun-dried Tomatoes, fresh Spinach, and Sweet Onions.
Chef's Selection Pork Shank
I was pretty sure I was going to hate trying this dish but surprisingly I loved it. The pork melted in my mo