Roundup Rodeo BBQ vs. ’50s PrimeTime Cafe in Disney World

It’s a beautiful day in Hollywood Studios, where you and your family have already stepped into your Hollywood dreams of surviving the Twilight Zone, rockin’ out with Aerosmith and some sweet backstage passes, not to mention blasting into a galaxy far, far away.

Hello from Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

So, now it’s time for a meal, and you want your dining experience to match to fun and excitement of the rest of your Hollywood Studios day.

Here comes the difficult choice of which restaurant to choose! Let’s dive into the story, style, and (of course) the FOOD of two of Hollywood Studio’s most popular restaurants to help you decide which one is best for YOU.

’50s Prime Time Cafe

We’re pitting two of the most fun restaurants in Hollywood Studios against each other: the shiny, new Roundup Rodeo BBQ, and the classic 50’s Prime Time Cafe. Is newer better? Or will the nostalgic classic get your vote? These spots are gonna go head-to-head in five rounds in the restaurant showdown gauntlet:

Theme
Food
Dining Style
Location
Audience

Let’s dig in!

Theme

50’s Prime Time Cafe

Let’s go back in time to the 1950s when TV was the latest technology and food was simple and delicious. Over at 50s Prime Time Cafe, get ready for a fun, interactive meal in Mom’s kitchen. That’s right — the whole place is decorated like a kitchen straight out of the 1950s, including accessories, decorations, calendars, and even those old black-and-white TVs!

50’s Prime Time Cafe

Keep your eyes open in the dining room as there’s so much to take in! 50s Prime Time Cafe is a favorite restaurant in Disney World for this reason — the theming is absolutely outstanding. Just imagine how many thrift shops and garage sales were turned upside-down in the hunt for many of these classic items.

TV Table at 50s Prime Time Cafe

The vintage TVs around the restaurant also show some classics straight from that era. Dick Van Dyke, Donna Reed, Topper, Car 54 Where Are You?, Dennis the Menace, The Mickey Mouse Club, I Married Joan…sigh. There are even little “public service announcements” for the teenagers — giving them great tips on 1950s dating!

As for a TV table!

And as you’re dining in “Mom’s kitchen” it only makes sense that the wait staff would be family, so your server is your “cousin” or “aunt” or “uncle” during your whole meal, making sure you keep your elbows off the table and eat all of your vegetables, just like Mom instructed.

It’s a fun, time-traveling experience that is even immersive beyond the decorations when the Cast Members get into the show!

Roundup Rodeo BBQ

As you walk up to the restaurant, you’re welcomed by all the classic Toy Story characters on the decor. How charming! The restaurant was handmade by Andy, so it definitely has that “arts and crafts project” charm!

Howdy, Partners!

Inside, you’ll find a rodeo arena created by Andy himself! Andy used his imagination and lots of resources available to a kid, like blocks, lights, cardboard cut-outs, and more full of Toy Story-inspired details. Every surface has been touched — the floors, the ceilings, and even the table and chairs you sit on are made from toys or pieces of board games.

Roundup Rodeo BBQ

If you look around, you’ll spot some of Andy’s crayon drawings on the walls and ceilings as well.

More Tables

Guests will easily spot representations of Disney•Pixar characters as toys and game pieces set the playful scene in what is sure to be a lively and memorable dining experience (though it is not a Toy Story character meal).

Through the meal, you’ll hear announcements from the toys and little interactive experiences. You’ll even hear if Andy is coming, where all of the toys (yep, that’s you, too!) have to freeze until he moves on past the toy chest.

Woody and Zurg!

It’s another super immersive experience that really transports guests into the digitally animated world of Toy Story.

Results

Both restaurants offer unique, entertaining, and immersive environments. Though ’50s Prime Time Cafe may cater a little more toward the older crowd who might have nostalgic memories of watching some of those shows or even having those tchotchkes at their homes growing up, it’s a fun experience for everyone.

And Roundup Rodeo will be a blast for the younger crew. Though Toy Story has been around since 1995 (it’s almost 30 years old now!), if you have a Toy Story fan in your group, this might be the best place to book a reservation.

Food

’50’s Prime Time Cafe

The menu here is short and simple. Mom and Dad’s favorites are here — meatloaf, fried chicken, pot roast, and chicken pot pie are the staples — along with a few extras to spice it up.

It’s BACK!

These are just your down home classic eats. Our go-tos here are the Fried Herb and Garlic Cheese, and you can’t go wrong with the Tomato Soup on a cool day (if you can find a cool day in Orlando). We also love the hearty classics like Aunt Liz’s Golden Fried Chicken, Grandpa Jean’s Chicken Pot Pie, Cousin Megan’s Traditional Meatloaf, or you can go with a bit a of everything with A Sampling of Mom’s Favorite Recipes.

“Mom’s Favorites” at 50s Prime Time Cafe

Everything here is… good. Better than what you’d get at a local Cracker Barrel, but maybe not quite as good as your own mom can make (cuz moms know just how to make it).

We’re very proud of this

Bottom line, if you like these homestyle classics, you’ll be happy with this choice.