Dining at Disney’s Hollywood Studios proves frustrating for me, primarily because the counter service restaurants fall short for me. I’ve experienced all the table service restaurants, with the exception of Hollywood & Vine (I’m typically just not a fan of buffets/all-you-care-to-eat establishments). I’ve had great experiences at each, but one place I keep returning to is Tune-In Lounge. It’s an offshoot of 50′s Prime Time Cafe, and while many guests stop in for a cocktail while waiting for their table, I like settling in for a bit longer and ordering food, be it a snack or a meal.
The bar itself is themed along with the restaurant, with 50′s style decor. Unlike the restaurant, they don’t do the schtick of being a Mom or Uncle. They’re usually pretty busy and most people are just stopping in for a drink, usually to go, so turnover is important. Personally, I can do without the act, so Tune-In is perfect for me!
On this particular visit, I ordered something new to me and got Grandma’s Chicken Pot Pie. Let me preface the rest of this article by saying I LOVE chicken pot pie. Particularly, the recipe I use at home. Heck, I often skip making the crust because the filling is that dang good. This pot pie was going to have a lot to live up to, but I’ve never been disappointed in the food from 50′s.
The pot pie looks pretty impressive when it arrived. I like the choice of the puff pastry as opposed to a traditional crust. It’s obviously easier for the kitchen to plate, but it also promised something light to go with a relatively heavy filling. There was even an additional piece at the bottom of the plate, smothered in the roux.
The dish is unassumingly hearty. There was about half a small chicken’s worth of meat on the plate; some dark meat, some white. What I didn’t like was that it was basically kept whole, with two large chunks of meat hiding under the pastry. I’ve never had pot pie where the chicken wasn’t either diced or at least shredded, making this dish rather cumbersome to eat. The veggies were cooked wonderfully, though, with tender carrots, bright peas, and soft onions and celery. Button mushrooms were also incorporated, but only two were spotted. The roux was okay, but seemed to be missing something. Perhaps some bouillon for salt and umami and freshly ground pepper really could have made it stand out.
I’ll say that it wasn’t bad, and if chicken pot pie is your go-to comfort food, it could surely fit the bill. I’m just really partial to what comes out of my kitchen. 
Personally, I think there are so many other items on the menu that easily trump the pot pie, primarily Aunt Liz’s Golden Fried Chicken, but I certainly wouldn’t try to talk you out of ordering the pot pie. Give it a try and let me know what you think of it!
Here’s a look at the menu from June 10th.:
If you’re interested in some of the other dishes on the menu, be sure to check out these reviews!
Aunt Liz’s Golden Fried Chicken
A Sampling of Mom’s Favorite Recipes
Fried Fish Sandwich (formerly on the lunch menu)
Smoked Turkey Stacked Sandwich (formerly on the lunch menu)
What is your favorite menu item that you have to order when you visit either Tune-In Lounge or 50′s Prime Time Cafe?
I agree wholeheartedly with your assessment of dining in Hollywood Studios and the “cousins” schtick at ’50s. I’ve tried every restaurant in DHS with the exception of Hollywood & Vine (I just don’t do buffets or character meals), and with the exception of the Brown Derby, I’m not anxious to return to any of them.
The Cast Members at ’50s are pretty good at picking up on a table’s vibe, so our server didn’t really get in to character with us. I was glad for that, but at the same time, I understand that atmosphere is a huge part of the allure of the restaurant. As such, it’s probably not the best spot for me.
I’ve tried a few times to get in to the Tune-In Lounge for a snack or a drink, but it’s always insanely crowded in there, often with families that are just waiting for a table. Not exactly the adult lounge atmosphere I usually prefer. I’d like to make it in there on a quiet day some time, although I doubt that there’s ever a day where the most-served cocktail is anything other than a Roy Rogers.
I agree with you and how crazy it can get during peak times, including noise level and close quarters. But I’ve also been there when it’s been very quiet and relaxing. Much more enjoyable on the latter!
I had mom’s sampler last time I was there and – YUM – but I wanted more chicken and will probably just order that next time. What you need to try if you haven’t yet is the red velvet cheesecake dessert at sci-fi. It has white chocolate and heath on it and although I “settled” for it (dessert was with our meal plan) I devoured it and can’t stop thinking about it. Too bad I live in MN. Next time I’m there I will be checking to see if it’s still on the menu for sure. Thanks for the reviews – fills a little of the Disney void I live with up here!
You’re welcome, Beth! I felt the same about Mom’s sampler the time Matt ordered it. I’m glad I stuck with the fried chicken for myself! I’ll have to be on the lookout for the red velvet at Sci-Fi. While the entrees aren’t my favorites, the theme keeps bringing me back!
Agree on the entrees in general at Sci-Fi- we went b/c we have two little kids that enjoyed the theme. I had a shrimp pasta that was good but nothing special. I should mention that I got the sampler b/c I had read one of your previous reviews on the chicken before our last trip so I had to try it out. My husband actually got the pot pie (gluten free so with Udi’s bread rather than the pastry) and he was “eh” about it. I had the smores dessert there and that was a fun change and tasty.
There is something definitely lacking from the chicken pot pie at 50′s. I’m just spoiled by the awesome recipe we use at home, I guess! I’m not a big dessert person, but when Matt orders one, I at least have a taste. I wonder if he’s be interested in ordering the S’mores sometime.
No plans to eat at The Prime Time any time soon but now I’m craving chicken pot pie so perhaps you will share your recipe?
I’ll have to dig through the bookcase to find the slip of paper it’s written on (we sort of wing it these days!), but once I do, I’m happy to share!