Good, quick meal in studios?

[AmongMadPeople]

In a few days my husband and I will be going to US and IOA for the first time. We'll be in Universal Studios for lunch time, and I'm just wondering if any of the restaurant locations are particularly good, or maybe any that should be avoided? Indoor, air conditioned seating is important, but we don't want to spend time on a meal with a server. From what I've read so far about what's available, we'd eat any of the food types offered except pizza and Italian.

 

[71jason]

Food at Finnegans is very good--not quick serve, but fairly fast nonetheless, especially at the bar.

Richters is above average as theme park fast food burgers go.

 

[mamakimberly]

Food at Finnegans is very good--not quick serve, but fairly fast nonetheless, especially at the bar.

I agree on Finnegan's. And portions are quite large- especially the salads. Prices are good- almost the same as quick serve. AND no standing in line. If you calculate time standing in line, I'm pretty sure Finnegan's is as fast as any quick serve!

 

[Bairstow]

Avoid Blondie's. (Sandwich shop in the cartoon area)
High prices, small portions, and the atmosphere is noisy and uncomfortable.

I know it's the opposite of what you're looking for, but Mythos is something of a no-brainer because
a) it's unusually inexpensive for a table-service theme park restaurant and,
b) an early dinner there is a smart way to forgo the 5-7 peak crowd hours.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

I'm usually pretty easy to please with food, but I think that the quick serve offerings at Universal are pretty bad (and I always tell them this whenever I take a survey). However, the table service meals aren't all that more expensive than counter serve. I highly recommend Mythos in IOA or Finnegans in USF if you are looking for a decent meal. It might take a little longer and cost a couple of dollars more, but it is a lot more satisfying.

 

[AmongMadPeople]

Thanks, these answers tell me a lot. We're squeezing this day in before a conference and only have 8 hours to split between the two parks. I'm reluctant to spend any extra time eating when we're most interested in the park experience. If we do go with a quick meal, I won't expect anything extraordinary.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

Thanks, these answers tell me a lot. We're squeezing this day in before a conference and only have 8 hours to split between the two parks. I'm reluctant to spend any extra time eating when we're most interested in the park experience. If we do go with a quick meal, I won't expect anything extraordinary.

If you must do quick service then I suggest the the Three Broomsticks in the Wizarding World. The food still isn't great, but I found it to be a bit better with at least some unique choices.

 

[fosse76]

Regardless of what you choose, it's leagues above Disney's quick dining, which is practibly inedible.

 

[Bairstow]

Anybody ever tried Thunder Falls Terrace?
I peeked my head in and it seemed much less crowded than the Broomsticks and the BBQ smelled good.

 

[dave&di]

Food at Finnegans is very good--not quick serve, but fairly fast nonetheless, especially at the bar.

Richters is above average as theme park fast food burgers go.

Are Finnegans open all year? On past visits I though it was a false frontage so I never had a look! I would love to try this in Sept.

 

[maxairmike]

Anybody ever tried Thunder Falls Terrace?
I peeked my head in and it seemed much less crowded than the Broomsticks and the BBQ smelled good.

I haven't had Thunder Falls in about 8 years, but I remember it having a great selection, enjoying the food, and anyone I've talked to that has had it recently says its still really good. I really need to make it a point to work my way around the park from the Marvel side so I am hungry by the time I get to JP so I can try Thunder Falls again. :lol:

 

[BigThunderMatt]

Avoid Blondie's. (Sandwich shop in the cartoon area)
High prices, small portions, and the atmosphere is noisy and uncomfortable.

I love Blondie's! I think the Dagwood is an excellent sandwich for the price.

 

[dave&di]

I love Blondie's! I think the Dagwood is an excellent sandwich for the price.

We eat at Blondies several times during our week long trip, we love the Dagwood, it's nice to eat something that isn't fried! It's a refreshing chance from fries and burgers.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

Regardless of what you choose, it's leagues above Disney's quick dining, which is practibly inedible.

I have to kindly, yet strongly disagree here. I think Disney has improved leaps and bounds in their quick service while Universal is pretty bad. I can get a fresh piece of tuna over noodles in Epcot. I find even the chicken fingers to be bad at Universal quick serve locations. Disney has its meals that aren't that great, but overall I think their quick service is really improving and is far better than Uni.

 

[71jason]

Are Finnegans open all year? On past visits I though it was a false frontage so I never had a look! I would love to try this in Sept.

Yes, open 365. Heck, during concerts the bar stays open later than the rest of the park.

 

[jakeman]

I have to kindly, yet strongly disagree here. I think Disney has improved leaps and bounds in their quick service while Universal is pretty bad. I can get a fresh piece of tuna over noodles in Epcot. I find even the chicken fingers to be bad at Universal quick serve locations. Disney has its meals that aren't that great, but overall I think their quick service is really improving and is far better than Uni.

Agreed here.

I've eaten at Three Broomsticks twice in the past year and it was bad both times.

If we go back to Uni anytime soon, we won't be partaking in HP's dining offerings beyond pumpkin juice and butterbeer.

 

[NemoRocks78]

Thunder Falls Terrace and Three Broomsticks are my choices in IOA. Good stuff.

Richter's delivers a pretty decent burger in the Studios, and Mel's is fun. I also like the Classic Monsters Cafe when it's open.

 

[Bairstow]

I love Blondie's! I think the Dagwood is an excellent sandwich for the price.

But it's tiny.

This:

...is not THIS:

And it's $7.

 

[BigThunderMatt]

But it's tiny.

This:

...is not THIS:

And it's $7.

You really want a sandwich with a whole lobster and what appears to be a raw fish?

 

[Timekeeper]

I have to kindly, yet strongly disagree here. I think Disney has improved leaps and bounds in their quick service while Universal is pretty bad. I can get a fresh piece of tuna over noodles in Epcot. I find even the chicken fingers to be bad at Universal quick serve locations. Disney has its meals that aren't that great, but overall I think their quick service is really improving and is far better than Uni.

Epcot is the clear exception when it comes to food quality at Disney. The premise of the park naturally lends itself to many, many food options at the various countries and pavilions. So there's bound to be something for everyone. Even The Land has nice selections. Take Epcot out of the equation, and I don't think that Disney is "leaps and bounds" ahead of where they were in the past, or even ahead of Universal.