Universal Dining - My Thoughts

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Mike C

Well-Known Member
I like all the table service restaurants there. Mythos, Finnegans, Lombards and Confisco's (in that order). They are very reasonable (compared to Epcot), and the food is pretty good there, if you are somewhat adventurous. The specials at Mythos usually are pretty good (I never get burgers/etc). Finnegan's has excellent fish and chips and beef stew (and a few other things on that menu). Lombard's I haven't done as much, but enjoyed that too, and Confisco's is my least favorite (but still decent).

Counter service wise, Louie's or 3 Broomsticks. Everything else I don't care for (Least favorite is Comic Strip Cafe and Internation Food & Film Festival).

The head chef at Universal, Steve Jayson, is really good, we talked to him at one of the Mardi Gras events and had some of the cajun stuff they have there for that.
 
HTF

HTF

Well-Known Member
The studios will get major help over the next 2.5 years in the form of monsters nest replacement, the Leaky Cauldron and fingers crossed a new character dining experience. Word is Cafe la Bamba's morning breakfast is doing ok but could benefit from a better location suited for it.
 
captainkidd

captainkidd

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
JohnnyDollaz89 said:
I wanna try Margarittaville when I go in a week and a half but not sure my Dad or Brothers would like anything there. We usually eat at the Hard Rock once or twice.
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The food there is OK, but unless you really like Jimmy Buffett, skip it. I know a lot of people like him, but he annoys the crap out of me.
 
Captain Chaos

Captain Chaos

Well-Known Member
BGT420 said:
The studios will get major help over the next 2.5 years in the form of monsters nest replacement, the Leaky Cauldron and fingers crossed a new character dining experience. Word is Cafe la Bamba's morning breakfast is doing ok but could benefit from a better location suited for it.
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Is it doing ok??? Cause they are scaling it back from everyday to only three days a week... To me, that signifies it isn't doing well at all...
 
HTF

HTF

Well-Known Member
Hmmm if its in August then I would be concerned, if they start it in September then it's normal as most of the entertainment up charge options slow down.
 
Disneyhead'71

Disneyhead'71

Well-Known Member
URO has some wonderful restaurants on property. Emeril's Orlando, Emeril's Tchoup Chop at The Royal Pacific, The Palm at The Hard Rock Hotel, and BiCE at Portofino Bay Resort are all excellent restaurants.

Most of the chains in CityWalk are what they are. Big theme chain restaurants. I don't really see much diference between Hard Rock, Margaritaville, Bubba Gumps, Pat O's, Bob Marley's, NBA or NASCAR Cafes. They are all similar in quality. Which is middle of the road chain restaurant food. No different than DtD's Planet Hollywood, House of Blues, T-Rex/Rainforest Cafes. All pretty similar.

In the parks, I enjoy Finnegan's, Mythos, Confisco's and Lombard Landing. I rarely eat counter service, but if I have to its 3 Broomsticks, Thunder Falls, or Louie's Pizza. I don't eat burgers in ANY parks, but I will say that the burgers at Burger Digs and Richter's are superior to the comparable offerings in the Disney Parks. But why eat a crappy in park burger when a much better burger can be had in CityWalk a short walk away.
 
Blueskyze

Blueskyze

Well-Known Member
ShookieJones said:
Sweet Jeezus those things are good. Especially the frozen variety.
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I haven't had a frozen one yet, but I LOVE the regular ones! So, so good.

We ate at Finnegans on our past 2 trips, and really liked it (the potato onion web appetizer was delish!), and we also tried Circus McGurkus, and I will never go back there! It just seemed....sad, like an old run down circus. The food was horrible, but thankfully after seeing the selection, we had agreed to just share something and eat somewhere else later.
 
Todd H

Todd H

Well-Known Member
Our first trip to Universal is next week. Any recommendations for good places to eat? Not really looking to spend a lot of money, so anything too fancy is out of the question.
 
GLaDOS

GLaDOS

Well-Known Member
Todd H said:
Our first trip to Universal is next week. Any recommendations for good places to eat? Not really looking to spend a lot of money, so anything too fancy is out of the question.
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Mythos and Confisco's in IoA are two very good sit down restaurants. The food isn't gourmet, but it's very reasonably priced and in the upper echelon of theme park food.

Finnegan's at USF is the same way. Pub fare, but pretty good.

For counter service, I've got a few recommendations. Louie's in USF and Cafe 4 in IoA have really good pizza for a theme park setting, and you can even get a whole pie for cheaper rather than buying a bunch of slices. Blondie's in Toon Lagood has pretty good sandwiches. Thunder Fall Terrace in Jurassic Park at IoA has pretty good barbecue, and has seats overlooking the final drop of the JP ride.

The Three Broomsticks at WWoHP is my personal favorite there for counter service. Fish and chips and the half a chicken are both very fulfilling meals. Make sure to wash them down with a butterbeer (regular is my preferred version) and a pumpkin fizz, which is WWoHP's pumpkin juice mixed with seltzer water. I'd also recommend the strawberry-penutbutter ice cream for dessert. The restaurant has great ambiance and even a few surprise effects.

USF's food is a lot worse than IoA's. Other than the already mentioned Finnegan's and Louie's, I personally wouldn't bother with anything there.
 
HTF

HTF

Well-Known Member
Todd H said:
Our first trip to Universal is next week. Any recommendations for good places to eat? Not really looking to spend a lot of money, so anything too fancy is out of the question.
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Mythos for sit down at IOA
Three Brromsticks for counter service at IOA- also my #1 recommendation for any visitor on a budget looking for good food.
Lombars for sit down at USF
Louie's for counter at USF
 
M

msmit002

Active Member
Thanks for the tips! I'll be at IoA for one day this weekend and the only place that even attempts to deal with Gluten Intolerance/Celiac seems to be Mythos. Glad to see that it's at least a decent choice.
 

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