Somehow, I don't think they will. I'm thinking more "Outback" quality at "Ruth's Cris" prices.
I hope they prove me wrong...including quick-serve.
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Universal's food is still pretty bad
- Thread starter Tom Morrow
- Start date
I hope they prove me wrong...including quick-serve.
Poseidon Quest
Well-Known Member
The food at Toadstool in Hollywood is nothing like in Japan though. I'm predicting that the Epic version will be similar, if not the same exact menu as in Hollywood. As for Hollywood's food quality, it's just cafeteria food with fun presentation like Circus or Minions. Nothing special, but I'll choose to eat at places that at least offer acceptable food with a fun thematic gimmick over anything else.
When dealing with third party IP, you have to do things to their standards.
That's why IMO, the food at the potter sections of the part is better than outside.
Wait, what happened with TPI? Also, wait, did the banner always reference TPI? They're such a small potatoes site that I can't believe anyone would brag about this.
DonniePeverley
Well-Known Member
Why can't the parks just employ of a high grade michellin grade chef to over sea all the food menus.
It's absolutely horrific everywhere in Orlando.
It's absolutely horrific everywhere in Orlando.
I strongly disagree. I've had many fantastic meals at Disney. The worst Disney meal I've had was "just okay".
Universal doesn't really have anything that is a "must dine at" location. This banner that they keep putting back up is probably like 90% responsible for the perception that Mythos is a great dining experience.
JoeCamel
Well-Known Member
Nope, I've had many fine theme park meals there in an amazing over the top themed space with an amazing view that my perception was influenced to say this is the best theme park eatery. Banner don't matter and once does not equal "keep"
Because no Michelin restaurant puts out the volume of food that Universal or Disney do.
I wouldn't be surprised if on a daily basis more people ate something at Universal Orlando than do in every Michelin-starred restaurant worldwide.
That and the fact that it's a well-themed restaurant with good food. Do you think people just look at the banner and don't actually eat there? The banner wouldn't even exist if people hadn't voted for it (even if it hasn't actually won the award in a looooong time.)
lazyboy97o
Well-Known Member
It actually won from 2019 - 2022.
I’m guessing a pretty decent chunk of people visiting the park are completely unaware of Theme Park Insider. The banner’s there to attract people into the restaurant and probably also just tell them it is a restaurant. One of the positives for a lot of theme park fans is that it’s usually fairly easy to get into. Despite its reputation for quality and impressive setting it’s never been a super in-demand location.
I'm not saying it's bad. It's on the higher end for theme park restaurants, but not the best.
I'm saying the average person doesn't really have a huge reference to compare it to. They see the banner, they say "we should try this." They think it was pretty good (it is), and they conclude that the banner must be correct and it must be the best theme park restaurant. The average person hasn't eaten at many theme park restaurants so they don't question it.
Hence, the reputation of it being the greatest theme park restaurant lives on for 24 years.
I'm saying the average person doesn't really have a huge reference to compare it to. They see the banner, they say "we should try this." They think it was pretty good (it is), and they conclude that the banner must be correct and it must be the best theme park restaurant. The average person hasn't eaten at many theme park restaurants so they don't question it.
Hence, the reputation of it being the greatest theme park restaurant lives on for 24 years.
BrianLo
Well-Known Member
One has to wonder if it's strictly a meme at this point. Best in... the world?
Especially with Robert Niles hawking the banner. TPI feels obscure and irrelevant by 2025 standards and probably pulling from an insignificant sample size. Do they even have 100 votes? Compared to something like the sample size out of Touring Plans.
JoeCamel
Well-Known Member
They are not saying it won recently but it did win several years in a row back when it was a thing, that is why I said it has to be a joke to put it back up now
BrianLo
Well-Known Member
It actually won as recently as 2022. I think this is maybe the fourth iteration of the sign. It’s like a seven layered joke now.
JoeCamel
Well-Known Member
In his world it has won 10 times so no longer in consideration, I like Mythos and make a point to eat there but best is so subjective I couldn't judge it against Tiffin's or something like that. It certainly costs much less to dine at Mythos
I don't think the sign is up again as a joke. I genuinely think they put it back up because the sign is the primary reason for Mythos's reputation as a Good Theme Park Restaurant more than the actual food. Which, again, IS good, but not particularly noteworthy.
Again, Mythos' reputation predates it winning any awards from TPI. If anything, its reputation was considerably stronger back then. No one really talks about it anymore, whether it wins an award or not. I actually find it pretty funny that some people are questioning TPI's relevance while others suggest an award from them is the reason for Mythos' reputation as a good restaurant. TPI is certainly known within enthusiast circles, but it was never mainstream enough to hold any sway with your average guest. I see the banner more as an expression of pride in their product than as an actual selling point.
Well there you go. If they were already keeping the banner up through a lengthy drought, they're obviously going to continue milking it for whatever it's worth if they recently started to win again. That thing will stay up for the next decade at least.
Padraig
Well-Known Member
When did it go down? I'm almost positive it was there in August, primarily because I remember thinking that it was almost anachronistic at this point. Like having a movie with a pull quote from Aint it Cool News.
Dined there once on that visit, twice the year before. Comparing back to back, it was pretty decent in 23, but it just felt like they were going through the motions last year. It wasn't bad exactly, but there was a sloppiness that I haven't experienced there before. Whoever was on the pass didn't care.
I've no recollection of the food, but I've a vague memory of it being hardish (as it come back in three hours) to get into in the early 10s.
Buy yeah Universal needs to work on their food. We've stayed over a week at HardRock for those last two trips. So got to experice a fair bit. Thought food overall (including Citywalk) had fallen off across the board in the year. Disney I think were starting to turn things around, nothing compared to the 90s, but a nice uptick.
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