Where to eat at Universal Orlando including menus...UPDATED REGULARLY

[No user names left]

Hello, we are leaving on Saturday for 3 weeks, and have a 2 week Universal unlimited ticket. Our party is 3 adults (including 1 teen) and 3 children, so we got the $15 'Kids Eat Free' cards, really because of the duration we'll be there. They will have paid for themselves on the 3rd sitting. We had planned to go to NBA City and NASCAR anyway (before we discovered these cards yesterday) bit neither child's menu is on-line. I called both restaurants and they listed the usual for the kid's menu;
- burger/chicken tender and fries
- pizza
- mac and cheese

Neither restaurant has a healthy option. Can anyone advise? Of the above menu choices, the children eat burgers and fries and none of the others. Even if they did, we wouldn't let them eat unhealthy food more than twice a week. They like good food. AND the occasional bad offering!! I kinda feel like a 2nd rate customer with the 'Kids Eat Free Card'. We will be eating at places that don't have this deal. Will all restaurants allow us to order something (of the restaurant's choice) that is healthy (per se)? Like pasta, baked potato, veg, grilled (not fried) chicken. Thank you!

 

[Metro West]

I'm going to merge your thread with the current food sticky.

Well...remember you're going to a theme park where food is mass produced for the most part. There are healthy choices on most park restaurant menus...check the beginning of this thread for menu pictures. They have grilled chicken, salads, fruit cups, etc. It may not be glamorous but they are available.

 

[No user names left]

I'm going to merge your thread with the current food sticky.

Well...remember you're going to a theme park where food is mass produced for the most part. There are healthy choices on most park restaurant menus...check the beginning of this thread for menu pictures. They have grilled chicken, salads, fruit cups, etc. It may not be glamorous but they are available.

Thanks Metro West. We are also redheads. And very glamorous!!

My question is specifically about the bigger table-service restaurants like NBA, NASCAR, Hard Rock, Planet Hollywood etc. Will they let us substitute unhealthy options on kids menus for any healthy option of their choice?? i.e. where there is no healthy choice that you have listed on the kids menu. Surely that can't expect to feed kids rubbish day in day out, so how receptive are they when asked? We don't want to have to avoid eating-out.

 

[damo]

Hello, we are leaving on Saturday for 3 weeks, and have a 2 week Universal unlimited ticket. Our party is 3 adults (including 1 teen) and 3 children, so we got the $15 'Kids Eat Free' cards, really because of the duration we'll be there. They will have paid for themselves on the 3rd sitting. We had planned to go to NBA City and NASCAR anyway (before we discovered these cards yesterday) bit neither child's menu is on-line. I called both restaurants and they listed the usual for the kid's menu;
- burger/chicken tender and fries
- pizza
- mac and cheese

Neither restaurant has a healthy option. Can anyone advise? Of the above menu choices, the children eat burgers and fries and none of the others. Even if they did, we wouldn't let them eat unhealthy food more than twice a week. They like good food. AND the occasional bad offering!! I kinda feel like a 2nd rate customer with the 'Kids Eat Free Card'. We will be eating at places that don't have this deal. Will all restaurants allow us to order something (of the restaurant's choice) that is healthy (per se)? Like pasta, baked potato, veg, grilled (not fried) chicken. Thank you!

I would imagine that if you bought special discount cards for dining, you most likely will not be allowed more expensive substitutions---same price substitutions perhaps. I'd suggest just sticking with the designated choices where you use your discount card and just ordering something more healthy in the establishments that don't take the card.

Check out the menus at the restaurants that accept the cards and compare prices for what you are getting free with other stuff to see if it would be likely that the restaurants will let you do some switching.

For example: Chicken tenders at Nascar are $11.99 for the adult meal (kids would be cheaper) and grilled chicken is $14.49. It is unlikely that they would just substitute one for the other.

 

[shoney]

Thanks Metro West. We are also redheads. And very glamorous!!

My question is specifically about the bigger table-service restaurants like NBA, NASCAR, Hard Rock, Planet Hollywood etc. Will they let us substitute unhealthy options on kids menus for any healthy option of their choice?? i.e. where there is no healthy choice that you have listed on the kids menu. Surely that can't expect to feed kids rubbish day in day out, so how receptive are they when asked? We don't want to have to avoid eating-out.

I don't know about those restaurants, but in general, most places sub out the kids fries with grapes/fruit or applesauce....not the more expensive sides like a baked potato.

I know Outback Steakhouse will give a veg...my son always gets broccoli!

I would be prepared to pay extra for specific sides. You could always ask...you never know, but I wouldn't go assuming that it will be done for free.

When my boys were younger, we often bought them an adult meal and they split it. Usually they were able to agree on what to eat, so it made it easier.

Have fun!

 

[No user names left]

I would imagine that if you bought special discount cards for dining, you most likely will not be allowed more expensive substitutions---same price substitutions perhaps. I'd suggest just sticking with the designated choices where you use your discount card and just ordering something more healthy in the establishments that don't take the card.

Check out the menus at the restaurants that accept the cards and compare prices for what you are getting free with other stuff to see if it would be likely that the restaurants will let you do some switching.

For example: Chicken tenders at Nascar are $11.99 for the adult meal (kids would be cheaper) and grilled chicken is $14.49. It is unlikely that they would just substitute one for the other.

That's absolutely correct Damo - same price substitutions, we're not looking for anything more. Just anything other than fried food basically.
It's a pity that such big restaurants don't list alternatives.

 

[No user names left]

I don't know about those restaurants, but in general, most places sub out the kids fries with grapes/fruit or applesauce....not the more expensive sides like a baked potato.

I know Outback Steakhouse will give a veg...my son always gets broccoli!

I would be prepared to pay extra for specific sides. You could always ask...you never know, but I wouldn't go assuming that it will be done for free.

When my boys were younger, we often bought them an adult meal and they split it. Usually they were able to agree on what to eat, so it made it easier.

Have fun!

Thank you Shoney! No, I'm not going assuming it is done for free. I'm not assuming anything, that's why I'm asking. Broccoli is great. Rice. Whatever. The girls are 7, 5 and 2 so we could indeed split an adult meal. The problem with that is (as you probably know), by the time we divide it all up (and the restaurant has to get extra sets) and sit down again, our own food is lukewarm! We are in Europe and not used to not having any healthy option on a kids menu. I don't mean that comment to be disparaging in any way, we love Florida and this is our 3rd trip but 1st eating out (due to kids being so young previously).

 

[damo]

That's absolutely correct Damo - same price substitutions, we're not looking for anything more. Just anything other than fried food basically.
It's a pity that such big restaurants don't list alternatives.

I would imagine there is a pasta alternative in every kids' menu. You could probably do a basic pasta with meat sauce instead of the mac and cheese. Fries can probably be substituted with a veggie. I'm just not sure about switching the entree but remember that it is always worth asking.

Please report back to us when you come home. I'm sure you are not the only one with these questions.

 

[Lynne G]

Hello, we are leaving on Saturday for 3 weeks, and have a 2 week Universal unlimited ticket. Our party is 3 adults (including 1 teen) and 3 children, so we got the $15 'Kids Eat Free' cards, really because of the duration we'll be there. They will have paid for themselves on the 3rd sitting. We had planned to go to NBA City and NASCAR anyway (before we discovered these cards yesterday) bit neither child's menu is on-line. I called both restaurants and they listed the usual for the kid's menu;
- burger/chicken tender and fries
- pizza
- mac and cheese

Neither restaurant has a healthy option. Can anyone advise? Of the above menu choices, the children eat burgers and fries and none of the others. Even if they did, we wouldn't let them eat unhealthy food more than twice a week. They like good food. AND the occasional bad offering!! I kinda feel like a 2nd rate customer with the 'Kids Eat Free Card'. We will be eating at places that don't have this deal. Will all restaurants allow us to order something (of the restaurant's choice) that is healthy (per se)? Like pasta, baked potato, veg, grilled (not fried) chicken. Thank you!

I don't know if you can substitute or not. 2 years ago, I bought the card for my DD. It was not worth it, and I will not buy it again. We ended up eating at restaurants not accepting the card, and we were not allowed substitutions at the one McDonald's and Pastamore's kids meal was just plain aweful. I hope you have better luck. Maybe even if no substitutions you could order a side. Many times now that my DD is 11, if the adult meal is too much, she shares an appetizer and then gets a side salad. Have a great vacation. We like NBA and liked the food. Did not order a kid's meal there, though.

 

[shoney]

Thank you Shoney! No, I'm not going assuming it is done for free. I'm not assuming anything, that's why I'm asking. Broccoli is great. Rice. Whatever. The girls are 7, 5 and 2 so we could indeed split an adult meal. The problem with that is (as you probably know), by the time we divide it all up (and the restaurant has to get extra sets) and sit down again, our own food is lukewarm! We are in Europe and not used to not having any healthy option on a kids menu. I don't mean that comment to be disparaging in any way, we love Florida and this is our 3rd trip but 1st eating out (due to kids being so young previously).

I'm sorry if you took "assume" in a negative way, it wasn't meant to be. I just was pointing out that the restaurant may "upcharge" for more expensive items.

You can get anything on the menu if you pay for it.

The kids entrees are set. They won't sub out a smaller portion of grilled chicken from the adult menu, for example. You will have more luck subbing the fries for another side. Some menus will have the other alternatives written in fine print on the bottom.

I never found splitting the meals to be time consuming. When they were young, we would have to cut meat and prepare their plates anyway. Some restaurants will split it in the kitchen others will just bring you an extra plate.

Depending on the restaurant and how much the kids eat... We also have just made a plate with our food and only ordered the kids drinks. Portions tend to be huge and I never finish what I eat at restaurant. At home, I bring it home with me to eat the next day. On vacation, it goes in the garbage!

I do agree...kids meals in the US really need to contain more variety and flavor. It is the same just about everywhere you go...hamburgers, hot dogs, mac n cheese, pizza, chicken nuggets, pasta w/marinara or butter! It isn't so bad when you just go out at home. After a week on vacation, the kids get tired of the same old thing! I can't blame them!

Have a great vacation!

 

[No user names left]

I would imagine there is a pasta alternative in every kids' menu. You could probably do a basic pasta with meat sauce instead of the mac and cheese. Fries can probably be substituted with a veggie. I'm just not sure about switching the entree but remember that it is always worth asking.

Please report back to us when you come home. I'm sure you are not the only one with these questions.

Pasta with a veg tomato sauce would be prefect, that option was not on the menus when I called. We're finding mac/cheese on most. Yes, will write back. Thanks again for all your help.

 

[No user names left]

I don't know if you can substitute or not. 2 years ago, I bought the card for my DD. It was not worth it, and I will not buy it again. We ended up eating at restaurants not accepting the card, and we were not allowed substitutions at the one McDonald's and Pastamore's kids meal was just plain aweful. I hope you have better luck. Maybe even if no substitutions you could order a side. Many times now that my DD is 11, if the adult meal is too much, she shares an appetizer and then gets a side salad. Have a great vacation. We like NBA and liked the food. Did not order a kid's meal there, though.

Thank you Lynne. I am tending to agree with you and have not even used the card yet! Yes, read about Pastamore. I find the adult meals HUGE at most places. Had looked at Margaritaville and was put off as the meals seemed too big. Your side idea is great, and the appetizer one too. Thank for that and your good wishes.

 

[No user names left]

I'm sorry if you took "assume" in a negative way, it wasn't meant to be. I just was pointing out that the restaurant may "upcharge" for more expensive items.

You can get anything on the menu if you pay for it.

The kids entrees are set. They won't sub out a smaller portion of grilled chicken from the adult menu, for example. You will have more luck subbing the fries for another side. Some menus will have the other alternatives written in fine print on the bottom.

I never found splitting the meals to be time consuming. When they were young, we would have to cut meat and prepare their plates anyway. Some restaurants will split it in the kitchen others will just bring you an extra plate.

Depending on the restaurant and how much the kids eat... We also have just made a plate with our food and only ordered the kids drinks. Portions tend to be huge and I never finish what I eat at restaurant. At home, I bring it home with me to eat the next day. On vacation, it goes in the garbage!

I do agree...kids meals in the US really need to contain more variety and flavor. It is the same just about everywhere you go...hamburgers, hot dogs, mac n cheese, pizza, chicken nuggets, pasta w/marinara or butter! It isn't so bad when you just go out at home. After a week on vacation, the kids get tired of the same old thing! I can't blame them!

Have a great vacation!

Thank you Shoney and apologies for my misinterpretation.

Thanks too for your reply again. We should have you at meal times in restaurants!

Would be happy with any all veg options. 3 weeks is a lot to be eating out and we will just want toast at the end of it!!

 

[Portugal1000]

Does anyone know whats on the menu at Superstar Character Breakfast. I know its served to you but can't find menu anywhere.
Thanks

 

[schumigirl]

Does anyone know whats on the menu at Superstar Character Breakfast. I know its served to you but can't find menu anywhere.
Thanks

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2944969&highlight=superstars+character+breakfast&page=2

If you scroll half way down to post 27, there are some pictures of what`s on offer at the breakfast.

 

[Threeboysandachickie]

Are the mushroom specials still being prepared at Mythos? I'm seeing them on the menu posted on the main page and am not sure if they are,limited time dish or if they are a permanent addition, thanks

 

[jack hannah bananah]

Heading to Universal Studios in a couple weeks.
Staying on site.
Any suggestions for dining?
What are the best counter service meals?
What are the best sit down meals?
Do I need reservations?

 

[Metro West]

Moving into the food sticky.

 

[xApril]

Are the mushroom specials still being prepared at Mythos? I'm seeing them on the menu posted on the main page and am not sure if they are,limited time dish or if they are a permanent addition, thanks

Don't know if you still need this, but as far as I know, it's still there. I ate back in April and it was still the mushrooms.

 

[Metro West]

Heading to Universal Studios in a couple weeks.
Staying on site.
Any suggestions for dining? Yes...you should dine.
What are the best counter service meals? Thunder Falls Terrace and Louie's
What are the best sit down meals? Mythos and Finnegan's
Do I need reservations? No but as an onsite guest you would get next available or priority seating at table service restaurants. Just show your room key. You can also make reservations on OpenTable if you prefer.

My answers in blue.

Read through the sticky...lots of good information.