Best Counter Service for Universal

[Christine]

Never been to Universal and am going for ONE day over the Easter week.

I will probably need lunch and dinner there. What are the best places for counter service food? I'm an expert at Disney but am CLUELESS for Universal. I want something good too--not the usual hot dogs or hamburgers.

 

[PlutoLuvr]

We've gotten the Dagwood sandwiches in Toontown in IOA -- I forget the name, but you can't miss it. The front of the place has Dagwood eating a giant sandwich. They were pretty good. They were better about five years ago, but being a WDW food expert, I'm sure you can relate to that

There's a restaurant in a tree over at IOA, too, in the Lost Continent area. Again, I forget the name -- we usually just hit the bar there after a TS meal at Mythos. I *believe* it's CS. I know it smells incredible. It appears to be rotisserie chickens, barbeque, ribs and the like.

At US, over in the Amity area (Jaws), there are tons of what reminds me of carnival food vendors. Yeah, you'll find your dogs and burgers there, but they also have crab and lobster chowders, sausage and pepper hoagies, cheesesteaks, funnel cakes, etc. There are many different "stands" for a quick bite.

If you do get a craving for a burger, we love Richter's in the San Francisco/Earthquake area at US and Wimpy's Burgers in Toontown at IOA. Much, much better than any CS WDW burger, IMO.

 

[Christine]

Thanks, it sounds like they have some good food choices there.

I've got nothing against a burger, I'm just trying to eat a bit more "light" on this trip as I have some stomach issues going on. At least knowing that there is a rotisserie chicken option is good.

 

[macraven]

We've gotten the Dagwood sandwiches in Toontown in IOA -- I forget the name, but you can't miss it. The front of the place has Dagwood eating a giant sandwich. They were pretty good. They were better about five years ago, but being a WDW food expert, I'm sure you can relate to that

There's a restaurant in a tree over at IOA, too, in the Lost Continent area. Again, I forget the name -- we usually just hit the bar there after a TS meal at Mythos. I *believe* it's CS. I know it smells incredible. It appears to be rotisserie chickens, barbeque, ribs and the like.

At US, over in the Amity area (Jaws), there are tons of what reminds me of carnival food vendors. Yeah, you'll find your dogs and burgers there, but they also have crab and lobster chowders, sausage and pepper hoagies, cheesesteaks, funnel cakes, etc. There are many different "stands" for a quick bite.

If you do get a craving for a burger, we love Richter's in the San Francisco/Earthquake area at US and Wimpy's Burgers in Toontown at IOA. Much, much better than any CS WDW burger, IMO.

the name of the ioa resturant is Enchanted Oak Tavern. it has a good selection of ribs, chicken, etc.
it is dimly lighted and tables are set up nicely. you are not on top of others in there.

you get a tray, go through the line, pay the cashier and then find a table.
counter service all the way.

if you like chicken and/or fish, captain quints over in amityville/ near jaws is good for counter service. food is cooked up fresh.

 

[macraven]

forgot to add that enchanted oak tavern has a happy hour also.

if Fire Eaters Grill is open, they have great gyros and chicken besides the hot dogs.




captain quint is at the studios.
across from this place is a hot dog place. great chicago style dogs, just like at home.

International Film and Festival has 4 choices of menu.
American: great fried chicken dinner
Asian: sometimes a hit or miss for us but the orange chicken is better than the sweet and sour chicken for us.

La Bamba: has choices which includes ribs, rotisierrie chicken

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

And of course, All Ears Net has menu's you can look at:

http://allearsnet.com/uni/menu/menus.htm

 

[JenLynn]

Thanks for asking this great question Christine! I have read everyone's posts and am making notes of my own for our June trip.

 

[xviclx]

We love the pizza at the counter next to the Jurrasic park ride in IOA

 

[Fan2CSkr]

Favorites at IOA:
Thunder Falls Terrace - Ribs, salads and great roasted corn, beans The location is great you can grab a table outdoors and watch the JPRA ride come down the falls.
Enchanted Oak Tavern

Universal Favorites:
Cafe La Bamba - really good chicken
Louies for pizza
Schwabs Pharmacy for a turkey sandwich followed by the best hot fudge sundae.

 

[macraven]

Favorites at IOA:
Thunder Falls Terrace - Ribs, salads and great roasted corn, beans The location is great you can grab a table outdoors and watch the JPRA ride come down the falls.
Enchanted Oak Tavern

Universal Favorites:
Cafe La Bamba - really good chicken
Louies for pizza
Schwabs Pharmacy for a turkey sandwich followed by the best hot fudge sundae.

ditto on what she said.
those are favorites of mine also besides the ones i listed prior.

fan2cskr really knows her food!

 

[DOOM1001]

I suggest the Enchanted Oak also,good food,I like the atmosphere inside,but they also have some tables outside that overlook the lake and are great when it's not too hot!!

 

[loribell]

We've gotten the Dagwood sandwiches in Toontown in IOA -- I forget the name, but you can't miss it. The front of the place has Dagwood eating a giant sandwich. They were pretty good. They were better about five years ago, but being a WDW food expert, I'm sure you can relate to that

There's a restaurant in a tree over at IOA, too, in the Lost Continent area. Again, I forget the name -- we usually just hit the bar there after a TS meal at Mythos. I *believe* it's CS. I know it smells incredible. It appears to be rotisserie chickens, barbeque, ribs and the like.

At US, over in the Amity area (Jaws), there are tons of what reminds me of carnival food vendors. Yeah, you'll find your dogs and burgers there, but they also have crab and lobster chowders, sausage and pepper hoagies, cheesesteaks, funnel cakes, etc. There are many different "stands" for a quick bite.

If you do get a craving for a burger, we love Richter's in the San Francisco/Earthquake area at US and Wimpy's Burgers in Toontown at IOA. Much, much better than any CS WDW burger, IMO.

The place with Dagwood is called Blondies and you are right it is fabulous as is the Enchanted Oak Tavern. At US we love Cafe LaBamba and Monster Cafe. Actually anywhere we have eaten at US or IOA has been absolutely wonderful. It is not your typial theme park food.