Can anyone tell me about these restaurants?

[rcraw45425]

In Universal Studios:
Cafe La Bamba , Universal Food & Film Festival , Finnegans (both the pub & restaurant ), Louie's, & the Monsters Cafe.

In IOA:
Confisco Grille, Enchanted Oak Tavern, Thunder Falls Terrace,and Cafe 4.

These will probably all be lunch options, unfortunately it looks like the parks will all close early when we are there so we'll be eating dinner at either a resort, City Walk or outside the park.

Thanks a bunch!

 

[Cinderella822]

I only ate at 2 of those you mentioned - Finnegan's and Enchanted Oak. Enjoyed them both. I had a corned beef sandwich on soft pretzel roll at Finnegan's and some spicy fries. Very good. They had a nice selection and they have waitress service there. We really enjoyed Enchanged Oak too. That's counter service, but really neat inside. Good place for BBQ. Had the ribs platter and it came with a lot of food, ribs, fries, corn on the cob and corn bread. I give both of those places a thumbs up.

 

[rcraw45425]

Thanks for the quick reply! I keep looking at that menu at Enchanted Oak, my family enjoys ribs, I'm wondering, is there enough food on the rib platters that an adult could share with a 9 & 11 year old? In other words, can two adults and two girls share two platters and maybe an extra side or a dessert? We don't need to eat a bunch of food, not trying to be cheap.

BTW, how did you like PBH?

 

[PlutoLuvr]

I've only eaten at Finnegan's on your Universal list. It's our favorite at that park ... actually, one of the things we most look forward to on our trips down. We've never eaten inside the restaurant, always at the bar, but the food is absolutely incredible. My mother says the split pea soup is the closest to her own she's ever had. I've had several of their salads, all massive and wonderful. The Scotch eggs are pretty good ... although, our Highlands Festival vendors here locally make 'em better. I like to add one to whatever salad I'm getting.

However, the fish & chips are the stuff heaven is made of. I can easily -- and have -- eaten this for lunch several days in a row.

As for IOA, the only place I've eaten on your list is Confisco's. My group doesn't care much for this place for lunch, but they just won't order the best thing on the menu the grilled chicken Ceasar salad on warm flatbread with kalamata olives and fried pepperocinis. This is a close second for me behind the fish & chips at Finnegan's. The french fries are really fun there, too. We enjoy the buffalo style -- presentation is really fun and great for a group

Bon Appetite!

 

[rcraw45425]

Thanks a bunch. I'm trying to get my ducks in order so I can call and try to get PS. Or, are they really necessary if we're staying onsite?

 

[PlutoLuvr]

I've never needed to call for ressies at any of these places, whether we stay on site or off -- (although we go during slow times, December, September, February & May). Just walk in

Nice change from WDW IMO where ADRs for everywhere are practically required six months out.

 

[rcraw45425]

I agree, if this was a WDW trip I'd be so stressed by now if I had nothing booked. What a change!

 

[the Dark Marauder]

In Universal Studios:
Cafe La Bamba , Universal Food & Film Festival , Finnegans (both the pub & restaurant ), Louie's, & the Monsters Cafe.

In IOA:
Confisco Grille, Enchanted Oak Tavern, Thunder Falls Terrace,and Cafe 4.

These will probably all be lunch options, unfortunately it looks like the parks will all close early when we are there so we'll be eating dinner at either a resort, City Walk or outside the park.

Thanks a bunch!

Universal Food & Film Festival doesn't exist. You're thinking of the International Food & Film Festival. That place has international food (American, Italian, Chinese, etc). Food quality there is hit-or-miss. The atmosphere is very fun, with movie posters from different countries posted and clips of different movies playing.

Cafe LaBamba- I've only been there once, but have heard good reviews about it. I've heard that the BBQ chicken? is really good.

Finnegan's-I've only done the restaurant part, only once, but I found it was very good.

Louie's-Great pizza, served by the slice or by the pie. I've never had a bad experience with Louie's.

Monster's Cafe-I've only eaten there once and enjoyed it. I've heard many great reviews about it.

Confisco's-Never been, but have heard excellent reviews.

Enchanted Oak-EXCELLENT. Big portions, excellent food, and great atmosphere.

Thunder Falls-EXCELLENT. I've never had a bad experience at Thunder Falls. The food is excellent and I can't count how many times I had the Black Beans and Yellow Rice and it was delish!

Cafe 4-Similar to Louies: Great pizza, by the slice or by the pie. IIRC, they have a BBQ chicken pizza that is EXCELLENT.

 

[rcraw45425]

Universal Food & Film Festival doesn't exist. You're thinking of the International Food & Film Festival. That place has international food (American, Italian, Chinese, etc). Food quality there is hit-or-miss. The atmosphere is very fun, with movie posters from different countries posted and clips of different movies playing.

Cafe LaBamba- I've only been there once, but have heard good reviews about it. I've heard that the BBQ chicken? is really good.

Finnegan's-I've only done the restaurant part, only once, but I found it was very good.

Louie's-Great pizza, served by the slice or by the pie. I've never had a bad experience with Louie's.

Monster's Cafe-I've only eaten there once and enjoyed it. I've heard many great reviews about it.

Confisco's-Never been, but have heard excellent reviews.

Enchanted Oak-EXCELLENT. Big portions, excellent food, and great atmosphere.

Thunder Falls-EXCELLENT. I've never had a bad experience at Thunder Falls. The food is excellent and I can't count how many times I had the Black Beans and Yellow Rice and it was delish!

Cafe 4-Similar to Louies: Great pizza, by the slice or by the pie. IIRC, they have a BBQ chicken pizza that is EXCELLENT.

Thanks so much! I'm going through Kelly Monaghan's book, hilighting any place that sounds halfway good. I have to say that the food sounds better than the Disney fare we're used to. I really want to try Enchanted Oak, Confisco and Thunder Falls. We have 4 days in the parks for lunch, so I guess I'll have to find a few in US also. Maybe Monster Cafe or Louie's or Finnegans. We will have all day Wednesday, then Thursday we will head over to MK for the Halloween Party that afternoon. Friday and Saturday in the parks, check out Sunday. It'd be nice to eat dinner in the parks but I dont' think that they stay open any day past 6, so unless we try for early dinner, it'll be Hard Rock or City Walk. As I mentioned earlier, we will both be sharing with our two girls, since from what I have read the portions at most places tend to be big.

 

[Metro West]

If you decide on Thunder Falls Terrace at IOA, you must try the chicken wrap with fries. WONDERFUL and more than enough to keep you from wanting anything else for quite a while!

 

[Amity 3]

Thunder Falls has been only opened seasonally lately, which is too bad. I like the ribs there better than the Enchanted Oak. the portions are quite large, you can probably split at most places, especially for lunch.

at the Enchanted Oak, the smoked chicken platter is a 1/2 chicken, fries, corn muffin and a whole ear of grilled corn for nine or ten dollars.

 

[Cinderella822]

BRW, how did you like PBH?

LOVED PBH! This was our first time staying at any of the Universal hotels, so I have nothing to compare it to, but we thoroughly enjoyed it. We've already booked our stay for next August at PBH we liked it so much. Are you staying there?

 

[rcraw45425]

LOVED PBH! This was our first time staying at any of the Universal hotels, so I have nothing to compare it to, but we thoroughly enjoyed it. We've already booked our stay for next August at PBH we liked it so much. Are you staying there?

Yes we are. Check in there in October 4th, after driving down the night before. This is our first onsite at US/IOA, we stay onsite at WDW all the time. We stayed at what is now the Doubletree back in '02, but I say that trip doesn't really count because our girls were young and we didn't get the full US experience . I have to admit that I'm more excited about this upcoming trip than I have been about a WDW trip in a while, probably because we go there so often. Of course we are going over there for the Halloween Party, so we'll get our fix. I think what I am really looking forward to is be ing able to bring our , he's a Shih-Tzu and thinks he's human . He didn't handle the kennel too well the last time so this is great for us.

 

[bubba's mom]

uh....I've read to avoid Monster Cafe ....am I missing something?? I've also read "hit or miss" with International Food Court....everything else I've heard/read good things about! Oh yeah, and we ate lunch at Confisco's....very, very good! Wouldn't think twice about going back or recommending it....matter of fact, going to have character breakfast there in Feb....i hope!

 

[Cinderella822]

Yes we are. Check in there in October 4th, after driving down the night before. This is our first onsite at US/IOA, we stay onsite at WDW all the time. We stayed at what is now the Doubletree back in '02, but I say that trip doesn't really count because our girls were young and we didn't get the full US experience . I have to admit that I'm more excited about this upcoming trip than I have been about a WDW trip in a while, probably because we go there so often. Of course we are going over there for the Halloween Party, so we'll get our fix. I think what I am really looking forward to is be ing able to bring our , he's a Shih-Tzu and thinks he's human . He didn't handle the kennel too well the last time so this is great for us.

That was the same with us. We continually went to WDW and loved that, but on our last trip, we just felt we needed a change and decided to go to US. As soon as we entered PBH, I knew it would be a good trip. I still love WDW and will go back again, but the atmosphere at US, especially at PBH, was just so much more relaxed or something. No months of planning every day of the vacation. We just played it by ear most days and had the best time. I think my favorite part was sitting by the villa pool at PBH every afternoon while the waiter brought me a frozen fruity cocktail! I do think the food overall is much better than at WDW too, even in the parks. It's also great that you can bring your dog. So many people had dogs there. I have two dogs who also think they're human , but I couldn't bring them on the plane, so they stayed home in a kennel. And every time I saw the other people's dogs, I missed them. But it's nice that you can bring your dog if you wish to. I think you, and your little dog, will be very happy you chose to stay on-site.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

In Universal Studios:
Cafe La Bamba , Universal Food & Film Festival , Finnegans (both the pub & restaurant ), Louie's, & the Monsters Cafe.

In IOA:
Confisco Grille, Enchanted Oak Tavern, Thunder Falls Terrace,and Cafe 4.

These will probably all be lunch options, unfortunately it looks like the parks will all close early when we are there so we'll be eating dinner at either a resort, City Walk or outside the park.

Thanks a bunch!

We've had numerous meals at many you have listed.
Confisco's - They have a great ceasar salad flat bread. The kids meals are huge. They have very good wraps too. Its a nice sit down not counter service like the rest.

Enchanted Oak - I love the tree atmosphere and the chicken is great.

Thunder Falls - When its open, its my first pick. We grab a table outside and eat as we watch the JPRA ride. My husband loves the ribs and I always get the rice and beans...YUM! The chocolate cake is my kids favorite and its a huge slice.

Never had a meal at Cafe 4

Cafe La Bamba - Great roasted chicken! Pretty courtyard with outdoor tables. Have shared our food here with the birds.

Monsters Cafe - Ate here twice and wont be going back, just not good. Maybe we hit it wrong but twice was enough.

I wanted to add that Schwabs has great turkey sanwiches and hot fudge sundaes!

 

[rcraw45425]

uh....I've read to avoid Monster Cafe ....am I missing something?? I've also read "hit or miss" with International Food Court....everything else I've heard/read good things about! Oh yeah, and we ate lunch at Confisco's....very, very good! Wouldn't think twice about going back or recommending it....matter of fact, going to have character breakfast there in Feb....i hope!

I remember that about Monster Cafe too, I was basically pulling restaurant names from the book to give Amy (younger DD, 9) a few options. She's not your standard burger & fries kid, prefers stuff like asian, grilled chicken, healthier options. We went through "the book" last night, older sis was at a sleepover, and she picked these places:

Finnegan's, Enchanted Oak, Thunder Falls Terrace, Confisco's. I don't know if we'll be up to a character meal. "Been there, done that"! Counting down.........

 

[serendipity]

we ate at Monsters Cafe in March. Although the decor is cute the food is HORRIBLE! I had the chicken caeser salad and my fiancee had the pizza. We actually disliked it so much that we just threw it out and got something else later in the day!

 

[kellymonaghan]

Anyone remember the Studio Stars restaurant that Monster Cafe replaced? It had a great buffet and some terrific pasta dishes. Boy, do I miss it!

 

[rcraw45425]

Anyone remember the Studio Stars restaurant that Monster Cafe replaced? It had a great buffet and some terrific pasta dishes. Boy, do I miss it!

So glad that you replied to this post! Your book is our new "bible" for US/IOA, much like the Unofficial Guide is for Disney. Of these restaurants, or any others for that matter, which do you personally recommend?