Dining must dos

[cbsnyber1]

This entire thread demonstrates why it's so difficult to choose where to eat across a five day stay at Universal . . . so many choices! I was just working tonight on where to eat during our upcoming trip and the thread doesn't even mention Jake's, the Kitchen, Tchop Choup, Emeril's, Bice, Sal's, or many other fine places to eat at Universal. You should see my notes. Cross outs, additions, memos in the margins, "what about?" and so on.

The best strategy (for me) is research the menus, create a top ten list, and plan from there. We have no kids in our group, which helps. I was hoping to catch a Jake's beer dinner this trip, but unfortunately it is scheduled for December 9, well after we are there. So my top list now includes Harbor Nights (not a restaurant, but a pretty cool eating event happening November 25 at Portofino), Tchop Choup, Cowfish, NBC, Bubba Gump (mainly for our grandson who, for some reason, really wants to eat there), Mythos, Jake's, Chocolate Emporium, Margaritaville, and Finnegan's (a personal favorite - love the atmosphere there). Look at the names missing: Pat O'Briens, Lombard's, Mel's, Three Broomsticks, the Palm, Mama Della's, Antojito's, and many others. And the best thing is that many of these are walk-in - no sixty days out reservations required.

Still, how do you choose (besides adding 20 days to the ressie)?

 

[cmarsh31]

Second on the Mythos is FREEZING. We were so unbearably cold. Food was great. Dress warm.

Toothsome - same on the 2 hour wait for dinner. Lunch (showed up at 11) was fabulous, but I think they're still working out the kinks. Dessert took 45 minutes, making lunch a 2 hour meal.

Not impressed with 3 Broomsticks or Leaky Cauldron (but had lunch at them, not dinner) - but butterbeer. Frozen Butterbeer... oh how I dream of more frozen butterbeer.

 

[tinydancer09]

I didn't find them expensive at all, and did think mine was very strong. Dh said the same, strong taste of alcohol.

Lucky! I didn't even feel a thing and I had an empty stomach. Luck of the draw I guess. I don't flinch at 12.99 for a drink when I enjoy it or its strong. Oh well! It was good, just not as strong as I wished.

Oh well!

 

[wookiebeck]

For counter service I thought the chicken dinner at Simpson's was okay, but DH declared the burger there the worst theme park burger he'd ever had, which is saying something! Looking forward to trying the NBC grill place next time from reviews here!

Same here! Our kids were so excited to be in a Simpson's Krusty Burger and it turned into a bad food experience. I took a picture of them eating the burgers and no one was smiling. That was the last time we ever went to that food court. Kind of a family joke now. "Wanna get a Krusty Burger?" "Ugh, dad, no."

 

[schumigirl]

Same here! Our kids were so excited to be in a Simpson's Krusty Burger and it turned into a bad food experience. I took a picture of them eating the burgers and no one was smiling. That was the last time we ever went to that food court. Kind of a family joke now. "Wanna get a Krusty Burger?" "Ugh, dad, no."

I had the chicken and waffle sandwich this year, the chicken was nice but waffles were hard.........really hard.

We looked at the burgers sitting on the trays and they were beyond dried out! Not sure how they sold any that day........

The pizzas and chicken wraps are really good, will stick to them in future.

 

[J-Dog]

I have eaten at two Bubba Gump's (Santa Monica and Citywalk) with two different people, both who ate the shrimp and I had chicken, no one was impressed. With all of the other amazing choices to eat, I would pass on this one.

Thanks for the advice. I was hoping that this place would be good. We don't have a Bubba Gump's anywhere around the Pacific Northwest (as far as I know) and wanted some seafood. Maybe I will need to look somewhere else, since I think that's the only seafood place on Citywalk, right?

Glad to hear you enjoyed BG.........I never tell anyone not to go to a restaurant as we all have different experiences. Margaritaville food was a let down for us this year strangely. May give that a miss next year.


Slightly off topic.........and offsite ........Funnily enough everyone raves about Texas de Brazil........we walked out when we saw the quality of the meat they used. Looks the part, and there's a huge amount of food there, but it was so loud and it seeemd to be quantity over quality. Again, just our opinion.

In doing my research, and I don't remember the source now, but there was a "best of Orlando" article as voted by Orlando locals that rated Texas de Brazil as the best steakhouse. I had assumed that the locals would know what they are talking about. But, like you said, to each his own.

 

[schumigirl]

Thanks for the advice. I was hoping that this place would be good. We don't have a Bubba Gump's anywhere around the Pacific Northwest (as far as I know) and wanted some seafood. Maybe I will need to look somewhere else, since I think that's the only seafood place on Citywalk, right?




In doing my research, and I don't remember the source now, but there was a "best of Orlando" article as voted by Orlando locals that rated Texas de Brazil as the best steakhouse. I had assumed that the locals would know what they are talking about. But, like you said, to each his own.

May very well have been.........I go by my own experiences........yep each to their own........but, we like decent meat and we found it to be not the best quality. Not somewhere I'd go back to........seemed to just be a pile em high type of place, but although it wasn't an expensive place to eat, we felt it wouldnt have been worth it.

Plenty of decent steak places around like Ocean Prime and others in the Sand Lake Road area and elsewhere.

Plenty of folks do enjoy it though........just our opinion and the folks we were with.

 

[kbelle8995]

If you would like a good local place close to Universal, I would suggest Rocco's Taco and tequila Bar. It had wonderful food. Fresh made Guacamole that was just fantastic. I had a Mexican cobb salad that was really tasty. We were taken there by a friend who is local. Rocco is right on Sand Lake really close to Universal

And if you want to get Good seafood you have to go to a coastal town usually close to where they catch the seafood. I have to say that I've had the best seafood dinners at little hole in the wall beach shacks

 

[starousse]

Is Mama Della's worth the boatride over to Portofino?

 

[tony67]

At Universal studios we really enjoyed Finnegans. Such a cute pub feel to it and the food was delicious!

Have never been happy with the food here - very basic pub stuff and not always done well - but I always spend a few hours here.
What makes it like a pub is that there are always locals and the bartenders have been there forever - so whenever you come back the familiar bar staff is there - and they are really good.

I really like Bubba Gumps. Always had great food and service!

Hard Rock was dreadful but management took care of it for us.

Myth is really nice but busy.

Margaritaville is a favourite for us. Food can be hit and miss but the wings and cocktails are consistently awesome.

Have not tried Bubba Gumps _ I feel like it is not worth having a meal here - but maybe a drink and shrimp at the bar - there are always so many other options I never get over there.

Margaritaville - never happy with their drinks (margarita) so I have not been back in years - it was all pretty much pre made out of a jug. Food was ok as I recall.

 

[TheConsciousness]

We really loved the food at Vivo Italian in Citywalk. Portion sizes were great for the price ~$12 a person.
As for in the park: I wouldn't do Simpson's Krusty Burger again. Their Kroger burger had zero flavor and was quite dry. We should have went to Monsters Cafe instead.