Is the food really THAT BAD?

[tony67]

Definitely try Big Fire-we sat at bar for a couple drinks and apps and was sooo good.
Cowfish and Toothsome off our list for bad food and service-gave them a couple tries
Hard Rock cafe (the one in city walk) was surprisingly really good last time! The server said the entire menu had been revamped and it showed. GREAT burgers. And NOT stratosphere expensive. This may go on list to revisit over NBC grill (which we hit every single time cuz one kid loves the pretzel and the other the Lamb burger)

I do enjoy the drinks, but the food not so much, I've tried it more than once.

There’s other good food places but these are favorites. The food at Universal is not awful but you have to know where to go just like at that other place.

One thing with all these places is the lack on consistency.
The same item on different days can be totally different.

That is the thing they really need to work on, especially with quick service. With the number of people dining, its really hard, I get it.
For example if you get a burger at Mels just after it was made its pretty good, but more often than not its been sitting under the heat lamp. For the price they charge they can do better.

One of the reasons the Wimpy burger over by the Popeye ride is so good is they are made to order.

 

[Dakota731]

I do enjoy the drinks, but the food not so much, I've tried it more than once.


One thing with all these places is the lack on consistency.
The same item on different days can be totally different.

That is the thing they really need to work on, especially with quick service. With the number of people dining, its really hard, I get it.
For example if you get a burger at Mels just after it was made its pretty good, but more often than not its been sitting under the heat lamp. For the price they charge they can do better.

One of the reasons the Wimpy burger over by the Popeye ride is so good is they are made to order.

What is the name of the Wimpy burger place so I can add it to my list?

 

[tony67]

What is the name of the Wimpy burger place so I can add it to my list?

Its called Wimpy's. Its off the path in the Popeye area by toon lagoon, so most people miss it since its out of the way. Thats probably the main reason they make the burgers to order.

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

We're regular Disney World goers doing our first trip to Universal Orlando this coming November (early-mid) for a week. We've booked the 2 bedroom Volcano Bay View suite and will have three days with park-park for all three parks. Our kids are huge Harry Potter fans, which is specifically why we're doing the trip. We will also likely do a day at Sea World. We'll be utilizing Uber and Lyft to get around.

I keep seeing people say how the food is awful - almost inedible. We aren't picky, but this really has me worried. Is it really that bad? Are there any specific restaurants we should be avoiding? It'll be us parents and our three kids, aged 13, 11, and 9.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

THANK YOU!

I actually think the food at Universal is better than the quick service food at Magic Kingdom.

 

[Nainolaf]

I personally feel that the food in the parks is far superior to the sit down restaurants in Citywalk, we have been to Cowfish twice now to give it a chance after the first time and can honestly say its been terrible both times, we also tried Big Fire grill as was recommended online and again the food was completely tasteless, Vivo was a little better but still not great! We still enjoy Mythos and pove the Today cafe for a sandwich in the morning.

 

[skramer100]

Universal gets a bad rap. 15 years ago Disney blew it away but their quality has gone down hill. We go a lot and while we have had a few bad meals, mostly they are good.

Hotels:
Bice is great
Jakes is very good
Palm is ridiculous
Orchid lounge is a favorite for us.
Pool bar at Royal Pacific is awesome.
City Walk
Antijtos is a must do for us every trip. Food and entertainment is always great
Big Fire is good but a bit pricey for what you get
Cowfish is fun if you are adventurous.
Toothsome did not like
Bob Marley/Pat O great fun for late night
UO
Finnegans is great
Lombard's is our favorite in parks there. Only topped by Tiffins(Haven't eaten at Tekumi Tai yet)
Leaky Cauldron was good
Simpson land is not good but fun for nostalgia
Central Park Crepes is a must. Just awesome.
IOA
Mythos is very good
Confisco is fun but can be hit or miss
Wimpy's is great. Must do for us
Thunder Falls was very good. the chicken was awesome for us
3 Broomsticks was just ok but get it for the theming.
Green Eggs and Ham was good but we were a little over excited for it.

 

[Carolynleanne]

We're back! I'm happy to report that we never had a BAD meal. Some we're just okay, but some were actually great. I must have come in with super low expectations because I was pleasantly surprised, haha.

Our best meals were at The Leaky Cauldron, Thunderfalls Terrace, Antojitos, and Bubba Gumps. We also ate a lot at our Resort hotel (Cabana Bay) and found the food to be really decent.

 

[wabbott]

We're back! I'm happy to report that we never had a BAD meal. Some we're just okay, but some were actually great. I must have come in with super low expectations because I was pleasantly surprised, haha.

Our best meals were at The Leaky Cauldron, Thunderfalls Terrace, Antojitos, and Bubba Gumps. We also ate a lot at our Resort hotel (Cabana Bay) and found the food to be really decent.

Slightly off topic, but did the kiddos enjoy their Potter fix? The Leaky Cauldron (and all of Diagon Alley) is really authentic, isn't it?

 

[Carolynleanne]

Slightly off topic, but did the kiddos enjoy their Potter fix? The Leaky Cauldron (and all of Diagon Alley) is really authentic, isn't it?

Oh my goodness. We were ALL losing our minds!!! The attention to detail was insane... I cried multiple times, but especially when our daughter got chosen for the wand ceremony. I felt like I was walking through the book series. Absolutely incredible

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

I had the Ozvocado toast today as part of the Wicked offerings in USF.

Why was it the best Avocado toast I've ever had in my life?

 

[Limmer]

We were really happy with the food court at Cabana Bay. All 4 of us always enjoyed our food. Also LOVED the pizza at Luigi's and teh tacos at the Bumblebee truck.

 

[Carolynleanne]

I was honestly so worried after reading reviews but it was TOTALLY fine, haha.

 

[starlionblue]

Its called Wimpy's. Its off the path in the Popeye area by toon lagoon, so most people miss it since its out of the way. Thats probably the main reason they make the burgers to order.

If you're curious about Wimpy, he's Popeye's friend, the one in the hat and suit. He LOVES burgers and is always seen munching on one. I watched the cartoons when I was growing up. One time, Bluto kidnapped him and he passed the time snacking on the burgers he had stuffed under his suit! LOL....

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

Minions Cafe might be my new favorite quick-serve restaurant. Universal does mobile ordering soooo much better than Disney, even when it’s super crowded.

 

[Leigh L]

Minions Cafe might be my new favorite quick-serve restaurant. Universal does mobile ordering soooo much better than Disney, even when it’s super crowded.

Agree on this one for sure! We just got back and once again, Minions Cafe didn't disappoint. I do like the setup Universal has where you place your mobile order, go to your table, and plug in the number. This worked great in Diagon Alley as well.

 

[🍀TwinsMom]

We found resort food to be adequate/decent at Portofino and Hard Rock club level. Citywalk is very close and convenient to step out of the parks to get real, decent food. In the parks, all the food at the Potter restaurants was very good, both sides. The Jurassic food court area was totally fine. Mardi Gras cart food was very good. Other QS took FOREVER with lines and was very unappealing.

My sister did Sea World and said the food was disgusting/inedible and she and her husband chose to starve versus eat the slop they put out as they were concerned for food poisoning, LOL. Their tween daughter chose to starve/snack as the food was not appealing to her.

 

[DizneyFamof4]

We found the QS food at US, much better than at WDW. I still remember my daughter mentioning during breakfast how at WDW resorts the CM try to make sure that they only give out 2 strips of bacon, while at US resorts they give 4-5 and if they grab more they do not do the "bacon shake" that is what our family calls it when we see the WDW CM trying to shake off any of the extra bacon that they first grabbed. LOL
The portion size were also better.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Just back, and overall we really enjoyed the food at Universal. We had the deal with the gift card and it was great! So easy to use!
HRH- coffee in the morning was great! Staff was very nice. We also had some tangerines/granola bars we brought, plus a few sweets we picked up at WDW. (an oatmeal cookie makes a fine breakfast bar!)

Antojitos was closed, so we ate at Cowfish, and it was great. That night we had just come from Epcot, and we really wanted something a little plain. Our waiter was great and understood. He brought hot tea and extra hot water. Sushi martini, and sushi rolls were great. We also had edamame, an extra bowl of plain rice, and one bento box. Everyone enjoyed the food.

One night we found an offsite place to get pho soup, among other dishes and it was SO good! Pho 16 is a short drive from HRH on I-Drive. We tried all different varieties of pho. The shrimp might have been the best variety.

One night we ate a Confisco's and food plus service were excellent! I had the pasta. Our server was friendly and happy to tell us all about the props on display.

Mythos was also a very good meal!

Love the Minions ice pops! Mango is still my favorite, but berry and lemon/mint flavors are also very good.

Another quick serve we like is Thunder Falls Terrace. Most everything we've had there was very good.

Had good breakfast food at Three Broomsticks. The oatmeal cake tastes better than it sounds.

We also really enjoyed our food at the new Stella Nova QS! Avocado toast and french toast w/berries were both especially good!

Overall, food at Universal was much better than what we got at WDW, except some of the festival foods.

 

[DizneyFamof4]

I forgot to mention that we loved the seating style at Three Broomsticks and wish all QS restaurants were like that. They have CM's roaming the dining area and will stand by empty tables and once you get your food you go to a very short Q and you wait by a CM who then points you towards that CM and the empty table. No roaming around with trays of food looking for a table.

 

[keishashadow]

If you're curious about Wimpy, he's Popeye's friend, the one in the hat and suit. He LOVES burgers and is always seen munching on one. I watched the cartoons when I was growing up. One time, Bluto kidnapped him and he passed the time snacking on the burgers he had stuffed under his suit! LOL....

“I’ll pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.”

Mythos used to be ‘the’ best in park restaurant, in all the local parks. Menu changes and more than a few off meals has us avoiding it now

Blondies is our choice in IoA @ this time for a Dagwood sandwich. It was only mobile order last week. Observed many unhappy campers over that while we were dining

CB’s food court & main pool venue surprisingly solid, varied offerings

My sister did Sea World and said the food was disgusting/inedible

The BBQ restaurant has always been good, both ribs & chicken. Seasonal Food booths are awesome! the bison burgers have won local awards, I don’t eat them but, my family indicated among the best they’ve had Stacks up to WL geyser point, which is nearly double the price

JMHO the glory days of great park food disappeared during Covid. Now, it’s limited menus with the bare amount of effort/cost involved in prep

JMHO you aren’t going to find great dining in the the theme parks. Nearby resorts usually better, both for CS & TS. Just need to choose wisely after reading reviews

Just set your expectations realistically. At this point, all I hope for in the parks is decent, edible food

We do dine offsite, a lot lol