Need to get our restaurant shortlist down to two

[kat777]

We'll probably be eating at Universal on two evenings of our trip so we've come up with a shortlist:

Maragritaville
Latin Quarter
Bubba Gump
Hard Rock
Tchoup Chop

Any recommendations?

 

[kellymonaghan]

Well, from that list, I'd pick Tchoup Chop (for the food) and Margaritaville (for the atmosphere and theme-ing).

Latin Quarter is a shadow of its former self. Bubba Gump (which I kinda like) doesn't seem to be able to please everyone, and Hard Rock is . . . well, Hard Rock. If you like Hard Rock Cafes elsewhere, this one has the advantage of being the world's biggest.

NBA City also has very good food, but unless you're a BB fan, maybe not.

 

[Ileana]

Tchoup Chop for sure!!! The food is sooooo good

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

Out of those, I would definitely recommend Tchoup Chop. It's more expensive than the others so make sure everyone knows that going in.. But I've had some great dinners there.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

NBA City also has very good food, but unless you're a BB fan, maybe not.

Sadly, many use that as an excuse not to go to NBA City. Even if you're not a basketball fan, the place is awesome. They've also been known to show non-basketball programming, btw.

 

[FireandIce]

NBA City
The Palm

 

[sha_lyn]

Margarittavile and Tchoup Chop are our 2 must do restaurants.

 

[patster734]

Dinner at Tchoup Chop will usually require a reservation. You can make reservations for Tchoup Chop on Opentable.com. As for my choices, I agree with those who mentioned Tchoup Chop and Margaritaville.

 

[keishashadow]

imo, if you've eaten @ any chain restuarant, unless it was extraordinary; why repeat when there are so many other choices to explore .

We are not Hard Rock rest. fans DSs always beg to try whichever city's site we're visiting (for the cool factor I suppose) consistently disappointing...didn't think much of the Kitchen in the hotel for dinner a few years ago either...it was dirty ; food all over the floor in children's buffet area entire time we dined

pleasantly surprised by NBA (we drank) jr had a pizza-said it was good...wasn't as urban as it thought it would be...was expecting an ESPN-ish/sportsbar vibe
emerils is on our short list ; don't really consider it a cookie-cutter chain

my vote is "off the menu" - mythos & finnegans

 

[sha_lyn]

pleasantly surprised by NBA (we drank) jr had a pizza-said it was good...wasn't as urban as it thought it would be...was expecting an ESPN-ish/sportsbar vibe

ITA about NBA city. The basketball theme isn't played up much at all, ad it certainly doesn't have a sports-bar feel to it.

 

[wwessing]

my vote is "off the menu" - mythos & finnegans

Okay. . . so I'm slow. . .but could you clarify what you mean by this??

 

[keishashadow]

Okay. . . so I'm slow. . .but could you clarify what you mean by this??

just a figure of speech/bad pun i voted for restaurants that we're on the "menu" or original choice of OP...didn't mean that i asked them to whip up any special dish...although it wouldn't surprise me if mythos would be agreeable to adapting a dish to dining preferences if given advance notice...do know that the Disney restuarants will work around dietary restrictions/allergies (even shellfish) if you give them advance notice when making ADRs - the chef will actually call you back to discuss

 

[kat777]

Thanks everyone. I think we'll definitely do Tchoup Chop and then either Margaritaville or Bubba Gump. I'm leaning towards Bubba Gump because I feel like we could have a *relatively* quick meal there and then hit Margaritaville/Latin Quarter for a couple of drinks.

Also, can you go into the Hard Rock just for a drink at the bar?

 

[Flyin2MCO]

Thanks everyone. I think we'll definitely do Tchoup Chop and then either Margaritaville or Bubba Gump. I'm leaning towards Bubba Gump because I feel like we could have a *relatively* quick meal there and then hit Margaritaville/Latin Quarter for a couple of drinks...my interest in Latin Quarter is just the music - about half of the group met at dance classes.

Also, can you go into the Hard Rock just for a drink at the bar?

Yes to the Hard Rock question...in fact, a drink at the Cadillac Bar is probably a good choice since you've been to other HRs before...as mentioned, it's good to see this one for the size and atmosphere, but the food is nothing to write home about (except for the mac and cheese, which is yummy!)

There's a big gap between TC/Emeril's and any of other food options. Personally, I'd go with Margaritaville....the food at Bubba Gump isn't that great.

Have fun....

 

[ps17]

Well this is all subjective but we have some votes against the grain :

Tchoup Chop is one of the most overated and ovepriced for what you get restaurants at UO. Went there 5 years ago and hated it. Gave it another chance this last Christmas and hated it again. Margaritaville is OK but not worth the wait if it is a long one.

For a citywalk restaurants, we found Latin Quarter to be great with superb Guacamole as well as seafood fare.

The best "high end" restaurants at UO are the Palm and Emerils. If you are staying at the HRH, the Kitchen is a lot of fun. Mamma Dellas at PBH gets a lot of great reviews. Inside the park, Mythos is tops.

 

[damo]

Just back and I must say that our best meals were at Sal's Deli Market and Mythos. They are both reasonably priced.

Tchoup Chop was okay but not as good as Islands which wasn't as good as Mythos.

 

[Colorado DISers]

NBA City and the Hard Rock. Prices and food are pretty good.

 

[kat777]

This trip is making me wish there were more than three meals per day! I keep changing my mind!

Thanks for all your help

 

[PlutoLuvr]

Kat, one of the things I LOVE about Universal/IOA/Citywalk is you don't have to make your dining decisions months in advance. Definitely check out menus, look at reviews, we'll all chat about our hits and misses, but if your group has an itch for Spanish or Italian or seafood or steaks, you can get really nice meals all over the Universal resort without having to commit months or weeks in advance.

I think you'll really enjoy the individual restaurants' uniqueness, individuality and creativity at Universal/IOA/CW.

 

[JCornell]

I don't see it listed often but one of our favorites on CityWalk is Pat O'Brien's, very tasty, reasonably priced, New Orleans food.