QS Suggestions, both Parks

[mdsd8700]

We are arriving on Friday, June 17th. Our plane lands in Orlando at 9:15 am. We need to get the luggage/rental car and we are on our way to the Hard Rock. We will check in and store our luggage, planning to hit Islands of Adventure right away. Already have gotten great advice for touring from some here. Now I want to know what would be the best place to grab lunch when we arrive. Not sure if is best to eat quick at the HRH or the park. We are not particularly fussy about the food, the usual is fine. We also will need a place to hit for dinner. We plan on maximizing our touring time, so again someplace quick (in the park) for dinner would most likely be good.

Thanks for any advice or tips!

 

[tinydancer09]

We are arriving on Friday, June 17th. Our plane lands in Orlando at 9:15 am. We need to get the luggage/rental car and we are on our way to the Hard Rock. We will check in and store our luggage, planning to hit Islands of Adventure right away. Already have gotten great advice for touring from some here. Now I want to know what would be the best place to grab lunch when we arrive. Not sure if is best to eat quick at the HRH or the park. We are not particularly fussy about the food, the usual is fine. We also will need a place to hit for dinner. We plan on maximizing our touring time, so again someplace quick (in the park) for dinner would most likely be good.

Thanks for any advice or tips!

I've heard good things about the kitchen at HRH but have not eaten there myself.

In the park I would recommend Three broomsticks in WWOHP if you can get in or thunderfalls terrace in Jurrasic Park. if you're wanting quick. These both have things not as usual as chicken tenders and burgers but more of BBQ chicken, corn, ribs, or turkey. I cannot remember if TFT has all of those but I remember it being good!

They also have a burger king among other "quick" places to eat at City Walk for the meal before parks.

 

[Metro West]

My counter service recommendations are:

IOA - Thunder Falls Terrace and Blondie's

The Studios - Louie's and Midway Grill

CityWalk - Moe's, Whopper Bar and Pastamore

 

[schumigirl]

In IOA would always reccommend Thunder Falls Terrace for CS lunch right at Jurassic Park ride.

The chicken wrap is amazing, chicken and ribs are lush and the burgers are pretty good too. We like it here

If you want a proper dinner it would only take 10 minutes or so maximum to walk out to Citywalk where I would always choose Margaritaville. Food and atmosphere are amazing.

You could make a reservation when you arrive at the booth in Citywalk.

 

[tinydancer09]

Unanimous thunder falls terrace vote. You would think we planned these things.

 

[Badge]

The hotels do not have any sort of "quick service" meals like the park does. Most of them have something small in the morning to grab a quick bite (bagel, toast, etc.). However, The Kitchen at Hard Rock is great! Its a nice sit down meal with prices around the range of Chilis or Fridays.

As far as quick service meals INSIDE IOA, I enjoy Circus Mcgurcus (sure that spelling is wrong ), but it is a quick service place next to Cat in the Hat. It is on the Universal Meal Deal program if you plan on getting that. I really like their chicken ceaser salad! I have never tried Thunder Falls (mostly becuase we always have the Meal Deal and this place is not on it), but based on what people are saying here, it sounds like it will be great!! I will have to try it when we get there in a week

For Studios, I enjoy the Orange Chicken at the Internation place. Can't remember the name of it, but it is between ET and Simpsons. They have a big selection of food there, but the Orange Chicken is great! This place is also on the Meal Deal.

For Citywalk, I suggest the "food court" area. You have to go up some stairs to reach it since it is on the 2nd floor of Citywalk, but it has the BK Whopper Bar, Panda Express and one or two other places to eat.

For sit down meals, I suggest (again) The Kitchen at Hard Rock, Jaks at Royal Pacific, Island Dining Room (good breakfast buffet!) at Royal Pacific, Pastamore on Citywalk, and Mythos at IOA.

 

[damo]

Check the food sticky for full menus of the parks.

 

[Planogirl]

Dare I recommend Thunder Falls Terrace?

Richter's in the Studios gets mixed reviews but it's just plain burgers which are hard to mess up IMO. I'm always happy with the grilled chicken sandwich.

If you can spend a little more time, I also suggest heading to Citywalk for lunch. We've never had to wait to be seated at Margaritaville and the service is pretty quick too. It's nice to get away from the crowds for a bit.

 

[Metro West]

I have never tried Thunder Falls (mostly becuase we always have the Meal Deal and this place is not on it), but based on what people are saying here, it sounds like it will be great!! I will have to try it when we get there in a week

Maybe you'll try some places that aren't on the meal deal when you visit. There are much better places like Thunder Falls Terrace and Mythos at IOA and Finnegan's at the Studios that are not included on the deal. My favorite at the Studios is Louie's but that's on the meal deal. I had one lunch at the International Food and Film Festival once but I wasn't thrilled with it. I haven't been back. One place that's really good...if you're in the mood for a hot dog is Midway Grill. They have huge Nathan's Famous brand hot dogs and the chili fries are great!

 

[tinydancer09]

One place that's really good...if you're in the mood for a hot dog is Midway Grill. They have huge Nathan's Famous brand hot dogs and the chili fries are great!

Is this the place right outside of Jaws? I never knew it had a different name I just thought it was Nathans! But I agree it was very good! The bun threw me off a bit but the fries were fabulous! (No chili for this acid reflux sufferer...

 

[Metro West]

Is this the place right outside of Jaws? I never knew it had a different name I just thought it was Nathans! But I agree it was very good! The bun threw me off a bit but the fries were fabulous! (No chili for this acid reflux sufferer...

Yes...that's the place. It's kinda tucked back from the street and if you aren't looking for it, you'll miss it.

 

[Badge]

Maybe you'll try some places that aren't on the meal deal when you visit. There are much better places like Thunder Falls Terrace and Mythos at IOA and Finnegan's at the Studios that are not included on the deal. My favorite at the Studios is Louie's but that's on the meal deal. I had one lunch at the International Food and Film Festival once but I wasn't thrilled with it. I haven't been back. One place that's really good...if you're in the mood for a hot dog is Midway Grill. They have huge Nathan's Famous brand hot dogs and the chili fries are great!

Well, I just went and looked at the menus for Thunder Falls Terrace and was really surprised at the prices! I mean, for some of them (like the ribs), I could enjoy a nice table service meal and still spend less. Do you really get a lot of food for the almost $14.00 you spend on the ribs?

 

[Metro West]

Well, I just went and looked at the menus for Thunder Falls Terrace and was really surprised at the prices! I mean, for some of them (like the ribs), I could enjoy a nice table service meal and still spend less. Do you really get a lot of food for the almost $14.00 you spend on the ribs?

Yes...you get a good sized portion. I usually get the Chicken Wrap w/fries and a large drink and it's under $10.00 with my AP discount so I don't think the prices are that out of line for theme park dining. I don't think you'll be disappointed in the portion sizes...plus there's no tipping since its counter service...which will save you a couple of dollars.

 

[mdsd8700]

Just got back to check the replys, thanks everyone for helping me out. You guys are really great and so appreciate your opinions. It appears the Thunder Falls is the overall winner, so I guess we will try that. Margaritaville seems be another popular choice so if we are need of a break, I will keep that in mind as well.

This is exactly what I was looking for, we haven't been to Universal since 1990 so I have no ideas on anything, LOL! I do like to be prepared as possible.

Badge you were instrumental in helping me get my touring plan together, so again I thank you for your assistance. Hopefully there isn't a fee for your services.

We leave in one week and I completely pysched. I just know my kids are going to love Universal Studios and Island of Adventure. Looking foward to HRH as well.

Thanks again everyone!

 

[Planogirl]

Well, I just went and looked at the menus for Thunder Falls Terrace and was really surprised at the prices! I mean, for some of them (like the ribs), I could enjoy a nice table service meal and still spend less. Do you really get a lot of food for the almost $14.00 you spend on the ribs?

For lunch, we typically get the chicken and rib plate and an order of fries and DS and I split the food. It depends on how much a person eats but we always had plenty plus it is good.

 

[schumigirl]

For lunch, we typically get the chicken and rib plate and an order of fries and DS and I split the food. It depends on how much a person eats but we always had plenty plus it is good.

We found the chicken and rib plate was big enough for us to share and we have GOOD appetites.

So with another plate of chicken wrap or whatever..... it works out a really cheap meal for 3 of us.

 

[aubriee]

We are not usually counter service people, but do like Thunder Falls and Midway Grill.

However, we usually eat at Margaritaville, Bubba Gump, Mythos, or Finnegan's.